Enock Mudde and Jessica N
Arrive Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- AUTO & UTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Justin L. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
6 day custom safari including gorilla trekking, and chimp treking
I booked a 6 day safari with Arrive Africa safaris. I was Impressed! I planned my trip on short notice about 2 weeks prior. Edith at Arrive Africa was extremely helpful in pulling things together efficiently and with great flexibility. Seeing the gorillas was my key objective but, as I did more research and found other things that interested me such as chimp trekking, Edith was able to arrange the itinerary to my specific needs. I found the pricing for Arrive Africa to be better than many other tours offered. I personally requested budget accommodations, which may not be for everyone, but I was very satisfied with secure tents on platforms that had private bathrooms. Higher end accommodation was also an option. My driver and guide Martin was also excellent. He was good company throughout my trip and I felt in very safe hands with him.
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Email Steven | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 Day Gorilla Safari
I went on the 3 Day Gorilla Safari Tour that Arrive Africa Safaris offers. I coordinated over email with Jessica to setup my Safari trip; she was quick to respond to any questions I had concerning the trip. I was able to have my guide, Ronald, pick me up from Kyenjojo instead of Kampala since I was working in Kyenjojo the prior week. Ronald was my guide for the Safari and he did a phenomenal job during the length of trip. He was very informative and easy-going. The Gorilla Trek itself was fantastic. It only took our group about an hour and a half to locate the gorillas and then we spent an hour observing them and taking pictures. Overall, Arrive Africa Safaris offers a great 3 Day Gorilla Trek; I definitely recommend it. One tip: If you are coming over from the US and you are bringing cash make sure to bring only 50s or 100s that are dated after 2009 and make sure that they don't have tears or stains. The Ugandan banks have strange rules on what US bills they will and won't accept.
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Email Ran Behar | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time, much more than expected with Arrive Africa Safaris
We did a 13 days tour with Arrive Africa Safaris from 11th to 23th June 2017
We had a very good experience using the services of this company.
It started by contacting Jessica at their office. She answered each mail
and each question promptly. She organized a safari tour tailored to our needs and time and the
plan was just the best one can ask.
Arriving at the airport of Entebbe, a car was waiting to drive us to our hotel at Kampala, exactly as
Jessica promised.
The Safari tour was much more than we expected. Our guide/driver, Martin, was a young guy, who finished his
studying as an engineer, but still prefers to work with tourist. Martin has a good knowledge on
almost everything in Uganda, animals, History, political situation or Sport. He appeared to be a very reliable
man, always on time, taking care for everything we need, which included cutting pineapple and mango every day with his machete. We just had the feeling he is part of our family.
The lodges were mostly above what we expected, we ordered a budget tour but mostly got lodges of higher
class, maybe because it was the beginning of the season and Martin and Jessica could work it out this way.
A good company is tested in a case of a crisis and Arrive Africa Safari did it just great.
On the second day of our tour the car broke down because it went over a very big stone, tearing its lower part
and causing leaking of oil. We already thought we are going to miss some days of our tour. Martin just put us on another car of a colleague of another company, took care that he will take us to our lodge for lunch, took care for bringing us to our boat tour and took care that the boat will take us. Meanwhile his company sent two mechanics from Kampala (5 to 6 hours drive) to fix the car. The car could not be fixed in one night, so they sent another car to drive us till the car got repaired.
We didn't miss anything, we could just appreciate Martin and his company working so hard that we will be happy.
I was quite skeptic, while booking our tour with Jessica, cause I didn't find a lot of reputation on this company on the web. I did it cause Jessica convinced me that it will be ok and because I wanted to do it with a company, which belong to the local people of Uganda.
For summary, we had a very beautiful time in Uganda, thanks to Martin and Jessica. Any detail which was promised has been fulfilled.
All the permits for the Gorilla, Chimpanzee and other reserves were taken care long in advance. The price we got was really fair and the "value for money" the best.
I can just recommend them to anybody going to make a Safari tour in Uganda.
Email Shannon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome trip and very smooth organisation!
I recently did a tour with Arrive Africa Safaris for 5 nights/6 days, Edith from Africa Arrivals organised a guide/driver for me and everything went smoothly and I highly recommend them because of their professionalism, organisation and value for money.
Customer service - from the beginning to the end Edith from Arrive Africa Safaris has been very helpful, transparent with costs and she responds fast. I came up with a draft itinerary as I had s very tight time frame and budget but Edith was always very patient and informative with her responses.
The guide/driver - I had Moses as my guide as well as my driver for the week. Moses is very experienced and knowledgeable as he's been in the industry since 2000 and also has a very gentle and kind heart. Moses was always on time, gave clear briefings the night before and went beyond the call of his duty to get me pain killers as I slipped on a slippery rock while doing the gorilla trekking. For half of the trip I was in pain while sitting in the car and this trip involves quiet a bit of driving. I know Moses became extra careful while driving since I had my mini accident as he would drive over potholes on his side and get my side of the car on a smooth surface as much as possible.
Bonus - another reason why I highly recommend Moses is that he volunteered to take me to visit a local fish village. Most guides and drivers just want to tick off things on the itinerary list then go back to their accommodation and rest, but not Moses. Moses also took me to local restaurant to eat lunches to save money and would wait for me in his car for hours when I'm doing the chimps see trekking and the boat tour. Very reliable and understanding.
Value for money - from the very beginning I've told Edith that I have a very tight time frame and tight budget and I wanted to spend minimum money on things like accommodation, foods, extra staff members etc. so I found cheap accommodations myself, only eat one or two meals a day etc Edith was very accommodation with my requests as I know many other tour operators would just say no to me or tell me what I want to do is not possible or below their standards. But Edith was different, if she does say no she explains why so that I understand and come up with other options or compromises. If you have $2,000usd plus additional money for flight, you can easily have a really good time and do both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, stay in nice places and still have money left over after a week of holidays in Uganda.
I had a great trip, Uganda is different to Tanzania, different to Rwanda (do you know that they speak French there?) and they have amazing trees and animals on the side of the roads, it's just so beautiful and full of surprises :) I hope you have s chance to visit Uganda one day :)
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Email Tom | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
4 day gorilla and golden monkey treks
It was a wonderful trip. we were picked up at the airport by our guide and driver in a comfortable Toyota Land Cruiser and taken on a tour of Kigali. Transferred to our lodge for three nights. The accommodations (Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge) were clean and comfortable, the food was very good. the lodge staff was excellent. The nights were cold and the in room fireplace and hot water bottles in your bed were a welcome surprise. The treks were fantastic seeing the gorillas and the golden monkeys was special. The Arrive Africa staff was also excellent from the planning, getting the permits and the field staff that took excellent care of us. It was a well planned and executed.
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Email Roger | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Gorila and Safari tour
We went to a safari to Bwindi for a one-in-a-live experience gorila trek. That was just the best!
We went for a chimpanze treek as well (awesome) and safari to QENP. Recommended night safari!!
Accomodations in lodge midle average. Perfect for a budget safari with high quality-price rate
Jessica took care of us at anytime from the head office, arranging everything for us. It's important to keep contact with her at anytime.
I can just recommend this guys!
Simply a fantastic Safari in Uganda
What a great job by Arrive Africa Safari. I would definitely recommend Arrive Africa Safari to set up a perfect Safari for you in Uganda. This company will do everything possible to make your Safari experience unforgettable.
Perfect from the start, esp for the ethical tourist
Right from my first contact with Jessica by email, we were treated exceptionally well. Jessica responded promptly and in detail to all my information requests, as well as offering a very reasonably priced 8 day safari. And importantly, through the company they support an orphanage for Kony victims in Kampala. This ethical philosophy of supporting and giving to others at community level is very strong within the company and a massive drawcard for us.
Martin was a fantastic guide throughout our time. From picking us up at the airport to the final goodbye we cannot fault his professionalism, knowledge, caring nature and patience to find us the best experience. And through his guidance we saw everything and more that we wanted to see - from lions in the trees and elephants at the gate, to mongoose under the van and leopards at the window, just amazing. I have dreamed of this since a young boy and can only say my dream has been realised.
Uganda is a beautiful place and was not voted by the BBC as the friendliest country in Africa for nothing. Every day was like being somewhere different - from grassland savannah to lakes to rainforest jungle. We stayed in mid-range accommodation and were blessed with exceptional service and wonderful food. I have to mention Agnes at the Simba Safari Camp and all the people at the Buhoma Community Rest Camp , the stunning views at the Acacia Lodge looking down onto Lake Bunyonyi (http://www.arcadialodges.com/lake-bunyonyi.html - think I would love to retire there!!) and the impala herd outside our window at the Acacia Cottages at Lake Mburo.
We did two gorilla treks in Bwindi and I would have to recommend doing two rather than one. Each was unique and gave us plenty of time to pick up and put down the cameras, to look through the lens or just sit and absorb where we were.
When you go make sure you take some school supplies for St Matthews School while doing the Community Walk in Bwindi. This school and its staff are doing an incredible job with dirt floors, 60 kids to a class, so few resources but a spirit that lifts your heart. They also have a number of orphans and Batwa children who would benefit from your support. We'll be back again to do what we can - and also to experience Rwanda with our friends at Arrive Africa Safaris.
I utterly recommend Arrive Africa Safaris and Uganda - people, places and smiles you will never forget.
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Email Michael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome.
An outstanding gorilla safari in Rwanda
We were glad we chose Arrive Africa Safaris for our gorilla safari in Rwanda, everything was very well organized and our 4 day gorilla trek and Golden monkey tour was so fantastic and unforgettable! We chose a mid-range booking, and stayed at Le bambou lodge. The views here were breathtaking, the food was great and the stuff were extremely friendly and helpful. The rooms are well furnished with canvas walls, great beds, and basic bath rooms. We would definitely chose it again because the positives over weighed the negatives.
Our guide Moses was so knowledgeable and friendly, he always chose to make us happy and satisfied throughout the whole safari. We had late minute bookings but Arrive Africa Safari’s management was so quick with organizing our safari and it came out a blast for us. Our gorilla permits were in place, which made our trek so amazing and totally worth the cost.
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Email Robert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arrive Africa Safaris gorilla trek & Safari
From the initial plan to visit Rwanda in March through the changes due to the pandemic and to the actual gorilla trekking and safari in Akagera National Park, Arrive Africa Safaris was exceptional in their communication, planning, and support. I arranged this trip for my son upon his college graduation and it far exceeded his and my expectations. He was one of the first tourists to arrive in Rwanda after the travel restrictions were lifted and his experience could not have been better. He was able to see the gorillas up close and his trip to Akagera provided many encounters with the wildlife, including a pride of lions! From the time he stepped off the plane to his return to the airport, Arrive Africa Safaris was there to make sure everything went smoothly. I am sure that this trip will be one that my son remembers for the rest of his life.
