SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Tour Company, Great Guide, Wonderful Visit to Akagera and Gorillas
Pre-trip service:
- We corresponded with Nicholas initially and with Nelson when Nicholas was not around. Both were very prompt and helpful in giving information and giving us a quote for the trip. Information provided was to the point and complete with packing lists, etc.
- There was a moment of anxiety for one individual in our group of 3 when his receipt for the deposit placed with Rwanda Development Board had only his first name and not full name. Nelson assured us that this would not be a problem as it was only the receipt and not the permit and that they have given the full names and passport numbers to the RDB. Indeed there was no problems at all.
On-trip:
- Our guide was supposed to be Eric; we had asked for him after reading reviews although Nicholas had told us that all their guides were very good.
- Nelson advised with apologies at the last minute that due to some personal problems he wouldn't be able to come and our guide would be Enos instead.
- Enos is a great guide; very punctual, patient and professional with fluent English and most importantly with so much charm, humility and politeness. His calm but confident demeanour put us at ease from the very beginning. We were super impressed by his nuanced answers to our queries and he, at our request gave us a Rwanda genocide 101 - the context of the madness and how it built up to what it was starting over a 100 years ago.
- There were 3 of us and on the 2nd day in Volcanoes National Park, one of us was doing the gorilla trek the 2nd time and two of us were going to do the golden monkey trek. And we had to go in different directions to two different starting points. Enos was very resourceful and ensured that we reached our destinations in time.
- I also need to mention that Enos was very sensitive to every one of our individual needs and ensured that all of us had a great time.
Trip Itself:
- We went to Akagera National Park where we did a boat ride and a game drive the next day. Lovely experience not because the animals were very close by (except for the zebras, buffaloes and impalas, topis) but because of the solitude. It was like it was just the 5 of us (3 of us, Enos and the park ranger Didier), the wide savannah and the animals. The silence in such a large place with so many animals was complete! We had a good time spotting animals which were generally far away for most of the drive but in the end we came to a huge plain which had a lot of zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis etc. We also got to see two herds of elephants but they were pretty far.
- The Volcanoes National Park is a beautiful place with the misty mountains peaks and the jungles. We had a great time on the gorilla visit - the apes were very close by so we had good views and it was the same for the golden monkey visit. Both the treks through the dense jungles of central/east Africa were very enjoyable and unique experiences. I am not writing much about the gorillas because they are widely covered elsewhere and this is a review about the tour company.
Overall
- Very impressed by Gorilla Trek Africa.
- We had found them from the TripAdvisor reviews and they are #1 amongst 26 tour companies doing the gorilla trekking in Africa and it is totally justified.
- Booking directly with Gorilla Trek Africa is highly recommended.
- They also have another website by another name (i forget the name); the reason is nothing other than to increase reach.
- Thanks to Nelson, Nicholas and Enos for a wonderful experience.
- If we do the gorilla trek or Akagera National Park again, I am going to use this company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience with Yala Safaris
Great experience with Yala Safaris
I am happy to have found the right tour operator. I thank the management of Yala safaris for the great opportunity of showing me around together with my family at Muchsion falls national park through game drive, accommodation at Pakuba Lodge was so wonderful and the caterers were great, it was amazing to see elephants and giraffes as I have never seen so much of them together. I really couldn't believe that this tour guide offers free wifi on transit. That was so great. Thank you Stanley and Godwin our tour guide all courtesy of Yala Safaris
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I saw Paradise with incredible abundary animals: thanks to Clever game-driver :Emmanuel Bildad!!!
I think This Safaris operator is excellent... I ate very well and I spend memorable days ; I wish to thank Emmanuel Bildad again for his brave; I saw animals of every kind and in short time! He is gentlemen, nice and sure game-driver! He drives very well and knows african territory very well...!!! I hope to return in Tanzania with your Siafu Tanzania Safari! I 'm interested to receive yours communications at soon!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing place and team
An amazing place, nestled in the bush and surrounded by dozens of animals (impalas, warthogs, wilderbeasts, zebras, giraffes, hippos...). The bungalows overlooking the river have a magical feel.
The cuisine is excellent and the team is great, always here to help and very friendly.
A true dream place.
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent guide great experience!
We had an excellent guide Emma Bildad that made sure all our requests were met. We got to see a lot of wild life including cheetas hunt and leopards. Hotels were excellent and overall was great.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, responsive, memorable trip!
I found Blue Crane through Safaribookings.com. Derek was incredibly helpful and responsive in organizing my solo trip, sorting through safari types in order to maximize my time in Namibia. I had the same guide for both trips; the guide was not only knowledgeable, professional, and always on time, but was super friendly and fun, overall his personality made the experience that much greater, all of us on the tours had a great time. I highly recommend Blue Crane for safaris in Namibia. :)
IN
100% Satisfied - Thank you for arranging a wonderful safari trip
The African Safari was truly enriching experience.
Chalo Africa did a superb job of planning it. All accommodations were top class. The guides were very knowledgeable and professional. Attention to detail was impressive. We visited Tanzania and Kenya and in all places they took care of us in an exemplary manner.
Our special thanks to Tanvi who was the point person coordinating our safari trip
We had a great time. I have no hesitation in recommending Chalo Africa. Just go with them.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great service
Very reliable, safe and friendly service. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for transport in Kenya.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Africa at its best
I went to Masai Mara after my teaching commitments at Mombasa by the Air safari,a direct flight to masai mara. This is a low flying aircraft that seats 10 and is a two engine aircraft. I passed mount Kilimanjaro and had beatiful camera shots of the twin peaks. As we approached the masai mara we could see troops of Widebeast nad Zebras marching towards their annual migration. a few warthogs and a male ostrich standing tall and still.
As I landed and got of the flight, Joseph was waiting to pick me up and take me straight in to my first leg of the safari. The time was 11:00 AM and within 2 hours of the drive I had already seen the wild elephants, scores of antelopes, wild buffalos, vultures and a variety of birds. The group of seven occupants of the van were all strangers but soon we were chatting and got acquainted. We stopped for lunch under the sausage tree. Packed lunch was provided and my vegetarian ooption catered to.
Second day I saw lions just passing our vans, a magnificient male lion roaring, a black rhino, a Leopard, cheetahs, hyena, giraffes and many wild lifes that I could capture on my DSLR.
Third day, more lions, rare species of birds and rreptiles, elephants, girrafes, and scores of antelopes, a hyena on the prowl and lionesses planning an attach on zebras. We also went to the mara river to see the migration. the crocodiles had fed and the wildebeast and zebras moved across without damage much to our relief but there was fear in the air for the animals as theuy approached the river. The crocodiles ar massive.
Go with a good camera and a zoom lens, have ggoggles and a mask to keep the dust out as it can sometines get very dusty. Hat and sun screen and appropriate clothing essential.
What can improve?
1) The driver could interact more with the occupants rather than talk on the mobile all the time! he is getting information about the spottings of wild life on the phone but a lot of it was chitchat and a distraction for the team!
2) day three was changed as the two other team members wanted to go in a different direction and I needed to be dropped off at the airstrip
3) The Sopa lodge has rooms that are far away from the reception and can involve several steps and walking in the dark. Not a pleasant experience as there are wild animals around! The rooms have no telephones, no internet and you can not call anyone in an emergency!
4) the communication from Dickson regarding the booking could be better. I had a response only when I asked, instaed of getting a full tick list of all the arrangements. I find he is trustworthy and make this change.
Mosquitoes are humming in the rooms.
Otherwise the rooms are large, breakfast and lunch excellent and seating areas have wifi in the reception and bar.
I am planning another trip but would prefer a better lodge and my own safari driver and vehicle.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Agent excelent Job
Gorilla booking company lead by Justus have been my agent in Uganda. The July holiday to my clients was unforgettable and which will ring in they mind for long. The visit to gorilla tracking in Bwindi and visit to Ishasha area of queen Elizabeth was fantastic.