We didn’t want to leave! Our stay at Bateleur was absolutely marvelous. The staff and service were flawless, and the camp itself felt truly magical. The safari was incredible, and the hot air balloon ride over the Mara was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exceeded all expectations. We only wish our stay could have been longer.

While we enjoyed Zanzibar and Stonetown, our stay at Breezes was, unfortunately, underwhelming. The contrast between our experiences at Bateleur and Breezes was striking. The staff at Breezes were mostly unfriendly, with only a few exceptions. Many extras came at steep prices beyond the half-board package, making even basic services costly. During a few days of bad weather, there was very little to do at the resort, and the internet was completely unreliable throughout our stay. Trips to Stonetown were overpriced, costing over $100 per ride, and we couldn’t book activities outside of the hotel’s arrangements. What frustrated us most were small but disappointing practices, such as being charged for water at dinner—even though it was included at breakfast. Water was served in a 2L plastic bottle, which felt inconsistent with the expectations of a 5-star experience. The room itself was adequate but dated and poorly maintained, featuring basic wall-mounted shampoo and soap dispensers that did not reflect a luxury standard. Despite online reviews and Mahlatini’s recommendation suggesting a 5-star experience, the reality fell short. The only highlight was the spa, which was genuinely excellent and enjoyable.