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Rafiki Safari Lodge: Traveler Reviews

2.5 of 5
16 Km from Pacific Coastal highway, Rio Savegre, Costa Rica
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159 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    151
    5
    3
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Families
56
 
Couples
53
 
Solo
2
 
Business
1
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Eatonville
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
9 hotel reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Worth the drive even if you can't stay”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 3, 2013

We were unable to spend the night at this beautiful place but at least wanted to at least see it. It was one of our trip highlights! The staff here is so friendly and welcoming even though we were only day-visitors. They gave us a map to hike the trails, put out fruit to draw in some of their gorgeous wild birds, and welcomed us to try out their very-fast and fun waterslide. We enjoyed lunch and fruit smoothies at their restaurant while taking in the ambiance of this pretty place and being constantly distracted by an abundance of wild birds. We easily saw crested guan and trogons on the trails and up-close views of woodpeckers, tanagers, and euphonia at the feeders. This place is delightful, even just for a day-trip!

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask MtRainierDave about Rafiki Safari Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
San Juan del Sur
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Rafiki is a MUST to do while in Costa Rica!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 26, 2013

Great staff and beautiful location! White water rafting with them has been AMAZING (we have been twice already and plan to do it another 2 times)! Looking forward to trying out a few of the other tours they offer. Very organized and professional! We did not stay at the lodge, but did take a quick tour - the rooms are very clean and looked great! We have loved Rafiki every visit!!!! Make sure to go down the water slide while there :o)

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask Amanda C about Rafiki Safari Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
San Clemente, California
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Water Water Rafting”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 24, 2013

This is the best bang for your buck in Costa Rica We did not stay at the lodge but scheduled a one day river water rafting trip for 6 people. We were picked up at our villa and after about an hour drive arrived at the Rafiki Safari Lodge. After given a tour of the lodge we were fed a full breakfast before heading out to the river where we started from. We had a brief orientation and safety talk and then we were on our way! Our guide was Rolando......if there is anything you do......don't forget that name. Rolando was an incredible guide. As a native he was extremely knowledgeable. His english was perfect! He stopped at various times during the trip to show us plants, trees, and wildlife. He even takes pictures! We gave him the camera and during the stops, he pulled it out and took the pictures. After river rafting for awhile we stopped for lunch. A full delicious lunch. We then headed back out for more river rafting and even stopped at a waterfall. Did I say how good our guide Rolando was???? Can't say enough about this entire trip. The owners were very friendly, the food was delicious, the guide was fantastic. Everyone on the trip commented about how this was money well spent! We would definitely do it again and would go back to Rafiki Safari Lodge.....maybe even stay there a night or two. Remember.....ask for Rolando! I am sure all there guides are good but if your going to Costa Rica, might as well as for the best. Thank you for a great experience.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Mary A about Rafiki Safari Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Metro Detroit
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Rafiki Is Our Favorite Destination In The World”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 20, 2013

This was our fifth trip to Costa Rica, and to Rafiki . After visiting about ten places in country, we split the last two trips between there and the other enchanting destination owned by the same family now called Rafiki Beach Camp. The Safari Lodge location is paradise. It is on the Rio Savegre with wildlife that is a dream to this photographer. You will not need to walk more than 100 feet to find amazing songbirds (go down by the boards in trees with plantains for the first 90 minutes after sunrise and before sunset), the odd Tucan that scares songbirds away for a few minutes, and egrets, herons and other shorebirds in the pond. You can also choose between hiking, rafting, horseback riding and the"aquawalk." That starts with a raft trip down the river. Then you hike up next to waterfalls and up a stream bed about 750 vertical feet to a very small village, have lunch there, and hike back down to the raft on the river to complete the journey. Next to the restaurant is a most interesting suspension footbridge about 130' above the gorge, and about 400' in length.The first unnamed waterfall is about 75' high and people usually stop to swim at the base. The second is about 50' high and you can dive off the third which is only 15' high.
The family that runs the lodge is terrific. The same people are still working there since our first visit in 2008. It has a woderful family atmosphere. IT also features a true chef in the middle of no where. We will be back again next year.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask Capture_The_Light about Rafiki Safari Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Long Island
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The Ultimate Anti-Technology Vacation*”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 19, 2013 via mobile

* Although they do have wireless & cell coverage.
I am still on the plane leaving Costa Rica, after spending a fantastic week at Rafiki with my two kids. A family owned business, Rafiki is more than just a place to stay; as my daughter put it she felt like she was at home. A warm staff will make you feel that way, the food is fantastic and there are plenty of activities to choose from. My youngest kid especially could not imagine being without his X-Box for so long, but both my kids have come back different, with a real appreciation for the natural world. We'll be back!

Stayed February 2013
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask bradleyws about Rafiki Safari Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about Rafiki Safari Lodge

Also Known As:
Rafiki Safari Hotel
Rafiki Safari Hotel Province Of Puntarenas
Rafiki Safari Lodge Costa Rica/Province Of Puntarenas
Address: 16 Km from Pacific Coastal highway, Rio Savegre, Costa Rica
Phone Number:
Region: Costa Rica > Province of Puntarenas
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Fitness Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kids Activities Restaurant Shuttle Bus service Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #20 of 377 Specialty lodging in Province of Puntarenas
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:2.5 star (2.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Rafiki is a sustainable adventure lodge located in the Savegre Valley of Costa Rica. The lodge sits on 840 acres of tropical forest. Rafiki specializes in custom white water rafting, horseback riding and hiking trips. Guests sleep in imported luxury Safari Tents which feature hydro electric fans and lights. Each tent sits on a raised hardwood platform, has a deluxe bathroom with glass showers heated with fire. The units also have a private porch with rocking chairs looking over the Savegre Valley. ... more   less 

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