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
US
Email Toddy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime
Encounter Africa went above and beyond all expectations. Joseph, our driver, picked us up from the airport at 1am and had so much energy and excitement, we knew we were about to have an incredible week. By the end of the week, Joseph was family. He always went above and beyond making sure our experience was a 5-star experience.
The chimp trek: This was a great experience because we had an experienced ranger who knew where to find the chimps on the ground. We were the only group that found chimps on the ground, everyone else only saw the chimps high in the trees. I would recommend spending $70 more to have a full day of habituation with the chimps. You end up paying $220 for the permit instead of $150. Once we finished the chimp trek, we were off to see the Wetlands near our lodge. This is a local non-profit that is protecting the wetlands from being developed into farmland. On this walk, you will see a wide range of birds and monkeys. If you are lucky you might even see some chimps.
The gorilla trek: Incredible. I know many people that have done gorilla treks and they end up walking all day and end up having to follow the gorillas as they move. I think our group was very lucky because we found the gorillas fast. The gorillas didn't really move once we found them, so we spent an hour with them and it was pure magic. We started walking at 9am and were done by 11am. Just know, the gorilla trek is at a higher altitude, so walking up a mountain suddenly becomes hard because you are trying to find your breath.
The lodges:
Kibale Forest Camp was a beautiful lodge with a nice atmosphere. The food was good and the staff was incredibly nice. They have a short 15-minute hike on the property, but if you go slow you will see different types of monkeys.
Broadbill Forest Camp was all about the view. Our tent had an insane patio looking out into the jungle. The food was good and the staff was amazing. The chameleon walk is a very slow paced walk that they offer where you look for the three-horned chameleon. The bathroom was a bit rustic and the tents have velcro doors. Overall, the people and the view are what make this lodge a comfortable place to stay.
Encounter Africa provides a unique experience because you are helping the local communities. Your money isn't being spent on a westerners investment property, it is being spent on small local businesses that ultimately contribute to providing good jobs to the surrounding communities. I highly recommend you use Encounter Africa for any of your Uganda/Rwanda travel plans. I know we will :-)
DE
Email Teresa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
We went for 4 days to Uganda for Gorilla Tracking. It was amazing. Our guide / driver Joseph was very good. He knew a lot about Uganda history, nature and the Gorillas. Clean and nice car and gave us very good recommendation for hotels. We stayed on night in Birds Nest at Lake Bunyioni- it was amazing.
I can really recommend Encounter Africa Safaris.
FR
Email Dora Shu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and reliable tour operator in Uganda - highly recommended!
I went to a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda in mid Dec 2016 with three friends. Prior to our trip we looked up infos on internet and contacted five different tour operators in Uganda. Among them Encounter Afirca Safaris was the most efficient and professional. They did not only respond our enquiry immediately but also suggested us a tailor-made itinerary, which includes the main activities/places we are interested.
Besides, they are honest with their price. They gave us the clear breakdown of each parts of the travel cost and allowed us to choose which option (budget, mid-range, luxury) according to our budget.
During the preparation period they provided us sufficient info for visa, vaccination, activities on spot and packing. So we were fully prepared for our trip.
Upon arrival we were greeted by Chris (the organiser) and our English-speaking guide/driver Joseph. Both of them were very friendly and kind so that we felt comfortable with Uganda right away.
During our 10-day trip, we have not only experienced the most amazing and loving gorillas (I consider thie encounter as one of the most moving experience in my life), but also seen the rarely-spotted tree-climbing lions 3 times!
Accommodation condition could be tough in Uganda compared to Kenya. Despite we also experienced incidents such as black-out, lack of hot shower etc. Thanks to Encounter Africa Safaris' prompt reaction and efficient arrangement, all the unforeseen and unpleasant situations were solved right away. At the end we came back home safe with lot of sweat memory.
Therefore, I and my friends would like to recommend this professional and reliable tour operator to all people who are interested in gorilla trekking and tree-climbing lions (only in Uganda!). For me the tour in Uganda was definitely worthy and unforgettable. If you are an animal-lover, it is a MUST destination, and you won't regret it!
Email Joel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best close mountain gorilla experience - wonderful tour company, great driver/guide
They do what they promise! Driver was on time to pick us up, patient and a safe driver (all things not typical in Africa). His name is Joseph Kalanzi, but the tour company is so professional that I am sure their other drivers are also good. Booking with them was easy, the price was fair and accommodation in the park excellent. Technically, they call it a 'camp' (Broadbill Forest Camp) but it is more like a lodge. Hot water, good food, attentive customer service. In short, Encounter Africa really understands what is important to Europeans. So an excellent experience and of course the highlight of it all....the gorillas. Amazing experience getting so close. They are so friendly and calm.
NL
Email Bart Bakker | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shooting Dutch tv show on lake vic/the nile/murchison falls
I have worked together with Encounter Africa Safaris on a Dutch TV production. EAF made all the arrangements like media cards, accommodation, transportation, permits etc. They are reliable and fun to work with. As tv productions most of the time turn out to be a bit hectic, and especially a specific "outdoor/rafting" kind of show like we did, i must say they did very well. Even last minute chances and request were no problem.
I would recommend them as a local fixer/production partner.
Best experience with Encounter Safaris!!!
My wife and I spent 5 days in Uganda. We were interested in seeing the amazing mountain gorillas and also doing some white water rafting on the nile. Lucky for us, the guys at Encounter Safaris organised all of this for us before we even got to Uganda. Communication with Chris prior to our adventure was fantastic, he always answered our questions in perfect time. Our experiences during the adventure were sentational, our driver/guide was Feni and he was brilliant in making sure my wife and I were always comfortable and it was a pleasure to hear all the knowledge he had to share with us about his great country. A true highlight from this adventure were seeing te mountain gorillas, but also at one of the lodges called Broadbill camp which the Encounter team had organised for us to stay at...a wonderful adventure with wonderful company.
DK
Email Dg | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Some very cool animal encounters
Some very cool animal encounters in Bwindi, lake Mburo, queen Elisabeth and kibale.
Email Kellie Wallis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb experience with Encounter Africa in Uganda
We teamed up with Encounter Africa to experience the mountain gorillas, and a few other stops along the way. Our guide for the trip was Patrick, and we had a sensation time and hit gold with Patrick. I would highly recommend them to any person who is thinking about a trip to Uganda. All the details where taken care off, we were briefed every evening with the finer details for the next day, nothing was too much trouble for Patrick even our wacky requests.
ES
Email Blanca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Close encounters with animals in the wild
All services were all right, everyone tried to make us feel comfortable and the encounters with animals lived up to our expectations.
We missed more local food in the lodges and maybe a half-day cycling activity.
US
Email John White | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip was organized by Chris, he was very responsive to my request and concerns which built confi
Chris always answered emails promptly he organized the trip to deliver my request. All of the trip met and exceeded my expectations. The driver Tolbert was excellent, always on time and helpful. He even did my laundry. He drove his van over rough terrain to shorten my hike. Tour guides were friendly and worked hard to assure that I had an unforgettable experience. Guest house staff became unforgettable friends. They made my stay fantastic.