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
IT
Email Patrizia Bonfanti | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fair, kind, experienced and well organized. A really great safari experience with Elisa
It is not the picture of the lion or the elephant 4 metres from the jeep that makes this experience so special. What makes a safari extraordinary is the intimacy of savannah life that allows you to observe: the wrinkles on the elephants' legs as they move with every step, the sound of the grass being torn up with their trunks, the male antelope watching over his family as they eat....
Thanks to my guide Elisa and his great experience that allow me to live this big experience! He knows each meter of the park, he explained me all the behaviours to avoid when you are in contact with animals and he was so patient and attentive to all my needs.
All the staff were so kind and the entire journey was a pleasure. The planning of the journey was so rapid and easy thanks to the kind assistance of Jolie.
DE
Email Juli | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly organized and memorable 8-day wildlife safari
Tired of Covid-boredom we booked our safari-trip with Achieve Global Safaris quite spontaneuosly in April 2021. We were mainly drawn to it since it seemed to be the operator with the by far best value-for-money. This turned out very true and we had 8 perfect, adventurous days during which we always felt safe and well informed. :))
Communication with Jolie was excellent from this first Moment until after the safari. She arranged everything quick, friendly and 100% tailored to my needs and wishes. We got all information one could need and even more. :) The money transfer with pesapal also went smooth and yes, you can trust it. :)
The safari itself was perfectly organised and well planned. Our driver Haruna is maybe the the most experienced and knowledgeable one you could ever get. He also told us a lot about Uganda and the cheallenges the country faces. He made sure we saw ALL the animals, especiallys the predators like lions and leopards. You spent a lot of time with your driver and he was always easy going and an asset to have around. :)
The lodges (we had a mixture of budget and mid range accomodation) were very well picked and food there ranged from quite good to excellent.
Our itinary was composed perfectly and activities could even be adjusted a bit if e.g. a drive would take shorter than expected. The gorillas and chimps were so close to it - we will never forget that and it has been so totally worth its money. And last but not least: I am still stunned by the what feels like millions of elephants we encountered. :D
We had an awesome time and would recommend the company and especially Haruna to everyone.
CA
Email Brian S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Experience!
We had a magnificent 12 day safari with Elisa as our knowledgeable, caring, and very capable guide. The booking process was easy with Jolie helping to guide us through the options and put together a package that was sure to please.
Once the safari started Elisa was our constant companion for the next week and a half as we travelled around Uganda and the various national parks seeing so much wildlife and beautiful scenery.
We effortlessly managed to see the Big Five in the first two days alone and that was before we got to the chimpanzee and gorilla tracking experiences.
Such a memorable experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Achieve Global Safaris to anyone thinking about a Ugandan safari!
PL
Email Jarek Skowron | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Making your dreams on safari come true.
That were a perfect holidays for all the group. We just came back home happy and full of positive emotions. Big thanks - Achieve Global staff - for ideal planning and executions, for fantastic lodges and great meals, for breathtaking views and tones of interesting information. Guys from Achieve Global seem to have a long-term partnership contract with animals - meeting the Big Five took us only 2 days in Murchison Falls (and Ziwa), chimps in Kibale were so polite to show us the way back to the ranger's station, gorillas met us just in the outskirts of the Bwindi Forrest to show the respect for our highly advanced age.
Thanks Achieve. See you very soon.
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!!
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.
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.
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!!
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!
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!