Reviews of safaris to Volcanoes National Park

"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

"This trip far exceeded my expectations for all the reasons mentioned previously.

It was designed specifically for my requirements by Ellie Walkingshaw who I owe a debt of gratitude to. It is a pleasure dealing with knowledgable people who have got the T-shirts ! Thank you.


As usual in Rwanda, Expert Africa arranged a private guide for this traveller. He commented:

I have been fortunate in my travels to have experienced some of the best guides in the world - underwater as well as on the land !! NAYEBARE SAM is without doubt in that elite band. He recognised early on that I had a real passion for the natural world and the desire to record that with my cameras. Sam worked tirelessly to make sure that I obtained everything that I wanted as far as is humanly possible.

He is clearly well known and respected by others and that is used to the benefit of his clients in many ways.

He is passionate about his country and that was an inspiration to me.

In summary I am so pleased to call him friend. Thank you Sam - you will never be forgotten.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

This is the second time I have used Expert Africa - keep doing what you are doing !" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Rwanda safari

"We had an amazing trip that we will never forget!

It was a trip of a lifetime and we greatly appreciated all of Liz's help in making it happen! Liz was very professional and gave great advice." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"It was a thrilling adventure. Ellie and Expert Africa were very helpful in planning this trip for our group so we had a good idea of what to expect.

We were picked up at the Kigali airport by a representative of Primate Safari who went over everything with us and then introduced us to Bernard who was our driver and Rwanda guide. He was fabulous!! We all got along fabulously. He took very good care of us!! His english was perfect and he was very, very knowledgable of Rwanda and had much to tell us about his country. When I told him my stomach was queazy and had not been able to find any ginger around, he had the kitchen come up with some for me which helped a little. After trekking he took some of the group up to the twin lakes one day, another day found where my son could rent a bike and on the next to last day made arrangements for my son and another to get a guide so they could hike up one of the volcanos. One of our group had been to Kigali before and previously visited a young girl in an orphanage and wanted to find her. Bernard was able to find her new stepfather so we spent the last afternoon visiting with her, taking her shopping and then took her to lunch at the hotel in Kigali.. Bernard helped organize this whole afternoon. He was fabulous!

It was enjoyable to experience the mountains and then Kigali. The first night it seems the lodge had double booked and our accommodations were not available so we were put up in another lodge which inconvenienced us somewhat but we made the best of it. Gorilla Mountain View Lodge was perfect for what we needed and after that everything went smoothly.

The whole gorilla experience was handled very efficiently by all involved. It was thrilling to see the Golden Monkeys and then the Mountain Gorillas. On the second day to visit the gorillas I stayed behind because my back and knee were bothering me. I only wish I could have been able to get my money back for not using my permit. $750 is a lot to give up! All in all, a wonderful experience." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari

"We had a great trip. Everything went smoothly. The driver/guide, Sam, from Primate Safaris was excellent. He was a really nice person with a good sense of humour and was able to tell us lots about Rwanda and answer any questions we had. He was a big help in buying books in Kigali for donating to two schools in Musanze. A visit to the Deaf School and to the pre-school at the Faith Foundation were highlights of our visit in that area (as well as the gorillas of course) He was also able to work with the Park Rangers to have us assigned to a gorilla family that didn't require too much trekking, due to my husband's bad knee.

I would like to suggest that Expert Africa promote the School for the Deaf and also the pre-school run by the Faith Foundation, both in Musanze, if any guests want to take school supplies, children's clothing or sports & games equipment for the local village. A visit to one or both of these places is very rewarding.

Pack for a Purpose is a website that also provides information on what type of things to bring. I find it much more useful than Stuff your Rucksack." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 15 on a Rwanda safari