Reviews
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Email Benoit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very serious
we have done a round trip around Rwanda during 11 days. The driver / tourist guide was available anytime we needed. There have been no bad surprise only positive ones. The company did stick 100% to their commitment. We recommend them.
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Email Dorothe | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very personalized customized trip
Very reliable tour operator, guide very knowledgeable, kind and caretaking the whole trip through. Booked for three bird- watching sites in and around Kigali and wasn’t disappointed: identified at least 30 species among them the grey headed crown crane, Ross’ Touraco, Black headed Gonolek, Hamerkop, diff. kingfishers, waxbills and manikins. Keep going!
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Email Carmen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended safari agency with a feel-good factor
We booked a 2-day safari tour by shalom safari.
From the initial contact to the safari operator itself, communication with the team was always very quick, welcoming and professional. Additonally there were no difficulties with specific questions or special requests such as a more distant starting point, airport shuttle or similar, solutions were found without complications.
The combination of the afternoon boat safari, overnight stay in the park itself and the day safari was a unique experience. The boat safari in particular is a real highlight and can only be recommended.
Jean petite was an obliging guide, very attentive and endeavoured to spot as many wild animals as possible. Binoculars would have been the only addition to perfect happiness. Otherwise a truly wonderful experience. Thank you for the experience, we will always remember it.
Email Veena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, kind and punctual
I travelled with my mother to Rwanda for the first time! We were immediately very impressed by the safety and cleanliness of the country! We did not see a single piece of litter the entire trip and repeatedly saw the streets being swept with even the dead leaves cleared away!
All of our trips were booked with Shalom Tours prior to arrival! We had a clear itinerary for each tour provided to us! Our tour guide throughout was Richard who was very friendly, a good driver and always on time!
First we went to Nyungwe National Park and did the Canopy walk. We did this as a 1 day tour due to time constraints, but please note it is a 5hr drive from Kigali. The walk was beautiful! My mum is not an avid hiker but the porter was lovely and carried her bag as well as walked at her pace, allowing her to stop to catch her breath while the rest of us carried on.
Next we went to Akagera National Park where we stayed overnight! The safari ride was very fun and we managed to see quite a few animals (except the lions so we will be going back to hopefully case them next time!). We also enjoyed a 1hr boat ride where we saw hippos, crocodiles, monkeys and many types of birds! The hotel that was booked by the tour company, mantis lodge, has beautiful rooms overlooking the lake with excellent buffet breakfast and dinner!
We then did a 1 day tour of Kigali. This was catered around what we wanted to see and had not yet had a chance to do in Kigali. We also were taken to a great restaurant for local food and it was definitely the best meal of the trip.
Finally, our last trip was to Volcanoes National Park for the gorilla trek. This was definitely the highlight. It was an absolutely magical experience that highly recommend to everyone! On the way back we stopped by the Dian Fossey museum which was very informative and well put together.
All the tours were well organised and meals and snacks were all included.
The tour company owner and his wife, Alain and Lisa were some of the kindest hosts I have ever encountered and by the end of the trip they felt more like family! While they were not with us during the tours they constantly checked in on us to ensure we were having a good time and we really enjoyed the time we spent with them in Kigali. Alain and Lisa, we hope you come and visit us some day so we can repay the generous hospitality!
Overall I would highly recommend Rwa da as a travel destination - it’s landscape is beautiful, the history and how they’ve rebuilt the country is truly incredible and most of all the people are wonderful! There are so many activities to do and places to see!
I highly recommend ShalomTours! They will do their absolutely best to cater to your travel needs and ensure you have the best time possible!
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Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible unforgettable experience that is truly priceless.
The guides, drivers, hosts were all incredibly amazing. Super responsive, informative and made the whole experience fun and pleasant. We loved every minute of our experience, they truly care and want to make sure you have the best possible experience. Everything from airport pickups, to driving to Virunga was so easy, safe and educational. My experience was unbelievable and I hope everyone has the chance to adventure in Rwanda.
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Email Kalan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Richard was very knowledgeable, friendly, and committed to making sure I saw everything I wanted.
I did a day trip from Kigali to Akagera National Park and had a great experience with Shalom Safaris! Unlike other services where you have to pay separately for park entrance fees, meals and other aspects of the experience, this booking included everything I needed for the day. My guide, Richard, was very knowledgeable and committed to making it a great experience, and we managed to see four of the "big five" animals (including lions, which can be difficult to find during the hit mid-day hours). I definitely recommend it!
Email Robin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding, safe, great service and excellent pricing
I wanted to see a giraffe. I saw 20 giraffes. And zebras, black rhinos, hippos, elephants, warthogs, baboons, herons, crocodiles, and water buffalos. My guide, Richard, was outstanding. I was traveling on my own, and during the one-day trip to Akagera from Kigali, he was a conscientious, kind, informative, conveyed a bit of history of Rwanda, answered my questions, and made sure to give me a wonderful experience seeing the Akagera Park. The cost was absolutely worth it. The traffic on the Saturday we took this journey--which lasted 12 hours--was terrible as we neared Kigali, but he was calm, smart, and careful. What do I want from a guide in a country not my own? I want an excellent driver, a kind guide, and an informative interested person. I cannot recommend Richard highly enough.
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Email Priscilla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From start to finish Shalom was amazing, didn’t have to worry about a thing!
Highly recommend booking any Rwanda activities with Shalom! Everything was taken care of from the moment our plane landed until we boarded our plane three days later. The service from our guide (can’t remember his name starts with B) and Alain was exceptional. They constantly made sure we were comfortable, enjoying ourselves, and our questions were answered about Rwanda culture and history. Super reliable and really worth every penny! Would definitely book with them again!