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
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Email Peter Wallach, Stavanger Norway | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Spectacular trip to Uganda
It is difficult to express in words the feelings one experiences being within a couple of meters of some of the few remaining mountain gorillas on the planet. Add to that the 7 hours with a group of Chimpanzees in Kibale, 100's of hippos (together with 62 elephants) in the Kazinga chanel, 2 game drives in QE National Park, discovering the awesome beauty of Uganda and the kindness of its people, and you have one of the most spectacular trips ever.
Encounter Africa Safaris was, without doubt, a professional and caring group of indidivuals from my first email. We quickly came to an agreement based on what I was interested in, and the business was taken care of in a quick, simple and professional manner.
Arriving in Entebbe after a long trip I was met by my guide, Tolbert. Being together, alone, for 7 days proved to be most enjoyable. Tolbert is not only gifted as a guide and driver, but also has excellent social skills. He didn't "drown" me in information, responded expertly to all my questions, and had an excellent sense of timing for his comments, and observations. Always professional, and personal when appropriate.
The choice of accommodations met my expectations with one exception. Tolbert and I discussed this, he offered to move me, but it wasn't so terrible that I had to make a move. I know that the company will consider other options for other guests in the future.
What was most surprising to me on the trip was the quality and quantity of the food! All of the lodges/hotels (save the one mentioned previously) offered top of the line meals. I would say the quality was equal to many European city restaturants (if not better), and the quantity equal to the largest dishes served in the great state of Texas (where EVERYTHING is large!)
To conclude, I give Encounter Africa Safaris my highest recommendation and will definitely use them again on my next trip to Uganda. What a gem of a country. And Tolbert, you're a great guy, a great guide, a great driver, and I'm pleased to say a friend. Continued good luck and success to you all.
BR
Email Bruno Feder | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing company
I cannot recommend a better company for traveling around Uganda. From my first email to my transfer to Entebbe airport everything was perfect from recommendations to bookings. The staff is very helpful and has a knowledge of the area. I have used Encounter Safaris for my 3 trips to Uganda in 2014. I came in February, August and December and they all the experiences was perfect. From Kisoro and the gorillas to Kidepo on the extreme north of the country there is no better company to travel around Uganda. Tolbert Guma was my guide and driver most of the times and I cannot recommend a better person.
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.
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.
CA
Email Nancy Burkholder | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE BEST TRIP EVER!
THE BEST POSSIBLE TRIP EVER
My 28 year old daughter and I just came back from the 5 day gorilla and Chimpanzee trek last week.
Every minute of this adventure was absolutely incredible! We saw and learned about so many things I never knew went on in the world or even existed. The land, the people and the animals of this incredible land are so beautiful.
The drive to the Forest from Entebbe is a must! There is so much to see that Westerners will probably never experience otherwise.
The hospitality at every stop and the lodges is beyond belief! You are mad to feel at home in this extraordinary land and you do. The food is fantastic everywhere you go.
The Gorillas and Chimps are even grander than you could imagine and well worth every second of the brutal mountain jungle hike!
We had the most incredible driver/guide for the 5 days. Hannington was not only very knowledgeable in all aspects of the culture, land and animals but was also the most incredible driver I have ever met (and you will want a superb driver for this trip)! Hannington knows many languages extensively and easily converses with his clients as well as any of the local people in all the areas we visited. He seems to be very well liked by all. Although he made our trip very fun and kept our anticipation up for each new days adventure, he also was very professional in every respect. He ensured our safety and enjoyment at all times.
Thank you to this great company for making so many wonderful memories for the rest of our lives!
TW
Email Allan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect budget choice, all staff are professional and everything is wonderful
When we searched the internet for the Gorilla trekking tour, Encounter Africa Safaris had the lowest price. We though the staff may be unprofessional, the hotels may be shitty, and the vehicle may let us very uncomfortable on the bump roads. But it turns out everything is perfect ! The 4x4 van we took was quite comfortable, and the hotel was also very nice! More like a resort with independent cabin and a wonderful view with balcony, much better than we expected with the price. For the staff, Chris, the person who contacted us, was responsive and professional, we settled our itinerary in one day. Simon, our driver and guide, was very passionate, not just a guide, but more like a friend, shared everything about Uganda and local culture, we really had a good time with him. So if you are looking for a cheap but reliable and quality tour, I will recommend Encounter Africa Safaris.
US
Email Charlotte | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, accommodating, wonderful experience!
Myself and two colleagues wanted to do a quick gorilla trek in Bwindi during a free weekend in Kampala, and Encounter was happy to accommodate our needs! They worked with us to create an itinerary that fit with our very tight schedule, and email communication was always prompt when we had questions or comments. Our driver, Jason, was fantastic - very friendly and enthusiastic, and of course a safe driver! The accommodations in Bwindi far exceeded our expectations - it was extremely comfortable and they definitely made sure we didn't go hungry! Everyone at Encounter made it very easy for us to have a great weekend. I highly recommend them!
US
Email Mahendra Sagar | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Staff and Arrangements, Responds to eMails, Highly Recommended
I planned the entire trip with Chris over the email. He responded promptly to all questions. To reduce my cost, I paid in cash (a mix of $s, Rwanda Francs, and Uganda Shillings) at the start of the 3D/2N Gorilla Safari. I was picked up promptly from Kigali and brought over to the border where my guide/driver Steven picked me up and we continued to the Rushaga Gorilla Heaven Lodge where I stayed for 2 nights. First day was relaxation. Second day we started early and left for Bwindi NP where Steven arranged the easiest trek for me. The trek was [still] arduous [for me] and would have been better to have a porter who can carry your stuff as well as assist on the rough terrain. All of us slipped and fell several times over but that was part of the fun too! However, to their credit, all the staff on the trek were very helpful. Seeing Gorillas in their natural habitat was a magical experience. Since we were given the easiest trek, we were back by 11:30 AM, while many other groups hadn't even reached their assigned Gorilla family. Rest of that day was relaxation and on the final day, we started early and after lunch and stopover at Equator, we were in Kampala by 5 PM. Steven was very helpful, professional, and well-known to all. He answered all my questions and was knowledgeable.
This was a very enjoyable, relaxed and slow-paced safari. I highly recommend Encounter Africa Safaris to all - they did a great job!
One improvement suggestion: please include coffee as well as cold-drink as part of the lunch on the third day.
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.
FR
Email Hanna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience
I had an amazing time in Uganda thanks to Encounter Africa Safaris! Chris was extremely helpful in the booking process of the trip and even found me some other single travellers to join my itinerary. Joseph was a great guide with a big sense of humour and great knowledge about this beautiful country and its amazing animals! If you're looking for a company to trust, to adapt to your tailor made itinerary and individual wishes, you are in very good hands with the team of Encounter Africa Safaris!