Golden Rwanda Safaris
- Offices In:
-
Congo (DRC)
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, APTA, RTTA & Tripadvisor
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $120 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
MX
Email Ireri Ablanedo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A one in a lifetime experience, with a professional, knowledgeable team to guide you
I rarely write reviews, so the fact that I didn't hesitate to write this one speaks a lot about how grateful I am to Golden Rwanda Safaris for one of the best trips I've ever had. Since I was going to Rwanda for work and only learned about it a few weeks in advance, I had a very short time to put together this tour. In just a few days, Golden Rwanda Safaris helped me curate an experience that was exactly what I wanted: canopy walking in Nyungwe (amazing!), climbing a mountain and sitting next to a family of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park (I don't know how Golden Rwanda got me a spot on such short notice, given that there are few permits available in the summer), learning more about Rwandan culture and traditions (I learned how to make banana beer!), and glamping in Akagera Park with hippos just outside my tent. My guide, Soufiani, was extremely professional: always on time, a careful driver, always patient and attentive to my needs, making sure I felt safe and that I was getting the exact experience I wanted (for example: when I told him - mid-trip - that I preferred to spend the night in Ruzizi Tented Lodge instead of another fancier hotel they had booked for me, he immediately made arrangements to make that happen).
It was also very clear to me that Golden Rwanda knows its trade, as they were able to suggest really cool experiences (in addition to those I had in mind), and their choices for accommodation were on point. Also, they constantly requested feedback and asked if there was anything else they could do to make sure I was happy. I can not recommend them enough!!
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Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mansoor was excellent in every way--friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and a great driver!
My brother and I did a custom safari tour and gorilla treking with Golden Rwanda Safaris and I cannot reccomend it strongly enough! Frank (the owner) was great--he was communicative by email and WhatsApp and we were even able to speak to him over the phone (wifi call via WhatsApp). I must admit we were a bit nervous when we had to wire money to a stranger in another country but Frank stayed in constant communication with us and really delivered on everything he said he would. Also i will say that at first we thought it was a bit expensive, but after the experience I must admit that it was a great value and I definitely got my money's worth!!
Here is a breakdown of what we got for our price (about 5000 per person):
A driver who picks you up from the airport and drives you around to all your places (basically a personal chauffeur), nice(!!) hotel accommodations for 8 nights where either all or some meals included, gorilla permit (when we went these cost about 1500 per person), and park entrance fees. Here is what we did on our trip:
When we arrived, we were met at the airport by our guide, Mansoor. He drove us to our first hotel in Kigali which was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed (Serena-breakfast included). The next day Mansoor drove us around Kigali where we visited the genocide museum and some local markets. The next day Mansoor drove us into the mountains to do our gorilla trekking and we stayed at the beautiful 5 volcanoes lodge (all meals included here). The next morning we hiked into the rain forest and literally hung out with a family of gorillas for an hour--it was incredible!!!! When we got back to the hotel the porters took off our gators and our shoes and rubbed our feet!!!!!!! I don't know if you'll get this service too but man...and I think they have other massage and spa treatment you can pay for as well. The next day we drove to Akagera park and went on a sunset boat ride on one of the lakes in the south, which was nice (and included in price). We stayed at ruziza lodge which was beautiful, but right on the water which means it was a little buggy (bring mosquito repellant!). Here all meals were included. Then we moved north through the park towards our next hotel, the kerenga bush camp looking for animals along the way. Along the way we picked up a field guide (not included--120$ for 3 days) Sandrine and she was amazing!!! She was super knowledgeable about the park and she spotted so many animals that we definitely would have missed otherwise. Over the course if 3 days in the park we saw many animals including 4 if the "big 5": Buffalo, rhino, lion, and elephant (we did not see any leopards). We also saw tons of giraffes, zebras, hippos, and antelope, and we even saw a crocodile and a black mamba snake (from the safety of our safari truck!) All meals were included at kerenga bush camp including a packed lunch when you're on safari! We also went on a really cool night safari (also included!). Afterwards Mansoor drove us back to Kigali for the night, them dropped us at the airport to catch our flight home.
This was the trip of a lifetime and worth every single penny I spent (including all the tipping...be ready for that and don't be stingy!!)
One last thing I will say: everybody we met: our driver Mansoor, Frank, all the staff at every hotel or restaurant, the guides and and trackers on every trek or safari, everbody was super super friendly and nice and always made us feel very welcomed and at home. Rwanda is a super special place and I highly reccomend it for everyone to visit and I highly highly highly recommend that you hire Frank's Golden Rwanda Safaris to arrange everything for you! You will not be disappointed!
CA
Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our tour operator was very organized and easy to get along with
We had a group of 6 on a safari that was excellent. Golden Rwanda safaris was very responsive on WhatsApp and able to accommodate us on short notice. The food was great (especially breakfast) and the safari was also successful with our group even seeing a lion.
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Email Steve Bobeck | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They make it easy
So you find yourself in Rwanda and maybe you want to see gorillas but have no idea how to proceed? That was me and I just happened to find this company on the internet. Don’t worry about anything just contact Frank and he will take care of all the details. Frank was very responsive and virtually everything he promised came true plus more… from the hotel to transportation even being able to arrange the gorilla trekking to be an easier trek. I know it’s a lot of money but this is a bucket list thing you should just do it , our driver Mohammed was more than courteous. My opinion is that you need a company to help you organize the details and if I ever come back to Rwanda or have any friends I will definitely use Golden Rwanda Safaris again. Thanks Frank and Mohammed.
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Email Angie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jean Claude was fantastic!
Jean Claude was a fantastic guide who was so helpful and informative! Our family had an amazing time! We always felt safe and trusted him immensely!
Thank you!
Email John J | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, flexible...fantastic
From first contacting owner Frank to research trip options a year before travelling, to bidding a fond farewell to our great guide Tarfique at Kigali Airport we had a fantastic experience with Golden Rwanda Safaris. At every stage it was easy to contact Frank via email and he answered all my various questions politely. We booked the 12 Days Rwanda Safari Adventure, having agreed that we would alter the scheduled itinerary in a couple of places so that it best met our wishes. Prices were competitive, but the service from Frank gave me greater confidence to book with Golden Rwanda. When we arrived at Kigali Airport, Tarfique was waiting for us and we began what was like a trip with a well-informed, local friend. We had a great time, chatting and laughing with him, while at every stage of our tour Tarfique checked how we were feeling and what we wanted to do. We made more changes to the itinerary as we travelled round the beautiful country, having a wonderful experience. Although the National Parks organise the various primate treks, Tarfique ensure we had places on an easier gorilla trek due to my wife's mobility and we had a brilliant solo trek to meet colobus monkeys in Nyungwe which made that even more magical than the chimpanzee and golden monkeys treks that we did in small groups. Boat trips on the lakes of Kivu, Iheme and Rehondo (one of the itinerary changes we made) were wonderful too. Hotels we stayed in were described as mid-range, but were all great and varied from the gorgeous setting of Ruzizi Tented Camp in Akagera to the 5 star smoothness of Serena hotels in Kigali and Gisenyi. At all hotels the staff were very friendly and cheerful - but special mention to the lovely team at Ruzizi who made our stay there super special. All in all a dream holiday with Golden Rwanda Safaris and a big tick off our bucket list!
Email Maya | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Akagera Experience
Golden Rwanda Safaris and our guide, Abouba, made sure we had an amazing Akagera experience. We camped 2 nights in the park, they planned everything, helped us rent sleeping bags, provided drinking water and even helped us start a fire each night. Abou was a very knowledgeable guide who made our safari unforgettable and I would highly recommend him.
GR
Email Christie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gentle and helpful
We had the daily tour in Akagera National Park. Everything was amazing! The experience was incredible thanks to our guide Mr. Taufique and his professionalism. Definitely worth the money!
Email Daniella | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very efficient!
We took Golden Rwanda Safaris to visit the Akagera National Park, the King's Palace in Nyanza, Nyungwe National Park, and Lake Kivu. In the beginning, we were skeptical about the fees to pay. However, during the entire visit, we had an enjoyable experience. The service was excellent, the communication was clear, and the guide was kind and did his job well. We could learn many things about Rwanda thanks to the Golden Rwanda Safaris.
IT
Email MC | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great support and staff very friendly
Me and my colleagues had a great experience with the company during pur day trip Safari at Akagera National’s Park. The service definitely worth the price.