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
HU
Email Marta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great company
Well organized, on time. Everything ran very smoothly.
It was a beautiful experience with lots of friendly people and great service. I am happy I booked wi
Straight from the beginning we were communicating well from the site and email, upon my arrival we were treated with smiling faces and I remember Mr. Richard greeting us with a smile and ushering us to the tour van. I enjoyed the tour and got to see the Kibale chimps. It was fantastic
IE
Email Conor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing gorilla tracking experience with Karumuna Safaris
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest with Karumuna Safaris. Richard and Jonah were very professional in their communication with us right from the beginning. The whole experience completely exceeded our expectations, the accommodation at Gorilla mist camp and Lake Bunyonyi was excellent and the food was delicious as well. Our guide Caleb was very friendly and very knowledgeable, providing all sorts of information about the Gorillas and other wildlife on the long journey to and from Kampala. The Gorilla tracking itself was a phenomenal experience and worth every penny. All in all Karumuna Safaris were a great company to do our trip with, from the first communication until they dropped us off at Kampala, they took great care of us. Thanks a lot guys!
US
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.
Email Karen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Close proximity to wildlife, beautful scenary and safari lodges paired with an accommodating guide.
The service was fun and friendly. The safari were outstanding as they enabled us to get close to the wildlife without disturbing them - a great eco tourism success. With the exception of one hotel, which the company moved us from, the accommodation was comfortable and homely. The communication could have been improved but overall the guide was very accommodating.
US
Email Ray | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Merchant Falls excellent tour! A++
My family and I went on the 3 day Merchant falls tour. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Karumuna safaris did a great job communicating with us days leading up to the safari.
Our safari guide Onan did an outstanding job and made the safari a once in a lifetime unforgettable experience! His knowledge of local culture and all wildlife made him the perfect safari guide! Onan is highly recommended!
Email Meagan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You"ll come home with the biggest smile and long life memories that you will not stop talking about!
Karumuna Safaris showed my partner and I a life time experience that will be in our memories and hearts for ever. Can’t fault our 13 day safari tour as we saw the Big 5!! Elephants galore, giraffes, zebra's, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, primates Gorilla’s & Chimpanzee and all the extra wild life that Uganda houses. The breath taking country side and the amazing sights, with all the National Parks as well as the local community. We did extra as we wanted all the highlights and wonders of Uganda from seeing the Shoe Bill Stork to White Water Rafting on the Nile in Jinja and so much more. Wow Wow Wow!!!
Karumuna Safaris top priority is you the client, they are not happy unless you are happy and they make sure you are happy!! Which was easy for them as all the staff from Karumuna Safaris, Richard the principal, Jonah, Onan and Mosses, are very friendly and helpful with any queries just like the rest of Ugandans. They make sure you see and do what you have requested and their driver/guide (Mosses) has an amazing insight and has friends at every stop which made our Safari even more enjoyable. This Safari was more than we could ever imagined.
A Big Thank You to Karumuna Safaris and we look forward to our next visit :-)
DE
Email John | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experince with the perfect guide!
We had a wonderful safari in Uganda. Our guide Gerhard was always helpful and even if we needed a couple of short stops on the way, he never lost his patience! We already recommended the tour back in Germany and Italia and would definitly do it again!
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.
US
Email Liam Smith | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Murchison Falls 3-day Safari
Karumuna Safaris well exceeded our expectations. They were extremely flexible and friendly. They picked us up from our place we were staying in the morning. They had food and water for us during the whole trip and stopped whenever we needed to. It was a very affordable trip, especially considering it was just our group of three. We found that Karumuna was the cheapest available, and in comparison with the other companies that were at Murchison, Karumuna was the best in quality. We were able to adjust our schedule on the trip and add an extra game drive with ease.
I would highly recommend Karumuna for anyone. It was an extremely positive experience and I will definitely use them in the future as I further travel to and experience the beauty of Uganda.