Rwanda: reviews from our travellers

"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.

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

"I have already recommended Expert Africa (and Tanzanian ground partner) to friends. I love the bespoke approach to the planning and execution. Jessica, who organised it, was very helpful and knowledgable - and made us feel well taken care of. The whole trip was incredibly well organised every step of the way. We really enjoyed Tito's company, knowledge and driving skills in Rwanda and the same for Raj while we were in the mobile camp in the Serengeti! Even the PCR tests were handled well - hopefully they won't be necessary next time! In terms of what to bring and what to expect: not once were we asked to weigh our luggage (but do keep in mind that there's not a lot of storage room on the puddle-jumper planes); we also were not questioned re plastic bags; do minimise the clothing (pack your bag, then unpack half of what you thought you might want to bring - there are lots of laundry options - and no one really cares what you're wearing anyway!); bring a warm sweater/jacket and/or a waterproof windbreaker. Invest in really good binoculars - even if they are heavy - we didn't and regretted it.

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No - it was terrific! As regards the mobile camp in the Serengeti, I was glad we stayed at the camp where we were - we visited the more "upscale" non-mobile camp nearby and were glad we were at the mobile one! Many thanks to Jessica - I've already passed her name onto friends of mine!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Our guide Tito was exceptional. He made our trip magical. He was informative and flexible. He knew many of the local guides and got us on the best treks!

He changed the canoeing day and took us to the Fosse research center. One afternoon when we had extra time he took us to a cultural village.

This trip was delayed 2 years due to Covid and Jessica was helpful in rescheduling and adapting to our needed changes. It is difficult for us US folks to contact our team member due to the time difference." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"We have visited places for treks before such as Ireland and Canada. Africa, on the other hand, is a different experience entirely and one that we will recommend to all friends and family for years to come. We will definitely return and were very sad to leave!

Thank you so much Lyndsey, you hit the nail on the head with this one.

Lyndsey listened to every small request we had, nothing was too obscure or silly for her and she made everything work. She tailored a fantastic belated honeymoon for us." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya 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

"Our trip was amazing!! Beyond expectations!! The people we met and spent time with enhanced our trip. Isaac, who was waiting for us when we reached Nairobi. Isaac toured us around for a couple of days and was a pleasure spending time with him.

Manfred our guide at the Leopard Hill Basecamp was Excellent. He is very experienced at guiding and a pleasure to be around. We had many questions. Manfred answered them all with sincerity and patience.

Shema was with for our entire time in Rwanda. What a great man. We spent many hours driving from the most Northern Region of Rwanda to the Southern Region. We felt safe and confident with Shema behind the wheel. He was always on time. Always greeted us with a smile and a warm welcome. He took care of us and we are so thankful to have met him.

Thank you to everyone involved in our trip. What an experience. Life changing!!

We hope to be back in Kenya and Rwanda soon to see our new friends again!!


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No!!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"Our holiday was outstanding.

We weren't sure what to expect travelling to Africa so soon after international borders started to open again, but we were delighted with how quickly tourism has found its feet again in Namibia, Zambia and Rwanda. Our self drive in Namibia felt perfectly safe, and our first time to Zambia now won't be our last.

Claire did a great job with our covid delayed trip. Fantastic support on the trip with CV 19 testing issues for Rwanda as a result of delayed airlines. Accommodation particularly in Zambia was outstanding." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was excellent and a wonderful family memory with our young-adult children. The recommended lodges were excellent and we were very happy to be able to support the local communities at each site - facilitated by Expert Africa and Richard Trillo.

Logistically, the connections between cities, lodges, and airlines were flawless. This was our second trip with Expert Africa (and working with Richard Trillo), and it was more complex than our last one: international, bush, and charter flights; three sites; two countries. This trip would have been impossible for us to have pulled off on our own - especially with the two-year delay forced by the pandemic! We were very happy to have these experts on our side!

Regarding the pandemic, Rwanda had the strictest protocols at the time of our trip - requiring four tests in seven days - but our driver arranged all three in-country tests and kept tabs on our results and paperwork for us. Masks were required in all airplanes, but the COVID numbers are so much lower in Africa than in the USA that we all felt very safe in the lodge settings - venues were spacious and largely open-air. We definitely had some anxiety about passing a PCR test in order to go gorilla trekking (we'd had COVID just 45 days before), but we hoped for the best and it worked out for us (and trip insurance would have come through had it not).

I would say that while COVID introduces a "wild card" into the proceedings, the travel-related requirements were well managed for us while overseas, and, in my opinion, going on safari is far safer than going to an American movie theater!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"We had a fantastic trip covering three East Africa countries, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. We stayed at two camps in each country along with extra days at each end of the trip in Kigali and Dar. Each country is different and has their own culture.

Rwanda was the cleanest country we have ever been to. Even way out from towns people are sweeping the roadsides and trimming vegetation. The Gorillas and Golden Monkeys were great to visit.

Kenya and Tanzania were the greenest countries, recent rains. The quantities of wildlife are incredible. The guides in both countries were excellent and transportation between camps was easy and convenient.

Everywhere we went we felt very welcome.

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I don't see how it could get any better." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari