Sacha Lodge

Incredible visit to Galapagos Had an excellent stay at Safari Camp which I won't forget anytime soon. The rooms, location, and service were top... read moreHad an excellent stay at Safari Camp which I won't forget anytime soon. The rooms, location, and service were top notch. The food was amazingly impressive on its own, doubly so given the limitations of their location.

The excursions we went on were a lot of fun. Our guide, Duncan, and our host, Andrea, were both super knowledgeable and accommodating. More read less

Remarkable experience! I booked our stay at Galapagos Safari Camp after seeing great reviews on TA and speaking with Diego, one of... read moreI booked our stay at Galapagos Safari Camp after seeing great reviews on TA and speaking with Diego, one of their Safari Designers. Our visit was every bit as amazing as I had hoped! Clearly the main focus of the camp is on delivering a high-end and personalized way to experience the magic of the islands, and their attention to every detail is really impressive. Nestled on a beautiful property up in the Highlands, it is kind of a cross between "glamping" and a serene retreat. Our tent was very comfortably appointed, and all the little touches like the inspirational notes each evening made it feel so special. While the bed was on the firm side as noted in some other reviews, it actually really helped my husband's bad back. We loved having the little deck out front with a view to enjoy morning coffee or watch the sunset before dinner. There are also some very inviting common areas (the Observation deck, the pool area, and the main lodge/dining porch) where you can relax, have a drink, and take in the views (and make friends with the finches).

The staff were incredibly attentive and eager to make our stay as perfect as possible. Our hosts, Ali, Melina, and Anna, went above and beyond to communicate the details of each excursion and meal, and to accommodate our every request. Jorge was amazingly knowledgeable about every aspect of the food and wine offered each day, and is a talented musician to boot! And the food was seriously INCREDIBLE - the chef is absolutely top-notch: each evening we were presented with a 4-course tasting menu based on locally sourced ingredients, and honestly was my favorite part of each day. They even did a special dinner celebration for my husband's birthday, which was so sweet!

For our daily excursions, we began the trip with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve after being picked up at the airport, and that was awesome! For the rest of the week we opted for two days of boat trips to uninhabited islands (South Plaza and Santa Fe), and one day sightseeing around Santa Cruz. The boat trips were fantastic - perfect combo of snorkeling, hiking/wildlife spotting, and relaxing on the boat. The day on Santa Cruz was also really fun, although truth be told we were a little disappointed in the Charles Darwin Research Center which we thought would be a little more interesting/educational. All the tour guides were wonderful, and clearly devoted to the knowledge and preservation of the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos. Also, all the lunches provided during the day trips, whether on the boats or at local restaurants, were excellent! Our driver was great too - always right on time and the vehicle was very clean and safe. Because the island is so tightly regulated in terms of accessibility to tourists, it was really nice to just leave everything to the Safari Camp and not have to worry about transportation or arranging for guides and boat tickets, etc. My only caution would be that the tour schedule is a bit rigorous - several early mornings and very full days; so if you have any physical limitations (or are just getting a little old and tired like us, lol), you may want to consider working a down day or half-day into your schedule. The hosts are more than happy to tailor to your needs/desires!

Overall, we were blown away by our experience at the Safari Camp. Is it a little out of the way? Yes. Is it a place with awesome fast WiFi so you can stream movies and conduct zoom meetings for work? Nope. But honestly, that remoteness and "un-connectivity" is part of its charm and magic. Is it kind of pricey? Well, yeah it's a bit of a splurge... but in my (pretty well-traveled) book, it was worth every penny. read less

Exceptional service, need more food choices at lunch and dinner My husband and I stayed here for 4 nights following a short Galapagos cruise. We were traveling with another couple.... read moreMy husband and I stayed here for 4 nights following a short Galapagos cruise. We were traveling with another couple. The four of us agreed that the service is outstanding! The Camp Manager, Andrea, took such good care of us that we took to calling her “Mama Andrea”! Tents are beautifully appointed and identical (although a bit smaller) than what we have stayed in during African safaris. The camp works to coordinate activities with its guests, and we were given a private guide during our entire stay. He was pleasant and informative, if a bit overbearing at times. If I were basing this review solely on service, it would be 5 stars, no doubt. However, the food options were very limited. My husband and his brother ate (we think) a bad seafood platter at a restaurant in Santa Cruz and endured GI distress for the remainder of our trip. The staff was accommodating in terms of preparing chicken soup, plain rice, providing pedalyte, etc. Andrea in particular went out of her way to make sure the men were given whatever they needed. However, if you are a fussy or limited eater like I am (no seafood, no mushrooms), the menus at lunch and dinner can be a challenge. Dinner is served in 4 small courses and there is always a seafood course. If you ask for a substitution, the chef will make something else but there is never any option given/ chance to choose. One night, my sister-in-law and I were presented with a risotto loaded with olives—which neither of us likes, especially in such overpowering quantities. When I have stayed in African safari camps, guests were always offered a choice of appetizer and entree at dinner. It would be a much better camp experience if Galapagos Safari Camp adopted this style. There were several dinners where I filled up on bread, which is less than ideal.

DO get a massage! The staff can arrange for this service and we all agreed the massages fantastic! read less