35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Met my holiday expectations
We had a long communication before I settled on the offers and after my 6 days trip in Kenya Maasai mara , Lake Nakuru and Amboseli with onward Kilimanjaro trek my expectations were all met.
The service was well organised.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive and Attentive to Travel Needs
I contacted Adventure Dragon only few days before the trip and they immediately responded. They found me a group safari to join (not all tour companies has this program so I'm glad I found the right one. The whole package included airport pick up, full board meal and a great stay in Masai Mara. They arranged everything, you have nothing to worry about. Kudos to Francis who made sure the whole trip was arranged the way I wanted, responsive, kind and trustworthy. I definitely recommend them.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
true Africa experience
fun guides with excellent knowledge of nature and wildlife
relaxed atmosphere
no hurry: time to view the wildlife at your own pace
excellent wild camping
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had quiet great experience with Bush Baby Calls.
The service was good we had a great experience at Okavango Delta and Moremi, especially the trip to the Delta was more marvelous the Moroko Experience with the polars. The team was friendly and helpful,and their Chef Kilos was the Legend.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
comprehensive; very good value for money
The people were hospitable and friendly. I got what I wanted on this tour for a reasonable price. The highlight, of course, was the gorilla trek. Marvellous animals. Moses was a an informative host and a good driver. It was a pity that I was the only one on this safari and it did get a bit lonely at times but that's not the fault of the company. One small negative. It needs to be made clearer that the money paid does not include tea or coffee at meal times. I think it should as this is an integral part of meals.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience with Big Fives
After to read some reviews about African Breeze Tours here I decided to book a 6 days safari tour to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Samburu with Cate and my experience was good. The payment of 15% was made in advance and once upon arrival the total amount in cash. My tour supposed to start in Samburu and end in Masai Mara but the order was changed and informed by Cate as soon as I arrived in Nairobi, but it was not a big problem because the group that joined us was very nice and we spent 3 days together in Masai Mara with our funny and expert driver James. After the first 3 days in Masai Mara the tour was private and Cate came to Nakuru to join us until the end of the tour and we had a good time to see many wild animals. In general the tour was very interesting thanks to James that was very professional and available giving informations and advises and also Cate that helped me with contacts to book transfers and hotels in Mombasa and Zanzibar.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized tour
I had a very good tour through Grassrootz, they were well organized, very responsive & quite helpful.
CA
Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Rwanda - A must-see destination !
Overall it was a very nice and enjoyable solo tailored trip. I found Rwanda to be a beautiful lush green country with amazing scenery at every turn but mostly it’s the people, they are very warm, friendly, open and curious. Have always felt welcomed, very safe and the few kinyarwandan words I learned, well wow! It had a great positive impact when making contact with locals. If you have never been to Africa, this country is a great option for a first-time experience.
Kigali
Vibrant city and so clean! Felt instantly comfortable and at ease.
Interesting visits: Inewa art gallery, Ikerezi Bookshop, dodo lunch (delicious!), Cards for Africa, Kigali and Nyamata Genocide Memorials.
Hôtel des Mille Collines : grounds are nice, pool not very clean, very good breakfast but room quite ordinary with stained carpets but comfortable bed, in need of renovations, pool meals ok, very good service all-aound. First room had nice view and always had hot water. Still enjoyed mostly because of history of this landmark hotel. WIFI in room is a plus.
Akagera National Park
The drive between Kigali and Akagera is absolutely beautiful and worth it.
Safari game drives: Few animals but I did get to see all of those I wanted except lion: elephant, giraffes, buffalo, impala, hippos, alligator, baboons, etc. The scenery is beautiful and very different from what I expected, not flat at all, plenty of hills. Our guide Vetuste was a wonderful, curious, knowledgeable young man. While driving aimlessly at some point, we were lucky enough to quickly spot a rhino, they are new to the park and not yet accustomed to people. PM boat ride was nice, lots of birds and buffalos. Knowledgable guide.
Community Cultural Experiences:
In collaboration with the community and the park, the Community Freelance Guides have developed some cultural experiences to share with park guests. Revenue is shared with the community members visited.
Banana-beer maker: probably one of the highlights of this trip, it was amazing to be hands-on in a local community and in someone’s home.
Honey cooperative: delicious! I am allergic to bees and I must say that they went out of their way to make sure I was safe. They adapted the visit accordingly.
Ruzizi tented lodge: Fabulous experience! Beautiful grounds and tents. Quite an experience to sleep at night with so much nature noise. Food ok, excellent service. Hot water issue, none for a day but was resolved. I would easily have stayed an extra night. Cons: the need to choose in advance your meal and meal time did not please me and no WIFI.
Huye
National ethnographic museum: Nice visit, interesting to see the women make baskets and plates in the training quarters in the garden area. Warm welcome. Delicious lunch at local buffet style restaurant.
Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee tracking: Really enjoyed it but was a difficult treck, demanding and off the beaten track.
Tea plantation visit: Spent an hour walking around the fields with knowledgeable guide. Interesting.
Waterfall hike: Very enjoyable but few birds. Easy treck.
Top View Hill Hotel: Excellent service. Good food. Hot water issues resolved. WIFI in main building only. Amazing views. Room a bit sad looking and empty but clean, large with fireplace and terrace. Main building is awfully depressing and sad. Cons: No spirit, no light, no music, no life it's just plain dead.
Kibuye - Lake Kivu
Majestic lake that looks like an ocean in some areas. Nice scenery but less impressive and green. Nice stop to relax a few days.
Cormoran Lodge: Waterfront and away from town, good food, great views, pretty warm and no fan, WIFI in room, simple, clean rooms but very little or no hot water. Very steep climb to cabins, might not be convenient to anyone with walking issues. Excellent service.
Swimming and kayaking to see sunset over the water was beautiful.
Short boat trip to island where you hike to the top, beautiful views but too expensive for what it was.
Rubavu
Excellent lunch at Serena hotel by the beach. Fabulous location and great city.
Imbabazi visit: For anyone you loved reading Land of a thousand hills: My life in Rwanda by Rosamond Healsey Carr, visiting her house, grounds, school is a must. Emmanuel, my guide had the privilege of working with her for many years. Touching.
Volcano National Park
Park entrance: Intore dancing à 7:00am: a real treat, enjoyed it very much. Colorful and energetic.
Gorilla tracking: Quite an experience, quiet and calm small group. Beautiful creatures. Interesting to watch interactions. Gloves came in handy, no need for gaiters in dry season but walking pants are not enough, needed my yoga pants under so that it was thicker, helps with nettles. Easy enough treck.
Golden monkeys tracking: Up close and personal, so many of them everywhere and very active. Enjoyed it very much. Easy short treck.
Short nature walk: easy 90 min walk in the forest before heading out to Kigali for return flight. Nice scenery. First female guide I had, interesting conversations, she was curious and not shy to ask many questions, I liked.
Lake Ruhondo: drive to Virunga Lodge for fabulous view
Mountain Gorilla View lodge: Great volcano views, nice grounds, nice large room with fireplace and hot water bottle. Good meals, packed lunch/wine expensive, better to stock up at breakfast and bring snacks for trackers. Bathroom needs renovations. Plenty of hot water, WIFI in main building only. Excellent service.
Gorilla Guardians Village Visit : lifestyles, activities, artifacts and traditions of local people. Interesting.
Special thanks to Lionel, sales consultant at Matoke:
I cannot comment this trip without mentioning the excellent service provided before and during my trip. He has been a gem and I thank him for all his work, patience and insight, it has been greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Confidence, driver/guide for Matoke:
He was safe, punctual, patient and excellent driver. Respectful, professional, smiling, calm, easygoing, warm and easy to get along with excellent birding knowledge. Travelling with an African native makes contact with others easier as he knows how to approach and communicate with everyone. Ate great local food in places I might not have went on my own. Could work on his overall knowledge of Rwanda.
Tips:
If you are curious, crave information, fun-facts and knowledge about your destination, I strongly suggest that you read-up beforehand. Rwanda Bradt guide is a must.
Before a visit or activity, find out what to wear. It makes the visit more interesting and comfortable if you are wearing the proper clothing.
If your tour starts in Kigali, ask to be picked-up at the airport by your driver/guide to make sure you are on the same page for activities and visits itinerary the day after. More efficient timewise if short stay.
Good to know:
Food: Varied, Rwanda grows fruits and veggies. Also meats and delicious fish. Veggie options easy to find.
Toilets: On the road, mostly basic hole in the ground and while tracking, in the bush.
Insects: Tse Tse flies are a nuisance in Akagera but no worries if bitten. Saw little to no mosquitos during my 2 week stay.
Weather: Perfect, no rain and not too hot. Warm temperate and cool in mountains.
Altitude: Make sure to bring proper medication just in case your body does not have the time to acclimatize.
Safety: No worries at all.
Children: Sooo adorable! But do not take pictures without permission and do not give money.
Souvenirs: Beautiful wood jewellery, local organic coffee and tea, delicious!
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. It will be a pleasure!
Sophie
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional and Qualified
The Safari Tour was a unique lifetime experience, but only fit persons should do it. Communication with Saso Uganda Safari was excellent. The budget hotel exceeded our expectation, the meal there was excellent.
Issues to improve: poor water supply in the budget hotel, better vehicle for the transportation from Kigali to Bwindi.
IN
20-35 years of age
An experience to tell generations
Amazing customer service. Realtively Affordable prices which is worth to the expectations.