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50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Hermosa Life Tour in Rwanda Changes Lives!
What an amazing experience getting to know Rwanda and her beauty through the eyes of Yves, our dependable guide and driver from Hermosa Travel.
To post this review is not only an honest account of our group’s experience but also a note of special thanks to Oreste, the owner of the agency, and Yves, our trusted guide and friend. They are the heroes of this story.
Our adventure begins with the usual boring story of flight delays, missed connections, overnight layovers in far-off countries, and finally Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Our traveling companions were not so unlucky and arrived in Kigali on time for a nice stayover in the Radisson Blue Hotel. The following morning, they were met by Yves, who drove them 3 hours to Akagera National Park where we were staying. He returned to Kigali airport and picked us up later that night only to drive back yet again to Akagera. That’s over 12 hours of driving time for one man and all in one day! We arrived at the park late that night after everyone had gone to bed. We were not aware of it at the time but the gates to the National Park were closed for the night and Oreste was able to get someone to let us in and escort us to our lodge. I can’t imagine this was easy. We arrived at the Ruzizi Tented Lodge around 10:30 pm and the lodge served us a hearty and delicious African dinner. We crashed in our luxury bivouac complete with a full shower and facilities to the sound of a cacophony of hippos, monkeys, birds and insects. Our couple of days in Ruzizi and the Akagera park were filled with safaris, where we saw giraffes, lions, zebras, baboons, elephants, antelope, Cape buffalo, rhinos, warthogs and an amazing variety of fowl. Our meals at the lodge were always well prepared and the staff couldn’t be kinder. We didn’t know it yet but this Rwandan kindness was to be our experience everywhere in Rwanda from the first day to the last.
We then travelled to the Volcanoes National Park and after a moderately difficult trek through mountain jungle had a life altering opportunity to personally interact with a large family of Mountain Gorillas. As fate would have it, we were part of a group of a 8 who were taken to see the Pablo Family Group, which are the progeny of Dian Fosse’s original study group in the 60’s. One of the female gorillas even tapped me playfully as she walked inches by me! This highlight experience was followed by many excursions to see Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, Veviter monkeys, Colobus monkeys, Mountain monkeys, and baboons. It was a primate paradise! We stayed at many luxury hotels, including the Bishops House which was a fully restored colonial era mansion once inhabited by the Bishop of Kigali (who we actually saw while guests at Serena, a hotel along Lake Kivu) and the Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, a gorgeous six star resort hotel on south Lake Kivu with stunning views. By this time we are used to the mind blowing beauty of Rwanda, with rolling mountains of verdant green, and people, beautifully dressed, walking everywhere, going about their day and interacting with each other. There were few cell phones with their distractions and little traffic, although traffic jams are ironically common since the roads are single lanes and must accommodate throngs of people carrying supplies and produce up and down mountain roads. We visited coffee and tea cooperatives. We went fishing with local fishermen and hiked up an Island mountain surround by thousands of fruit bats. We met some amazing people, including Sandra, a guide to our fishing experience who has big dreams, speaks English with an American accent and left a mark on our heart. This lovely adventure obviously wouldn’t have been possible without meticulous and careful planning from Oreste or without the steady confidence and alertness of Yves. We can’t begin to thank them enough for one of the best trips of our lifetimes. We learned so much, always felt safe and pampered, and fell in love with Rwanda. We will be your ambassadors for life. P.S. We love our four T-shirts with the cool Hermosa logo. Thank you!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best Zanzibar tour guide! Excellent experience guaranteed with them!
We did 2 days at Mikumi Park, it was the best experience of our lives!
Fessal and Godfrey have excellent energy, they are very happy, that creates a great atmosphere! They made us feel good at all times, they informed us about all the animals, cultures, and many other things.
They are professional and very responsible people.
Everything was perfect! I'm not used to doing reviews but this guide deserves it.
I recommend this agency 100%.
Hakuna matata! :)
PR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safe and very Friendly
The tour was very responsable and safe. It was my priority. In addition they treated us like family… LOVE THAT ✨✨✨
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I recently traveled to Kenya with RoyalChoice Travel, visiting the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru, and t
We were provided with a great Value for money, great service , and so much fun
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic
Everything was great from the first quote until we sadly had to come home. Anna catered to all my wants and wishes and made a great intinary travelling round victoria falls and Botswana. All the guides were great especially Pepe and Matcha. We were very lucky to be able to see some fantastic sights and animals. Would definitely recommend sekanka for any Botswana trip due to communication, choose your own itinerary and value for money. Time to start saving to go again.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was perfectly organized.
Our driver Dullah was a driving encyclopedia. He saw even the smallest bird and stopped for us. Totally cheerful drivers. We couldn't have had it better.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most incredible safari experience
Our experience with Savannah Hippo Safari was absolutely amazing. Stanley and Chipa were great, they were so knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the animals and the land.
Stanley was so helpful and everything was so well planned with him!
The places we stayed in were unreal – so nice and the food was fantastic. We had delicious meals for breakfast lunch and dinner every day! Our Safari went above and beyond our expectations and it’s all thanks to Stanley and his team! I definitely recommend them for a safari in Africa, it was truly the holiday of a lifetime!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Dream Journey Through Rwanda and Uganda
In June 2024, my partner and I embarked on an unforgettable journey through Rwanda and Uganda, meticulously planned and executed by Grassrootz. The trip was seamlessly divided into two parts: a week in Rwanda followed by two weeks in Uganda.
Planning and Preparation
From the outset, Sander from Grassrootz proved to be an invaluable asset. He took the time to understand our preferences and crafted an itinerary that perfectly balanced authenticity and comfort. His recommendations for hotels and lodges were spot-on, each offering a unique blend of local charm and modern amenities. This attention to detail ensured that every night’s stay was as memorable as the day’s adventures.
Exceptional Guide and Unmatched Experiences
Our driver and guide, Barnice, was nothing short of exceptional. His expertise in spotting wildlife during game drives was remarkable—we were thrilled to see the Big 5 and countless other animals. Barnice’s deep knowledge of his country’s wildlife and culture added a rich layer of insight to our journey. His warm, friendly demeanor made us feel welcome and safe throughout the trip.
Highlights and Daily Adventures
Every day brought new wonders, but certain highlights stand out:
- Trek to Dian Fossey's Tomb: A poignant and inspiring experience, connecting us to the legacy of one of the most influential primatologists.
- Gorilla Family in Bwindi: An awe-inspiring encounter with a gorilla family, a moment of profound connection with nature.
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale: The thrill of tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat was exhilarating and unforgettable.
- Murchison Falls: The sheer power and beauty of the falls left us speechless.
Beyond these standout moments, each day was filled with new animals and stunning landscapes. We also cherished the cultural experiences, especially our visits to the Batwa and Karamajong villages. These interactions provided a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions of the region.
Safety and Comfort
Throughout the journey, we felt completely safe, thanks to the meticulous planning and the expertise of Barnice. The balance of adventure and comfort was perfectly maintained, making it a truly worry-free experience.
Conclusion
Grassrootz, with Sander’s expert planning and Barnice’s exceptional guidance, turned our dream into reality. This trip was truly the adventure of a lifetime, a tapestry of unforgettable moments and discoveries. We left Rwanda and Uganda with hearts full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a travel experience that combines authentic local experiences with unparalleled comfort and safety, Grassrootz is the agency to choose.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb safari from start to finish
We had an incredible safari with RO Scavenger. It’s a boutique operation owned and run by a former safari guide and his experience really showed. Silas was incredible to work with from the outset and tailored the safari to our every need, factoring in specific experiences we wanted and ensuring it all fitted within our budget.
We also had a superb guide called Edward who is super friendly and seemingly knows pretty much every other guide out there, which was useful for getting tip offs for rare sightings. He has years of experience and it showed. While other guides would be jostling for position, he’d sit back knowing where the animals would go to, ensuring we had front row seats for several incredible moments. We saw all the big five, had some very close encounters and got to see some truly unique animal behaviour experiences.
We had booked the safari for our honeymoon and it RO Scavenger organised several wonderful little touches everywhere we stayed. It was a truly memorable experience - and made all the better by the fabulous food and unending supply of wine, beers and snacks!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Splendid Samburu Trip
Booked a trip with Royal Choice and the customer service is at its top notch 👌Joseph does a splendid job on booking trips for you.His patience,professionalism,customer service is always perfect 🤩 He will ensure you get the best! My trip at Sarova Shaba-Samburu was awesome!! From the booking till the end!! The hotel was superb, the staff was splendid! Chef Stephen, Nimmo among others were really welcoming! Our driver Dennis was awesome,friendly,professional and really patient 💃🏻Thanks Dennis! I would recommend Dennis for trips.His driving is good.
Thank you Royal Choice for making my trip memorable with my family 🤗 Keep it up!
