Leslie and Kevin - Owners of Experience Uganda
Experience Uganda
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Elizabeth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was ideal start to finish
I feel very lucky to have found Kevin and Leslie and Experience Uganda! First Kevin immediately responded to my request to book a trip on very short notice. He suggested we talk on the phone so that he could get a perfect sense of exactly what would work for me. After calling me the next morning, Kevin had everything lined up for me within 24 hours. With only two weeks notice for my trip, he was able to secure my permits and flights without issue. He was responsive and professional the whole time.
I stayed at Karibu Guest House where Kevin and Leslie and their staff greeted myself with open arms and even arranged to have my friends come for dinner and a shower during their layover. The guest house is lovely and could not be a more perfect retreat in Entebbe. I then flew to Bwindi where I stayed at Buhoma Lodge which could not be more charming. Service and food was incredible at both locations!
Overall everything not only went perfectly smoothly, but Kevin and Leslie could not have made me feel more welcome, taken care of and happy!
I highly recommend Experience Uganda!!!!! I would give them 6 stars if I could.
A unique, well-organised, enjoyable and relaxed way to experience Uganda
In November 2015 I came to Uganda to visit my son and daughter-in-law who are working there and I had a fantastic trip to Murchison National Park, Jinja and Sipi arranged by Experience Uganda.
Right from my first enquiry, communications with Experience Uganda were excellent. Prompt replies, full and clear information given on all aspects of the trip from their comprehensive knowledge of Uganda, to useful information concerning money, health and security. The itinerary planned for me was well thought out, taking into consideration my requests, with attention to detail. It gave me great peace of mind to know that I would be met and guided throughout the trip, and that assistance was at hand should I need it.
As for the safari tour itself, this was outstanding and most definitely lived up to my expectations. Travel was in a comfortable landcruiser, accommodation was great, the guides very knowledgeable about the country and wildlife.
In Murchison Falls National Park, the chimp trecking in Budongo was amazing; to be in the forest with the chimpanzees so close, our guide familiar with each family group. The Murchison Falls are a spectacular sight, seeing the power of the water as it surges through a 6 metre gap; later fishing on the Nile just below the falls for the famous Nile perch, and the wonder of seeing the elusive Shoebill majestically standing on the bank. There was so much bird and wild life to see along the banks, and our guides here, and later on the game drive in the Park were extremely knowledgeable about them all. The game drive was another out-of-this-world experience, being right there among the giraffes, water buffalo, antelope, elephants etc.
Jinja was an enjoyable break, with lovely restaurants and places to stay right by the Nile and the opportunity to go rafting. Then onto Sipi which was a very different experience again, being higher up in the hills, affording magnificent views across the coffee growing areas. We stayed at Sipi Lodge which is in a beautiful peaceful setting of lush gardens with the two impressive waterfalls, which we climbed up to with our guide – a unique experience to be able to stand behind the waterfall. The sunsets in this area are magnificent.
My trip with Experience Uganda was a life-time event for me. So many incredible first time experiences and all with the peace of mind that my needs were taken care of and that I was in good hands. As well as the great enjoyment of the trip, I felt relaxed because of the personal service offered by this company. Nothing was too much trouble. I highly recommend them.
Email Gordon, Ellyn, and Sarah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience - staff, housing, and food were great - highly recommend!
Overall, it was a wonderful experience in every way. The stress of planning for the trek was removed once we turned things over to Kevin and Leslie at Experience Uganda. They took care of everything, prepared itineraries, and followed through on every detail. All of the staff associated with the Karibu Guesthouse and Buhoma Lodge were friendly and helpful. The food was great, and the accommodations were excellent. For small groups (or for large groups with a large budget), we highly recommend flying from Entebbe to Bwindi. It definitely added to the experience, as it was quick and easy, and you were able to see so much more of Uganda from the air. The gorilla trekking experience was magical, and the staff made sure we were placed with the right group of trekkers for our ability level. Experience Uganda exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend them!
Email Liam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flying Safari with Gorillas and Big Game - Wow!
My partner and I traveled to Uganda primarily to see the mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The safari that was put together for us by Experience Uganda was perfect, Kevin was very quick to respond to our enquiry and was very professional in addressing our questions and concerns. It was clear for us that Kevin had a wealth of knowledge about Uganda and his recommendations turned out to be brilliant. For example taking breakfast in 'the bush' on our final morning!
All aspects of the safari went very smoothly and we really enjoyed meeting Kevin and Leslie and their friendly team at their hotel in Entebbe on our first night. It put our minds at rest and from that moment on we relaxed and enjoyed a wonderful and exciting safari. The gorillas were simply incredible, the lodges and food were of very high quality and the professionalism of everyone we met was not to be faulted!
We highly recommend Experience Uganda and we are already planning a return visit with friends of ours in the near future!
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Email Marjy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever !
If you want to be certain that you don't have to worry about anything- Go with Experience Uganda ! Kevin is always available and goes above and beyond to look after you. Everything from communication to service was outstanding and exceeded my expectations. I was greeted warmly and sincerely at Karibu guest house, an oasis
to be sure- really lovely and peaceful place. The staff are kind and generous and make you feel at home. I had the lavender room which was in a tranquil setting of gardens and birds. The food was amazing also, very fresh and delicious! Kevin had tailored a trip for me designed according to my wishes. After I had settled in we sat down to chat and go over the itinerary so I would know what to expect and in case I had any new questions. Everything was thoroughly detailed so I was able to relax and enjoy my stay without any cares. That's a gift in itself ! --Then-- I had the most fabulous adventure ! After traveling across Uganda in a small plane low enough to view the beautiful country, I was transferred over lush mountains, passing lakes and farmlands to a wonderful village outside of the Bwindi Forest headquarters. I stayed at a scenic boma in my own banda and participated at the the local school with music and dance. After visiting a pygmy group, I trekked back to the boma site for a nice dinner. Early next morn I trekked to the briefing site and hiked to the most amazing experience one can have- an encounter with a gorilla family. Every person who has done this says how completely meaningful it is but all the superlatives can't do it justice. Words cannot express how wondrous and joyous it feels !
I can't Thank Kevin and all that were involved enough! -in making it happen -my dream come true !
Email Kieran & Nicola | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible bespoke safari of uganda, with excellent knowledge of best areas, places to stay & guides
Nothing but good to say about booking our safari via Experience Uganda. Kevin immediately responded to queries with personal responses, reasonable quotes and knowledge of the country and tourism in Uganda. He tailored our trip to what we wanted to do and also advised best ways to see things. We had a limited time and his advice on when to fly, when to drive and amount of times in each location were excellent. We had an increadible time seeing wildlife, in Isasha, Bwindi and Murchison Falls as welll as Jinja for rafting. We had great local Guides, who had a sense of humour as well as breadth of knowledge of the country. The guesthouse in Entebbe is a very comfortable place, with excellent food and perfectly located near the airport for early flight times! Will be recommending to friends!
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Email Ben | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable adventure in Uganda!
We spent a wonderful nine days in Uganda for what was my third visit and my wife's first visit to the country.
Although Experience Uganda tailors each safari to the interests and wishes of its clients, we found that the Quintessential Uganda sample itinerary proposed on the Experience Uganda website perfectly met our needs.
The booking process was straightforward and customer friendly. After submitting my enquiry, Kevin from Experience Uganda replied very rapidly to find out more about our expectations. We had two phone conversations during which we discussed the various possible options within the programme and then exchanged further by e-mail. Kevin arranged all the travel, accommodation and meals within Uganda as well as the the safari and trekking permits. All we had to book were our flights and our visas.
The accommodation selected for us was perfect. The lodges were small and beautifully maintained, with astounding views of the beautiful surroundings. The food was delicious, with three or four course dining everywhere we stayed and gourmet quality dining in several of the lodges. Our dietary requirements (gluten-free for my wife and vegetarian for me) were perfectly catered for throughout thanks to the arrangements made by Kevin before our trip.
Our guide and driver, Kamya, was great fun and very knowledgeable. He not only knew everything about the animals and birds that we encountered, but was able to answer all our questions about Uganda's culture, history and politics as well.
We enjoyed every minute of our trip to Uganda and wholeheartedly recommend Experience Uganda to anyone planning a trip.
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Email Carrie Nichols | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Trip and Superb Organization!
I booked a 10 day Uganda adventure through 'Experience Uganda' to include chimp trekking, safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 days or gorilla trekking. I had a personal guide for the whole trip who was attentive, knowledgeable, personable and fun! The accommodations were fantastic even on a mid level budget and the travel cruiser was comfortable, clean and had AC. From the moment I stepped off the plane in Uganda to my departing flight I was treated as a priority with this company and could not have asked for a more well organized and meticulously planned out adventure that included everything I requested at very reasonable price. I cannot recommend this company highly enough!! You will NOT be disappointed!!
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Email Bryan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Karibu by Name and Nature
'Karibu' is the Swahili word for welcome and although Swahili is not the lingua franca of Uganda, the welcome of the Guest House makes this a very suitable eponym. It was friendly, welcoming, organized, clean, cheerful, flexible, well priced and well located. The Principals, Kevin and Lesley, are well experienced and manage in a very personal way reflecting their experience of what it takes to succeed in tourism in Africa. They also organised our full itinerary including gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the domestic flights, transfers, meals and accommodation to our complete satisfaction. We were delighted with every aspect of the trip and can thoroughly recommend Experience Uganda and Karibu as the best pathway to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
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Email Susan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Seamless travel with attentive, helpful and friendly mangament and staff.
From our very first email enquiry to Experience Uganda and all throughout our 5 day Gorilla Trekking tour which they organised, Kevin and his team were immediately responsive and helpful. Their extensive local knowledge meant our time in Entebbe and Bhwindi was both expertly guided and seamless in making connections between locations and that our travel felt safe at all times. The accommodation booked for us at Buhomo Lodge in Bhwindi and Karibou Lodge in Entebbe was comfortable, clean and serviced by the happiest staff whose wide smiles made meal times so enjoyable even though the food was already wonderful enough.
If there was anyone who delivers on a mission of "exceeding guest expectations" it would have to be Experience Uganda. Thanks so much Kevin and Lesley.