Encounter Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Annette | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience, a few suggestions for improvement
The email communication from the beginning was very prompt and helpful. The payment was a bit complicated, because we had to pay in cash from Rwanda but they arranged for someone to pickup up the deposit and we paid the rest on day of tour. The vans are old and quite rattly, also it is hard to see out the windows if you are tall. A/C in the van wasn't turned on and we had to open windows which created a lot of dust. Also, we didn't get our free water in the vehicle until we reached our destination! Also, the music was on in the van and it was hard to hear each other talk. A metal pole broke off the side of the van and was hanging down (dangerous) so we tied it up ourselves because the driver didn't seem to care. Our driver guide was very good and knowledgeable. Though, on the day to drive home we felt like we were rushed to be up at 6am so we could get back to Kigali because he then had to drive back Uganda after he dropped us home. We really wanted a sleep in (after our hard hike to gorillas) but we felt pressured - I think that this should have been our call to leave later (we left Kigali at 9am so should have left Uganda at 9am). The stop in Kampale on the way home was a bit ad-hoc and odd - sat at a restaurant on a busy street to eat our packed lunch, then went to find 2 craft stores and driver had to have the car washed at the same time. We think that the car should be washed at a time when the passengers are not using it, or else it feels like we are spending our tour time waiting for the car. Overall, if you are looking for a more budget tour option then this one is a good choice. If you want to spend a little more for a better vehicle and nicer accommodation then you should shop around.
Email Brooke & Chris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Experience and Highlight of our Trip
To begin with, the booking of the tour was extremely smooth and easy. Communication with Chris at Encounter Africa Safaris was fantastic, always getting back to us within 24 hours, if not earlier. Making payments for the tour and confirming arrangements was extremely easy. This was the best value for money tour we have ever completed in our travels, it did not break the bank yet was the most incredible travel experience of our lives. Jason our Airport transfer and driver was the most welcoming, accommodating and knowledgeable driver. The food at the Broadbill Forest camp where we stayed was the best food we had on our travels through Africa, The accommodation was impeccable and the staff delightful. The tour to see the Gorillas was incredible, we felt so lucky to be able to have the experience and get so close to these beautiful animals. Encounter Africa Safaris did an incredible job or organizing our tour without blowing out our budget, like many other tour companies do. Highly Recommended!! and we will absolutely be back to use the same company in the future.
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Email Nina and Erik H. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Informative Lifetime Experience
My wife and I were planning our honeymoon to East Africa and of course, had to see gorillas during our travels. We came across Encounter Africa online and couldn't have been happier with our choice. From the very beginning communication with the agent was clean, cut and clear and provided us with an enjoyable trip from the time we were picked up at our lodging in Entebbe to Bwindi and until the time we were dropped off at the airport in Entebbe.
Going into detail a little further, we were picked up by a driver named Paul. Words cannot express how grateful my wife and I were to have Paul as our driver, guide and in the very end, a friend forever. After all, you spend 8 hours in a comfortable van each way from Entebbe and Bwindi National Forest, so there is a lot of questions and discussion to be had. Speaking of which, Paul answered so many questions that we had for him. He explained in detail everything we saw from plants, trees, villages, farming, economy, food, animals and of course, gorillas. I could type more about everything we discussed, but trust me, every questions was answered in length and we both felt fully informed on everything Uganda has to offer.
Upon arriving to Bwindi, we were greeted by kind hosts who showed us our lodging which was accompanied with a bottle of wine and flowers for our honeymoon (we were not expecting that). Our lodge was overlooking a valley of the rain forest where we sat for some time watching the wildlife up close. We had two double beds in our tent that were extremely comfortable and dressed with heavy blankets for the chilly nights. The bathroom was extended off the back of the tent to a solid foundation that was very clean and open.
Food: Amazing. Really it was. My wife and I planned our safari and gorilla trekking for our first leg of the honeymoon thinking we would lose some weight roughing it for a week before hitting the beaches of Kenya for our final week. Well, we were wrong. The food was unbelievably great. Superb job by the chef. I still talk about the fish we had one night.
Gorillas: Words can not describe the rush during this experience. The pictures, video and even the extremely close encounters we had with the gorillas was breathtaking. The guides were friendly and very helpful making this experience the way it was. Again, I can go into length about this experience but I'll just sum it up as you cannot miss out on this opportunity during your lifetime. If you are contemplating going gorilla trekking, just go. You will not regret it.
One last shout out goes to our driver Paul. He went above and beyond his service provided. Thanks for stopping roadside so we could buy raw honey. Thank you for stopping at the bank so we could pick up cash. Thank you for dropping us off at a restaurant for dinner on our last day since our flight wasn't for several hours later and then you came back to drive us to the airport. You're a great asset to your company.
Thank you again for everything!
Joseph is the best tour guide one could have
We had a great time with the gorillas and Encounter. Joseph went out of his way to make sure me and the other 3 girls travelling together had the best experience one could have! All of our wishes came true. He is very kind and helpful, I'd recommend him to my entire family if I could!
Responsive, efficient, as promised
We hired Encounter Africa for a gorilla habituation trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The trek was a relatively new offering from Uganda--a 4-hour experience accompanying rangers as they continue the process of habituating a gorilla troop to tourists--and Encounter Africa explained this alternative appropriately when we were deciding what to purchase. Additionally, the transportation and lodging arrangements made through Encounter Africa were just as we had agreed, no surprises. Good responsiveness to email inquires both before and after we had agreed (and paid) for their services.
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Email Martina and Markus | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had a great Trip!
We had a really great time in Uganda and I was very happy to find Encounter Africa Safari Tours, who were very helpful from the beginning. I wrote a few tour operaters in Uganda to get help with the permits for the Gorillas, but Chris from Encounter was the only one, who answered right away. So we decided to book with them and it was definitely the right choice. We had a 6 days tour and started in Kigali to go to Biwindi National Park for the Gorilla Trekking. This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Our Tour Guide Tolbert also was the best choice, he had a good knowledge of everything and helped us whenever we needed anything, but he also gave us enough private time, which was great.
We also went to the Queen Elizabeth National Park and to the Chimps in Kibale and were really lucky to even see Lions and also the Chimps very near.
Tolbert was a great guide and also helped us in Entebbe to book a Tour behind the scenes in the Zoo, which was amazing.
Overall I would recommed Encounter to everybody who would like to visit the beautyful country of Uganda.
Email Simone Wilson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic guide, fantastic time
Danson was an incredible guide and made our experience unforgettable. All accommodation and meals were outstanding and we couldn't have asked for more on our game drives.
Email Raquel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An absolutely amazing trip
Over the summer I spent 7 weeks in Uganda. Being my first time to Africa, and as a female traveling alone, I decided to book a tour for the first part of the trip.
I did quite a lot of research, and after much thought decided to go with a company owned and run by locals. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I made the right choice, and that the trip was worth every single penny I paid. For 19 days I had the luxury of comfortably traveling the country in the company of my fantastic guide.
Patrick was incredibly knowledgeable about the places we visited and the wildlife. He had worked in many of the parks before joining Encounter Africa Safaris, so he knew the best places for spotting animals. I saw pretty much everything: leopards, tree lions, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, chameleons... and of course, gorillas!
The trip was a good mixture of nature, culture and adventure, and I felt safe and well taken care of at all times.
Thank you, Encounter Africa Safaris and Patrick, for making this a memorable summer! I will definitely go back:)
Email Matt Hamilton | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Service
Encounter Safaris helped us to organise and complete a filming trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Communication was quick, efficient and very clear throughout, which made setting up the shoot completely stress-free.
The service throughout the shoot was excellent. Tolbert, our guide and driver, was a great professional - both friendly and organised. He is also a very safe driver. Everything went very soothly indeed, thanks to his great work.
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Email Robert Benedict | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Encounter Africa made my gorilla trekking trip to Uganda even better
From first email to being dropped off, Encounter Africa Safaris was absolutely wonderful, and worth every shilling. Chris was extremely responsive throughout booking, always responding clearly and promptly to make me comfortable, despite my many questions. Tolbert picked me up right on time at the airport, and was the best guide! We talked and laughed and had a good time while driving, his English is flawless, making it fun to spend time together. By the end I like to think that we are friends, and I'll miss him helping me to remember to repack all my things!
Every tour booking was up to expectations, and Tolbert took care of every transaction, often calling head to double check operators were available and I was confirmed. Beyond the normal politeness and expectations of everything going smoothly, it really seemed that Tolbert's position as a friend to and respected member of the communities we visited benefitted me. Small favors here and there with things like timing and special menu items (chapati beats rice every time) seemed to come our way because of Tolbert.
I can't thank Encounter enough for making this trip perfect with no more effort on my part than a few emails and making my flight.