Reviews and experiences

We went to Zanzibar in early 2018 because my aunt invited us to visit her. Needless to say, I will remember this journey for the rest of my life. Viki surprised us with ingenious programs day by day and guided us around the places she knew with great enthusiasm. She walks around the island as if she had lived there for a thousand years and knew everything about the places we visited and knew exactly what to do. To this day, I think back with admiration for the whole trip, but most of all, for really seeing in Viki that this is her home. I do not think many people can tell of themselves that they spent their 18th birthday in Zanzibar and that they were able to swim with wild dolphins at six in the morning – well I can. Viki knew I had always loved dolphins and it was on my bucket list to swim with dolphins one day.
Looking back today, I remember every day we spent there, getting an insight into the everyday life of locals, eating traditional food, meeting many new people.
The best thing though, was that we didn’t get a “filtered picture” of Zanzibar, we got to know the real Zanzibar. With real people, food, and experiences. Viki showed us the real, and true side of Zanzibar.
I think back happily to my time there and it is very difficult to choose an outstanding moment, but if I had to choose it would be swimming with the dolphins and going to the local school.
That is what I’m most proud of. It could have been that we only visited places that are typical tourist attractions, but it didn’t happen that way. We could have a glimpse into the soul of the small island.
Most importantly, we left the tiny island of Zanzibar with an experience of a lifetime and the thought that this was not the last time we had been there.”

“I’ve been going back to the same exotic place to vacation for years because I know I’ve already discovered the truly authentic food, people and services there.
This year, however, our trip took us to Zanzibar, a new location. We had two weeks, which seems like a lot, but it’s very little if you want to actually see beyond the world created and built for tourists. We had the chance to see beyond this picture because fate brought us together with Viki, who, while keeping her western mindset and demanding attitude, was so integrated into the lives and local culture of the people there that she accompanied us almost as a local herself on this wonderful island from where we left as if we belonged there too. I can’t wait to return again.”

“Dear those who wish to travel!
Where do I start my story about this wonderful experience? First of all, you need to know that I hate winter. My long-time dream to escape the grey and cold winter into a warm place became true, when in January of 2018 Viki organised this trip for us. She has been out several times for extended periods of time, so I knew we would be in good hands and wouldn’t have to worry about anything. We were looking forward to our trip with great excitement. We went to a part of the island / Jambiani /, which is a quiet neighbourhood. There are no big hotels in that area, but instead the typical little bungalows and beach villas. In this way, we were also able to gain insight into the everyday lives of the locals. Our accommodation was also such a villa, right on the oceanfront, which proved to be a perfect choice. Well, what can I say, the long white “flour like” sandy beach, the turquoise crystal clear water, the multitude of swaying palm trees immediately dazzled me. Every day a divine homemade breakfast of local specialties was prepared for us by our housekeeper. I have never eaten such sweet, intense-tasting fruits before. On the beach, there are restaurants lining up tempting you with delicious smells onto their terrace for a beautiful sunset dinner accompanied by a delicious cocktail. We had several programs pre-organised by Viki. We had nothing to do but to have fun and enjoy life. I would like to highlight a few of them. The first is swimming with dolphins and the Blue Safari. It was two different programs but the most wonderful. One morning at dusk we got up to go to the dolphin program, we’ve got taken out to the open water in a boat. It was amazing to see them for the first time. As soon as the pod turned up, we had to jump into the water. They were swimming around us with their cute smiling faces. It was an experience of a lifetime. The other most special program was the spice tour. During the approximately 2-hour long tour, we could see lots of special plants such as red bananas, nutmeg, and dorian fruit. We could also taste the fruits and spices and been told lots of interesting information about them. The atmosphere and the majestic scents enchanted us. Our tour reached its peak when we got given headpieces, and ties for men and a necklace and earrings for women made from palm leaves. We could watch how people climbed up on a palm tree within seconds for a coconut. In the end, we could buy the products of the spice farm and the little fragrance compositions. I could talk about this experience forever, but I have already written a lot. In summary, I must admit that this was the most special holiday I have ever been to in my life. If you also wish to visit a special and exotic place spiced up with super programs, then look for Viki Barta. Whether it’s a family vacation or a honeymoon, it’s a great choice. Believe me, it will be a lifelong experience! HAKUNA MATATA!”

“Zanzibar – the island that everyone should see.

We often hear what we should see and where we should travel in the world to discover our wonderful planet.
As a surgeon, I have visited many places myself, and since I was a child, I have travelled abroad several times a year for short and long periods of time. I have lived and worked on several continents.
If I had to make a list where I would go back if I had the chance tomorrow, Zanzibar would be one of the first ones without any hesitation.
Why? Because it’s simply amazing!
It has no huge plazas crowded with tourists, no towel-covered oceanfront, or noisy shores from the jet skis.
On the other hand, it has a wonderful, clean, white sandy ocean shore, extremely kind and friendly locals, pleasant, humid air, delicious food and drinks, and scorching sunshine.
It has everything a tourist can desire.
Familiar luxury bungalow complexes and small towns with typical African culture.
During my stay, I always felt safe, single ladies don’t have to be afraid either.
I could list for a long time why it is one of my favourite places, but you can only understand it after your own trip.
I left it for last, but perhaps this is the most important part, no one knows Zanzibar better than Viki (Victoria Barta), feel free to trust her to show you the paradise on Earth, and teach everyone Afro-jazz and Swahili.
Asante Zanzibar, that you have given me so much!
Zanzibar, I’m coming back.”

“I am a retired university lecturer, and thank to my job and my interests, I have travelled the world. Visiting Zanzibar was one of the biggest experiences of my life in February 2018. For this, I am especially grateful for my tourist guide, Victoria Barta. She is a very likeable, energetic, adventure seeking lady who have lived in this area before, and her knowledge of the place and connections with the locals were incredibly useful. She created fantastic programs for us: a trip out in the ocean visiting islands, markets, visiting the local school, creating memories of the culture and folk arts all while we could watch the artist’s work. It was pleasantly surprising and enjoyable to see the bars come to life at night under the bright stars. All thanks to Victoria.”

“It is hard to say which of the many experiences were the most outstanding during the trip. I would probably say that it was the boat trip with scuba diving around the islands, or maybe the phantastic late night birthday party at the open-air bar at the beach, or the unforgettable and touching visit to the school of the village. We will be coming back!”

“Words cannot accurately describe the experience I had all thanks to Victoria, from Zanzibar, Africa. Viki, who has been telling me a lot about this stunning place for a long time, painted the image of the paradise picture made me very curious, so we jumped into it. In addition to loving special and exotic landscapes, I also love getting to know peoples’ culture up close. Even from the first time, the two weeks full of adventures were absolutely amazing, and alongside the picturesque beaches and the emerald-coloured ocean, it was fantastic to experience the simplicity, easiness, and sociability that radiates from the people and their way of life. With her great local knowledge, Viki guided us to places unknown to tourists and tour guides and we made connections with others we wouldn’t have had a chance to as a simple tourist. We have had unforgettable experiences and can’t wait to go back to the island again.”

“Going to Africa for the first time at the age of 70? Zanzibar? Yes! An unmissable experience!
With great excitement travelling with family and friends, and with even greater anticipation and some anxiety – due to our age – we embarked on our “summer in winter” adventure in January 2019.
From the moment of our arrival, Fate and …… Viki carried us on the palm of her hands.
At the airport, a smiling young local man who spoke excellent English was waiting for us, who was transporting us to our accommodation. A series of surprises set in, on our way through a roadless forest we all of a sudden found ourselves in a wonderful hotel. Spacious areas, cool rooms, Eastern comfort, luxury by every meaning of the word, shaded terraces, private pool, bar, excellent cuisine, always smiling staff and all this by the ocean. The soft white sand is like powdered sugar, the miracle of the tides, the sea, the thousands of lights, colours and smells of the sea and sky.
What does Zanzibar have to offer? For gourmets, the richness of the sea and the multitude of little-known fruits in the form of natural and freshly squeezed juice. For the younger ones, all kinds of water sports, diving, windsurfing, kite etc.
For older, comfort-seeking guests, boat trips and picnics on an island that disappears during floods. A trip to a spice garden with lots of interesting historical background knowledge, city walks, visits to the museum, shopping with excellent local knowledge.
And who is responsible for organising this, has kept it all in hand, called a taxi in a minute anywhere, and managed to find a driver? It was Viki, Victoria Barta. She knows every corner of the island, have local connections, who is a full hearted, tireless, and always cheerful guide who also keeps individual wishes in mind.”

“Well, where do I start?
I travelled to the island of Zanzibar after 15 years of longing.
A few months after losing my husband in January 2016, my daughter surprised me with a flight ticket, so I didn’t even have a chance to say no.
Viki (my daughter) knew exactly that this journey would only ease the hole I felt at this time. Everything was exciting and very new. It felt especially good to be able to get to one of the most exotic islands in the world without knowing the language and I felt safe all along. Often, one can have stupid thoughts and fears about such a distant fairy tale land, beetles, diseases, etc.… until they get there. To my greatest surprise, I didn’t even think of them during my stay because we were in maximum safety during our stay due to my daughter’s accommodation choices and programs. Viki is prudent, thorough, responsible, and extremely dynamic.
She once told me:
You know mom, “I feel at home here”.
Needless to say, it didn’t feel good to hear that at first, but today, after three trips, I can see that even her eyes sparkle differently under the Zanzibar sky. It fills me with pride to have such a brave, strong, temperamental, and confident daughter. She is a living example of the saying: Do not dream your life but live your dream. Not only as an organiser, but also as a human, woman, and mother, she is an infinitely authentic and pleasant person. Whoever chooses her for their journey, in addition to the experiences of a lifetime, can also find in her a new true friend with a pure soul.”

“We had the most remarkable family tour with our guide Vicki. We felt in every instance that she truly cared about us, both the kids and adults, and did her best to make this trip memorable. The local tour guides were very well informed, always on time, accommodating and gracious. We enjoyed being with Vicki so much and look forward to spending time with you on our next visit. Thanks, you’re the best.”