Field photo setting off for rhino tracking
Karumuna Safaris
- Located In:
-
Australia
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Uganda Tourism Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $70 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Nicolas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
wonderful experience in Uganda with these guys
all has been perfectly sized and booked with this agency. They dedicated time for us to get our specific needs and also propose some money arrangements in order to make the final deal. Our guide was terrific and very easy-going explaining to us many things along the way to every stops. I warmly recommand them for any specific touristical needs !! thanks again to all of you for this amazing time
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Email Esther | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It Will Change Your Life
Three friends and I picked Uganda because our top priority was trekking the mountain gorillas, and we were pleasantly surprised when it turned out that everyday of our 15 day safari provided a highlight that was almost as awe-inspiring as the gorillas. We picked Karumuna Safaris because it was owned by a Ugandan, competitively priced, and we knew the money we spent supported local businesses and individuals (versus booking with a company headquartered outside of Uganda.)
We arranged the tour through Richard, the owner, and he was very responsive and patient in answering our many questions. For example, he provided us with a list of accommodations on the budget plan, and when we decided we wanted to upgrade to the mid-range category (which I highly recommend, since it's worth paying a little extra for nicer places), he worked with us to ensure that we approved of the replacement properties. And, after staying at them, it is clear that Richard understood what we were looking for in hotels. They were staffed by the kindest, most service-oriented Ugandans, and the individual rooms were charming. The hotel staff went out their way to meet our every need, and when there was confusion, our guide stepped in to make sure that everything was taken care of.
Now, about the safari itself--there is no way to describe the reaction when you spot your first elephant or giraffe on the savannah. It creates an insatiable need to see every living creature in the national park. We were a demanding group, but our guide aimed to exceed our demands, and did so with good humor.
I recommend going on a private tour since the group will spend many hours together in the car (make sure the vehicle has a roof that opens up to allow 365 degree viewing) and are literally on top of each other as you scramble with your binoculars and telephoto lens to capture a lion and lioness as they emerge from the bush. And, I recommend going with a company, like Karumuna Safaris, that hires local ranger guides at each of the national parks you visit. We saw many other groups that relied upon their tour guide to scan for animals because the tour company didn't bring aboard a local ranger guide that specialized in that particular national park. The local ranger guides made the safaris much more rewarding and informative.
Everything was not perfect, and much of what wasn't perfect can't be fixed by a tour guide or company. Uganda is a country that has yet to adapt to the modern, industrialized era. No tour company can improve the weak and intermittent hotel wi-fi reception, or avoid the slow-going, dirt roads, which are utilized by every mode of transportation, including pedestrians and cyclists carrying their goods to market, the local farmer herding his cattle, and the occasional baboon.
At the end of our incredible 15-day journey, I really felt like our tour was designed to strike a balance between immersion into the local people and their day-to-day living, and spending time in nature, with the animals, birds, wide open plains and unforgettable, star-filled, night skies.
Our guide's motto was "Your wish is my command." And, he did everything within his power to turn our wishes into his commands. I have been told I sometimes have unrealistic expectations. Nonetheless, Karumuna Safaris exceeded my expectations, and when something didn't go according to plan, the company did whatever was within its power to fix it. When I return to Uganda, I have no doubt that I'll book my return trip with Karumuna Safaris.
Wonderful safari and great staff!
The service was wonderful. Our guide did everything to ensure that we had a great time. The transportation was comfortable and all our expectations were met or exceeded.
Email Timothy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lovely trip
Karumuna Safaris is the best tour operator here in Uganda. A few weeks back we traveled to Bwindi impenetrable with Richard to explore the beauty that is Uganda. Richard is the proprietor of this company and yes sometimes he can be a guide. I am proud I was born in the pearl of Africa, Uganda. We experienced a lot of beautiful sceneries, saw several animals like gorillas, baboons, chimps lions and several others(lions here being my best) . We had immense fun. We later moved on to kidepo np where we camped. It was a beautiful experience I will never forget. For a person who has grown up in this country it was such an amazing experience and I really did not expect it. I am glad I traveled with karumuna Safaris. I do recommend them.
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Email Jon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience with Karumuna Safaris. We went to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and ended the tour with a night a Lake Bunyonyi. Richard was extremely helpful in arranging the tour to exactly what we wanted to do and helped work within our budget. Our driver Moses was great during the trip and spotted lots of animals in Queen Elizabeth that we would have otherwise missed! I would absolutely recommend using Karumuna Safaris for all of your tour needs in Uganda.
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Email Bob Ramsak | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience, from start to finish
Great communication and very careful attention to detail from the start. Our guide Noah was terrific - friendly, attentive, informative and careful without being overbearing, making for an excellent 4-day experience. I won't hesitate to recommend Karumuna to others and hope to one day explore more of Uganda with them.
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Email Petra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great experience for a good price!
Great experience, especially considering the price. Crew were really helpful and they were very concerned about our well being. Would recommend!
Email Wendy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience
My daughter and I took the 14 day discover Uganda trip and what an amazing experience it was. I did have a few initial concerns about booking and sending large sums of money to an unknown company in Uganda. I needn't have worried. Richard was extremely professional in all aspects, answering my emails straight away, confirming receipt of the funds immediately and generally reassuring me that everything was in hand. Richard works very hard to ensure everything goes to plan. He had changed some of our accommodation prior to our arrival as he had had some bad reports about the lodges where we were initially supposed to stay. The trip itself could not have gone better. Richard met us at the airport and transferred us to our guest house where our guide for the trip met us the next day. Ashadu was the perfect companion, extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and Uganda in general. Most importantly we felt completely safe and well looked after throughout the trip which was a perfect mix of wildlife, culture and relaxation. Ashadu was a very competent driver, important as we spent many hours driving over very rough roads. The accommodation exceeded our expectations. Uganda is a beautiful diverse country with relatively few tourists. Ashadu went out of his way to ensure we saw as much wildlife as possible. Particular favourites were the elephants seen from the boat trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and of course the chimps and gorillas which we genuinely felt privileged to see. Thank you Richard and Ashadu for giving us such a wonderful unforgettable trip.
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Email Ebba and Filippa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great excperience
We hade a great experience with Karumuna safaris. The trip lasted for 7 days, starting in Kampala. Everything was very well organized. We payed everything in advanced and certainly got what we payed for when we arrived. Our guide was very friendly and made us feel safe the whole journey. He drove us everywhere and attended in all of the activities. We can really recommend Karumuna Safaris.
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Email Derrick Bulls | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great personalized serviceeven came to meet me to sign disclosure agreements
Surprisingly, we had a personal guide. We upgrade our accom at a minor upchsrge. The time spent with them was phenomenal. I'd highly recommend using them.
Only criticism is that when we where on the way to Murchison falls we where on what I considered to be a public transport.
Other than that extraordinary. Do it.