The Grassrootz Adventures Dream Team 2023
Grassrootz Adventures
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- UTB, UCF & UCOTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $75 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Jean | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stellar service
We very recently did a 3-day safari trip with Grassrootz during our brief stop in Uganda on our East Africa tour. Our main objective was to see the gorillas at Bwindi, but since that's only a one day activity, we were also scheduled to go chimp tracking on our first full day, and on a game drive in Lake Mburo national park (NP) on our last day.
Planning with Grassrootz was quite easy. Sander, the owner, is very responsive and helpful in his suggestions without being pushy. I had actually contacted 8 different companies, all of whom offered fairly similar packages at fairly similar price points, so Sander's responsiveness was the main reason we went with this outfit. It only got better from there.
To be clear, Uganda is still pretty rough around the edges as far as tourism infrastructure. We saw a lot of development in the works, but as of October 2017, we can report that the roads are awful and the hotels low quality. Food was the worst of any East African country we visited. There's a lot of pollution and everything is very very spread out so you're spending hours upon hours bumping and rattling along those terrible roads getting what the locals jokingly refer to as "an African massage."
I say all this bc without David, our local guide, I think the 3 days in these conditions would've been somewhat miserable. But David is a gem of a person and really made our journey one I'll look back on fondly. And here's why. He's deeply knowledgeable - e.g. it was obvious to us that he was more knowledgeable about animals at Lake Mburo than the park ranger who did the game drive with us. He also gave us advice that served us well and left us feeling well prepared before the chimp tracking and gorilla tracking, which we did with the designated rangers at Kalinzu and Bwindi, respectively - e.g. he told us what to look out for with the chimps in terms of safety, how to "slope" (hike downhill) safely, how to ensure the rangers kept our pace etc. The rangers themselves covered none of these subjects.
He's deeply passionate about, and proud of, Uganda and committed to educating the rest of the world about it and East Africa (he also guides in Tanzania and Kenya etc). He's very friendly in a completely disarming and unassuming and tactful way.
And he's beyond resourceful. Uganda had heavy rains both before and during our visit, which made the roads 5x worse by enlarging potholes and causing rockslides. On multiple occasions, David figured out ways to navigate past seemingly impassable roads to keep us on track. Most critically, the morning of our gorilla trek, we found our way blocked by mud and logs. Another truck already stood empty and abandoned at that spot. As far as I understood, they only allow one set of persons to go track gorillas each day at 8 am, and the $600 permit you buy is good only for the specific day. In case of an act of God like the one we were experiencing, I suspect they would have given a partial refund or told us we could come back the next day, but even the latter would not have helped us as we were slated to fly out the next afternoon and still needed to drive all the way back to Entebbe, which was an all day drive again. Without hesitating, David got out of the car and rolled up his sleeves and somehow miraculously got us through by shifting one of the unbelievably heavy logs out of the way (with a little help from me), putting rocks under the tires to provide traction, and some very skillful driving. Had it not been for David's refusal to just throw his hands up and wait for help, and willingness to physically put himself out there to push us through when at least one other driver had given up and just left his truck behind in the middle of the road, we would certainly have missed our opportunity to see the gorillas.
Later that same day, we came across a similar situation where another tour company jeep was waiting by a much larger rockslide, unable to pass. David got out and went to examine the situation on foot, and then came back and said he was going to give it a go. Again, with his skill behind the wheel, he got us through on the first go, which encouraged the other guide to follow. I don't know how long those other tourists were sitting there until we came along, but it was clear their guide was not willing to even try without first seeing David succeed.
Also among David's resources are the relationships he's cultivated with people at the various stops we made, which seemed to be to our advantage as his clients insofar as getting small advantages like assignments to the best gorilla tracking group (our ranger appeared very knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and we saw gorillas within an hour of setting out).
In short, if you want to see Uganda with a guide who is going to go above and beyond to get you safely everywhere you need to go, then you should book with Grassrootz and ask for David specifically.
NL
Email Demi | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Vert good
Everything was perfect, Nice people and enough information
NL
Email Edward | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They do what they promise, a very good driver and good places to visit!!
We had a very good, helpfull and friendly driver who always says: safety first!!
The places we visited were fine (Jinja, Kampala, Karenga, Gulu, Packwach), the 2 nature parks (Kidepo and Murchinson) were special, only we had to much rain. The guesthouses they organised were good with friendly and helpfull people who knows a lot about that region.
Email Mira | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Keys in hand.
Once the travel plan is step, the whole trip goes smoothly even in unexpected case.
Very flexible also.
DE
Email Niklas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized tour!
I really enjoyed my Trip to Uganda.
Sander from Grassrootz Adventures planned my trip very well and there were no problems at all. I got a quick response on my Emails from the first offer until the end of my trip.
I had close contact with the local people and the staff were helpful and kind. Especially my driver Paul tell and show me a lot of Uganda.
Full recommendation!
BG
Email Rossitsa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They made me very happy :)
I (a girl) went by myself on my first safari in Africa. Expectedly, I was very worried in terms of safety. Thanks to Grassrootz and my tour guide David, I felt very safe the whole time. Uganda's people are very nice - always smiling and welcoming.
The communication and organization of the trip was easy and quick (we did all in 2 weeks). The whole trip went very smooth and David was punctual the whole time (European punctual). He is a safe driver and I felt very calm and comfortable in the car. He was spotting animals quite well while driving even out of the parks.
All of the lodges were great (I went for mid-range, mostly tented eco camps). Please, note they are in the middle of nowhere so there is only solar power for charging batteries and water is scarce. But this way you feel and appreciate where you are even more. Food was provided by the lodges and it was plenty (not the most delicious but okay and they were trying their best).
During the 7 day trip in Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo, we saw:
*Mountain Gorillas (my main purpose of the safari)
*Baboons
*Colobus monkeys
*Blue monkeys
*Chimpanzees
*Grey-cheeked Mangabey
*Red-tailed monkeys
*Vervet monkeys
*Lions (twice - once on a cactus and once on trees)
*Elephants
*Uganda Kobs
*Warthogs (Pumbaa) - they are so funny
*Giant Hogs
*Red-river Hogs
*Waterbucks
*Bushbucks in two parks
*Eland antelopes
*Impalas
*Topis
*Buffalos
*Giraffes
*Zebras
*Nile Crocodiles
*Three-horned chameleon
*Mangoose
*Hippopotamus
*lots of pretty and ugly birds of all sizes
Probably I am forgetting something...
We didn't find hyenas and leopards but nature is not a zoo so it is due to luck sometimes (David tried really hard to find leopards for me). Actually none of the tourist I met have seen leopard, and just one saw hyenas on the road.
I highly recommend Grassrootz. Just be very clear what you want and expect and they will make it happen. I'm glad David was my tour guide and now I would say my friend.
PA
Email Jordi Alegre | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best experience ever!
They provided us the best trip we ever had! We spent 3 weeks in amazing Uganda and the experience was incredible. The driver they provided us was very professional and we were very happy with him. The tour operator company also did a great job in arrengements and bookings, we didin't have a single problem in all the trip. I would totally repeat the experience and I recomend 100% this tour operator, totally worth it.
Perfect organisation with excellent drivers gives a beatifull experience
Easy and flexible organisation with a high level of service. We saw a lot of Uganda and the beatifull nature in a country with still not a crowd of tourists. Real Africa. Feeling very save and confortable with the excellent drivers.
BG
Email Ilian Shopov | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fabulous safari experience in Uganda - Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Mabamba Swamp!
I and my travel companion just came back from 12 days safari in Uganda with Grassrootz Adventures Safaris. I have not felt sorry even for a moment that I have chosen their offer out of eight quotes from various safari outfitters based in Uganda. In most cases we have to sacrifice the least expensive offer in favor of the best experience or vice versa, but with this safari the owner of Grassrootz Adventures - Sander van Zanten just nailed it from the very first email that I have received from him. I am quite experienced with African safaris person and a keen wildlife photographer and by no means I would consider myself an easy to satisfy customer. Sander did provide for every possible request of mine, including the type of vehicle that we used - safari Land Cruiser with two rows of seats behind the guide and side windows that we could open on both rows (except the pop-up roof, of course). Every other detail and aspect of the safari were discussed in details in a very professional manner.
Excellent communication with rapid response to every email that I have sent. I do plan my safaris very carefully, but Sander managed to further improve the overall experience by optimizing the schedule and offering a better accommodation for a lower price in Kidepo Valley National Park than the one that I had originally selected.
The guide Moses did his best to satisfy our needs and even added some extra activities. He can be flexible, when possible, just talk to him when you get new ideas during the trip.
We had one day and overnight in Entebbe, full day (just one day) transfer to Kidepo Valley NP, which was a long, but very interesting drive, followed by four nights at Savannah Lodge (it is actually an excellent tented camp), located on top of a hill some 50 meters from the "gate" of the park. There isn't a real gate, at least up to this moment, neither it is manned, so no need to wait in line or do any kind of paperwork before entering the park. Very comfortable large Meru style tents with a private flushing toilet and a real shower (hot water at any time). Batteries can be recharged at any time inside the tent or at the dining area. Stunning 360 degree views to the savannah and the surrounding mountains. Great food (four course dinner) and inexpensive drinks (cold Nile Special beer is less than 2 US dollars). The park itself is nothing short of spectacular. Although the number of visitors is increasing, it is still a very wild place with stunning scenery. We did hire park rangers for most of the game drives in Kidepo Valley, some drives we did with our guide only. We also did an optional night game drive with our vehicle (plus a park ranger) and a spot light rented from Savannah Lodge. Great luck with that - young adult male and female lions, lot of buffalo, porcupine, white tailed mongoose, grey duiker and other animals. During the day game drives we saw the largest buffalo herds that I have ever seen - perhaps over 2,000 heads, leopard in a tree, lioness with a kill (young buffalo), server cat, tons of oribis and defassa waterbuk, Rotchild's giraffes, Jackson's hartebeest. Quite a lot of birds, including a martial eagle.
The other park we visited was Murchison Falls NP. Fort Murchison was an excellent option just outside the park, about 10 minutes drive to Tangi Gate. Victoria Nile upstream (to the falls) and downstream (to the delta) boat safaris were included in the price. We did see the very rare Shoe billed stork and many other birds and animals from the boat (the Shoebill on the trip to the delta). The wildlife density in Murchison Falls NP is higher than in Kidepo Valley NP and although not as wild as Kidepo, there weren't as many visitors there as in Masai Mara or Serengeti. Sometimes we would drive for two-three hours without seeing any other vehicle.
I forgot to mention, that we did the Mabamba Swamp day tour while in Entebbe where we saw the Shoebill from a short distance. The swamp itself is a very beautiful place and there are many other water birds present. Do not forget to ask Sander to include this trip to your itinerary.
My personal advice to any prospective Uganda visitor would be not waste time, just contact Grassrootz Adventures and Sander will custom- build the best itinerary according to your requirements.
NL
Email Theresia Poel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable journey!
Personal contact, really listening to requirements, honoust advice, swift replies, clear communication, love for this beautiful country and its peopele and a wonderfull host at Jjaja Bbanga. That’s my experience with Sander and Grassrootz.
A 21day safari, by myself and with guide, covering Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Murchisons, Kidepo (IK & Nakapelimoru), Sipi and as much as possible community based accomodation was the result based upon my requirements. The trip exceeded my expectations.
I was a bit worried about travelling for 21 days with a person never met before. On the first day this worry was taken away immediately. Paul is a real host. Driving safely, punctual, caring, know’s his way (and lots of people), loves to tell about the country, people and animals. Every evening during dinner the plan for the next day so well prepared. A very smooth trip.
All accomodations had its own charm or challenge but that’s what I wanted and liked. Some of them exceeded. Broadbill I really loved for its environment, good food and wonderfull care. Boomu’s womens group: Ednah is really an inspiring woman, a lady with a view and a clear missiom. Home of Friends, a beautiful new place with really great hosts and creating feeling of home by having dinner together and play games.
Gorilla and chimp trekking were extraordinary. To meet these animals face to face in their own habitat is so beautiful and special.
Kidepo in one word amazing and a must visit region. Guides Emma (to the IK) and Joseph (to the Nakapilemoru) made these visits extra special. Especially Joseph, sitting on sliding rock, overseeing the region and him telling the stories about the cattle raiding with the biggest smile I have ever seen. Felt like being part of the story.
I will reccomend Grassrootz warmly to everyone who want’s to experience the country and above all its beautiful people.
Thanks Sander & Paul for creating this wonderfull and unforgettable trip.
