A fraction of our Team.
Big Apes Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- USAGA, UTB & UWA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $1,020 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Claire | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Roland was the best tour guide ever!
A group of friends and I choose Big Apes Africa for the variety of experiences offered at a very reasonable price. We had a wonderful time seeing the Golden Monkeys in Rwanda, the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest, and also had a wonderful time on Lake Bunyonyi. Not only was Roland, our guide, very professional and an excellent driver, he was also so fun to spend time with. It was a magical experience that I will never forget. I highly recommend booking with Big Apes Africa for your trek!
DE
Email Christiane Huber | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unsurpassable and Unique experience
We were in the very best hands with this tour operator. Our guide Peter, with his fine sense for all our needs and his tireless commitment, made our stay in Uganda an unforgettable experience. (Of course, the wildlife and the beauty of nature played their part;)
On our excursion into the cloud forests of Bwindi National Park, we came very close to the mountain gorillas, who did not seem to be bothered by us in any way. A mother was calmly nursing her baby while the older children romped around her. The impressive silverback sat relaxed and chewing leaves next to her, letting his favourite woman scratch his head. I will never forget these intense impressions.
Actually, it was not planned, but the exemplary organisation of this tour made it easy for us to decide to book another tour, this time to Queen Elisabeth NP. Again, we were not disappointed. This completely private safari, tailored just for us, left nothing to be desired. More Africa in such a private atmosphere is probably not possible.
It was an unsurpassable and unique experience with "Big Apes" in all respects. We couldn't have done it better.
DE
Email Laura P. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life-changing experience!
I did the 3-Day Gorillas and Chimp Trekking Safari with my husband and we enjoyed every second.
Our tour guide Peter, who was very professional and kind, made the whole trip memorable. I can only say thank you for showing us the best side of your country. I highly recommend this agency!
PL
Email Laura | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable choice
We just returned from a 10-day safari with Big Apes Africa Safaris. This is a good time for a review, because on the one hand the impressions are still fresh, on the other hand we already have some distance to what we experienced.
Before about the details - let me give a conclusion: I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND exploring Uganda with BIG APES! I will try to highlight some of the most important reasons in points:
1. as part of the negotiations, I sent an inquiry to several companies. From BIG APES I received the best offer taking into account value for money.
2. I evaluate the contact with Peter very well, None of my questions remained unanswered. All arrangements were confirmed by what we found already on site.
3. Peter was waiting for us at the airport with Gerald (our guide and driver). In fact, we were taken care of throughout our stay in Uganda. Given that the travelers were two women - this is of no small importance.
4 Both Peter and Gerald are cultured, professional and simply humanly very nice people. I am glad to have met them.
5. accommodation and meals provided by BIG APES fully met our expectations.
6. we managed to achieve all our goals, to see what we wanted to see. These were wonderful and unforgettable days. And we thank you for them!
I recommend BIG APES to everyone! You will not be disappointed :-) And I will certainly return to Uganda again.
Average
Final review of our 9 day tour with Big Apes Africa Safaris and I'd be lying if I said there weren't issues. Basically we had a quote from Peter at Big Apes last year and after reviewing the Itinerary and accommodation, we decided to go with Big Apes, and made our final payment in December 2023 for the tour to start in 31 Jan 2024, funds were taken out of my account a couple of days after payment
.
The first issue was the accommodation stated in the Itinerary was way out of date (see below) from day 1. Peter's response to this was "it's in the clients best interest", I'd say lame response as keeping the client informed of any changes would be in our best interest. Talking to staff at the replacement accommodation and Big Apes have been staying there for some time so the list may not have been accurate from the start.
Itinerary accommodation Actual Accommodation
Entebbe - Airport Guest House Green Valley Guest House
Murchison Falls - Parkside Safari Lodge Parkside Safari Lodge
Kibale National Park - Rweteera Safari Park Kibale Forest Camp (tent)
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Engiri Game Pumba Safari Cottages
Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Mucha Bweza Lodge - Rushaga Bwindi
Riverside Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge
Kyahugye Island
Our Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge was changed from Day 6 to the morning of Day 7 resulting in missing out looking for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector and heading straight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as we now didn't have the time. I think the issue here was payment of the Chimp Trekking permits had not been made by Big Apes Safari on time.
Our guide Gerald for the tour was great went out of his way to ensure we saw the "Big 5" and dealt with the issues as best as he could.
The choice to use this company is yours alone, I emailed some to the people leaving positive reviews before and during the tour, but not one person responded to my email....no idea why. Feel free to email me about our tour as I can't comment on anything other than that.
Happy Travels and walk your own path.
BE
Email Aurélie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique experience
When looking for a company to gravel with to Uganda we first likes up some belgian companies ( we thought it would be easier since we both live in Belgium). However one of my friends who did the gorilla trek with big apes recommended me to do it through a local company. I reached out to Peter and not even 30min later he already sent me a full document based on what we wanted to See/ do. All the communications went very fluently. All our questions were answered well and in a reasonable time frame.
So we decided to book a 10-day tour through Uganda. In terms of price-quality, it was definitely okay.
We slept in a different lodge every day. these were always clean and authentic. As for the food in the lodges, this was also always fine. In the morning there was an assortment of tea, coffee, fruit, pancakes and eggs. In the evening it was always a three-course menu.
Sam, The driver who accompanied us was super patient and well organised, he did his best to make the journey safe and unforgettable. Thanks to his cautions, we stayed far from danger. And we appreciate his care and respect towards animals.
Lastly, The trips covered different places, which provided us a chance to see different parts of the beautiful country. We saw a lot of wild animals (only pity is we missed the Leopard) and impressive nature.
I would hightech recommend people to visit Uganda and do it with this amazing company!!
Email Jozef H | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic, flexible, fun experience
- communication: Big Apes was consistent and speedy in responsiveness
- service: Peter was dedicated to good service, putting demonstrable effort to make the tour flexible (incl ad requests) and going the extra mile (eg organizing shoe cleaning after the animal trekking)
- value for money: Peter co-designed the trip to maximize value for money
- reliability: we always felt safe and knew that our guide and the operator could be trusted
- overall amazing experience! Seeing the gorillas was truly memorable. Thank you
Amazing trip with Peter!
We had a very nice 5-days trip over the Easter break with Peter, travelling across Rwanda and Uganda and seeing Chimps, Gorillas and Golden Monkeys.
Before the trip Peter was very responsive and flexible to accomodate our requests and make the trip as customized as needed, we really appreciated this as it felt the trip was perfect for us!! Once we arrived, everything was very smooth and all the experiences truly enjoyable, with a mix of nature, culture and society. Peter is a very knowledgeable guide and shared with us a lot of insights as we were travelling together.
Bonus points for the 2 lodges we stayed at in Uganda: really beautiful and with a great service level.
Will definitely recommend Peter and the Big Apes Safari team to friends and family planning to visit Uganda or Rwanda!
Email Marine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey with Big Apes Africa
From the very start, Big Apes Africa stood out with their exemplary customer service. Our guide, Peter's, responsive and flexible approach made booking a breeze, crafting an itinerary that far exceeded our expectations. This level of personalized service and seamless organization set the tone for an unforgettable adventure through Rwanda and Uganda.
Peter was the heart of our journey. His deep knowledge and passion for his home country of Uganda and neighboring Rwanda were infectious. Listening to him share his insights on the local culture, wildlife, and conservation efforts was a true highlight. More than a guide, Peter was our guardian, ensuring our safety, keeping us on schedule, and immersing us in the authentic local culture with delightful roadside snacks.
The wildlife encounters were beyond compare and accommodations were exceptional, particularly the forest lodge near Bwindi, offering comfort and immersion in nature. The transport by a comfortable green bus and the smooth handling of logistics ensured we could focus entirely on the experience without a worry.
Conservation and respect for local communities were clearly a priority for Big Apes Africa, aligning with our values and enriching our journey. It's gratifying to travel with a company that not only seeks to provide an unforgettable experience for its guests but also cares deeply for the environment and the people who call these places home.
Overall, my experience with Big Apes Africa was extraordinary. I've already recommended them to friends, confident they'll deliver the same magical experience. If you're seeking an adventure that combines thrilling wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and impeccable service, look no further than Big Apes Africa.
Email Alice H | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience catering to our specific needs
We had a great 4-night trip with Great Apes. Tour was well-planned and paced despite our short time in Uganda. Peter ensured we had a wonderful time and his attention detail incl. getting our shoes cleaned and providing extra snacks was great.
The trip was definitely value for money with lodges in Uganda particularly memorable . We have recommended Great Apes to many people
Prior to the trip communicating with Peter was quite challenging but once on the trip we became acutely aware it was because he was making sure his clients on the current trip were having a good experience. I have no complaints and would use Great Apes again