Savannah Bonaventure Cemetery Segway Tour

Bonaventure Cemetery is one of Savannah’s most atmospheric places, and a Segway lets you see far more of its 100 acres than you could on foot in 90 minutes. You’ll glide among Victorian monuments, hear about the former plantation, and learn how the cemetery’s families and statuary fit into Savannah’s past.

I like the small groups of no more than 10 and the quick training session before you set off. I also like the range of guides, including Neal, Ray, and Carolyn, who bring different styles to the storytelling. The main caution is practical: meeting-point directions have caused confusion, and one tour began late because of traffic and a communication mix-up.

Key points to know

• A 90-minute Segway route covers a 100-acre cemetery: You can see much more ground than on a walking tour.
• The guide shapes the experience: Neal, Ray, and Carolyn have each been praised for clear stories, humor, and care with the Segway lesson.
• The cemetery itself is the star: Expect Victorian statuary, old family plots, and stories tied to the original plantation.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That gives the guide room to help riders and answer questions.
• The meeting point needs attention: Arrive early at 330 Bonaventure Road and confirm the parking instructions before tour morning.
• The $80 price buys movement and interpretation: It is most useful if you value a guided look at a large site rather than a short cemetery stroll.

Why a Segway works well at Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery covers about 100 acres. That size changes the practical question from Can I visit? to How much can I see before I run out of time or energy? A walking visit can be peaceful, but it may leave you choosing between a slow look at a small area and a faster walk past details that deserve attention.

A Segway solves part of that problem. After a short lesson, you can move between sections without spending the whole tour walking from one plot to another. The machine is especially useful here because the tour is only about an hour and a half. You get the scale of the cemetery without turning the morning into a long hike.

This is not a race through the grounds. The point is to stop for stories, statues, and family history, then move on to the next part of the cemetery. The best version of the tour balances riding with pauses. You should expect to listen while stopped or moving slowly, not simply circle the cemetery with a guide talking from a distance.

The Segway also adds a little novelty to a place that many people visit on foot. That can make the experience more memorable, though it will not suit everyone. If you dislike balancing on small electric vehicles, a walking visit may feel calmer.

Your 9:30 a.m. start at 330 Bonaventure Road

The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at 330 Bonaventure Road in Thunderbolt, Georgia, and finishes at the same point. Since the cemetery is outside central Savannah, check your route and allow time to park before the start.

I would aim to be there by 9:15. One important wrinkle is that the meeting instructions have not always been clear. A past group had trouble finding the correct place to wait, and the guide arrived late after traffic delays. The operator said text messages were sent with parking and delay information, but an incorrect phone number may have prevented one participant from receiving them.

That does not mean every start will be difficult. It does mean you should not treat the meeting point as a detail to sort out at the last second. Keep your booking confirmation handy, check your phone number when you reserve, and contact the operator before the morning if the parking directions are not plain.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, though the supplied information does not specify routes or travel times. If you are coming from another part of Savannah, plan your transport rather than assuming the cemetery is a quick walk from your hotel.

The first lesson makes the ride less intimidating

You receive a quick Segway lesson before entering the tour proper. This is an important part of the morning, not a minor formality. The guide needs to make sure you can control the machine, and you need enough time to feel steady before trying to listen to stories and watch where you are going.

The guides have been praised for taking this comfort check seriously. Carolyn, in particular, was noted for making sure riders felt comfortable and confident before setting off. That kind of attention matters more than a flashy introduction. You do not need to arrive as a Segway expert.

The small group limit also helps here. With a maximum of 10 people, the guide can watch the group and give individual help. It is still wise to tell the guide at the start if you feel nervous or need extra time. The stated information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific age, height, weight, or mobility rules, so ask the operator if any of those points matter for you.

Bottled water is provided, and the vehicle used for the activity is air-conditioned. The information does not explain exactly when or how the vehicle is used, so think of those as useful provisions rather than a promised sightseeing transfer.

Riding through the Victorian cemetery

Once the lesson is over, the route takes you through Bonaventure’s broad cemetery grounds. You will cover the site by Segway while the guide explains its past, its statuary, and the families buried there.

The original plantation is one of the main subjects. That gives the tour a useful starting point because it places the cemetery within the older story of the land, rather than treating the grounds as a collection of attractive stones. The guide then connects that setting to the people and memorials you see along the route.

The statuary is another central feature. A guided visit helps you notice why certain monuments matter, how families chose to memorialize relatives, and how the cemetery’s visual character developed. You should not expect a catalogue of every statue in 100 acres. The guide has to make choices, and the quality of those choices will shape your morning.

Family stories add the human scale. Names and dates alone can make a cemetery feel like a quiet museum with no labels. Stories about the families give you reasons to pause. Neal has been praised for mixing documented history with rumors and local gossip, which may suit you if you like a story with personality rather than a strictly formal lecture.

The tone can vary by guide. One guide was described as calm, charming, and deeply interested in the cemetery. Ray was praised for interesting facts and clear storytelling. Carolyn was described as funny and thorough. If you can request a guide, you may mention a preference, but assignments are not guaranteed.

How the storytelling may land with you

The strongest part of this tour is likely to be the guide’s voice. You are not simply renting a Segway and wandering through the grounds. The aim is a fully narrated route, with context about the plantation, memorials, and families.

That format is helpful if you want Savannah’s past explained while you look at the physical evidence. A good guide can point out a detail you would otherwise pass without noticing, then give it a name and a place in the city’s story.

The tradeoff is that storytelling is personal. Humor that works for one audience may fall flat for another. One account of the tour found the stories too long and not relevant enough, with military jokes that did not connect for that rider. Other accounts praised the humor and the blend of history, gossip, and personal warmth.

So, book this with the right expectation. It is not a quiet, self-guided ride. You are signing up for a narrated performance, and the guide may use jokes or side stories to keep the group engaged. If you prefer dates, architecture, and short explanations, say so at the start. If you enjoy a guide who adds personality, Neal, Ray, or Carolyn may give you a livelier morning.

The published rating is 4.9 from 14 reviews, and 93 percent of participants recommend the experience. That is a strong record, but the smaller sample means you should still pay attention to the style issue. The cemetery is reliably interesting; the exact storytelling experience depends on the person leading your group.

Rest stops, water, and the pace of the route

A 90-minute route needs a sensible rhythm. The tour has been described as including plenty of water and rest stops, which is useful in a cemetery this large. Even on a Segway, you are standing for much of the activity and concentrating as you ride.

Rest stops also give the guide a chance to tell longer stories without asking you to manage the machine and listen at the same time. They give you time to look at the monuments instead of treating them as scenery flashing past.

You should wear something that lets you stand comfortably and keep your attention on the ride. The supplied details do not state a dress code or weather policy, so check with the operator if conditions concern you. Bottled water is included, but bring any other personal items you may need.

The air-conditioned vehicle is listed as included, which can be welcome in Savannah’s warmer months. Still, the tour itself takes place outdoors in the cemetery, so the vehicle does not remove your exposure to the weather during the riding portion.

Is $80 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Bonaventure Cemetery. You are paying for the Segway equipment, the short lesson, a small group, a guide, narration, water, and the ability to cover a large site efficiently.

The value depends on what you want from the visit. If you are already comfortable walking several miles and prefer to explore at your own speed, a self-guided visit may give you more freedom for less money. You can linger over one family plot, stop for photographs, or leave when you have had enough.

I see better value in this tour if your time in Savannah is limited, if you want the major areas connected by a guide, or if walking a large cemetery would be tiring. The group cap of 10 is also meaningful. You are not paying for a large coach-style experience where the guide has little time for individual questions.

The tour is most worthwhile when the guide is strong. Neal’s mix of history, rumor, and gossip, Ray’s interesting facts, and Carolyn’s careful instruction show what the price can deliver. The weaker version is a delayed start followed by stories that feel too long or too specialized. That is why the meeting details and guide fit matter as much as the equipment.

Who should book this cemetery tour?

You are a good match if you want:

• A quick way to cover Bonaventure’s 100 acres
• A guided explanation of the former plantation and cemetery families
• A small group rather than a large organized outing
• A more active visit than a standard walking tour
• A guide with room to add humor, local gossip, and personal stories
• Help getting comfortable on a Segway before the route begins

You may want another option if you prefer silence, independent wandering, or a strictly academic presentation. You should also think twice if balancing on a Segway sounds stressful. The information says most people can participate, but it does not promise that every physical condition or mobility need can be accommodated.

Service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the starting point. These details make it easier to fit into a Savannah morning, but you still need to arrange your own way to 330 Bonaventure Road.

Booking, cancellation, and the small details that matter

The tour is commonly reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of 37 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early if your Savannah dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular morning.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation. Since the meeting instructions have been a weak spot for at least one start, read that confirmation carefully and make sure the operator has the correct phone number. A few minutes spent checking the parking plan can prevent a needless scramble.

Should you book the Bonaventure Segway Tour?

I would book this if you want to understand Bonaventure Cemetery while seeing a good portion of its 100 acres. The Segway is a practical tool here, not just a gimmick, and the small group gives the guide a fair chance to help you learn the machine and answer questions.

The biggest reason to book is the potential for a strong storyteller. Neal, Ray, and Carolyn each bring the qualities this setting needs: clear history, personal warmth, humor, and attention to rider comfort. The main reason to hesitate is the uneven fit between guide style and audience, plus the need to confirm the meeting point in advance.

Reserve it when the price feels reasonable for a 90-minute guided experience and you like active sightseeing. If you want total freedom, a quiet walk, or a precise scholarly tour, choose another way to see the cemetery.

FAQ

How long is the Bonaventure Cemetery Segway Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404, USA.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

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.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. Gratuity is not included.