Reviews
Email Nina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 9 day trip - Rwanda and Uganda
Bonita and our guide Elisa ensured a wonderful 9 day trip! They were very willing to adapt the itinerary to the things we most wanted to see: Nyungwe national park for the chimpanzees, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes NP for hiking and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to meet the gorillas. Forest elephants, bush buck, buffalos, sun birds and various monkeys were a bonus! The trip exceeded expectations in every way. We were fantastically taken care of, with incredible, warm hospitality and very tasty food at all of the lodges. Including excellent vegetarian options.
We would recommend early March, whilst there were a few hours of heavy rain here and there, it was quiet season, meaning that we could get park passes at short notice and we were often the only guests in the lodges. In Volcanoes NP we did the Mount Bisoke and Dian Fossey hikes, both of which were fairly physically tough thanks to serious amounts of mud in rainy season, and Bisoke is steep, but absolutely worth it.
Both the chimp and gorilla tracking were wonderful and we had a lot of time to observe the animals and their surroundings. The tracker teams do everything to make sure it's a success and it's great to see their skills and knowledge of the animals and know that the park fees go back to the local community and protecting the habitat.
Lake Kivu was an unexpected highlight. A beautiful place and great spot to relax and watch many kinds of birds. It was a truly special experience to see the teams of fishermen going out at sunset and coming back in - singing - in the morning.
All in all a magical trip. It was my first time in Africa and I loved every minute and will be back! We highly recommend Explore Rwanda Tours. Thanks again, Elisa and Bonita for everything!
Email Dr John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A brief affordable well planned/executed gorilla trekking tour in Ugandas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
I am 74 years of age. I had climbed Kilimanjaro and been wild camping in the national parks and reserves of northern Tanzania on an independent self drive safari with another younger companion for the most part of January and I wished to complete my journey with a trek to see gorillas in the wild. Those of my friends who had previously gone gorilla trekking described the experience as amazing, not to be missed. I now concur completely, it was truly magic and certainly made possible for me by Explore Rwanda Tours. My very successful trip with them involved just three days. They picked me up from my accommodation in Entebbe early on day 1. Robert, my driver/guide, skillfully drove all the way (approximately 11 hours) to Bwindi on mostly good sealed roads except for the last stretch on dirt near the forest. I was checked into the Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for 2 nights. The cottage I had was just perfect and with a great view of the forest from the wrap-around balcony. The food and service at the lodge was first rate. The gorilla trek was on day 2. After a well informed briefing from the Park's rangers the approximately 40 trekkers on that day were split into groups of up to 8. My group of 5 plus 2 rifle-armed (used only for scaring off any rogue elephants on the track) rangers set off along a well maintained track and surprisingly within 1 hr 10 mins came across a gorilla family of 3 silverbacks, 2 mothers and 3 children (1 a baby). We spent a wonderful 1 hr 3 mins with them both on the track and also climbing in amongst the thick undergrowth (a path hacked away for you with machetes by the rangers), so close to them and yet so apparently safe it's unbelievable. The ranger said the alpha male silverback weighed 200 kg (although they can max out at about 250 kg). The ecological work the rangers are doing with the gorillas is truly most impressive. On day 3 Robert drove me back (approximately 10 hours) to Entebbe airport for my trip home. Thanks Robert for your safe driving, all your help and friendship. A few tips for any trekker planning on doing something similar: (a) if you want to trek for a short or longer distance (I would have preferred a much longer trek) to see the gorillas just tell your guide - you see the rangers have already spotted where the families are hanging out earlier in the morning, (b) wear a long sleeved shirt and trousers with your socks pulled over them (to prevent bitey ants in your pants), and (c) take a pair of gloves to protect your hands particularly from stinging nettles when climbing amongst the undergrowth.
Email Lianna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible customised tour with so much to see in Uganda and Rwanda
I had a great experience touring around Uganda and Rwanda on a customised 5-day trip from Entebbe to Kigali. The office was very responsive and flexible with my itinerary. My tour guide/driver David was friendly, informative and fun! I really enjoyed the chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi swamp walk, Kazinge channel cruise and of course especially the magical time with the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest! The lodges on the tour were all of good standards and I especially liked the Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for the comfort of the room, view and the service. The food was all very good and plentiful. The roads are very bumpy but David did a great job to drive as comfortably as possible.
It could be even better if they provided more information on what to bring and wear for the activities, estimated the driving times a bit more generously (due to the roads), and informed me of the tipping culture, better description of some activities, and cost of optional activities such as the community walk near Bwindi (so I could ensure to bring enough cash; note: bringing dollars in small denominations or local money is better than euros or pounds)
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Email Dr. Mark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly Planned Unforgettable Adventure into the land of the Mountain Gorilla
If you ever dreamed of looking into the eyes of a 1500 pound Mountain Gorilla, this is the trip for you. If you dreamed of doing it effortlessly and affordably, then this is the company for you. I spent 12 days with my own private guide, impeccable service, a the chance to make memories of a lifetime. Tell them what you want, and they will make it happen. Change your mind, and they will do their best to make them happen. My guide, Abdallah was incredible - knowledgable, pleasant, informative, and just a great guy. His suggestions and choices were always right on target. He made sure that everything was perfect. Jolie in the office was a pleasure to work with... even when I wasn't such a pleasure to deal with. The lodges were all well chosen, the food delicious, and the people friendly and welcoming. The landscapes were beautiful, the activities varied in nature and demand. The gorilla experiences were so great I ended up doing three. The interactions with these incredible creatures were beyond expectations. The adventures continued with chimps, golden monkeys, and other primates, with elephants galore and hippos gracing the river shores. I was King for a day in Rwanda, complete with my own servants and warriors. The trip exceeded my expectations in every way thanks to the well thought out planning of Explore Rwanda Tours. Its obvious this company is well connected to the local pulse of the community as well as the out of the way spots that many will miss. Its a trip of a lifetime, and they made it possible for an incredible price and limited effort on my part. I highly recommend them without hesitation.
Email Sandy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Efficient, dependable, educational, communicative
Explore Rwanda tailored a Gorilla Trek tour for 2 older ladies with efficiency, instilling confidence as their communication was excellent. We were met at the airport by Abraham, our hard working and responsible guide. He provided us with so much information, and also a secure feeling, and was always concerned for our welfare. The experience of trekking to find the mountain gorillas was a "once in a lifetime". I felt very confident with Abraham, and in Rwanda itself- very clean, safe and friendly and the people we sooo grateful for tourists.