MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Energetic and very knowledgeable guide!!
The service was great! Happy Chappy was very funny and reliable at all times
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip to Nyungwe National Park
Every time I have visited Rwanda for work, I've reached out to Peter and Silverbird Tours Agency to schedule side trips. On two previous trips, I booked trips with Silverbird to visit Akagera National Park and the mountain gorillas. In March of this year, I contacted Peter regarding Nyungwe National Park.
Peter put together an amazing 2-day itinerary, starting from Kigali. On the way to Nyungwe, we stopped at the fascinating King's Palace with its replicas of traditional, thatched royal quarters as well the modern palace of Rwanda's last king. The long-horned Inyambo cattle, descendants of the king's herd, are alone worth the trip. There is also a lovely outdoor cafe with very good food and an excellent souvenir shop on the grounds.
The next day, we tracked chimps early in the morning - after about an hour or so, our guides located a group traveling on the ground and followed them as they moved up into the tree canopy. We spent a good two hours with the chimps sitting in trees above our heads. After lunch, we hiked through a primordial forest to a breathtaking waterfall. It was truly a spectacular hike, one of the best of my life. The park ranger assigned to us (you cannot hike on trails in Rwandan national parks without one) was impressively knowledgeable - she knew the Latin name of every tree and bird I asked about. During the return trip, a cloud descended on the forest to create a dreamlike scape of silhouetted parasol trees, ferns, and tangled vines, with a few pops of color from wildflowers along the path.
After the hike, we visited a group of women working on a tea plantation to learn about the process of tea production - how tea leaves are picked and sorted by hand before they are bagged and sent to a nearby factory for processing. We joined the women and practiced picking leaves ourselves. Afterwards, we stopped at a local shop to try samples of tea, learn more about how teas are tasted and assessed at auctions (tea tasters are like wine sommeliers in their knowledge and ability to pinpoint where a particular tea originates) and purchase dried tea to take home. (FYI, Rwandan tea is among the most highly valued tea in Africa.)
The next day, we did the famous canopy walk inside Nyungwe, an experience that literally took my breath away: I'm not usually afraid of heights, but my breathing immediately became sharp and shallow, and I had to consciously calm my nervous system down a bit! The suspension bridge rocked a bit, which didn't help, but we continued on, above the broccoli tops of ancient trees and the forest floor far below - suspended above the tapestry of tangled branches and vines that yesterday formed the verdant, living ceiling towering above us on our hike to the waterfall.
After the canopy hike, we stopped at the Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre, one of several genocide memorials across the country. The Murambi Centre is on the campus of a former technical college, where some 20,000 Tutsis were killed in 1994. It's hard to put in words the impact of visiting this memorial, one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had. It's a very emotionally difficult place to visit, but I was very grateful to Peter for including this stop. I've read quite a bit about the genocide, but it's an altogether different experience to visit a place where it happened.
Before reaching Kigali, we made two last stops: a coffee plantation started by a Rwandan where we sampled some of the best coffee I've ever tasted and an elegant cafe/craft shop (unfortunately, I forget the name) before we arrived back up in Kigali.
I was truly amazed by how many great and varied experiences Peter put together in only 2 days. I've now experienced three of the best short trips of my life with Silverbird. I trust Peter and his team immensely and always enjoy his company. I now consider him a friend and will be sure to contact him again next time I'm in Kigali.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic family safari experience
We chose African Big cats because they had great communication before safari, answering all our questions. They also had a better price point than the other companies we were looking at.
We did an 8 day, 7 night safari and enjoyed our experience immensely. We have twin 9 year olds and they also enjoyed their experience and learned a lot. Our guide, Lodi, was excellent at finding us the animals we wanted to see and worked with the other guides to help locate the animals. We really appreciate the camaraderie amongst all the guides, helping each other with flat tires or pulling out people who got stuck. It's a great atmosphere.
Our lodges were all very well chosen and excellent places. Our favourite was the intimate camp zebra and seeing lion eyes in the dark as we sat by the campfire.
Thanks ABC and Lodi for the amazing safari experience.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The happiest, most outgoing and knowledge guide you can find in Tanzania
My experience was amazing; from all the amazing services at camp, all the help with luggage and having all the lodges booked and ready for your arrival. The safari vehicle was very comfortable and the driving was amazing considering the terrible road conditions and some of the other safari drivers not being respectful of others viewing. There was tons of little wildlife facts that he could provide and always had a big smile on his face seeing the animals like it was his first time.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
God's masterpieced operater, such a bouyant soul..mr.Isabirye Herbert.
Gold rock safari never disappoints..if you think of a safari, goldrock has sorted you.
You will get to experience the value of every single coin.
The staff is professional, passionate and so patient 💯
FI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional.
Everything working great! Accommodation was good and food service was pretty good.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly and personal tour operator
It was a magnificant tour to get an inside of this beautiful wildlife and gorgeous scenery. The tour guide was excellent with a brilliant knowledge of nature. The tour is quite expensive but very personnel and you get a lot to see for your money. So it's worth it.
BH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Masai Mara Safari
Everything about this safari exceeded our expectations. The Zebra Plains Mara Camp was delightful and all the staff were attentive and friendly. A special mention to Simon who looked after us for the 4 days. Our safari guide Rono was one of the best things about the trip. He was a great driver, very knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed his company. We got very lucky with the animals we saw and I couldn’t recommend this safari highly enough.
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
a magical experience
It was an incredible trip. Kenya is a wonderful destination to do a Safari, both the agency staff and the driver, our guide Duncan, were all super attentive and friendly and made us feel good at all times.
AR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was fantastic
Everything was fantastic! I have such an amazing time doing the Safari in Kenia with you! Duncan our guide was perfect! I have learned so many things! I would never forget this incredible experiencie! Thank you for this days!
