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.
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.
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.
DE
Email Lena | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very well organized - from pick up to drop off
I was in Uganda as a solo woman traveller, so timing was very important to me. I was picked up at the airport on time and my driver also called the accommodation where he had to drop me off to make sure everything was okay.
I can recommend using Encounter Africa's services.
Email Tizia and Nigel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A whole lot of fun
We had a great time on safari and our guide John was very accomodating and would stop for us if we wanted to see something or take photos. Communcation with admin was great too as we booked everthing online and via email and they were able to secure us two permits for the gorillas when other companies couldnt. Unfortunately our safari 4WD broke down about 4 times and we had to keep stopping and waiting for repairs but i guess it sort of added to our adventures...maybe a better working 4WD is needed with a good service before the next safari.
AE
Email Xin Xie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla Tracking in Uganda
The Encounter Africa Safari communicates efficiently when I reached them for the information of the Gorilla Tracking Tour. They provide enough genuine information about the trip, and the service is exactly as described in their e-mail. They provide airport pick up, hotel drop off. The driving to national park takes the whole day, and they can arrange the meals, accommodation and the local guides for the Gorilla tracking.
It is recommended that you should book the Gorilla Tracking trip in advance as there is a restriction on the number of visitors to each Gorilla Family every day. The trip requires good physical ability of hiking, especially for certain families happening to occur in high mountain on the visiting day. It can be labor-demanding to reach them but when you find the silver back family, it is totally worth it.
Email jimena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quick to answer and offer the service in quality
Was very good and the lodge Rushaga gorilla haven in bwindi is the perfect choice ..
CA
Email Andrea N | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!! Just need more clear communication with the company/tour operators
Beautiful scenery, parks and accommodation. The accommodation was very beautiful and had warm showers and amazing views. We felt like royalty. We saw elephants, lions hippos, lots of birds, lots of monkeys etc. The food was delicious and you get ALOT of delicious food.
I would recommend better communication with the tour operators and the clients. Our itinerary was changed a couple of times without our knowledge and we were a little upset with this. One of the hotels was not available and they wanted to put us in a place that had bad reviews. We did get a nice place in the end but it was a little stressful. We also felt a little pressured to tip every single guide on the gorilla trek, chimp trek and multiple community walks we went on. We spent over $4500 for the tour and didn't think we would need to tip every single person we encountered. I would suggest the tour include tips if this is necessary for Ugandan customs and cultural norms. We didn't mind tipping here and there but every single hotel staff, trekkers, boat crews and cultural guides would have cost us over $1500 USD.
Overall, we had a wonderful time and Uganda is a very beautiful and friendly country.
FR
Email Judith B. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible country discovered. The guide (and driver) was incredible.
Communication was good prior. Asking as many questions as possible is essential to tailor the safari to one’s needs and expectations. Especially when it comes to accommodation. In retrospect, I should have pushed that a little more ahead of time.
Once on board with the guide (arrived by road from Rwanda and was dropped off in Kampala), it was easy, comfortable, safe. My guide for the week, Tolbert, is calm, knowledgeable, kind, constantly in the moment, had answers to any questions I had and has a knowledge of the places and people we come across which makes everything seamless.
He is a safe driver (and did we do some miles in various weather conditions on good and bad roads!) and when it came to places (geography), animals (game drives), and people and his country we had the most interesting conversations. The guide makes the safari experience and thanks to him, I left Uganda knowing I’ll be back one day. Thanks Tolbert!!
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.