Gorilla Tracking Testimonials

Our trip was amazing and everything went perfectly. It's hard to come up with any particular highlight - all the gorilla treks were fantastic but all quite different. Fortunately, it only rained once whilst we were out walking and none of the hikes were too strenuous.

Sue and Robert Gill, Hertfordshire, England

A big thank you to Sarah and the team at Aardvark. My wife and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Rwanda and the Masai, one which required a lot of planning, transfers, different hotels and flights. All went without a hitch and made for an amazing experience.

For those that haven’t experienced the gorillas, it is something you have to do. The close proximity to large families and the ability to watch their interaction with each other is an experience not to be missed. The most gentle of creatures, they allow you to watch them eat and play without a care. You don’t need telephoto lenses to get amazing pictures – in fact the best shots we had were from the handheld video cam allowing you to watch the gorillas at the same time as filming. At times you feel part of the family!

The Masai during the migration was also a fabulous experience with masses of bird and wildlife, with kills and young in abundance. The choice of lodge by Aardvark was first rate and the whole adventure was meticulously planned down to the last detail.

Jerry and Clare Westmore, West Sussex, England

We have used Aardvark three times now for holiday arrangements to Africa and have already got them working on trip number four. Wonderful country, wonderful people and pulls at the heart strings to get you back again and again. The experiences have been second to none; the itinerary is always well put together with personal insight and recommendations according to your own needs and wants. Nothing is too much trouble as we liaise and tweak requirements. A wonderful team; highly recommended as we have encouraged friends to use them too. My lastest adventure to Rwanda to see Mountain Gorillas (Awesome! Rwanda is a lovely country and would encourage anyone to visit) and the Mara for game drives was sleek and perfectly co-ordinated with every detail covered. I think what sets Aardvark aside for us is that you are discreetly met and greeted and escorted each step of the way through your adventure, so although you are independent travellers there is always someone there to show you the next step of the way.

Denise Dawkins, Wiltshire, England

What an amazing trip to Uganda and Rwanda. The Gorillas has been on my travel hit list for as long as I can remember and no words can describe how utterly incredible the experience was. We tracked them in Bwindi first; 4 hours to reach them and then we had an experience I think very few people do - scrambling up the mountain side with them until they had found fruit to feed on!! Not the best photographic opportunity but something I will never forget.

Tracking the Gorillas in P.N.V National Park Rwanda was a totally different experience and it certainly helped that we had Wilson from Volcanoes to put us in the best tracking groups for the two tracks we did here. Every experience is different and you have travelled all that distance, so make the most of it. It was just breathtaking.

Tor and I were certainly the best equipped for the tracking. It paid off having the full waterproofs, gloves, gaiters, hiking boots, etc.

I strongly advise that one has a good level of fitness for this trip. The Porters who are local people and are on offer at every trek are a MUST; they are there to carry your bags and hold your hand when needs be. They are charming and without them the whole experience would have been quite different. By taking a porter one is supporting the local community and preventing poaching which is what some of them would do without this opportunity.

The three Volcanoes Lodges are all in stunning locations. The staff are exceptional in each one and the attention to detail is second to none.

Virunga Lodge was a complete highlight and the best lodge to finish off the trip; the views are out of this world.

A wonderful trip to do with such a great friend.

Thank you for a fab holiday.

Laura Holtzhausen, London, England  

We can't thank Joanna and Aardvark Safaris enough for making our holiday one that we will remember for the rest of our lives.  We were both blown away by Rwanda.  It has to be the most beautiful country we have every visted and the experience of spending two days gorilla trekking was just heart poundingly awesome. After our four nights in Rwanda we spent a week enjoying the stunning white coral beaches of Zanzibar where the hotel Joanna recommended was absolutely first class and the food incredible.  We also loved the Nairobi hotel for our two stopover nights which really was a country house in the city.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Aardvark to any of our friends and family as everything went like clockwork.   I will definitely use them again when we plan our next African adventure!    

Jacqui and David Currie, London, England  

Our first holiday with Aarvark - to Kenya, in 2007 - was such an effortless success that the company was a natural port of call when planning this year's trip. Victoria's helpful and friendly advice was impeccable, the itinerary perfect. I fulfilled a lifetime ambition to trek gorillas in Rwanda: being able to experience these amazing animals from only a few feet away was unforgettable. We were then fortunate to be among the first guests at the new Sayari camp before relaxing in Zanzibar. For once, teenspeak has it right - 'awesome'

Minor-De Pauw family, Belgium

We have been on two trips with Aardvark now - one to Rwanda (gorilla trekking), Tanzania and Zanzibar and one self drive to Namibia. Both trips were entremely well organised, drawing on local knowledge and Victoria and her colleagues spent time getting to know exactly what we wanted from our trip, and although not the cheapest holiday, they have been truly amazing experiences.

I'd challenge any Africa enthusiast not to find trekking the Virunga with mountain gorillas or ballooning over the Namib desert life enhancing experiences. We are currently thinking about where Aardvark can take us for our next African adventure.....

Alison Tattersall and Chris Fox, London