Bordering the pristine lands of the National Park and nestled into the wild highlands of Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago, our family-owned, luxury safari camp is ideally located - private, quiet, and far from the crowds of Puerto Ayora - making it the ideal base and perfect springboard for discovering the other-worldly landscapes, amazing wildlife and spell-binding magic of this remote archipelago, made famous by Charles Darwin nearly two centuries ago. We are passionate about creating tailor-made Safaris, moments for you and your loved ones to have fun, connect and explore our wild world of incredible natural encounters.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
My husband and I stayed at the Galapagos Safari Camp for 5 nights the first week of March 2020. We loved our stay and highly recommend staying there. The tents were spacious and comfortable, with a good shower. We like it cold at night, so Andi sent 2 big floor fans to our room. In addition to the ceiling fan, we were very comfortable. Andi was wonderful. It was her mission to be sure we, and the other guests, were very comfortable, happy with all plans, guides, food, etc. She took such care to be sure all went well for us. Each day we went on wonderful adventures and saw everything on our "list". Our guide, Duncan, was great, as was our driver, Gustavo. The day we went on a private fishing boat with our guide, Andi had the kitchen pack us such a delicious lunch of vegetarian wraps, fruit, and dessert. I was afraid to snorkel on my own, so Duncan let me hold on to a lifesaver ring, and he pulled me around, so I could snorkel.
The food at the camp was incredible. We requested vegetarian and fish. The chef, I think her name is Alejandro, was so creative. Each night, dinner was amazing. One night she served the tuna, the other guest caught fishing that day, 3 different ways; as a ceviche on top of small avocado pieces , as sashimi, and grilled. All delicious and presented beautifully. The next day my husband caught mahi mahi and she served it as a ceviche appetizer, and a larger piece grilled as one of the 2 main courses. I always looked forward to her beautiful and delicious soups, appetizers, main courses and desserts. And I don't want to forget the waiters, who served us each night so elegantly, with a smile, being sure the plates were placed in front of each of us at the same time.
We were treated as family at the Galapagos Safari Camp. It was always nice coming back"home" there, being greeted with a wet washcloth, delicious tea, walking the beautiful grounds, swimming in the pool, catching the sunset from the observatory deck.
We were only about a 30 minute drive from the dock, where we got our boat each day. Just be aware, that unless you stay in the family suite next to the main building, you will be staying in a tent lower down. It is 53 steps to get from your tent to the main building. I had no problem, but a bit more difficult for my husband. But the camp has great wooden walking sticks that my husband used the 5 days we were there.
Thank you to the entire staff at Galapagos Safari Camp, for your care, attention, and for planning 5 wonderful, exciting days for us to see the the tortoises, sea lion colonies, blue footed boobie, Galapagos penguins, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and so much more. This will always be a wonderful memory for us.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 16, 2021
Thank you so much for this wonderful review, and for so kindly taking the trouble to share your experience here. It means so much to us all. We are delighted to hear that you saw everything on your wildlife list and that you were happy with your guide. We put a lot of thought into pairing our guests with the right guide, based on their objectives and interests, and are very selective with the guides we use. We are also happy to hear that you were successful on your fishing trip and that you enjoyed our chef's delicious dishes. Indeed, she is very talented! To address your comments about the steps between the tents and the main lodge, you are quite right in that they may be challenging for some, and it is true that a fair level of physical fitness is required to get around the camp, as well as the Galapagos Islands in general. We are, however, grateful to you for bringing this to our attention so that we can remind our Safari Planners to request more information about our guests' physical comfort zones at the time of booking. We can, for example, offer a little shuttle service between the main lodge and tents for guests with limited mobility. However, this has to be requested at the time of booking as we are unable to offer this service to more than one guest at any given time. We appreciate that this wasn’t a major problem for your husband, and are only mentioning it here so that others can be informed. As you know, it's very important to us that our guests feel happy and comfortable at all times! Thank you again for your very kind words, it was a pleasure having you stay with us. With warm wishes from the GSC team.
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I have always wanted to visit the Galapagos, but knew a cruise wasn’t for me and my family...even before Covid. The reviews of the Safari Camp and the videos I found online convinced me this was the place for us even before we arrived. It started with contact from Stephanie (the owner) to help us navigate the requirements of entering the Galapagos. There are several documents you need as well as a negative PCR test within 96 hours of entry. She was kind enough to Zoom with us to answer all of our questions and allay any concerns. When we arrived, we were taken into a VIP section of the airport, where our paperwork was handled and our bags were collected. Within minutes, we were in our vehicle with our bags while most of the other people on our plane were still in customs. The guide (Sandy) who met us at the airport, and was with us throughout our tour, was one of the best guides we have ever had. My daughter still talks bout her and has even spoken with her on WhatsApp. From there, things just got better. The lodge itself is an attraction. Located in the highlands of the island with a 2 km driveway, you feel like you are on an adventure being there. Giant tortoises surround you while you have total privacy and stunning views of the ocean. The staff, particularly Andrea and Alejandra, told us to make the lodge our home. We couldn’t have felt more welcomed or comfortable. We had the fortune of being the first visitors since March, and were upgraded to the family suite which is essentially a home with a spectacular deck offering great views. Esch of our children had their own bedroom and bathroom and my wife and I had the large master bedroom. All of the meals were expertly prepared and to our liking. Before we even arrived, we were asked what foods we liked and disliked as well as when we arrived. The staff treated us like family and couldn’t do enough to ensure we enjoyed our stay. They went to town to get my daughter slime (her favorite as she is 8) and arranged for an arts and craft lesson at the lodge with a local artist. My daughter was floored. My son, who love to play chess, must have played 10 games with Andrea, the manager. My wife and I had a lot of time to spend together and the children were preoccupied with their new ‘family members.” Now, I haven’t even talked about the fishing trip, scuba diving, snorkeling, nature treks and numerous other adventures we had which is why one goes to the Galapagos. My family and I loved every second of our trip and couldn’t have been happier with the tours, accommodations, the cuisine and everyone affiliated with the Safari Camp. All we had to do was wake up, and everything else was expertly handled for us. If you want to take your family on a trip they won’t soon forget while being pampered in luxury, then the Safari Camp is the place for you.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 15, 2021
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It has been circulated within the team and even brought tears to the eyes of one of our Safari Planners! The last year has, as I'm sure you can imagine, not been an easy one for those in the tourism industry, and so receiving feedback like this is truly valued and appreciated. Thank you! We feel very fortunate indeed having families like yourselves stay with us, and we wish you all the best for your future travels together. Warm wishes from the GSC team.
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This was my husband's and my 3rd adventure to the The Galapagos, However, this trip was for one of our Grandson's High School Graduation gift. We wanted to take him someplace where he would see things he had never seen before, learn about things he never realized he had an interest in, spend time alone with him and yet give him the opportunity to do things he enjoys doing like snorkeling and scuba diving From the moment we arrived on the "Camp's " property we were pampered. Alejandra made sure of it. She sat with us and planned our tours for the next several days, By no way were these routine tours that were given to us. Example, at the last minute our Grandson decided he wanted to do some scuba diving. Alejandra , went to work trying to find an opening with a reputable dive company. It was all taken care of by the time we returned from our daily tour. A memory our grandson will never forget as he saw a giant manta, Hammerhead sharks and so much more. She went over the menu for dinner daily to make sure each of us approved of it. I am Gluten free and every meal had home baked gluten free breads just for me. I had everything my grandson and husband had only it was prepared Gluten Free . As for the food, the meals were outstanding. My husband and I have spent a lot of time in Quito over the years and never did we experience such culinary excellence in Ecuador. If you can get Horae to strum a few tunes for you after dinner it is a real treat ( He also makes a great Mohito )!! At night when we got into our bed there was always an extra little touch thrown in for comfort. A hot water bottle was placed under the covers in the bed ( where your feet would be), The internet is in and out , there is no TV, and yet an 18 year old had no problem living without internet, Wifi ,TV and cell service for a week! We played Chess, stargazed, and had discussions about our dreams and goals. It was one of the best trips we have ever experienced!! And it is an Experience.
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Date of stay: August 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Aug 23, 2022
Thank you so much for this beautiful review. You can't imagine how much it means to us to hear these kind words. Naturally we are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us, but what is particularly lovely to hear is that you appreciate so many aspects of the GSC experience that we strive so hard to create. First and foremost, the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, far away from the distractions of every day life, and the chance to share a real adventure together in this extraordinary part of the world. What an incredible gift to have offered your grandson, one that he will be able to keep for a lifetime and will forever cherish. How very proud he must be to have you as his grandparents, and how fortunate we are to have such appreciative guests. Thank you for placing your trust in us for such a special trip, and we wish you many more happy adventures together. The GSC Team.
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My husband and I stayed at the Galápagos Safari Camp for five nights in March 2020. I can’t speak highly enough about the accommodations and entire staff. They were absolutely phenomenal, particularly Andi our host. She was incredibly thoughtful and so caring throughout our entire stay. When my husband was feeling a bit ill one evening, she arranged for the chef to make some chicken soup and gave us electrolytes and probiotics for after dinner. She was so warm and kind! The tents were beautiful and the property itself is stunning. We had a fantastic time on the day trips and enjoyed learning about the landscape and wildlife. And the food was absolutely divine! Probably the best during our two and a half weeks in Ecuador. I can’t recommend Galápagos Safari Camp enough. If you’re looking for a true five-star experience, be sure to stay here!
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 15, 2021
Thank you so much for this lovely review, and for taking the time to share your experience here. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay with us, it genuinely means so much to us (every single member of the team) and we are so grateful for these kind words. Thank you so much! With warm wishes from the GSC team.
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It’s hard to explain the magic of Galapagos Safari Camp. It was truly a special place and you feel it from the second you step off the plane. The entire process from getting off the plane to getting to the camp was seamless. The staff at GSC has truly thought of every detail and taken the stress out of traveling. The camp itself was meticulously taken care of and the staff was extremely warm and welcoming. We stayed as part of their relaxation package which was an add on to our trip to the islands. We were able to relax, enjoy the views and experience some AMAZING cocktails in the lodge. I can’t recommend GSC enough. From the unbelievable food to the care and thought the staff put into every detail of our stay. You can’t go wrong with GSC and will be so happy you stayed.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Sep 5, 2022
Dear Krysten Thank you so much for your very kind words. They were shared with the team at camp as well as those behind the scenes who work hard to ensure our guests' safaris run smoothly. It is always appreciated when guests notice the little details that we pride ourselves on (including Jorge's fabulous cocktails!), and we are of course delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience here, and on behalf of the GSC team, may I wish you many more happy and magical adventures! Victoria On behalf of the GSC Team.
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The Galapagos Safari Camp was a great place to stay if you want to experience the islands without sleeping on a boat to enjoy the islands. The tent camp is fun and unique and the lodge is wonderful. The staff is there is take care of your every need and want. I have diet issues and they were great about making sure that special food was prepared for me every day. It is a lovely setting and gave us an opportunity to explore the islands as well and taking day trips out to the other islands. It was a nice mix of both. We loved our stay, the lodge, the staff, and our guide. It was an amazing experience.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 15, 2021
Thank you so much for this super review! We so appreciate it when our guests take the time to share their experience and highlights with us and others. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the camp, and appreciated the advantages of a land-based safari, and the fine balance of land and sea adventures that we offer here at Galapagos Safari Camp. It was a pleasure having you stay with us. With warm wishes, and much gratitude from the GSC team.
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I spent almost three weeks in Ecuador, including one week in the Galapagos, with stays in Santa Cruz, Floreana, and Isabela. At no other property did I experience the level of attention that I received at Galapagos Safari Camp. The property is located at the end of the road, up against the national park, so you don’t really have neighbors. You are in this magical spot, with amazing views of protected land and the vast ocean, to the north and west. There are several points of interest in the camp, including the lookout point, the pool, and the beautiful reception area, with a proper lounge for cocktails and… very relaxed lounging. But perhaps the best place to hang out is at your tent, on the large terrace, which is constantly visited by mocking birds, finches… owls and even giant tortoises. It’s pure magic. The tents are simple, but large and tastefully appointed, as you would expect from a true safari camp. There are fans in the room, but you do not need them, especially in october. At night, it got chilly and I ended up closing the window flaps, and adding the extra blanket to the bed.
Another one of the awesome highlights is the dining experience. The food was fantastic. They truly source most of the ingredients in the immediate area. The kitchen is led by two chefs that are top-notch.
Again, we visited great spots on this trip, and this was where service was a highlight.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Jan 4, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Galapagos Safari Camp with others. We are delighted to hear that your stay with us was a highlight of your Ecuadorian adventure. Your kind words about our service and the overall experience are greatly appreciated by the entire team. We strive to create special moments for our guests, and it makes us very proud when our camp and safaris are recognized and appreciated in this way. Thank you very much. We wish you a very happy new year, with many more happy and fulfilling travel adventures. The GSC Team.
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We stay at the Galapagos Safari Camp in November and had a fantastic stay. The staff was wonderful and the service was excellent! I have dietary issues and they went out of their way to make sure all my needs were met. They also do extra touches like on the chilly evening we came back to the tent and the heaters were already turned on to warm the tent and they placed hot water bottles between the sheets so when we crawled into bed the sheets were already warmed up for us. Every afternoon they would sit with us to explained how we needed to dress for the next days events and what we would need to bring with us. This is a great place and would definitely recommend to anyone going there!!!!!
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Date of stay: November 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:We just wanted to make sure we had a king bed so we made that request ahead of time and that’s...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 16, 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely review. We so appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us, and valued those little details and moments that we take such joy in creating for our guests. With warm wishes, and much gratitude from the GSC team.
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We stayed at the Galapagos Safari Camp for just one night but loved every minute of it. We flew into Santa Cruz in the morning and had a local guide show us the sights for the day. We went to Safari Camp that afternoon and were very pleased with the remote location up in the cool mountain setting. The staff was fantastic and catered to our every need. The private scenic bar location is a lot of fun. The individual "tents" are fantastic...not rugged by any means. We had a porch with view, queen bed, private toilet, shower and everything you could need. The staff took care of luggage coming and going. My wife used the pool to practice her snorkeling before we went to our ship. I hiked along the road leading up to property to photograph the many tortoise. The meals were fantastic and creative...we had the chef come out to give her our compliments. You cannot go wrong with Safari Camp and we would highly recommend it. Enjoy.
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Date of stay: July 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Nov 12, 2021
Dear David, What a lovely review! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, it really means a lot to us. We're so happy that you enjoyed your stay and we hope you'll get the opportunity to return one day so that you can experience the full safari experience with us. Wishing you all the best and many happy travels. The GSC Team
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I recently returned from a stay at the camp with my wife, 3 kids (4, 7, and 8 years old), and parents (70+), and everyone absolutely loved the experience. This was my kids’ favorite lodging and all the little details, such as the daily handmade stuffies of Galapagos animals and educational and inspirational notes, were such a nice touch. Additionally, the camp’s staff noticed my daughter’s birthday was very recent, and planned a surprise celebration for her all on their own. This is a great place for kids and equally great place for adults. The food was on par with the best food in Los Angeles (where we’re from), and all the people working there are absolutely wonderful. Even my parents, who have traveled the world several times over, were thoroughly impressed! We made such great memories on the Galapagos islands, and the Safari Camp certainly played a large part in that. We felt very well taken care of as our days were organized and tailored for each person in the group. Every detail, from the kid-sized snorkel gear and snacks and towels at the beach to the ginger tea that stayed hot all day for the potentially rocky boat ride were executed with such compassion and care. It is a located in a secluded area of the island with a small number of tents. The grounds boast sprawling trails right in the heart of the wildlife of the Galapagos. A kind of hidden paradise that only the guests have access to. My wife and I were comfortable with letting our children roam the grounds on their own, which is an opportunity that is rare in the urban tumult of L.A. You could tell the people that work here are happy to do so and want to provide the best experience for their guests.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The GSC Team, Marketing at Galapagos Safari Camp
Responded Jul 31, 2023
Thank you for your heartwarming review and for taking the time to share it on Tripadvisor. We are delighted to hear that your entire family, from the youngest to the most seasoned travelers, had a great time at Galapagos Safari Camp and that you felt well cared for during your stay with us. We are very fortunate to have the team that we do, and it's always nice when our guests appreciate their hard work and dedication. Thank you very much. Your review has been circulated internally and your kind words go a long way. It was a pleasure to have you stay with us. We know how precious family time is, and we take that responsibility seriously. We thank you for your trust and wish you many more happy and fulfilling adventures together. The GSC Team.
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Dear Ang1976,
Thank you for the inquire. I would like to assure that the beds are very comfortbale, they were specially designed that once they are pull together, you will not feed the crack in the middle at all. We havent had any complaint or even comments about this, when having couples.
There is one tent (#9) that has one double bed - per se- and it is also the farest tent too. If you would like, we can block this one for you while at the camp.
Thanks and besst regards,
GSC Team
There are more places to choose from in the Santa Cruz area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
galapagos safari camp hotel santa cruz
LOCATION
EcuadorGalapagos IslandsSanta Cruz
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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