Bill William - our USA Representative and contact
Africa Adventure Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- NU & AUTO
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AE
Email Lucy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic service for a phenomenal trip.
I got in touch with Africa Adventure Safaris to book a gorilla trek in Rwanda after getting a bad feeling from the agency that I was previously dealing with. The difference could not have been more stark! Nelson replied to my initial enquiry, and all further messages, with astounding speed, answering questions before I'd even thought of them myself! It was a bit of a leap of faith to send the deposit by bank transfer in order to secure the permits, but Nelson was extremely professional and constantly kept me informed about the status of the transfer and our visit. He also sent through an itinerary and invitation letter in plenty of time for us to apply for the visa pre-approval and all the information we could possibly have needed about what to bring and so forth.
We did the shortest possible safari based on time constraints - Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and back in one day. Although AAS do recommend that you have a longer trip and stay overnight close to the park to avoid an extremely early start, they were happy to help out with the one-day trip which began at 0430. Emmanuel picked us up from our door, apologising profusely for being five minutes late! He brought us to the park headquarters bright and early, and sorted out registration and group allocation (I had asked if it was possible to go to a group with young gorillas; although this does depend on various factors, Emmanuel came back with the great news that we would be going to a group with juveniles!).
The trek itself was absolutely phenomenal, and I am so grateful to AAS for making my dream come true!
All of our questions about the day were answered with a warm smile and, on returning to 'base' Emmanuel welcomed us back and drove us back to Kigali. We even arrived back at our guesthouse in plenty of time for dinner!
I would not hesitate to recommend AAS, Nelson and his staff to anyone. The company is one of the most professional tour operators that I have dealt with and I am keen to return - perhaps to Uganda next time, but still booking through Africa Adventures Safari. Thank you!
(Please note that the company does go under a couple of different names - Rwanda Gorillas Safari was the domain name that Nelson was contacting me from via email and this page is under 'Uganda Gorilla Tour', but they are one and the same organisation)
US
Email Earl Strassberger | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Two Days, One Night with AAS
My driver/guide was terrific. His English was very good. He drove very carefully. He knew where to stop.
AAS was fine. As someone else wrote it is a leap of faith to send money over the internet. But it worked out fine. Nelson answered all questions.
Gorillas are pretty neat! Great trip to Volcanoes National Park, with a tour of Kigali the day before.
US
Email Mitchell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Reccomended, Great Guide/Driver, Great Experience
We had a four day/three night Safari including Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Inpenitrible Forest and Lion Tracking along with the standard drive and boat ride. It was extraordinary. We were several feet from a family of Mountain Gorillas, including a small baby and mother, a Silverback and a teenage boy who demanded our attention. We were in their home and we were honored to be there. We were twenty feet (in a van this time) from lions. Our entire experience was wonderful. Our driver/guide David was knowledgeable, friendly and creative in figuring out how to make our experience even better.
Email Gemma | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rwanda, Bwindi and Gorillas
I have just got back from 4 days in Rwanda and Uganda and had a wonderful trip with this company. After a bad experience from a previous company I could not be more happy with the service I was provided. From the initial contact, Anna who I dealt with, was prompt and helpful in every way as I had limited time and specific things I wanted to do. As there were no permits for gorilla trekking on the Rwandan side she helped to put a trip together including gorilla trekking from the Ugandan side. My guide was amazing and I didn't have to worry about anything, after living in East Africa for 3 years this was a pleasant surprise. From small details to getting the correct currency to helping spot wildlife he was a great help. The lodge I stayed in, Bwindi Lodge, was beautiful and the staff extremely attentive (even a hot water bottle in my bed at night!) and the food was superb. The gorilla trekking was pretty tough, nearly 7 hours of hiking in the bush, but it was to make sure we saw the gorillas and got our full hour with them. The rangers were professional and my porter was a massive help. I was also given a trip around Kigali and the Genocide Museum and lunch all included, my only thing was time so it was a shame not to have been able to do more. I was dropped back off in Rwanda in Gisenyi at my next hostel and this was a big help. I am definitely going to be using this company again as I want to now climb the volcano in DRC after my driver was explaining the possibility and beauty of it. Amazing experience!
RO
Email Delia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
I have just returned from 8 wonderful days in Uganda. When I contacted Africa Adventure Safaris, Anna replied fast to me and in less than 2 weeks we managed to create the most wonderful safari itinerary. She made everything possible to customize our trip, to fulfill best our needs and wishes, to find the best lodges that were in our budget limit.
Everything was perfect! Amazing view from the lodges, wonderful people that took good care of us, tasty food. Also we got a skilled guide, William, with very good knowledge of the African wildlife and I couldn't feel safer with him driving us around the country.
US
Email Missy Mitchell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dream Come True!
The accommodations were comfortable and very nice (we requested luxury level). The food was good. BUT the staff makes this company first rate! Nelson who manages all the communications and reservations is very responsive answering all your questions and providing all the details to make your trip a success - thank you Nelson. Krish was our guide for our three nights/four days. He greeted us at the airport. Drives very safe. Provides plenty of bottled water. Speaks English. Knows the roads and countries (we visited Rwanda and Uganda). Our luggage was lost by the airline and Krish retrieved it from the airport the next morning and delivered it to us before breakfast. Our gorilla trek was a huge success because we worked with this company that provided everything to make our dream come true! You can check out all the companies but I promise you that you won't be disappointed going with Africa Adventure Safaris. I know we weren't! The vehicle we traveled in was clean. The gorilla trek was a dream come true! Thank you Nelson, Krish and Africa Adventure Safaris!
SE
Email Emma | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing gorilla tracking in Rwanda
We had an amazing experience with the gorilla tracking! Our driver was very nice, polite and helpful. Also, he drove very safely. The gorilla tracking was lovely and the guides/guards as well. In summary: we loved the trip.
Email Dilip | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Just a beautiful, once in a life time Experience!
AAS are just fantastic!. From the first email inquiry right to the airport drop off on the final day, they whole team just delivered more than they promised. Anna was fantastic in her communication and helping pick the lodges and designing the itinerary. Our driver/guide (Rogers) was superb! Good English language (i am sure they all speak more than 1 language). Our Gorilla Trek experience was just amazing. By the way if you are worried about your deposit or anything else, forget your worries. AAS is a very professional run company. To keep it short and simple, Just Book Your Holiday with AAS. NO Regrets or Worries Just Beautiful Memories! Thank you so much. You must be proud of your work!
Unbelievable Time in Uganda/Rwanda!
I could not be happier that I followed the advice of the other reviews and chose to travel with Africa Adventure Safaris! Anna was fantastic in her communication and ability to customize an itinerary to my liking. Patrick, the driver/guide, was top notch. I was amazed by his knowledge and instantly felt comfortable traveling with him as a solo traveler. This company was extremely professional and personal from the early planning stages through my return home. Choose Africa Adventure Safaris and you are in for a trip of a lifetime!
CA
Email Terri Evans | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
12 day Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, perfectly executed in October 2016!!
My first contact with Africa Adventure Safaris was with Nelson. Over the course of just a few emails, I was confident I was in the right hands. Nelson was always quick to respond and never failed to offer a solution or suggestion to my concern. I actually miss my regular communication with Nelson!
He developed an itinerary that included everything I wanted to do and see. He filled in the time between with the perfect sites to see and opportunities to view wildlife.
Upon arrival, my guide William Luchi met with me, reviewed my itinerary and we were off. William was a most wonderful guide, full of information and many laughs. He was the perfect host to this area!
He was always thinking about my happiness and comfort. I did not lack for a thing while travelling with William, nor did I ever worry about anything.
Plus, it was my birthday while I was away and the staff at the lodge we were at for the night made me a beautiful birthday cake! No question that was William's doing.
I travelled with William through Uganda and Rwanda, trekking for mountain gorillas. No words can describe being in the company of such beings. I am eternally in awe of my time with them.
Next William took me to the DR Congo border, where I was met by another guide for my time and gorilla trek there. My guide was Patrick and also very informative and kind. We had some interesting and highly unusual truck troubles at one point, (gas attendant filled the gas powered truck up with diesel) but Patrick was efficient and I was not concerned at all.
Another thing that I like to do when I travel in a country is to plant a tree. William was diligent about finding a grower and I purchased an orange tree that I planted at Kataara Primary school In Uganda. In Rwanda I purchased two avocado trees with the intention of taking one with me to DR Congo. Of course I forgot it in William's truck at the border, but Patrick was equally as committed to finding a grower to purchase trees. There I got a pine tree and a eucalyptus tree that I planted at Kahuzi Bieha National Park right after my incredible trek with the Lowland Gorilla.
The one avocado tree was planted at the Rwanda Cultural Center under the watchful eye of the medicine man!! The second avocado tree was planted by William at his home.
The accommodations were amazing, each one a perfect place to lay your head after a full day of adventures.
My time in Africa under the guidance of Nelson, William and Patrick could not have been better. As a solo female traveller I would recommend this company and it's staff 100%. You will be in kind, safe and skilled hands the moment you engage with them to plan an adventure that's suited perfectly to you.
I have had many excellent guides in my travels, African Adventure Safaris is one of my very favourites.