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.
AE
Email Eva G | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
6 Day Trip with emphasis on Wildlife (Gorillas!)
Both, Chris in the office and Tolbert 'on the road', were extremely helpful and flexible, making this an awesome experience all around! Thank you very much.
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.
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.
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.
NZ
Email Faye | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good experience
Our driver Phennie was very helpful with our questions, not only informative about the wildlife but also helped us to plan our next step of our journey once we left him.
The communication was quite good before the trip also, although we would have appreciated the option to pay online or credit card!
The safari was well prepared and catered with professionalism from start to finish.
Everything was perfect...the driver/ guide entertained us all the way with random facts and knowledge about animals and nature in general! It was truely amazing, and we will surely be back!
SE
Email Daniel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Overall very good experience with Encounter Africa Safaris. Our driver and guide was nice and took care of us very good. Made the payment in advance from another continent, I was very suspicious to pay such big amount but all went well! Amazing to see the gorillas from such short distance!
PE
Email Andrea Saavedra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, to have the opportunity to Watch the Gorillas in their enviaronment was Unique
At The begining I was affraid of booking and pay in advance the gorilla permition with I considered a little expensive, but after reading other reviews and checking the Auto website. I decided to choose encounter. They are very professional, they send me all the information which is important to read. They were on time and he lo me with all my requirents. In Bwindi is material of luck to walk a couple of hours or more Before finding the Gorillas but it is absolutly wonderful. I recomend to follow all instructions and take a Porter in my case was very very helo full.
Email Jane Doe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Okay
First things first, I prefer dealing with only one person while planning a trip from beginning to the end but this was not the case I ended up dealing with Sam then Chris then Francis which was a bit concerning because information was lost in translation and I ended up having to repeat myself quite a few times.
I would have loved a detailed breakdown of the itinerary in terms if what clothes to carry for rafting what kind of clothes and shoes to carry for the gorilla trek including the fact that porters are a necessity for the hike, the different levels of the trek in order to be well prepared..We had enquired from Martin our driver if we could stop to buy hiking boots and rain coats but he said there would be no need since we can hire these from Bwindi which was not even the case! But he managed to redeem himself by signing us up for the medium level trek which we thoroughly enjoyed. It would have helped if we also had a breakdown of the rafting itinerary in terms of breakfast is actually provided on site as opposed to us having to rush the hotel to provide a packed breakfast.
It would also have helped if we had been informed in advance that that we would be required to tip as a gesture of kindness starting from the rafting crew to the gorilla trek crew.
Our driver was constantly rushing us and this became borderline unprofessional.