Our staff was part of a Fam trip to Ngamba Island
Achieve Global Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- APTA, AUTO & USAGA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $30 to $900 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
FR
Email Alexis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you for everything !!
We booked the tour some weeks in advance and, as i did not want to pay cash upon arrival, we sent a transfer of full payment 3 weeks before.
Everything was perfect :
Eddy arrived well in the place where we were, all the lodges were wonderful (we booked middle range) and Eddy is the best guide I ever had. Full of wisdom, very pleasant to exchange with and soooo nice !!
Before booking the tour, Jolie was available and gave some tips for places to visit that will better fit our timing and budget while other tours i questioned only gave me what i asked. Very much appreciated from Achieve Global.
I recommend !
AE
Email Erica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime
This was the trip of a lifetime.
We had a crazy mission. 12 days. 3 countries. Barely any notice. And as much wildlife as we can pack in! And the team did not disappoint.
Jolie organised the trip. She really understood what we wanted and built us a tailored itinerary that we just couldn't say no to. The price was reasonable for what we packed in. Jolie was always available and quick to reply on email or what's app to any question in the run up to the trip and she checked in a few times during to make sure everything was going smoothly.
So to the trip itself... We were met at the airport in Nairobi by David. David is infinitely patient and he brought us to see all the animals Kenya had to offer. When only the leopard was left on our list he went above and beyond to find one for us! We saw so many animals - antelope, hippos, buffalo, elephants, lions, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest and even some cheetahs.
A hot air balloon ride over the Mara was an optional extra and one I promise you should not miss. David had called ahead to secure us a good price and guarantee us a spot and it was one of the most breathtaking days of my life. Floating above a herd of wildebeest at sunrise and then having a champagne breakfast on the reserve AND a close encounter with three lions on the way to breakfast! David never rushed us no matter how long we wanted to stare at the baby rhino!
From Kenya we flew to Uganda, a country you cannot miss. We loved it and our next guide Harune. He made us feel welcome and comfortable straight away, answering all my questions from plant species to the history and politics of Uganda. He is an incredibly safe driver too. We had to do a lot of long drives over 'massage roads' and he was so careful the whole way through Uganda and Rwanda. As a nervous passenger, I really appreciated that.
We visited the gorillas and chimps in Uganda, another crazy experience we will never forgot. We did a lot of heritage walks and village walks here which I loved as we got to meet some locals and learn about how they used to live in the forests and how their lives have changed with the gorilla tourism. I will say that while our gorilla trek was not too long, the forest really is impenetrable and so good walking boots and long sleeves to keep out the biting ants is essential! You can pay for a porter to carry your bags and honestly this service wasn't expensive and they were really helpful to anyone needing a bit more support.
After Uganda Harune drove us to Rwanda where we went golden face monkey trekking. Another great day and a bit more of a trek which we love. The forest here is much less dense here than Bwindi. We also went to the Ellen DeGeneres Dian Fossey Trust which is the fanciest interactive museum I've been to in a while, all sponsored by Hollywood money. It's a bit grotesque but there was some really good interactive info about Dian Fossey and the work she did to protect the gorillas. Then on to Kigali where we went to the vibrant market and the genocide memorial. This was really moving and
an incredibly well put together exhibition.
For accommodation we opted for mid range. For the most part we were really impressed with the places we stayed and the food we ate with only one or two exceptions where it was fine rather than great. The cars were comfortable with lots of space.
Overall our guides made everything seemless and we could just sit back and relax and not worry about a thing.
BE
Email Sandrine L | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, creative, friendly : a real PARTNER
To see gorillas but also a "not-spoiled country" was our dream for a long time. Jolie was really helpful to set up the itinerary with us... She also kept in touch during the trip to take news :)
Our guide Haruna was fantastic! Good balance quality-price, most of the lodges were excellent (average category).
We were 5 adults, 2 ladies, 1 men & 2 young guys (18-24).
Please however note that the trip is TIRING (very long & daily drives), short nights. Don't be too ambitious with your program!
Email Rakhesh Martyn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Slick, high-quality, and efficient service at a very reasonable price
We first started looking at Uganda because we wanted to see the mountain gorillas, and found Achieve through a Google search. Our enquiries were responded to quickly and thoroughly by Doreen, and she showed a lot of flexibility in moving things around. We eventually decided to spend a few extra days in Uganda and go to Murchison Falls too, and Doreen added these on for us with no issues. We could not believe how reasonable their prices were in comparison to the competition. The service itself was phenomenal when we got there too. We were looked after well by Herbert in Bwindi, he was kind and friendly and made sure we saw the biggest family of gorillas! Eddie did a phenomenal job of being our driver and guide as we looked around Murchison Falls National Park, making sure we saw all four of the available big 5 in the park and then taking us to the rhino sanctuary to close it out. He was knowledgeable and clinical in the way he managed our expectations and consistently over-delivered. We stayed at Haven Lodge in Buhoma which was simply magnificent, and Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls which was good but did not feel as well-run as Haven.
We will definitely be going back to Uganda, and will not choose anyone other than Achieve to plan our next trip. They were fantastic.
AT
Email Pia U.-K. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply Amazing
As monkeys are my favorite animal, we wanted to do the Chimpazee and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and found Achieve Global Safari Tours online. From the first moment on I have to say, that I felt completely secure with the way how everything is managed and organised. We have been in constant contact with Jolie from the office 2 to 3 months prior our trip. She was always helpfull with any questions, requirements and/or changes around the tour. Also (in times like these) super helpfull with all questions regarding Covid-19 updates! ;) Her reply was usually within 24h and very professional.
Finally arriving in Uganda, we were picked up from our Hotel very punctual in the morning from-no joke- one of the best drivers I have ever met in my life. If you have been to Uganda/Africa before, you know what I mean by the term "african roads". Especially at raining season/end of rain season. We had some different drivers around our Africa trip, but this guy, let me tell you: If you want to feel safe, on "african roads" and even have a lovely open guy with Eagle eyes, to give you the best guid, ask for Abdallah!! :-D Great conversations about God, life and the world, a lot of fun in the car and during the long drives with music, info and laughter! He has Eagle eyes, which made us just relax during our Safari Game drive, because if there would be anything in the bushes, he would spot it, haha. He always got us safely from A to B and made sure that we are taken care of properly.
They managed to get us an PCR Test for our next flight, and have been punctual all threw the program.
All in all we had one of the best experiences and miss Uganda and Abdallah already! And hope we have the chance to come back soon! ❤️
Some info for the tour:
- If you have a music box, take it with you for the car drive, as they can get very long (depending on how many days of Safari you do. We had a 6 day programme which was full from day to night, but we wanted it like that...) ;-)
- The WiFi doesn't work a lot of times, doesn't matter in what Lodge you are staying, it is just bad signal in the mountains, so be aware of that. We had a small portable WiFi, which was working better, but still not perfect. If you plan a longer stay, I would even recommend to get a Uganda simcard for your stay.
- We traveled end of April/start of May. We have been very lucky with the weather, while it is still rain season, but the roads are sometimes very damaged and the rains can catch you any time.(But with Abdallah no problem!
Email Nikki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience, very well taken care of!
From the moment I contacted Jolie, I felt very well looked after. She answered all of my questions quickly and professionally and with great understanding and patience. Wonderful communication! The trip itself was once in a lifetime and our guide Eddie was calm and knowledgeable, fun and made us feel safe and welcome. The Haven Lodge in Buhoma is set in breathtaking scenery and was so peaceful. The staff there were so friendly and the food was delicious and well needed after the trek! Hot water, great WiFi (I mean, who needs it out there???) We visited a local community and it actually felt like they wanted to show us their story, not like some places where its a gimmick. We were welcomed and it was so much fun. My only down point is that I didnt have the time to stay longer. The travel is far, so if you can, stay for a few days and really explore the area. The gorillas are an obvious highlight but when I return, I know there is more magic to be uncovered!!! Highly recommend Achieve Global Safaris!
US
Email Yasmin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Elisa was warm and charming, Murchison falls was spectacular
We finished a 2 night /3 day Safari to Murchison falls. My friend who we were visiting booked so I can't comment on communication but it was very good value for money - 2 adults and 4 kids. Pakuba lodge was comfortable with excellent food, our vehicle was comfortable and clean and included were game drives and boat rides. Elisa our driver was wonderful and dedicated to making sure we saw plenty of game. He was punctual, friendly and great with the kids. The only thing was the long drive from Kampala to MF with several stops - I would suggest fewer stops and taking a packed lunch if traveling with kids. Our lodge was 1.5 hours after reaching the gate which made for a long day. Would definitely recommend the company and Elisa!!
CA
Email Tyler from Vancouver | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very, very, pleased with our experience
*This was the middle part of our honeymoon *We did the three day Gorilla trekking experience
Our itinerary included:
- Morning flight from Nairobi to Entebbe
- Airport transfer to domestic flight on Aerolink to Kihihi airstrip
- Two nights stay at Bohuma Haven lodge
- Gorilla trekking after first night
- Overland transport back to Entebbe after night two
- PCR testing upon arrival in Entebbe
- Stay at a hotel of our choice (which we booked separately) and departure the next day
Review:
I’ll start with pre-trip coordination…
The number one reason why we chose Achieve Global Safaris (AGS) was because of a personal communication we received in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. Jolie responded to many many questions, from flight itineraries, visas, what to bring, and so on. Flying to a new part of the world comes with some level of anxiety of the unknown, but by getting to know someone before booking and departing, it really eased my conscience. Especially the payment structure, because it is unfamiliar to a Canadian. We used direct bank to bank transfer from RBC to their ‘Equity Bank’ in two instalments (make sure to add 2% to cover the transaction fees).
To help you gain the same level of comfort as we had, you just download and use WhatsApp. It is what everyone in Uganda uses, and how I communicated with Jolie ahead of time.
Accommodation…
We stayed at the community operated Bohuma Haven lodge. This place was BEAUTIFUL. It had majestic mountain views, quiet and serene atmosphere. It is not a resort, so don’t expect that, rather expect a natural and humbling setting to sit back, sip a beer and unwind after trekking. They staff were also incredibly attentive, as if you are at an actual resort. No complaints about the food either. Actually, we had steak on our second night, which we were able to cut with a butter knife. Sooo good.
Transportation….
We flew from the Entebbe airport to Kihihi. This was a treat to see Uganda from above. The international airport is chaotic, so I highly recommend to coordinate with Aerolink about your arrival and connection. We had someone meet us at the gate and guide us through the entire process, which is a process. Seriously, ask for help, especially if there is limited time between flights because there are multiple security checkpoints.
We travelled overland back to Entebbe at the conclusion of our trip. To be honest, it is a long drive, with a couple hours of rugged/non-paved roads. For me, someone from the countryside, I found it rewarding and enlightening to see the beauty of Uganda from land. For my wife, the trip was too long. So consider your options and your level of comfort for long drives. That said, we had an amazing guide, Eddie. His charm and demeanour was pleasant and comforting. He stopped frequently for breaks, made up for lost time where he could, smiled and laughed the whole way, and got us to our destination with time to complete a PCR test before checking into our hotel. Thanks Eddie!
PCR testing was easy. Go to test and fly, pay the fee, get tested and wait for the results. Our tests took about three hours. Here is the number for Safari Lab/testing: +256 702 199000
Finally, would I do this again? - yes, hopefully next time with kids.
BE
Email Brian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Plagued by admin issues.
My experience with Achieve global safaris wasn't great. After some back and forths with the team an itinerary was agreed on and 50% was paid in advance, it was mentioned that the remaining 50% would be paid on arrival with my Amex.
Here's a summary of the issues I faced:
I was told my Amex would work, it didn't, I had to dig around for another card
During the Rwanda part, of the trip, the driver saw and commented on my headphones, upon returning from the chimp safari he told me he used them and they were great. Not cool. He'd also eaten my lunch so I ended up with his choices. Again not cool.
For the Congo part, I needed my yellow card to show my vaccines, I wasn't informed about this but took it anyway. Feedback from admin was 'oh we thought you knew'.
For the flight from Rwanda to Uganda, I was not informed beforehand that I needed a visa. I escalated that to the admin contact and again she said 'it's not our fault, we thought you knew'. A shocking response, they informed me about the Congo visa but not the Uganda one? Madness
The Uganda itinerary wasn't accurate, there was confusion between admin and the driver, luckily I hadn't booked the hotel myself or else i'd have lost money.
The Uganda seemed to be more concerned with working on his preference of timing. I missed an activity because he didn't want to eat at a certain time, which meant us waiting around for 2 hours in the roasting heat doing nothing.
The Uganda driver asked if it was OK to pick up his wife on the way back from Queen Elizabeth park to Kampala. I said OK but this actually added 2 hours to the trip that he didn't tell me about.
Overall it was pretty disappointing. I also voiced my concern that there were no internal flight options proposed, the admin contact came back saying 'I didn't know your budget'. Another odd response considering 3 hotel budget options were proposed.
Avoid, the whole experience was pretty disappointing.
US
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We Loved Achieve!!
My fiancé and I traveled in Uganda for 10 days with Achieve Safaris this summer (July 2021 ). I cannot say enough about how wonderful this company was and what a great time we had, from start to finish. For beginners, we worked with Jolie over a year and a half planning and re-planning our trip. We were originally to go in July 2020 but had to reschedule due to COVID. Jolie was absolutely wonderful to work with. I asked her a million questions and we exchanged countless emails and she worked diligently to tailor the experience to everything we wanted to do and see. She outlined itinerary after itinerary for us with different price and lodging options until we finally settled on one. She set up COVID testing for us and even when our flights were changed last minute (literally) she made arrangements to accommodate our delay. So we owe a special big thank you to Jolie!!!
Next, our guide Eddie was seriously the best we could have hoped for in every way. Traveling with anyone for 10 days, much of it long drives in the car, can be a challenge. Personally, Eddie was such a pleasure to be around. He was friendly yet unimposing, happy to chat but also to let us sleep for long stretches of driving. We got along very well with Eddie and enjoyed being with him on our trip. We even had the wonderful opportunity to meet Eddie’s family as they happened to be staying near one of our destinations. When we asked Eddie if we could meet them he agreed and we had a wonderful time with them and playing with his kids for the day! Most importantly he was a fantastic guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife we were seeing. This is not only important for us to learn about the wildlife but also because a knowledgeable guide can find it!!! Eddie showed us the big 5 over the course of our tour. I should also add that he was an amazing driver, which was essential both for getting to wildlife quickly and establishing a good spot and also because we felt safe and comfortable on all sorts of roads throughout our journey. In addition to our visits to different parks Eddie arranged a visit to meet with people from the Batwa tribe near Bwindi, another unforgettable experience. Although we were super impressed with Eddie’s capabilities as a guide we were unaware of just how lucky we were to have him. Following our time in Uganda we traveled to Kenya where we did another 6-7 days of safari and not one guide we had was even close to Eddie’s caliber. So definitely another tremendous thanks to Eddie and we hope to see you again soon!!!
Finally, the actual trip was amazing it was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Uganda is a gorgeous country with many different landscapes to enjoy. The wildlife was amazing to see. Especially the gorillas and chimpanzees! The gorilla trekking is a big expense but it is not to be missed. We saw tons of wildlife and lots of very cool things over a month in Uganda and Kenya but I think the gorillas were the best. We chose the mid-range accommodations that Jolie suggested and all of the places we stayed were beautiful, comfortable and clean. The food was also very good and they made vegetarian arrangements for my fiancé.
All in all, if you are planning to go to Uganda and you want a company to travel with I would highly recommend traveling with Achieve and I would definitely request Eddie if possible!!
