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 Simon Poulter | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well looked after and very knowledgeable guides.
We used Encounter Africa while filming around Cities and villages near Jinja and Mbale. Mark our fixer was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and was pretty much part of the filming crew by the time we left. I'd thoroughly recommend Encounter Africa.
Email rob and maddy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
excellent and memorable trip.
From being referred by a friend to being dropped off at the end, our trip was superbly organised by Chris and his team. Our guide, Joseph, was very friendly and was constantly checking that we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves.
The trek to see the gorillas was superb and enough of a challenge for us to feel that we had earned the privilege of spending some time with them in their habitat.
If you are considering a gorilla trekking experience; Chris, Joseph and Co. are fantastic!
Email Scott Horsfield | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda Film Fixer Services
I don't think you could find a better fixer service in Uganda.
From initial contact to dropping us off at the airport, Encounter Africa Safaris were professional and excellent. What's more they are all thoroughly decent chaps you can have a laugh and chat with. We had a two week shoot across two locations for my client's volunteering programme. It involved continuously changing schedules and complexities but Edson and his team dealt with everything with patience and a smile. Mark our driver/fixer was way more than a fixer, he was a fourth crew member. He would watch how we work and seamlessly fit in helping out wherever he could. He shielded us when we had the authorities asking us questions, provided suggestions for shots and got us out off any tricky situations before they got too tricky. What's more he was a thoroughly great guy as interested in telling us about Uganda as he was in finding out about us. He really did become another member of the crew, making the long drives more enjoyable with his knowledge and sense of humour. I cannot recommend them enough.
DE
Email Max | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience during off-season - individual tour with a great personal touch
Lets be honest, I didn't know much about the country, except that you can see gorillas, chimpanzees und much more wild animal in their natural habitat.
So I was very glad that I found Encounter Africa Safaris, in person Chris, who arranged an individual tour for me including the following major activities and lodges:
- Lake Mburo NP / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
=> Game drive, boat ride at Lake Mburo
- Bwindi Impenetrable NP / Broadbill Forrest Camp
=> Gorilla tracking
- Queen Elizabeth NP / Buffalo Safari Resort
=> Game drives, boat ride at the Kazinga Channel
- Kibale NP / Rwenzori View Guest House
=> Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland walk
- Murchison Falls NP / Murchison River Lodge
=> Game drives, boat ride at the nile, visiting top of the falls
I started planning my tour in january 2017, Chris always replied very fast and competently, always trying to make my wishes come true. Payment worked out without any problems, I felt well looked after all the time.
When I arrived at Entebbe, my guide and driver Joseph picked me up at the airport and brought me to my hotel for the first to nights in Kampala. I liked Joseph from the first moment I met him. He is a very funny guy but he is also very wise and has a wide range of knowledge of wildlife and the country. I wish I could have remembered everything he told me. He knew a lot of people along the route, so he was always informed about the best routes or places to spot the animals. When I had specific wishes for things so try or bring as a souvenir, it was no problem for hin the help me out great, he also had an eye on me, that I didn't have to pay way overpriced "mzungu-prices". He also knew some special activities (like going to Lake Katwe and getting some volcano salt or having a seperate boat ride to the hotel after visiting Murchison falls) or places to have great local food.
One special thing was my surprise birthday party after the gorilla tracking. I didn't know anything about it, and after dinner the complete staff of Broadbill Forrest Camp came by with a birthdaycake, which we all had together. Thank you for that once again very much!
All the local people I met, where very friendly and helpful, I didn't feel unhappy at no point of time.
All in all I can only highly recommend going to Uganda, even during off-season / rain-season. There where very less tourists. During my 12 days there where only a few hours of rain, which didn't bother me or the activities planned. Also I can highly recommend Encounter Africa Safaris, they are a small, relatively young company, but in my eyes they absolutely know what they are doing.
Really planning to come back!
Last but not least, I want to give a special thank to my guide Joseph; if you are planning to go to Uganda ask for him as a guide, you won't be disappointed.
One more point if you are really planning to go to Uganda and you want to do something good for disadvanteged children, ask while booking. You can do great things with reasonable expenses. Thank you!
BE
Email Hanne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Filming in Northern Uganda
We have organized a filming trip in the Northern of Uganda (area of refugee camps) very short notice. Edson was very helpful to get everything sorted before the departure of our crew and really thinks ahead. Communication with Encounter Africa Safaris went very smoothly and was very professional. They know what they are doing! On the ground our crew was very pleased with fixer Patrick.
Email Wendy Mann | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Over and Beyond my expectations
I was extremely impressed with the professional service with Encounter Africa Safaris. I was a bit worried about booking a family tour with a non ABTA company, but I could not have been better served. Chris was on hand in the beginning to immediately answer any queries and to try and put our minds at rest. Patrick met us at some ungodly hour in the middle of the night at the airport and even dropped us off at the end. He was a great driver and guide. We felt safe and secure with him as he negotiated some difficult road, never making a rash move. His cultural and environment knowledge was greatly appreciated. The accommodation booked was wonderful and quirky. The meals were delicious and nourishing. We went to bewitching Bwindi for the gorilla trek and stayed at Broadbill Forest camp (an enchanting place!). Stayed at Bufflo Lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park for the Safari tours and then at the homely Rwenzori View Guest House at Fort Portal for the Chimp and Swamp tours. My family had a wonderful holiday and I would highly recommend this company.
CA
Email Kate | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most unique and personal travel experience!
The tour exceeded expectations. The country is spectacular and the people went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our stay. They were flexible to personalize the trip to what we wanted to see, and were very knowledgeable on the culture, nature and history to give context to what we were seeing.
Amazing
I had an amazing trip with Encounter Africa Safaris and recommend it to anyone who wants to go gorilla tracking -pic-up, service, food, great staff and of course the tracking itself.
BE
Email Jasper | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience!
Went on a combined gorilla trek and Safari with Encounter Africa Safaris. Had an amazing time, excellent lodges to spend the evenings and nights, great food. Our guide (Patrick) was wonderful, he taught us so much about the local wildlife and even knew to attract a passing Hyena by mimicking its cries. We even did an extra little game drive on our way back because the permit still was active for some hours. One of the best experiences i've had in my life.
Email Jessie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
"Rainy season" Uganda
A friend and I traveled to Uganda and used Encounter Africa Safaris to book a 3-day gorilla trek. Even before our arrival in Uganda, I felt encouraged to book with Encounter because of their prompt and friendly responses to my booking and all of my questions. In Uganda, they showed up on time the day of pick-up and our guide (Patrick) was very kind and personable our entire ride to Bwindi. We had a stopover at the equator for experiments and breakfast and we had a wonderful lunch further on the way to Bwindi. Patrick always made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed at our accommodation. The food and lodging was exactly as described and were decent for the price we paid. The gorilla trekking experience was beyond words and something we won't soon forget. Overall, this company made our trip very comfortable and enjoyable. I would book with them again in the future.