Your consultant Ute, y'r eyes & ears on the ground
Roho Ya Chui
- Offices In:
-
Netherlands
Germany
Austria
United States
Australia - Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, APTA & SATSA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $900 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
US
Email Paul Shirley | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very responsive to the type of camps we wanted and exposure to game.
We did a "five camp" safari over 12 days in Zambia and Zimbabwe. This was our fifth trip to Africa, and we had not spent an appreciable amount of time in either country. The terrain was dry, as expected. We are willing to trade off the beauty of green flora for the absence of mosquitoes,
so always travel to Africa in September.
Our camps ranged from older bush camps to newer contemporary camps. The bush camps are due for a "refresh", but the food and staff were both excellent as were the game sightings. This was our first trip that included walking safaris. They lasted about an hour each, and were excellent, giving the guides an opportunity to share their extensive knowledge of tracking with us. We learned a great deal, and highly recommend them when offered.
We also did a canoe trip at Chiawa. Majestic scenery and interesting wildlife. I am older, and the guide did the paddling...I never touched one, so it was an easy, peaceful journey.
At the first three camps in Zambia we had pleasant surprises with meals, ranging from lunch being served at tables in the river (only about 6 inches of water in September), a lunch on a boat and a BBQ dinner in the bush. While these are surprises, we have come to expect them over the years, and were somewhat disappointed that our two stops in Zimbabwe did not provide that experience.
We had hoped to do a bit of fishing, but mother nature delivered some rather strong winds, so we were not able to experience that.
I won't go into any detail about game sightings but suffice to say they were plentiful and exciting (especially the cheetah chase down and the hyenas running around with a zebra leg).
The logistics on this trip were a bit complicated, and I would pay closer attention to them on future trips. It was my error that we did not spend a night in a hotel when we arrived in Africa, and ended up going on two in country flights and a long drive to the first camp, making the journey about 48 hours. Also, moving from Zambia to Zimbabwe was cumbersome and time consuming. I will definitely take a closer look at that aspect next time.
All in all, another wonderful trip to Africa!
JP
Email Yu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything went smoothly
What I appreciated the most is that Ute was always very quick to respond to my inquiries.
I was a bit worried pick-ups because I had to make changes few times due to flight schedule changes and activity I decided to include in a last minute, but there was nothing to worry about. We got picked up pretty much on time every single time.
I will recommend Roho Ya Chui to anyone. I will definitely use them again next time I plan African safari.
If I am to give my personal advise to people who are planning to visit Kruger, get an accommodation inside the park.
If your budget allows, go to a private game reserve instead of the Kruger National Park.
There were too many tourists there, which makes it very difficult to see rare animals.
We missed a leopard siting while waiting on a very long queue, and had to wait for a long time to see sleeping lions.
It was crazy.
I had so much better experience at Sabi Sands.
US
Email A&C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
FANTASTIC JOURNEY thanks to Ute Sonnenberg's knowledge, expertise, hard work and time
Highly recommend Royo Ya Chui and Ute Sonnenberg. Ms. Sonnenberg will put together a first class trip within your price range.
We had been working on this trip for over five months and were about to give it up (because we had already communicated with four travel operators who just didn't listen to what we were interested in seeing and doing while in Africa) when Ute was referred to us. We worked with Ute approximately six months putting the trip together, and she read all our emails carefully and listened to all our requests, ideas, and questions. She gave extremely helpful suggestions and recommendations, and delivered far above what our expectations were.
Ute always responded to emails quickly, and even followed us during our trip to make sure everything was alright - we never waited more than fifteen minutes for a response to any text while traveling and using whats app.
Ute introduced us to the Trip Plan app, which we referred to several times during our month in Africa because it had the entire itinerary with all the necessary information, and one doesn’t need internet to use it.
All the accommodations Ute suggested were excellent (Kirkman Kamp, Qorokwe Camp, Pelo Camp, Chobe Game Lodge and Victoria Falls Hotel and the Rovos Train). We did a total of 20 land, water and walking safaris during our trip, which gave great diversity, and the diversity was a great recommendation from Ute. All, but two, of the safaris were fantastic with excellent guides. We were disappointed with the guide at Chobe Game Lodge and Ute immediately texted us and offered to get us a new guide when she found out.
We booked all our flights both international and within Africa, using Ute’s suggestions assisting us with times and airlines, which made it so much easier working with the airlines.
Overall it was an incredible trip, and we felt for an incredible price. We are most grateful to Ute for all of her time, patience, knowledge, suggestions, assistance and expertise with the entire trip. Highly recommend Ute Sonnenberg and her company Roho Ya Chui.
IT
Email Julia Griner | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exactly what we requested and exceeded our expectations!
Working with Ute at RYC was a pleasure from the start. Of all the companies I contacted she was the only one to take the time for a phone call and listened to everything I had to say. Clearly she heard me and was able to understand the nuances of what we wanted and offered us a trip plan that matched our needs. Not only was the preparation easy and fun but the resulting trip was everything we could has asked for and more! We stayed in 4 camps over a 12 days period. All transport and activities were taken care of with options to tweak on site. The camps and their staff were not only hospitable and a delight to be with but knowledgable and generous with all kinds of information regarding nature, Bostwana and the Bastwana people. It was a true cultural experience.
I have already passed on RYC's information to inquiring friends and hope that they too will have the 100% positive experience we did with this superior outfit.
NO
Email Roar Fogstad | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding experience for our safari. Everything planned in detail and intimerary followed.
Communication, logistic and choice of safari lodges was to our full satisfaction. What more is there to desire?
Many gamedrives, boatsafaries, excellent management and mostly good food and sercvice. Chobe game lodge need to improve service, cooking and undrestanding of international travellers.
DE
Email Mona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was very well organized and accommodation was above expectation.
There was really nothing to complain. Everything was very well organized and I was positively surprised about the accommodations.
I would definitely recommend Roho Ya Chui and would always travel with again!
Email Sylvia x4 | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip.....Ute did a great job in organising the trip for us
- Quick and informative responses in the preparation of the trip.
- Whole trip was very well prepared and staff took very well care of us during our trip.
- All lodges and staff were great and very helpful. The accommodation at Pangolin has exceeded our expectations. The welcome entertainment (singing and dancing of the staff) at the Khwai Bush Camp was heartwarming.
- Special thank you to our tour guides Aubrey at Pangolin and Sinka at Khwai Bush Camp. They did a great job!
US
Email Pete | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extraordinary safari in Zambia at Baines River Camp
This was the second safari that we have booked with Roho Ya Chi. The company is thorough, honest, has great customer service, and excellent attention to details. I am in the process of booking next year's safari with them as this is being written!
SG
Email Lee Tay | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Roho is very patient to our requests and made all the good suggestions for our trips.
It’s has been well arranged trip. We have seen the big 5 and many more. The best experience has been a kill by three cheetahs and a ground encounter of a hyena. We have endless of activities and less sleep time.
Our guide suggested Victoria fall at Zimbabwe is a wise choice during this season. We would have no or little waterfall view from Zambia.
Email PB | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everyday - expectations exceeded
So having just returned from our trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana I can with complete confidence recommend the services of Ute to help arrange your safari experience.
Ute is very easy to communicate with, both by phone and email and took the time to understand the needs of our group of 8. She successfully worked with our budget, showed us where to spend a little more and where to save.
Everywhere we went we were met on time by local ground operators who knew the plan - including at the end of our trip at Maun airport.......
There’s something very special about service culture African style, I could write a whole book on what we did each day.
Payment was simple, predeparture infornation comprehensive.
What can I say other than we are 110% satisfied with both our safari and the service.
Choose Roho Ya Chui, you won’t regret it!
