On a sunset game drive in Hwange NP, Zimbabwe
Nziza Hospitality
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- Connections & XO Private
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $2,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Michael E | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing to discover Uganda and Gorillas
It was great working with Nziza Hospitality - Bernard and his team offered great service in answering all my questions and the team on the ground were wonderful throughout the trip. The highlight was, of course, the gorilla trekking at Mgahinga National Park, but the crater lakes region was really beautiful. Really had fun during the afternoon cruise on the Kazinga channel from Mweya Safari Lodge too. Will have to come again to try spot the tree-climbing lions!
US
Email Wanda H | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experience
Everyone was very friendly an professional. They provided me with all of my needs. They were flexible and made sure we saw everything that we wanted to experience. I look forward to returning and definitely will tell everyone about to use this company. Thank you for the best vacation I ever had.
US
Email Michelle C. Clark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My tour operator was knowledgable, timely and attentative to our needs.
Our safari and tour of East Africa was amazing. It was our first time to Kenya and Tanzania. Our tour operator did not disappoint. The itinerary was well planned and no detail left to chance. We enjoyed every second of our time in Africa. Our tour operator paid attention to what I wanted for this trip. He went above and beyond my expectations as it was an adventure to celebrate my 50th birthday. From the game drives to the beautiful hotels to the amazaing excursions, we were blown away by his professionalism and planning. We had an amazing time. I can't wait to visit the beautiful beaches of the Swahili Coast again.
Email Sandra Lee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely amazing!!!
My trip to East Africa was beyond my expectations. I couldn't imagine it any better!
The accommodations were superb, the food plentiful and delicious, the transportation seamless and the service was outstanding.
Our experience with Bernard and his team was nothing short of the best and I would highly recommend using his tour company and expertise. You can see his love and passion for travel shines through on his tours!!!
I can't wait to go back with family and friends in the near future!!
Thank you so much Bernard, one of the best trips I have ever travelled ❤️
FR
Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient, helpful and receptive to my requirements
From the outset the service has been outstanding. I have a specific set of work related needs requiring a series of visits to Africa which Africa Nziza Odysseys understand and meet imaginatively and effectively. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Their focus on ethical tourism and promotion of conservation, and education in these areas makes this organization a natural fit for people who care about the impact of safari tourism on wildlife and the environment.
BE
Email Sarah Schobo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The magical Silver Back
You will never regret your choice if you go with Africa Nziza Odysseys! Our guide Gerald was one of the best guides we could have. It was impressive to see how he could hear and see things we couldn't even detect. He really knows the bush like the back of his hand and is such a good company. We enjoyed our time with him and Bernard so much that we are still in touch with them now and we had the chance to welcome them in Europe. They really form a passionate and dedicated dreamteam, and are very reactive . Trust them and escape for an unbelievable journey!
IL
Email Sue S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
African Nziza Odysseys gave us 1st class service from beginning to end
I don't think we can praise Bernard Munyanziza and his team enough. They were helpful, thoughtful, attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic from the day we made initial inquiries through to the day we reluctantly said goodbye at the airport. Originally a group of four, one had to drop out shortly before departure due to a serious illness in her family. Bernard was most understanding and tried his best to obtain whatever refunds he could. Not every travel agency would have done so. Our driver/guide Charles shared his ample knowledge about the country with us and tried his very best to ensure that we saw as much wildlife as possible. Bridget, who accompanied us throughout, was charming and couldn't do enough for us. We saw chimpanzees, gorillas, the Murchison Falls, elephants, giraffe, leopards, lion....It was wonderful. The Uganda we saw was not bursting with animals like, say, the Serengeti. On the other hand, there are also far less tourists, so the experience feels more 'authentic.' And there are mountain gorillas! The service in all the hotels was exceptional and everything recommended was clean. We would have no doubt about travelling with Bernard's company again.
DE
Email Rob & Anje | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Stellar Gorrila Experience in Rwanda
We booked our luxury gorrila safari With Nziza and Benard and his team went out of their way to offer seamless experience. Our trip was perfect in every way, Benard was highly responsive and flexible, our guide offers lots of insights on local culture. Bisate Lodge was simply extraordinarily and the gorrila tracking an was an experience we will talk about for decades. I would reccomend Benard and his team to anyone visiting the Rwanda.
DE
Email Marina and Juma from Isimila Tanzania Adventures | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Rwanda at its best
We from Isimila Tanzania Adventures had sent our clients after a safari in Tanzania with Bernard to explore the wilderness and beauty of Rwanda. The hightlight was no doubt a Gorilla Trek. Our clients were delighted by the quality and outstanding services of Bernard. He did anything to make our clients happy and exceeded their expectations. They had a great time and experience with those fascinating animals. We are very happy to do business with Bernard on a regular basis and highly recommend him. Bernard, you are the best...
Email Sally Rutherford | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nziza delivered the trip of a lifetime: epic gorilla and chimp trekking in magical Uganda!
From the smiling face waiting to greet me in person on the apron when I touched down at Entebbe airport to the thoughtfully constructed itinerary that immersed me in the magic and beauty of Uganda, Nziza Hospitality blew me away. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every single member of the Nziza team was responsive and generous with their knowledge, time and warmth. Bernard and his team on the ground went to great lengths to uncover my interests and priorities, and to tailor my trip so that every box was ticked. The result was a richly layered travel experience that surpassed all my expectations.
ISLAND IN THE NILE
I started with an indulgent and restful couple of days at Lemala Wildwaters Lodge close to Jinja. A favourite with Instagram ‘influenstars’, Wildwaters is a gorgeous boutique lodge situated on Kalagala Island in the Nile River.
I’ve previously rafted this section of the Nile and I was filled with residual adrenaline just watching the churning rapids that swirl around the lodge. Paradoxically, I also found the roar of the waters provided the most soothing white noise imaginable, and slept like a log every night. Admittedly, the luxury of my stand-alone timber suite may well have contributed to that too.
The food at Wildwaters is exceptional, and the open-walled dining area has views of the Nile in every direction. I loved choosing my view to match my mood – breakfast overlooking the serene upstream channels with local villagers heading out in their canoes to fish; lunch beside the pool with Hypoxia Rapid thundering past; and dinner with flashes of lightening reflecting off the white water.
THE ROAD WELL-TRAVELLED
From there it was back to Entebbe’s Boma Hotel before the early-morning departure for Murchison Falls National Park. Our driver and guide for our Nziza Uganda Meander was Mustafa “Steffi” Kiika. Even though it’s a long drive, the time isn’t wasted. Travelling by 4x4 gives you the best perspective of daily life for Ugandans. The route takes you through countless towns, farms and rural villages, and Steffi was not just excellent company, he was a font of knowledge who added enormous value to the trip. We were travelling in rainy season, and Steffi handled the challenging conditions on the dirt roads with supreme competence. (I’m an enthusiastic novice birder, and Steffi was great at pointing out new sightings along the road.)
MURCHISON FALLS
Our first destination was the extraordinarily luxurious Nile Safari Lodge, just minutes from the entrance gate to Murchison Falls National Park. The problem with staying here is you feel completely torn when it’s time to head out on a game-viewing drive in the park: surely you don’t have to leave this seductively tranquil eco-lodge perched over the banks of the Victoria Nile for even a minute?
Of course, a hyena with a bloody muzzle dashing in front of our vehicle within two minutes of us entering the park changed my mind pretty smartly, and set us up for a glorious morning of wildlife sightings. To give context, the classic movie ‘African Queen’ was filmed on location at Murchison Falls. Again Steffi’s keen eye can be credited for manoeuvring us into position to catch young lions on the hunt. The afternoon’s Nile River boat cruise to the base of the Murchison Falls also delivered incredible game and bird viewing, culminating in the whirlpool at the base of the Murchison Falls (also known as Kabalega Falls).
THE CHIMPS OF KIBALE FOREST
Next stop on our itinerary was Kyaninga Lodge, our base for chimp-tracking in Kibale Forest. Lovely Kyaninga Lodge is perched on the rim of a pristine crater lake (an afternoon swim here in geothermal warmed waters was a balm for my soul), and the Kyaninga Lodge team does exceptional work in the local community.
The biggest surprise was how breathtaking I found the chimpanzee-tracking experience in Kibale National Park. Steffi cleverly engineered that our group was assigned to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide, Jen Muthahinga. I felt that we won the jackpot here, as Jen maximized every second of our time with the Efuzi chimp family. Her knowledge of the chimps was incredible, and she repeatedly got us into position so that our entire hour was totally interactive. (Tourist interaction with primates is subject to a one-hour time limit so as not to stress the animals.) While the guides are strict about ensuring we maintain the required distance from the primates, the chimps themselves don’t always obey the rules: Efuzi, the alpha chimp, even brushed my legs more than once as I stood frozen in awe.
GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI
After that it was time to head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track the Mishaya group of critically endangered mountain gorillas. The forest itself is magnificent: you hike up steep slopes under the dense canopy of ancient trees thickly intertwined with vines. I chose to use a porter – the local communities depend on the largesse of travellers to provide work – and Deus Twinamakisto’s steady hand was an enormous help as we crossed rushing streams, areas of thick mud and treacherously deep layers of leaf litter that seemed to want to suck in your feet. We hiked for about an hour to find ‘our’ gorillas, who clearly had eaten their fill and were extraordinarily relaxed and sleepy.
My supremely comfy base was Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. It’s hard to encapsulate just how lovely Clouds is, but know that when you go to bed and your toes touch a toasty hot-water bottle tucked between the crisp cotton sheets, you are somewhere that understands how to cosset their guests. I stayed in one of their eight private guest cottages. My cottage was surrounded by lush gardens, with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfy linen-covered armchairs in the living room, and a roaring fire in the double-sided fireplace that separates the bedroom and living room. I was coddled by a delightful private butler, who took care of every whim and whisked my muddied trekking gear and boots to be freshly laundered that night. It was a little chilly to savour a gin-and-tonic on the veranda of the central lodge area, so I settled into a deep armchair in front of one of the roaring fireplaces to put my feet up after the day’s trekking and soak up the magnificent views out towards the Virunga volcanoes. Again, the food was scrumptious. I particularly loved the salads using freshly picked produce from Clouds’ huge vegetable garden.
ONE LAST BUCKET-LIST SURPRISE
All too soon my 12-day Uganda adventure was up, and Steffi was putting us onto Bar Aviation’s small Cessna Caravan for the hop back to Entebbe. Again, Nziza’s delightful team met us off the plane to whisk us to Hotel No. 5 where we were to relax until it was time for the flight home. But there was no time to feel sad that the journey was over. Nziza Hospitality had one more delightful trick up their sleeve!
Somehow they’d overheard me say that I was sorry I hadn’t ever seen a shoebill, and immediately after lunch they surprised us with a boat trip to Mabamba Swamp, across Lake Victoria. In this Ramsar-listed bird area we quickly found a prehistoric-looking young shoebill – a fascinating and fulfilling end to a superb and utterly magical trip. Thank you, Nziza Hospitality!