1-Day Fully Canoeing in the Foothills of the Virunga

Golden Rwanda Safaris

4.9/5 – 323 Reviews

$572 pp (USD)

2 travelers on Start date

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Golden Rwanda Safaris

4.9/5
(323 Reviews)

Offices In:: Rwanda

Congo (DRC)
Size:: 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
Member Of:: ASTA, APTA, RTTA, Tripadvisor & VISIT RWANDA
Tour Types:: Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations:: BI

CD

KE

RW

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"Choose us for your very own African experience and let the voyage of your lifetime begin! "The experience of living starts when you find the pleasure of enjoying, those little things around us creating unforgettable moments which last a lifetime. Each detail counts to satisfy our clients who travel to Rwanda, the heart of Africa". "THE SMART SAFARI COMPANY FOR YOU"

Reviews323

Joanne –

Reviewed: Jul 21, 2026

I am unable to give GRS a 10/5 rating...5 was the max...they deserve much more than a 5/5

5/5

I am not sure where to begin describing my short trip to Rwanda to experience Kigali, learn more about the genocide and trek to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. This tour company is the one you want to book with! They use Rwandan tour guides who know the country, its history and all things Rwandan. Rando Charifu was my tour guide. I have been solo touring for years now and this rates as one of the best experiences I have ever had. Sitting in the front seat, running conversations about a myriad topics - Rando was outstanding.
A woman you say, travelling solo in an SUV with almost 30 year old male? I would do it again and highly recommend it! I could see (no sitting in the back seat) and he took care of all the details. Frank owns this tour company and I had the honour of meeting him the day I left. We had a great conversation about so many things. His communication during the year of planning, notes on what to pack were well timed, written and clear. The lodgings, the tours, the food, the people - so memorable! Coffee tasting (like wine tasting), a single mothers' non-profit art council, the rolling hills, the great food choices.
If you want ROI for your Rwandan adventure - GRS should be your choice of companies. The safety in this country is top notch, and I have been to many African countries. It has everything you want in an African adventure with safaris for the Big 5, gorillas, monkeys and more.
I learned more about the genocide and its atrocities. What it did though, and I spoke to a number of Rwandans, is made Rwanda what it is today - a vibrant tourist site with so much to offer.
So many choices in tour companies, so many decisions to make. Do your research but I stake my reputation on this outstanding company.

Victor –

Reviewed: Jul 20, 2026

Our 13-day journey was negotiated by our group leaders and Mr. Frank Benoit Kanymutara, owner of GRS

5/5

Our group of 12 was made up of 8 people from California and a family of 4 from Australia. Our group of 8 arrived in Kigali on June 24th and were greeted and picked up by our two driver-guides, Messrs. Taufique ("Mr. T") and Sufiane. The two SUVs they brought to pick us up were impressive. We stayed at the Governor's Residence for the first two nights where we were treated with amazing meals in this luxurious private compound.

Our 13-day adventure was negotiated by our group leaders John and Stacy and Mr. Frank Benoit Kanymutara, the founder and owner of GRS. In our itinerary, they were able to include: a visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali, time in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park.

The visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali provided a sobering perspective on what this country has been through in its recent past. Our time in Nyungwe Forest National Park, a well preserved rainforest where we trekked in search of chimpanzees and other wildlife, also provided opportunities to hike on or zipline above the forest canopy. In Volcanoes National Park, while our main objectives were trekking mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on Mt. Bisoke, we also visited the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, saw and shopped for local crafts at the women-run Gorilla Guardians Village; and also visited the women-owned Virunga Mountain Spirits where we sampled their locally sourced creations. Finally on our itinerary, we travelled to Akagera National Park in search of the big five game animals, the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo.

We were able do all this with the careful and thoughtful curation of our tour operator, GRS. Our accomodations at each venue were top notch: Governor's Residence in Kigali; Munanzi Eco Lodge in the middle of the Nyungwe National Forest; Cleo Hotel on the shores of Lake Kivu; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Kinigi; Karenge Bush Camp and Ruzizi Tented Lodge in Akagera National Park. Our driver-guides made sure that our meals were plan ahead of our arrivals at each hotel. There was always a large menu to choose from and also catered to our vegetarians and gluten free companions. The staff at each accommodation were above-and beyond helpful and welcoming.

Our driver-guides, Mr. T and Sufiane were amazing with keeping our group well-fed, well-hydrated and on-time to our appointed excursions. In addition, some of us had some personal needs along the way that each handled with discretion. Sometimes we needed more local currency, and Mr. T and Sufiane always found the safest banking places. I personally needed an asthma inhaler and Sufiane took me to a pharmacy upon our return to Kigali. These two gentlemen could not do enough for us. They were our eyes and ears to our beautiful Rwanda experience.

For all that we were able to do, our money was well spent.

Natalie –

Reviewed: Jul 20, 2026

A fantastic trip in a beautiful country, Rwanda!

5/5

My travel experience with Golden Rwanda Safaris was exceptional.
My friends Stacy and John planned the whole trip, and chose Golden Rwanda after looking at cost and responsive communication from Frank, the tour owner. The planning process with Frank went well and he was able to create a trip that included everything they wanted. This trip couldn't have been better and how lucky was I to be included!

Toufique and Sufiani were our tour guides. They were both warm, friendly, knowledgeable and considerate to everyone's needs. There were 12 people in our group and Toufique and Sufiani drove us across the country all the while teaching us about the history, the animals and about everyday life in Rwanda.

Of course the many animal encounters were the most amazing experiences of this trip, but that coupled with the top notch accommodations, food and hospitality was truly exceptional!

Traveling with Golden Rwanda gave me a deeper appreciation for the country, its beauty, its people, and it remarkable commitment to conservation.
I recommend Golden Rwanda Safaris without hesitation!
Thank you Frank, Taufique and Sufiani!

Robert Chasen –

Reviewed: Jul 17, 2026

Excellent 12 day sojourn in Rwanda

5/5

I found Golden Rwanda through Safari Bookings, and had a very good experience working with Frank to tailor the itinerary, and then had an amazing trip with Rando as my guide and driver. My trip included Chimp trekking in Nyungwe National Park in the south; two relaxing stops along Lake Kivu in the west; Gorilla trekking and hiking in Volcanoes National park; traditional game drive safari in Anagera National Park in the east; and finally a day in Kigali before flying home.

Rwanda exceeded my expectations in terms of the beauty of the entire country -- it reminds me of Hawaii but at higher altitude -- and the national parks are super-well-managed, a real treasure. The gorilla and chimp trekking were the highlights, something you can do very few other places, but the safari park was very good too, seeing an enormous number of species of birds and trees and flowers, and getting close to larger animals like gibbons and rhinos and crocodiles and zebras and giraffes and hippos, etc., in a much less crowded setting than I found a dozen years ago in Kenya and Tanzania.

My tour with Golden Rwanda included all the transportation, lodging, guides, admissions & permits, and meals, for a price I thought was fair. I highly recommend working with a travel company that is based in the country you are visiting, rather than one based in the US or Canada or Europe.

Monique –

Reviewed: Jul 16, 2026

The tour operator was amazing and everything about the trip was superb!

5/5

Our group of 12 was supported by two exceptional tour leaders, Sufiani and Mr. T, both of whom contributed greatly to a seamless and enjoyable experience. Their professionalism, courtesy, and extensive knowledge helped create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that felt like traveling with one large family. Each day’s itinerary was explained clearly and in detail, ensuring there was never any confusion about the schedule or expectations. The tour was consistently well organized, punctual, and beautifully coordinated from start to finish. The accommodations were clean, comfortable, and relaxing, and the level of service throughout the trip was outstanding. The meals were delicious, healthy, and thoughtfully prepared, and we were consistently well cared for at each hotel. One particular highlight was an excellent massage at Hotel Cleo, which was among the best I have ever experienced. Overall, the tour was exceptionally well managed and provided a memorable, high-quality travel experience. I will be checking this off of my bucket list.