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
BE
Email suzanne rolandus hagedoorn | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
excellent trip with nice qualified guide/driver.
Very fast answers to all questions in preparing this trip. Nice accomodations, driver/guide was very kind and told us a lot about Uganda. Everything went smoothly and we were pleasantly surprised by Uganda and the peoples we met. Service was excellent from beginning to the end.
US
Email Charles | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Encounter Africa Safaris helped me to have an unforgettable adventure!
Before booking this trip, I did a lot of research on the different providers for gorilla treks. I noticed that Encounter Africa Safaris had uniformly excellent reviews. Having ultimately booked a trip through them, I can add my strong endorsement for their services!
It all starts with Chris in the front office! I wonder if he ever sleeps as he seemed to always respond to my emails within a very short time of my sending them. He was patient and helpful with my many questions.
The three day trip itself was wonderful. Hannington, my guide/driver, safely drove me from Kampala to the lodge in Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest. While the drive was 10-1/2 hours in length, including a lunch break, it was well worth it to see the beautiful and varied Ugandan countryside. The accommodations a Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge was in a stunning setting. While the room was simple, it was clean, comfortable and with an amazing view. Dinners were quite nice, and they will pack a lunch for you to take along on the gorilla trek.
The gorilla trek itself was the adventure of a lifetime. It was harder physically than I had expected, having had to climb some very steep slopes, but it was worth every minute. The one hour with the gorillas was something I will never forget. It is hard to put into words, but it was simply amazing to watch them in their natural habitat.
Hannington drove me to Kigali, Rwanda the next day. It is a little under five hours with beautiful scenery along the way. I think it was ideal to experience both Uganda and Rwanda during this three day trip!
My thanks to Encounter Africa Safaris for helping me to have an amazing experience!
PL
Email Patrick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing gorilla trek with 12 year old!
We were so lucky when we found Encounter Africa Safari. They arranged for us a self drive car and - what is most important - worked hard to ensure a speciale permit for our 12 year old son for the gorillla trek (it is generally allowed from 25 years of age, but Enconter Sagaris arranged smoothly a special permit for us). We were amazed at their professionalism. Although we only rented a car, not a package tour (for budgetbreasons only because we heard that they are great), we were extremely well taken care of. They arr professionals in every aspect. Special thanks to Patrick Atalyeba wjo was our guarding angel during the whole trip helpingbus a lot, recommending places to hisit, accomodations to book and answering patientky milliondbof questions. This trip was amazing and meeting gorillas was a lifetime experience! Thank you again guys. If it wasn't for your help, we wouldn’t hava had such a wonderful time in Uganda. Its a 100 percent safe and extremely friendky destination for family vacation, wither on a tour or even self-driving.
Wonderful!
We had a great experience chimpanzee and gorilla tracking in Uganda. The trip was well planned and paced well.
We had a professional driver called Jason who was fun. He kept to time and ensured we had a good time.
I recommend Encounter Africa and driver Jason to adventurers seeking the same thrill in Uganda!
PL
Email Thomas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It is well organized and trust able tour operator.
We spent very nice time, and we had chance to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi NP. It was fascinating to have possibilities being near the group of gorillas family in the rain forest. Encounter organized everything (starting from buying permits, transportation and accommodation) very well. They bought permits for us in advance and then our guide picked up us from our hotel in Kampala. Transportation and accommodation were comfortable and .... the day when we see gorillas was ... amazing. I can recommend Encounter as a trust able agency...... just go and see mountain gorillas.
PL
Email Patrick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect operator for arranging gorilla tracking with a child. Excellent service!
We have contacted Encounter Africa Safaris to arrange a gorilla and chimp tracking permit for our 12 year old child. Everything went sursprisingly smooth although we contacted the company only a couple of weeks before our arrival and planned trekking date. Their service is exceptional and we can recommend them with all our hearts. We felt that we were really taken care of for the whole time. I need to emphasize that we did not buy a package tour from them (we travelled Uganda self-driving witj a rental car), but just the gorilla and chimp tracking permits. Still, we enjoyed a 5 star service from Encounter Safaris. Their email responses were prompy and precise. Our guide and main contact Patrick Atalyeba was immensly helpful. He kept in touch with us for our whole journey, consulted our itinerary, advised as to the accomodation. He contacted local people to explain to us the way through Bwindi to QENP which we did by ourselves with a car. If you are planning a trip to Uganda or need any help while being there Encounter Safaris is a place to start with. We enjoyed our trip very much. Thank you for everything!
TH
Email Marc Nussaume | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely perfect from day 1
Everything was fast knowing that we started contact 5 days prior to arrival
Communication was fast reliable and very precise.
Service on the ground was excellent, choice of lodge amazing and the people involve make the trip a total difference.
Our flight was delay and we miss the connection, manage to organize a visit to the swamp to track the shoebill
Can’t recommend more and will return soon as Uganda has so much to offer
Email joanna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforegettable holidays
I have been very lucky that I have chosen the Encounter Africa Safaris Ltd to organise my trip to Bwindi National Park. Everything was better than I expected (accommodation, food, transport, customer service) Two young gentlemen from the company Tyson and Patrick as well all staff from Rushaga Gorilla Haven’s Lodge plus Chris from the office made every day of the tour very special. I only can say that words cannot describe the lovely time I have had. I would like to recommend all travellers the Encounter Africa Safaris Ltd for any tour or safari in Uganda. You will not be disappointed. That’s for sure. Wish you all to have such a great holiday as I have had in Uganda.
Email Stephany Zoo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Pricing and Service to go and See the Gorillas!
Alex, our driver was absolutely wonderful. He drove to the house ahead of time, just to make sure he knew where it was. He picked us up and helped me get Data because I needed to do some work. He was informative and entertaining throughout the whole trip!
The lodge was really lovely and has beautiful views of Bwindi. The food was great, and prepared well for the hike. They even made a flower welcome sign for us!
My one piece of advice to make the trip better is to send a list of the things people need for the hike (like gloves, rain jacket, etc) BEFORE THEY leave.
US
Email Michael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 day Chimp and Gorilla Trek
Overall we had a great experience and trip with Encounter Africa. Their communication was fast and easy, the services were great, things ran very smoothly, and we loved our tour guide Namaala Alex Bob. He was generous, thoughtful, and a great driver.