Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $3,800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Charlene B | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, incredibly helpful and friendly!
My family and I went on the three-day gorilla tour with Mambo Gorilla Safaris in August 2024, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable holidays we've ever had!
Didan, who was our amazing tour operator (and one of the owners of this family-run business), made everything so easy. I had only booked the trip a month before and had tons of questions, but Didan was always available on WhatsApp, offering great advice and helping us figure things out, especially with the Monkeypox situation in Rwanda/Uganda at the time. He even offered to reschedule or cancel the trip, but since our flights were non-refundable, we stuck with our original plan—and we're so glad we did!
Our driver, Hillary, picked us up at the airport and took us to the Kigali Genocide Museum, which was a deeply moving experience in itself. From there, we crossed the border into Uganda to stay at Lake Bunyonyi. Hillary was so friendly and knowledgeable, answering all our questions about both Rwanda and Uganda along the way.
At Lake Bunyonyi, we were the only guests due to many cancellations because of Monkeypox. But the staff, led by Charity, made us feel incredibly welcome, taking care of us in every way. We went with the most budget-friendly accommodation, so the rooms weren't the most modern rooms we've stayed in but everything was clean and organised. Didan also mentioned that they're building a new lodge near the forest, which I’m sure will be amazing!
The highlight of our trip was, of course, the gorilla trek. After a 3.5-hour hike through the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we had an extraordinary experience. The Monkeypox cancellations actually worked in our favour, as it was just my family in our group with the ranger, trackers, and porter, alone with the gorillas. It was surreal! The gorillas came so close, even nudging my brother on two different occasions. Keep in mind that the trek itself is not for the faint-hearted, as you're hiking up and down 50-60 degree inclines - however, we were told it's also dependent on where you enter, where the gorillas are etc.
I can’t put into words how incredible this experience was. Seeing the gorillas has been a dream for our family for years, and we’re so happy we went for it. Mambo Gorilla Safaris made the whole trip extra special with their friendly, professional service. A huge thanks to Didan, Charity, Hillary, and their team for making this trip one of our best memories ever! I highly recommend Mambo Gorilla Safaris to anyone thinking about visiting the mountain gorillas.
CA
Email J. Ram | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, accommodating, experienced, informatiive
This opportunity was on our minds for a very long time. Finally in Jan2024 we were able to pull the trigger and make the trip happen. Called it the 'primates tour' where. we wanted to see the golden monkeys/chimps/and most importantly gorillas. We also wanted to get some game drives and take in some of the local sights and scenery.
After some research of various fitters we found Mambo Safaris as a highly rated company. Since it was just 2 of us, we got in touch with Mambo where Didan and Nicholas were extremely helpful. We wanted to make some subtle adjustments and tailor the trip to our needs.
I cannot express how amazing the experience was. Starting from the pickup past midnight to our lovely accommodation in the Airport Guest Lounge all the way to the airport drop off on day 9, the entire trip went without any interruptions or hitches. I credit the entire team from Mambo for allowing us to enjoy the trip, offering us very valuable feedback and information to make the plans fully successful.
Even when unplanned events did happen, we were able to pivot and maximize our times and experience. I would like to especially thank Twinomuhangi Yonah for his outstanding company and driving throughout the entire trip. He was very entertaining and sharing a lot of the local knowledge which we were very thankful for.
Just a warning for anyone reading. If you are planning on paying US cash, make sure they are not marked and newer than 2018.
In closing, Mambo is an EXCELLENT choice for anyone travelling to UGANDA and looking into taking in the wildlife tours. The lodgings were amazing as well, even though we opted for the budget.
Thank you Mambo team for all your help and guidance throughout out stay. All the very best!!
IL
Email Yaar Levy Haran | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect attention to customer experience!
I went with Mambo Gorila to Gorilla trekking for one day. As I requested, and althoue very unusual, they managed to arranage a tour for only myself with the gorilas for the same price!
The price I got from Mambo was the best offer by a hundreds of dolars from other companies.
All the staff of the hotel and the company are so nice and helpful especialy Nicholus who took amazing care of me from the minuite I conacted Mambo and even helped me long after with other activitis in diffarent country (which were not paid to Mambo).
I recomend this company with all my hurt!
Email Glyn | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A trustworthy company who do their best to make your trip the best
From start to finish everything was fantastic about this trip. Communication was great beforehand and everything was well-handled.
Didan and Zedius made sure we saw everything we were due to see and went everywhere we were due to go, even changing our itinerary for us when we were there so we could add in more of what we were interested in.
We had some amazing experiences. some fantastic food and stayed in some super accommodation all for a reasonable price.
Highly recommended.
US
Email Kelsey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Would 100% recommend!
I was a solo female traveler and a bit anxious so go on a tour by myself. Didan made me feel so comfortable and it was such an amazing time! He gave me so many options of things to do and tailored the tour to what I was interested in. It was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t recommend this tour enough! If you’re thinking about going with this tour company, don’t hesitate! It will be the most amazing trip!
US
Email Luke L | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not a better tour operator in Uganda! Dedin is loving, responsible, and tons of fun!
My wife and I spent our honeymoon on an 8-day safari with Mambo Gorilla Safaris. The experience did not disappoint in any way.
I have been to 50-something countries and all 7 continents, and never has my choice in tour operator had such a profound impact on my trip. Dedin and Mambo Safaris are the reason that our trip was so perfect.
My wife and I both fell in love with all of Uganda – the wildlife, the landscapes, the natural beauty, and especially the people. Of all these things, our experience with Dedin, his family, and his Mambo team is the thing we remember most.
Let me say this – Uganda is a beautiful and safe country. That said, who you choose to travel with is important. There are things that can come up and the best decision you can make is to travel with someone who is well-connected, responsible, and accountable. The first lodge that we stayed in had made some changes and we did not enjoy the experience. We mentioned this to Dedin and he immediately made some calls and had us in a new – much improved – lodge. He knows everyone in the national parks, in the lodges, and seemingly everywhere in the country. This allows for a more relaxed and interesting experience knowing that you’re in the hands of who I believe must be the best-connected man in Uganda.
Dedin also has a giving heart. Proceeds from Mambo Safaris go toward supporting his orphanage and school, Loving Hearts Uganda. We got to meet the kids in Dedin’s hometown which, by the way, is an absolutely gorgeous village overlooking the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen.
While in Queen Elizabeth, we got word that two local children had drowned while swimming. Their families were very poor and without search resources, and it was a very sad situation. Dedin went out of his way to go to the village and ask the family and villagers what he could do to help. He ended up giving the family some money and bringing them large bags of food to feed the search parties while they were looking for the children. Needless to say, Dedin is a good man.
Let’s talk about our trip. We started in Entebbe and Dedin picked us up at our hotel near the airport. We had a delicious lunch on our drive, and stopped to see Rhinos on our way to Murchison falls on the Nile. Murchison falls is beautiful, and I definitely recommend the river cruise to see the falls. We did a number of game drives in this area, and saw plenty of awesome African animals. We stayed at a lodge on the Nile, which was a wonderful experience. At sunset you could see crocodiles swimming across the river and hear and see hippos grazing at night.
From there, we went to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We stayed at a lodge called Kazinga, which was an absolute blast. The lodge is in the park, and we saw all sorts of wildlife right from our room. We had a great experience watching some Lions in the park, and saw plenty of elephants as well. We took a river cruise in this area as well, which was fantastic.
We had a great time on our Chimpanzee trek. The chimps were high in a fig tree for the first 30 minutes or so, and then they descended from the trees right in front of us. It was an incredible experience watching these animals move from to the trees and come down right in front of us.
From Queen Elizabeth, we drove to Lake Bunyonyi, where Dedin’s hotel is. It’s worth noting that there is a lot of driving from place to place in Uganda. Don’t worry though, as the whole country boasts such awesome and varied scenery that you never get bored looking out the window whole driving.
We stayed one night in a lodge called Chameleon Hill on Lake Mutanda. If you are able, this is a must-do. Lake Mutanda is gorgeous, and the drive there along the Virunga range is one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken.
From there, we stayed at Dedin’s resort on Bunyonyi. We got to meet and spend time with Dedin’s family, who are absolutely lovely. While staying at Bunyonyi, we did the grand finale – a Gorrilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It was everything you think it would be. The trek in was beautiful. We stopped and picked some fruit from a tree for a snack along the way. The guides also provided some snacks along the way. We spent an hour with the gorillas. They’re beautiful, mysterious, and intelligent. Spending time in nature quietly watching these animals in their mountain habitat was an absolutely unforgettable experience.
We had a lot of highlights, but I will not have time to mention all of the small moments that we enjoyed so much. Stopping along the road for fresh jackfruit or pineapple. Trying Ugandan coffee. Learning about the country and its people from Dedin along the way. Trying Uganda’s many delicious foods (we actually never had a bad meal. Everything was absolutely delicious. Don’t forget to make a stop at a Pork Joint!). Visiting the equator. Stopping to walk with some Zebras along the road. The list goes on and on.
Uganda really us the pearl of Africa. It is an incredibly bountiful country, lush green and covered with beautiful plants and crops. The people are beautiful, and we never had anything but a positive interaction. The animals, obviously, are worth the trip by themselves.
I struggle to find anything negative to say about Uganda. The best thing, however, was meeting Dedin and his family. We stay in touch to this day, and my wife and I are already planning a trip back. We met a lot of other tour operators along the way, and never once did I wish that we were with someone else. Dedin made our honeymoon unforgettable in every way. He is now my friend and my brother, and I am eternally grateful that he shared his beautiful country and home with us for our honeymoon.
CH
Email Lino | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Didan is an easygoing guy that really cares that his guests have good time.
- The accomodations ranged from high-class lodges to medium-priced.
- Communication was always fast via Whatsapp.
- The price of the tour was a little cheaper than the ones offered by other operators.
- The tour was well-organized and everyone was really friendly.
Email Ayelén | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent !
We took a tour with Mambo Gorillas in June 2023. The trip was amazing, Didan organized everything and he allowed us discover beautiful places that were not in our original plan. Thank you for this inbelievable Trip ! We will come back
MY
Email Mark Lee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safe and responsible
I recently took a 11-day trip to Uganda from December 22nd to January 1st and was blown away by the experience. As an Asian, I had the wrong preconceptions about the African continent, but Uganda completely exceeded my expectations. I booked my trip with Mambo Gorilla Safari, and the owner, Didan and driver Moses, ensured my safety and well-being throughout the entire trip. I couldn't be more grateful. The safari experiences were outstanding, I had the opportunity to spot various animals such as Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, and more. I highly recommend the Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking in the mountains. Didan even went above and beyond by inviting me to celebrate New Year's Eve with his friends, who were all incredibly friendly. If you can afford it, I suggest opting for medium or higher range accommodation instead of budget options, for greater comfortability. Overall, it was an amazing trip that I'll never forget.
DE
Email Marie-Louis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing 4-day trip in Uganda/Rwanda with Mambo Gorilla Safaris
I did a 4-day trip with “Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda” in October 2022 including Kigali Genocide Memorial, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzee Trekking, boat safari, and forest walk in Queen Elizabeth National Park. My main tour guide/driver was Didan (Hirary picked me up from the airport in Kigali). My experience was amazing with many unforgettable highlights (e.g., encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees). I enjoyed every minute! Both guides but especially Didan, who I spent most of the time with, were welcoming, well-organized and punctual, very flexible and open-minded, and extremely friendly. Everything went smoothly and Didan adapted the itinerary so that it best matched my individual interests and wishes (e.g., additional stops at viewpoints, activities in addition to the original schedule such as a forest walk, rich cultural/local insights). Didan was a very reliable guide (great communication, drove safely, provided me with necessary information prior to any activity) and also frequently asked for my feedback/opinion which I highly appreciated. He definitely made this tour special. I can highly recommend Mambo Gorilla Safaris for your trip to Uganda!!! Thank you so much :).
