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 Bettina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
professional knowledgeable great company!
The communication services and the tour itself was amazing ... coming back again but will fly to the mountains next time... would have liked to spend more time in the mountain s and less time driving... otherwise spectacular.
TH
Email Will | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly awesome experience
We chose Encounter Africa to help us fulfill a life long dream to see Gorillas in the wild as part of our honeymoon and I have to say, they delivered!
Before the trip, communication was excellent and Encounter organised our park permits and everything else seamlessly. For the 3 days, Talbot looked after us very well, and we always felt safe, relaxed and able to enjoy the views of the stunning Ugandan countryside whilst he negotiated some tricky conditions on the ling drive, especially on the latter, unpaved section of the route.
Our accommodation at Nkuringo Lodge was really homely. The staff were excellent, we were very well fed, and really enjoyed the views of the Virunga mountains.
The Trek itself was really special. We had the 4 hour habituation experience which for us was well worth the extra. Note that the time actually starts when you reach the point where the group were tracked on the previous day but luckily for us they hadn't moved far, meaning that we got nearly the full 4 hours with them. That extra time allows you to get closer and closer as the gorillas become more and more relaxed. Of course, the adrenalin is running and do expect to get charged a few times as we did. One time the silverback was literally within 2m and letting us know that he wasn't entirely happy but soon enough he was on his back, rolling around and very, very chilled in our presence. An incredible, intimate and unique experience.
Wonderful experience
Our driver Jason was incredibly helpful during our two days with him. He changed money for us, walked us through the chaos at the Rwandan-Ugandan border (we entered Uganda from Rwanda) and back again. We had not realized our visa for 30 days to Rwanda was a single entry visa so it expired as soon as we crossed the border and we did not have enough dollars to pay the reentry visa. Jason changed Rwandan francs for us and went to the bank at the border to pay for our visa get our papers stamped. The hike up the mountain was strenuous but well worth it. Bring waterproof trousers and rubber boots—that’s what the park ranger, the soldier and the policeman accompanying us all wore. And bring a change of clothes and shoes. You will get wet and muddy! Also hire a porter (all women). They are experienced climbers and will haul you up the vertical mud and carry your back pack for you! Well worth the money! We saw 8 gorillas from one family including two silverbacks and a curious one-year old that curled itself around my husband’s and then my leg looking in our pockets for souvenirs! Encounter Africa met our budget and we stayed in a lodge on top of a mountain with gorgeous views after driving up narrow mud tracks with steep drops. But Jason was a great driver, never took unnecessary risks when overtaking other vehicles and despite the lack of seatbelt in the back of the van (one was broken) we felt quite safe with him driving.
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Email lisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very organized and professional
After researching several companies online, I am glad I chose this one. The communication by Chris was excellent leading up to my gorilla trekking experience. I even emailed a few people who left reviews and got some great info and tips. Patrick was great and prompt to pick me up for a rather long but scenic drive to Bwindi. I learned alot more about Uganda culture and its people. The gorilla haven resort was clean and ok .. great view of the forest, food decent, electricity was scarce and didn't have hot water one day. If you can, you must do the 4 hour habituation experience for 1500$.. it was unbelievable.. I was the only one signed up that day so it was a private tour.. there were 7 guys with me, including the guide, porter, gorialla trekkers with the machetes, and the security guys with the guns.. we trekked for 2 hours ( it was 1 hour the day before) to the gorilla family . I went during rainy season and it was muddy, slippery and even with my porter, slipped and fell 4 times. Definitelly hire the porter for 20$, and worth a good tip!. Not only did he carry my day pack, he helped me over fallen trees, throught the streams, held my hand going through the fallen leaves and branches, mud and slippery rocks and helped me to keep up with the guys. I found out that after our 7 hour experience , he had to walk 2 hours home. We first came to the silver back, it was unreal!, we then observed the gorilla family of 10 for the next 3 hours, including the 3 babies.. truly words cannot describe. Encounter Africa was perfect to the last detail, felt prepared coming into the trip and totally safe as a single female traveling alone. The trip is reasoably priced, staff professional and would definteily recommend to anyone.
CA
Email Caitlin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A pleasure to work with!
Edson and his team were top-notch and I could not recommend them more highly. As a documentary crew from Canada, we have lots of needs when it comes to travel and Encounter made the process painless. They were always available to help us with any issue that arose and dealt with them with efficiency and grace.
We filmed in Kibale National Park for 14 days, and Encounter Africa Safaris were there to assist us from the moment we landed right through to when we left.
I have worked with several safari booking companies and film fixers in East Africa, and this was an extremely pleasant experience and I would not hesitate to work with Encounter again.
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Email Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The experience from beginning communications to final transfer far exceeded our expectations.
Chris was very quick to respond to communications, answered all my questions, met us locally, and delivered on what was promised. Our driver Silas was an excellent driver and of very good character.
Email Sam Moran | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant tour company. Tolbert is the best...!
I just finished doing the 11 day Rwanda and Uganda trek with Encounter Africa.
Everything went brilliantly... Seeing gorillas in the wild has been top of my bucket list for forever and from my first contact with Chris via email he responded quickly and with great suggestions to tailor make the perfect trip for me. Starting with pick up in Kigali, right on time, then to Volcanoes NP for gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking with a stop at the Dian Fossey Centre, crossing to Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable NP for gorilla habituation, Queen Elizabeth NP for game drives and Kazinga Chanel cruise, Kibale forest for Chimp habituation then Murchison Falls NP for more game drives and a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. then back to Entebbe with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary before drop off at my Entebbe hotel, plus, I added on the Ngamba chimp sanctuary the following day (well worth a visit).
It was such an amazing experience largely due to my brilliant Guide/ Driver / Weaver of magic wand Tolbert... when Tolbert showed up to pick me up from my hotel in Kigali I was very happy as I’d read great reviews about him. He is not only a great guide, but he’s a good, safe, driver and a great person and it really made the trip extra special. Even when a stick, or something, destroyed the radiator fan of our van in THE MIDDLE of Queen Elizabeth National park, Tolbert made a few calls an in less than an hour three guys found us, dropped of a replacement vehicle and took ours off to get fixed, ON A SUNDAY, and we continued on with our game drive. I was very impressed!!! He seems to know EVERYONE in Uganda and his contacts lead us to some special game viewing and unique experiences and I have now made a great friend.
As I was traveling towards the end of the low season I really felt like a VIP as our lodges we stayed at, all of which where all excellent BTW with great food, where quiet and we had basically the undivided attention of the staff, all of which where great, super friendly and very hospitable.
I have no hesitation recommending Encounter Africa Safaris and already passed their details to my friends and I wish them all the best in the future.
Email Nicola Stewart | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely brilliant from start to finish!
From the second Stephen picked me up at my hotel I wanted for nothing. The 9 hour drive was comfortable, he answered all my silly questions and we had a good laugh.
Whilst at the lodge, again he was there for all my needs and transportation and communications with the lodge.
The lodge was fantastic too and the service second to none.
Lovely 3 course meal on both nights.
After my amazing day seeing the gorillas, the next morning I decided to go straight to the airport and not stay in a hotel in Kampala as planned.
Stephen was not only fine with me changing my plans but did everything he possibly could to get me there in time. I made it. He genuinely cared for my well being and enjoyment throughout the whole trip.
Thankyou so very much Stephen.
You are the best.
Email Rachael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent communication, organisation and professionally run tour
The communication prior to arriving was excellent. The team dealt amazingly with my repeated flight delays and cancellations which made a very stressful situation so much better. I was met on arrival and everything went exactly as described for the rest of the trip. The food was great, my accommodation at the Trekkers Lodge was comfortable, clean and had beautiful views. My guide Patrick was informative, knowledgeable and helpful. All in all, it was good value and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to Chris, Patrick and everyone who made the trip unforgettable!
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Email Brian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tolbert went truly above and beyond all expectations to make this trip incredible.
The service went far beyond our expectations! This was an amazing trip with Tolbert, our tour guide, who had an encyclopedic knowledge of everything and never left us with an unanswered question. We felt safe the entire time, while still having the adventure we wanted. Tolbert was extremely friendly and helpful and I would recommend him to anyone going to Uganda.