Savannah Bonaventure Cemetery Segway Tour

Bonaventure Cemetery is the star here: a grand 100-acre Victorian cemetery filled with old statuary, family plots, and Savannah stories. A Segway lets you cover much more ground than you would on foot, while guides such as Neal, Ray, and Carolyn bring different personalities to the storytelling.

I like the small maximum of 10 people and the built-in Segway lesson, which gives you time to feel steady before the tour begins. I also like the mix of formal history and family gossip. The main caution is that the experience depends heavily on your guide, and one guide’s delayed arrival and unclear meeting instructions caused real frustration.

Key points at a glance

• A 100-acre cemetery by Segway: Cover a large area without wearing yourself out on foot.
• Guides shape the experience: Neal, Ray, and Carolyn have each been praised for strong storytelling and personal attention.
• Stories go beyond dates: Expect plantation history, family backgrounds, statuary, rumors, gossip, and military-related humor.
• Small groups help: The maximum group size is 10, making it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Morning timing matters: The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. and lasts about 90 minutes.
• Good cancellation terms: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund.

Why Bonaventure Cemetery works so well by Segway

Bonaventure is not a quick stop with one famous grave and a few photographs. It covers 100 acres, so the practical question is how much of it you can see before heat, distance, and uneven attention take over. A Segway solves part of that problem.

You can move from one section to another without spending the entire visit walking between points of interest. That matters in a cemetery where the setting itself is part of the experience. You are not simply checking off a monument. You are moving through broad lanes, older family plots, ornamental statuary, and a place tied to Savannah’s past.

I like this format for anyone who wants more context than a self-guided walk provides. The guide explains the original plantation, the families connected with the cemetery, and the meaning or background of selected statues. You get a route with a purpose instead of wandering and wondering which markers matter.

The tradeoff is pace. A Segway tour keeps moving, but the experience is still only about an hour and a half. You will hear selected stories, not receive a detailed account of every section of the cemetery. If you want quiet time at individual graves, photography, or a slow look at inscriptions, you may want to return on your own.

The 9:30 a.m. start and meeting point

The tour begins at 330 Bonaventure Road in Thunderbolt, Georgia, and returns to that same meeting point. The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m. Since the cemetery is the main setting, arriving early is sensible. You will want enough time to find the correct place, park, and be ready for the lesson before the group sets off.

The meeting details deserve extra care. One booking party had trouble finding the meeting point and could not get a response from the first phone number they tried. The guide also arrived late that morning and was not at the place some people had been told to wait. The operator later explained that traffic caused the delay and that text messages had been sent about parking and the late arrival, but an incorrect phone number may have prevented those messages from reaching everyone.

My advice is simple: check your confirmation closely, make sure the operator has the right mobile number, and arrive before 9:15 a.m. if possible. The tour is small, and missing the group at the start would be especially inconvenient.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. No more specific mobility details are provided, so if you have concerns about balance or riding a Segway, ask the provider before booking.

Learning to ride before entering the cemetery

You do not simply arrive and take off. The tour includes a quick Segway lesson before the group begins. That is important, especially if this is your first time using one.

One guide was praised for making sure everyone felt comfortable and confident before the tour began. That is exactly what you want from this kind of activity. The machine may be easy to operate once you understand it, but a calm introduction makes a big difference when you are moving through a historic site.

The group size helps here. With no more than 10 people, the guide has a better chance of watching the whole group and answering questions. A large group would make instruction slower and could leave less room for personal help.

You should still expect to participate actively. This is not a seated sightseeing ride. You will need to listen to instructions, control the Segway, and remain alert as the group moves through the cemetery.

What the 90-minute route covers

The tour is fully narrated, with the guide explaining what you are seeing as you move through the grounds. The supplied details do not promise a fixed list of graves or monuments, so the exact route and stops may vary by guide and conditions.

The first part focuses on the cemetery’s setting and its connection to the original plantation. That background gives the grounds a timeline. You are not looking at isolated stones; you are hearing how the property developed and how the cemetery became connected with Savannah families.

From there, the guide discusses statuary and family plots. These are the details that can be difficult to interpret on your own. A statue may suggest grief, faith, status, or family memory, but without explanation, you may only see the surface. The guide provides the context that turns decorative stonework into part of a larger story.

Family history is another central part of the route. You learn about the people and families who occupy the cemetery, rather than hearing only broad facts about Savannah. That personal angle can make the experience more engaging, especially if you enjoy biographies, local gossip, and the odd human detail.

The strongest guides also mix documented history with rumor and cemetery lore. Neal was praised for combining careful historical storytelling with gossip and local stories. That balance gives the tour some life, though it also means the experience can feel different depending on who leads it.

There are rest stops, and bottled water is provided. Those details matter in Savannah, especially if the morning turns warm. The tour also lists an air-conditioned vehicle as included, though the supplied information does not explain exactly when or how that vehicle is used. Do not assume it replaces the Segway portion.

The guides make the biggest difference

This tour has received a 4.9 rating from 14 reviews, with 93 percent of participants recommending it. The praise centers less on the equipment than on the guides.

Neal has been described as a passionate historian and military veteran with a calming manner and an engaging way of telling stories. His style includes both established history and rumors, which may appeal to you if you like a little gossip with your facts.

Ray was praised for making the tour fun and interesting. His approach appears to focus on delivering many facts and stories while keeping the group moving.

Carolyn received especially strong praise for her command of the cemetery, humor, and thorough narration. Her attention to rest stops and water also made the outing feel well managed.

A separate review praises a female guide for sharing information with obvious enjoyment and for helping everyone become comfortable on the Segway. The name is not provided, so I would not assume which guide you will receive.

That range of feedback points to the main strength and weakness of the tour. With Neal, Ray, Carolyn, or another attentive guide, the cemetery can feel like a collection of living stories. With a less engaging presentation, the same material may feel long or unrelated.

One disappointed participant found the stories boring and felt that some military jokes did not connect with the audience. That is useful advice. The tour may include veteran-focused humor or references, and not every joke will work for every group. If you prefer a quiet, art-focused cemetery visit, the guide’s personality may be more noticeable than you want.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, this is not a bargain-priced way to enter Bonaventure Cemetery. You are paying for the Segway, instruction, a guide, narration, bottled water, and the chance to cover a large site in a short period.

The value depends on what you want from the visit. If you would otherwise walk only a small part of the cemetery, the Segway gives you greater reach. If you enjoy local stories and prefer having someone explain family connections and statuary, the guided format adds something a free visit cannot.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want time alone with the graves or statues. You may see more detail at a slower pace on foot, and a self-guided visit costs less. The tour is best viewed as a guided overview with a transportation advantage, not as a complete study of every corner.

The small group helps protect the value. A maximum of 10 people is far more personal than a large coach-style outing. You have a better chance to hear the guide clearly, ask questions, and receive help during the training session.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see a large section of Bonaventure Cemetery but do not want to spend the whole morning walking. It also suits people who enjoy local personalities, family tales, and a guide who can connect monuments with Savannah’s past.

It is a good fit for first-time Segway riders who want a short lesson and a guide nearby. The 90-minute length keeps the commitment manageable, and the morning departure leaves much of the day free for other Savannah sights.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the faster coverage, but the information provided does not give a minimum age requirement. Ask before booking if children are in your party.

I would be more cautious if you dislike machines, have balance concerns, or want a silent and reflective cemetery visit. You should also think twice if you are very sensitive to late starts or unclear meeting directions. Confirm the details directly and allow extra time.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour is offered in English. You receive confirmation at booking, and mobile tickets are supported. The activity returns to the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

Bottled water is included, and gratuity is not. If your guide gives you a strong, attentive tour, plan to tip separately according to your own judgment.

The cancellation policy is friendly. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

This activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 37 days in advance. That does not guarantee it will sell out, but it is a reason to reserve early if your Savannah dates are fixed.

Should you book the Bonaventure Segway Tour?

Book it if you want efficient coverage, a small group, and stories about Savannah families, plantation origins, statuary, and cemetery lore. The best guides, including Neal, Ray, and Carolyn, appear to make the experience personal and entertaining.

Skip it if your priority is a slow, independent walk or close study of individual graves. Also confirm the meeting point and phone number before setting out, since unclear instructions and a late arrival have caused problems.

At $80, this is a specialty tour, not the cheapest way to see Bonaventure. For the right person, the Segway, guided route, and human stories make the cost reasonable. Your guide will be the deciding factor, so arrive prepared, keep your expectations flexible, and treat the tour as an energetic introduction to a very large cemetery.

FAQ

Where does the Bonaventure Cemetery Segway Tour start?

It starts at 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $80 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is a Segway lesson included?

Yes. The tour includes a quick lesson before the group begins riding.

Are water and transportation included?

Bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle are listed as included. The provided details do not explain exactly when the vehicle is used.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded.