Your consultant Ute, y'r eyes & ears on the ground
Roho Ya Chui
- Offices In:
-
Netherlands
Germany
Austria
United States
Australia - Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, APTA & SATSA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $900 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
One of the best holidays we've ever had! 5 stars!
We had an amazing holiday! AndBeyond safari lodges were fantastic. We were blown away by the high standards and superior service. Everyone remembered our names, and all staff were wonderfully friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation in Exeter River Lodge was a real highlight. A truly stunning suite, and although it was a bit too cold to use the private plunge pool (we missed the 40C day and had 25C weather for much of our stay), we did enjoy sitting outside watching the Nyala, warthog, monkeys and lions wander by. This is absolutely the place to go if you're on honeymoon or want a romantic getaway.
The AndBeyond game rangers and trackers were excellent - both at Exeter River and particularly at Ngala, where I'm sure because of our tracker (Fanny) we seemed to see more wildlife than anyone else! Rhino, lion, several leopard (incl. cubs), buffalo, dwarf mongoose, cheetah, wildebeest, African wild dogs and pups, hyena and pups (they were surprisingly cute!), elephant (incl. lots of babies), yellow-billed hornbills and lots more.
Additionally the food was an unexpected highlight of our stay in the AndBeyond lodges. Every day we were impressed at the spread and quality of the food. We asked for many of the recipes and ended up buying their recipe book. Really, it was divine! If there was any criticism it would simply be that there was too much food and it was too irresistible - we came back weighing 1-2 kg heavier than before we left :-)
The staff were incredibly helpful and welcomed us warmly and professionally with airport transfers from the remote airport (where part of the Ngala rangers role was to chase any animals off the airstrip!). The short flights (10mins) between lodges were definitely the way to go (saved a 2-3 hour drive through uneven terrain). We really didn't want to leave when our guide and tracker returned us to the little bush airport (well, runway) for the final time.
We then had 3 days at Royal Chundu in Zambia to see Victoria Falls. Royal Chundu River Lodge was amazing! It was a bit of a treck to get there - an hour's drive from Livingstone, mostly along an unfinished and very bumpy road. By the time we arrived we were feeling slightly motion sick and starting to wonder whether it would all be worth the long drive there. But it absolutely was! When we stepped out of the car and into the resort it was the most serene and peaceful place, instantly dissolving any doubts we may have had. There was an infinity pool overlooking the Zambezi, the restaurant tables also overlooked the Zambezi. There was a welcome drink waiting for us and a beauty therapist ready to give us a shoulder massage whilst we completed the paperwork. The chef at the Royal Chundu was amazing - he trained under a 2 Michelin star chef and I have to say the evening food was divine - both in presentation, innovation and taste. And the room was amazing! Both Royal Chundu and Exeter River were stunning places to stay - probably the nicest places we have ever stayed at before.
The only slight disappointment with the Zambia trip was that the Vic Falls were very dry when we went (mid-late October), as the rains hadn't started yet. So it was a little like looking at a regular waterfall. So the views from the helicopter ride were not the stunning gush that we had hoped for, and there was no roar of water from the falls. But being in low season did mean we got to swim in Devils Pool - right on the edge of the falls, which was very very good! Apparently you can't do that in high season as I guess there is too much risk.
This trip has honestly been one of the best holidays we've ever been on, which is saying a lot as we are both well travelled. We can't recommend enough the lodges we stayed at: Exeter River Lodge, Ngala Lodge and (in Zambia) Royal Chundu (River Lodge). We also thoroughly recommend Ute Sonnenberg of Roho Ya Chui for organising this amazing holiday. She was enormously helpful and even added a wonderful personal touch of collecting us at the airport when we returned from the safari. She truly helped to make this trip so great.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari
A few years ago we went on safari, but were very disappointed, because we didn't really see anything. When we intended to plan another safari, friends told us about Ute and Roho Ya Chui. They had been very happy with their safari so we gave it a try. Ute listened very well to what we want to do and see and out came a truly amazing safari. Everything was fantastic, accommodation, routing, the animals we saw and the service provided by Ute and the lodges. It was wonderful and we want to go again! Back home we heard from others, that they didn't have the trip we had and their financials were excessive!!
BE
Email Jan Keteleer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great help
It is almost impossible to plan a first trip to South Africa without the expertise of a travel agency that is based in South Africa. However there is always an unsafe feeling doing business with someone living in another continent. To do everything in confidence it was good that a friend advices us to contact Roho Ya Chui which is an agency based in South Africa however also in Europe, the Netherlands. So planning the trip was very easy and all financial stuff was done very correctly. We had a great trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Well Planned Photo Safari
My safari at Phinda was truly life changing for me. It was my first time in Africa and I was there on business and I only had a few days to spend on a game reserve. I chose Roho Ya Chui because of their great reputation and their attention to detail. Ute Sonnenberg organized everything and left nothing to chance. The accommodations were excellent. Food was top notch. I am a photographer and this was my first photo safari. Ute was very helpful in making sure I was prepared with all the right gear. I got spectacular images and had an equally spectacular experience. I hope to return soon with my family, so they can experience Africa with Roho Ya Chui too!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Fantastic journey-Serengeti Migration
A dream of me and my husband, both photo enthusiasts, was to go to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, to experience the Serengeti migration and to make some good pictures.
We knew that over a million animals participate in the Serengeti Migration. So without experienced guides it would be rather impossible to cover it in 2 weeks time.
Ute Sonnenberg of Roho Ya Chui is such an experienced guide. With her help, tips and advice this adventure became an experience for life.
Amazing, truly amazing...
We saw two crossings, soma parts were emotionally intense. A 4.5-5 meter croc drowned a baby zebra, pulled her into the muddy waters right in front of us. Am sure everyone felt it for her. Thank you again for providing me such an amazing experience, much appreciated.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The spirit of the leopard was evident in the great care and attention to detail in trip plans.
My friends and I went on our first ever safari with Roho Ya Chui. It was a magical adventure. We were in the Maasai Mara in Kenya which is so beautiful. We ventured out early in the morning each day to have the best light for photo taking. Our guides were so knowlegable and helpful and we were able to explore the small and large wild life that the Mara has to offer. I recommend fullfilling a dream and taking a trip to Africa. Roho Ya Chui is a great way to make that dream come true!!!!!!
FI
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unique safari experience
I am very happy with my first Masai Mara safari with Roho Ya Chui. Kicwha Tembo was a good choice: accommodation, food and facilities were great. And the wide open landscape of Masai Mara with animal herds was so stunning!!
DE
Email Gertrud Sörries | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My African dream came true
The accommodation in Kenya, Masai Mara in Kichwa Tembo Camp was well selected, the driver of the camp and especially the photo safari with the owner of Roho Ya Chui was an experience. I was able to photograph the Big Five and the absolute highlight was the river crossing of zebras by the Mara River while being attacked by crocodiles. In the evening, the images were discussed, I have received a lot of tips and suggestions. The weather in December was ideal. It will not be my last trip to Africa with Roho Ya Chui.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I enjoyed my trip with Roho Ya Chui
The safari was everything I expected and hoped for, and more. The drivers were knowlegeable and gracious. We got to see many animals at different times of the day. It was an excellent experience.