Reviews of trips to Lake Kivu

"From our first enquiry through to the end of the trip we have been kept well informed, well looked after.

The information pack was excellent, loved the unexpected travel wallet.

The whole trip delivered on all levels." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Rwanda safari

"The good points: great trek to Dian Fossey's grave, good gorilla trek in spite of the size of the group (8 visitors) and my free day at Gisenyi.
Also, nice car and driver.

The less good ones: too much spare time in the afternoons at Nyungwe House and at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. I suggest that Expert Africa recommends some optional visits for free afternoons, like a visit to a tea plantation in Gisakura (I only realised this might have been possible after I left) or a visit to the Dian Fossey Fund Campus (which I visited at my request after the golden monkey trek, as the Campus is well visible from the road, otherwise I would have missed it).

Some final details:
Cost: my itinerary included a villa in Nyungwe House and not a room in a 4-room small building." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Rwanda safari

"Very enjoyable. It did seem that the during the booking process we had to be juggled to different team members because one or the other were on extended holiday. All team memebers were helpful but there wasn't always continuity.

We transited through Kenya before and after getting to Rwanda, as Expert Africa was aware. We applied for multi entry visas for Kenya but had no idea of the difficulty and time it takes to get a multi entry approved. SIngle entry visas get approved in 24 hours but because we didn't know to take that approach we ended up having to miss our departure flight out of the US.

I realize the Kenya visas were our responsibility but some specific guidance from Expert Africa would have been really helpful. The multipoint entry visa took 2 weeks to approve, no where in the Kenya e visa website is that explained." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Rwanda safari

"The trip was extremely well organised.

We were well taken care of in Rwanda with an excellent local guide providing transport, liaising with the camps and organising the gorilla treks." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Rwanda safari

"The trip grew from a group of 2 to a group of 5 and we were very grateful for all of Expert Africa's help in the organisation, re-organisation and covid-related rescheduling. It became a little evident during our travels that a longer trip in Rwanda combining Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park was a little unusual, but we can't recommend it enough.

The ground agents for Expert Africa were excellent and we were very fortunate with our guide Omar, who was so integral in making the trip work. We are aware that he was certainly part of the reason why things were such a success and you do need to be happy to travel long distances as a group for this type of trip, but it does reward you with seeing a lot of Rwanda and getting a good feel for the country.

The accommodation, standard of wildlife guides and experiences and the additional activities such as canoeing, kayaking, a guided hike in Gisenyi and birding in Nyungwe all exceeded our expectations.

The Gorilla treks were both unique experiences. The Chimpanzee sighting in Nyungwe was certainly closer and better than we had expected and Nyungwe itself has lots to offer in the way of other Monkeys and birding. We also found it to be a beautiful forest. We were either very lucky with the wildlife and birdlife in Akagera or the experience the park provides is now much closer to that of a typical Tanzanian or Kenyan Safari than is advertised - currently, it feels, you are also likely to experience the wildlife far more privately than in other countries.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We struggle to think of anything!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 21 on a Rwanda safari

"It was an amazing adventure. It was great to be able to return to Africa after so long.

The wildlife was generally as good or better than expected. We particularly enjoyed Akagera and Volcanoes. The great birding a real bonus.

Sadly a couple of the lodges were much less good than expected in terms of the accommodation, food and service levels." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Rwanda safari

"utterly amazing - loved every single moment of the trip.

Thank you Expert Africa for organising." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Rwanda safari

"The 4 tops of my trip:

- the two days gorilla trekking
- my guide/driver Bram
- my drives through this beautiful country and my experiences along it
- the realisation how well this country has healed ( is healing ) since 1994 and how seemingly well is advancing on many fronts" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"We loved our trip to Rwanda.

The country is stunning, the people are friendly, and the primate treks were even more amazing than expected.

We would definitely recommend booking a trip to Rwanda with Expert Africa." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Rwanda safari

"Magical trip, especially Rwanda was a gem.

We loved the rolling hills, the beautiful birds, the ever smiling people and of course the gorillas (but Rwanda is much more than the gorillas, let's be clear)
The trip was perfectly prepared by EA again, thanks to Lyndsey.

Sula, our Primate safari guide deserves a special mention!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Rwanda safari