Rwanda: reviews from our travellers

"Had an amazing time - I am presenting Namibia and Rwanda to our University Woman's club and slide 1 refers to Expert Africa and Maruska and how great they were with the developing this trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I was satisfied with all aspects of the trip and service.

I will recommend Expert Africa to my friends." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Thanks to Maruska for handling so many details and planning out a memorable experience for us. Maruska thought of absolutely everything and was so responsive to our questions. In all cases she got back to us within hours of receiving an email. I would not hesitate to have her plan future trips.

I have already recommended Expert Africa to friends.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. Everything was amazing! Only place I would skip is Halali and spend more time at Ungomo, which I think Maruska tried for but wasn't able to get for us.

I would have preferred to be told exactly what to tip and to prepare envelopes in advance. the tipping protocols were somewhat overwhelming.
Here's an example: the literature told us to tip at b and b places at the end of the trip, using the tip box. But when someone carried our bags, it was clear that they expected a tip. this left us awkwardly fumbling for change and trying to figure out local currency on the spot.

Don't know how to fix this." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"This was a great trip, where we did traditional game drives in the Masai Mara and gorilla trekking in Rwanda." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari

"My trip went smoothly and I had an amazing time. As always this was expertly organised by Ellie. All my safaris so far have been organised brilliantly by Expert Africa and I have had incredible experiences which is why I keep returning. Thanks very much.

One point to feedback is relating to my driver/guide in Rwanda. I was very disappointed with his lack of engagement and focus on his mobile phone and personal work in Kigali on my first day there. He was more of a driver than a guide and did not say much. It is particularly disappointing as this part of my trip was my bucket list trip and supposed to be special and I was very excited about it. I have provided detailed feedback to Ellie." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari

"Such a wonderful experience amongst some of the beautiful creatures with which we share this planet.

Combining the peaceful vegetarian Mountain Gorillas in the dense green forests of the Virungas, with the dusty, teeming expanse of the Maasai Mara at the time of the Great Migration gave a tremendous contrast in atmosphere and context.

Very good sighting experiences in both Rwanda and Kenya with knowledgeable guiding from local people with a real connection to the environment they were working in.

This was my first safari, and I think that if you appreciate the peace and grandeur of nature's wonders then there can be no better way to de-compress from everyday life than time spent in a camp like Naboisho.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The brochure is quite a piece of work !

I know such collateral is tremendously labour intensive and expensive to produce but I do very much appreciate it and I think it does articulate well your expertise and commitment to this market. If I do come to plan another African trip, it will be my go to resource." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari

"Having enjoyed wildlife-oriented safaris in both Southern and Eastern Africa, we wanted to focus our adventures in Namibia on that country's breathtaking scenery.

Expert Africa personnel (first Martha Young and Chris McIntyre; and later Tracy Lederer) did a superb job organising our three-lodge itinerary . . . Little Kulala; Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp; and Serra Cafema. Namibian lodges do not offer over-the-top luxuries (unlike high-end camps in Botswana, South Africa, et al), but we were totally pleased with our accommodations at all three lodges.

Hospitality was uniformly top-notch, and all 18 meals we consumed at the lodges were imaginatively prepared and delicious. Wilderness Safaris, the local operator responsible for our travel arrangements in Namibia, offered seamless service, from the moment our plane landed in Windhoek to our departure to Johannesburg ten days later.

Likewise, we thoroughly enjoyed the Rwandan segment of our holiday. Our only complaint (a minor one) is Virunga Lodge's kitchen, whose offerings were mediocre at best. Every other aspect of our Virunga Lodge stay was entirely satisfactory.

Our local guide/driver did an excellent job "negotiating" gorilla treks that matched our physical limitations. With his help, we were assigned easier families to visit and, thus, completed both our treks around three hours. We were not displeased with our, but we did notice slightly newer and seemingly more comfortable vehicles offered by other companies.

Don't know the differential between their rates and the other companies' but, given the long drive from Kigali to the Volcanoes area and, in particular, the bone-jarring ride to Virunga Lodge, we might have been tempted with a more comfortable option." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"I absolutely loved Rwanda and couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I am a very experienced safari-goer, and seeing mountain gorillas - spending a full half-hour with a mother and her two-month-old and getting close to the magnificent silverbacks - ranks among any top sightings. But Rwanda is about much more than just gorillas: it's an extraordinary country, stunningly lush and beautiful, and with a dignified people that makes it even harder to comprehend the horror of the genocide. It needs tourist dollars, and that $750 gorilla permit is worth every penny if you can afford it. I urge everyone to consider it for an alternative trip to Africa. (Note: for safari lovers, there are game parks in the south and east that we, unfortunately, did not have time to visit.)" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"A wonderful life changing experience to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

I was impressed with how smoothly everything was organised from the moment we arrived at the airport. Our stay at Sabyinyo Lodge was a true highlight.

We organised a private guide for these travellers, who commented:

Our guide Patrick - Overall experience: Excellent

Patrick was a wonderful guide for our trip in Rwanda. Smart, funny, he kept us constantly entertained with stories about Rwanda and its people.

We threw a few challenges his way (such as an injury during gorilla trekking) and he managed everything beautifully. We knew we were always in good hands.

He also recommended a fantastic restaurant for dinner and made sure the chef came out to greet us personally." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"Outstanding trip overall, perfectly matching our expectations.

James at Expert Africa listened and probed as to what we wanted and expected from our first safari experience, and then put together several itinerary options that would meet our needs. He was able to answer all our questions, and to provide us with lots of additional information that helped us in selecting the final choices for our Safari holiday." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"I generally plan my trips myself without a lot of input from agents. This time I relied heavily on your company and felt I was well rewarded for doing so. I never would have visited Akagera, Katavi, Mahale, Ruaha, or the Selous on my own. I likely would have confined my itinerary in Tanzania to the Serengeti and maybe Ngorongoro Crater. I'm really lucky to have taken James' advice.

In fact, one of my guides in the Serengeti was extremely impressed with my chosen itinerary, commenting that he didn't see many tourists who went that route.

Again, I'm very grateful for your help and would highly recommend your company in the future." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 20 on a Tanzania safari