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 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.
FR
Email Remi Amalberti | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience with à very professionnal staff
Professionnal and friendly staff, no problem during Gorilla trekking.
Cheap and perfect.
US
Email Mary | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Day 1 he was great, but his Lack of follow through and dishonesty with $ exchange were disappoint
The tour itself was everything I had hoped for. The group was great and went a great pace. The gorillas were amazing, and we had a few surprises on the way back when we met some on the trail! The flight back was wonderful, but the driver dropped me off over an hour and a half early to the local airport, which I didn’t think was necessary. It would have been nice to have been more relaxed at the hotel a bit longer as opposed to sitting at the local airstrip.
NO
Email Viggo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very nice experience.
The communication was fine, the service was fine, and ethe guide was very good.
Excellent communication and organization and a very good tour which exceeded our expectations
Our driver, Jason, was very professional, efficient and knowledgeable as well as being a good driver. He taught us a lot about local things in Rwanda and Uganda. The tented camp and gorilla trekking as well as the village tour were outstanding and the staff were very kind and helpful. All was very well done.
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.