DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable tour to Akagera and Nyungwe NP
After being in Rwanda for one week in a bigger group with friends and at first additionally with students and teachers we three of us wanted to see Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks. We needed transport and chose Golden Rwanda Tours & Travel Agency. Frank, the owner, picked us up in Kayonza where we stayed in an ecolodge led by a women's association and drove us in his air-conditioned car with all amenities (e.g. music videos) to Akagera NP. From the beginning he told us so many details about his country and in the park he showed us all the different landscapes and didn't mind working extra time to show us as many animals as possible. Except for the lions who had babies and were therefore hidden in the bush we saw almost everything. Only the hippos were not at "hippo pool" and didn't want to come out from other lakes, but finally we experienced them in a very impressive way on a boat trip on Lake Ihema. On our way to the south we did some extra stops, Frank led us to one of his favourite restaurants in Kigali, and we stopped at Nyanza Kings Palace and the graves of king and queen. After the mountain forest in Nyanza we went to see the border to DR Congo as a bonus which was also very interesting, and went back north on the new road along Kivu Lake with many nice views of the lake and a big afternoon meal at a lakeside restaurant so that we could not eat that much in a restaurant with splendid view of Kigali at night. Completely unexpected, we experienced American-Irish-somehow international "pre-halloween" in the heart of Africa. At last, Frank enabled us to take pictures of colourful Convention Centre at night. Frank was very helpful, friendly, flexible and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the trip a lot and so did Frank apparently. It's obvious that he loves his job, he's a tour guide with heart and soul, but nevertheless professional and we can recommend his company without any restriction. Also, our tour was very well organized and at a fair and reasonable price. Golden Rwanda Tours offers also tours to neighbouring countries. If we happen to go on a tour maybe in Congo or Tanzania, we will do so with Frank and Golden Rwanda Tours.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great 4 Day Gorilla Tour
We did the 4 day gorilla and golden monkeys tour with Golden Rwanda. During this holiday we also did other tours with other operators in Kenya/Tanzania as well as Morocco. All of them were on the budget range of the tour price scales, but this one was by far the best of them.
Right from the time of booking, the communication was very good with Frank. He asked us about our expectations for the trip and we obviously said that we wanted to see the gorillas and the monkeys and we left the rest up to him and I'm glad we did. Being a private tour, we had some flexibility and managed to see some optional things like the twin lakes and Lake Kivu as well as a little village that has a setup where they teach you about their history and traditions (contrasted to a village we visited in Kenya where they let you look around and then try and sell you a bunch of Chinese toys they claim they made there).
The Genocide Memorial is by no means a happy place, but it is a must visit if you are in the area. If you are like almost every other North American, your knowledge of the genocide is limited to what you've seen in movies like Hotel Rwanda and the memorial gives does a really good job explaining the history of the country and how things built up to it. Really disturbing, but really interesting and important.
All of the accommodations we stayed in were basic, but clean and had very good service. One change to the itinerary was on our third night we ended up at Lake Kivu and that was actually a really nice little lakefront cabin and I would highly recommend it.
Frank was very friendly and knowledgeable and he drives a nice big newer Landcruiser, so the trip was comfortable. He definitely took the time to ask what we were interested in and personalized our tour accordingly.
When we first decided to go to Rwanda (we chose it over Zanzibar due to limited time) we thought we would just want to get in, see some gorillas and get out. I can honestly say that it was my favorite place we visited, the people were so friendly and it was really green and clean. Our only regret about our trip to Rwanda was that I wish it was a couple of days longer.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One day safari tour - Akagera National Park
I had one day safari tour in Akagera National Park in October. I was visiting Kigali, Rwanda for work and had one free day with a 8pm flight back home. When I sent an email with inquiry, I explained my situation with returning flight in the evening, and I was very happy to know that the company could take me to airport right after safari drive. Frank was extremely helpful by meeting with me a day before at my hotel and going over the logistics of the tour. He showed me a photo of the car and explained that it would be a half day tour because of my flight. Also, he recommended to check out from the hotel early in the morning and go to the tour with my luggage. My driver was very professional, he provided water and made sure I was comfortable. The drive to the park was about two hours on a very good condition road. The scenery outside of Kigali is absolutely breathtaking! It is a land of thousand hills and beautiful. The park's visitor center is very nice and has an exhibit. The park has lots of animals and my driver made sure I saw most of the animals and was able to make videos/take pictures. Also, my driver recommended to pack lunch to eat in the park's picnic area which is an open space with a view of animals. We returned to Kigali early, I had plenty of time in the airport to shop, etc. This company is very responsible and provides great service to its customers.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Weekend with Golden Rwanda tours
Being on the business trip I had a chance to spend a weekend with Golden Rwanda Tours and its owner Frank. And this experience was excellent! Comparing to other offers the price was very reasonable, especially for comfortable 4x4 vehicle. I had a very tight schedule and ordered 2 tours at the weekend, both started from Kigali and required to wake up at 4 in the morning. Frank was OK with that and both time picked me up at the hotel. The first tour took the whole day and was to Bisoke volcano, which was pretty nice, despite of the raining at the second part of the day. The second tour to Golden Monkey was a bit shorter and we freed at 11 a.m, so Frank suggested to visit Kivu lake and Kongo border as a bonus.
I highly recommend Frank to travel with, especially if you first time in Rwanda and need to know more about the country, people, history, food, etc. Travelling with Franks is not the official way when you have a strict itinerary and should follow the guide. He is always ready to show you some more about his country. On the way back we also did extra stops to grab some local food and to buy gifts and souvenirs. Frank became a real friend during this trip and his attitude to customers is on a extremely high level. Hope I will have a chance to visit Akagera next time with Golden Rwanda!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a wonderful time with our driver Frank an now he is our friend...
Frank was our driver and he is very TOP !!
His knowlage about his country is great, hi is a perfect driver and also the best tour-guide.
His attainment of the Akagera-Park, about animals und the terrain is very good.
We were on tour with him from sunrise till sunset every day. He was always funny.
We would like to take a lot of fotostops and it was never too much for him.
Also at the trip through the country, along the Kiwu-Lake, Frank knows a lot of beautiful
places and restaurants. We hope we can come back soon to this wonderful country and back to
our friend Frank. We were so said when we left Ruanda, also we left our driver and friend Frank.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant 12 day tour of Rwanda with Golden Rwanda Tour company.
I can't fault the service. Traveling on my own I arrived a little apprehensive of how the holiday would work out but on being met at the airport by Frank Benoit Kanyamutara, his professional but warm welcome instantly made me feel secure and there was no incident in the whole trip for which he was my driver and guide to give me any concern.
We had no strict itinerary my request was that if I liked an area we'd stay a couple days if not we'd move on. Frank did his best to show me most aspects of life round the country as well as National parks, cleaning coffee beans, a tea factory and live music one evening at a bar.
I really enjoyed my time in Rwanda and have no hesitation in recommending this tour company. Advance payments made by bank transfere went through with no difficulty and I wasn't asked for any more than initially agreed.
A most memorable holiday.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Guides
The guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable about all the animals! He was very kind, spoke excellent English, and made the trip a lot of fun!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience!
I had a wonderful experience with Golden Tours. The driver was on time to pick me up at my hotel and was extremely professional. I traveled to Akagera National Park and he had a good relationship with tour guides in the park and was very knowledgeable. The entire trip took about 12 hours, with about 8 in the actual park. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable tour.
IT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very nice tour, great experience
we had a very good experience with Golden rwanda Tours ...Frank was our driver for all the week we spent in Rwanda tour in january 2016.From Kigali we went to Volcanoes National Park , than Giseny , lake Kivu, Gitarama and Kigali again.
Frank was a very good guide, very good driver,the service was perfect, the car 4x4 perfect and very confortable-
Who will plane to go to Rwanda might contact Frank and Golden Rwanda Tours and will enjoy the tour !!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rwanda and DRC in 11 Days
Frank did an amazing job trying to juggle our 5 days in Rwanda with 6 additional days in DRC that we asked him to organize for us. Our itinerary changed at the last minute as two Volcanoes NP mountain gorilla permits came up just before we left home (yay!) and Frank just moved everything around without any issues. He's a great driver and a very knowledgable guide and we loved criss crossing Rwanda with him.
He then connected us with his associate for our DRC - Goma to Bukavu segment and although we had a few issues with unexpected hotel rate increases and the visa process, we managed to do it all. DRC is not for the faint of heart! Finally Frank located and coordinated with D'jambo in Kinshasa to get us to the bonobos and they did a fantastic job as well.
Thanks for the awesome tour Frank and Golden Rwanda! One note - make sure you arrive at the front gate of Akagera NP before 6PM or you'll end up in protracted discussions with NP and lodge personnel before they let you in! :-)
Mahalo Nui Loa Frank - hoping you do make it out here to Hawaii!