John while on a game drive/ safari
Safaris By Jon
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- USAGA & UTB
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $320 to $895 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Si Xing and Stephanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mountain Gorilla Trekking was exceeded our expectation!
We booked a 5D4N package with Safari by John starting on the 13th June.
Lucky (the name of our driver) came to pick us up from our hotel. We were initially a little bit disappointed that our car was not a land rover but instead a 4by4 van, but it is also something we should have double-checked beforehand. Honestly though in some ways this car was better than a land rover (we had one in Kenya), as it was faster and on tarmac roads the ride was smoother.
Lucky was a very chilled-out, calm and experienced driver and we were similar age (28) so felt like we had things to talk about.
Our first meal was a local Ugandan buffet popular with the locals which was very good in particular the sugar cane juice with lemon.
Our first accommodation was a bit of a disappointment as it was not the lodge we were expecting as per our itinerary. John explained the one originally listed was booked up for that night but it would have been nice to have been warned in advance. John did manage to get us to the originally intended lodge for the second night we were at Queen Elizabeth National park though, where the food was noticeably better. The downside was we got two single beds instead of a double and the shower was an outdoor one, so more of a sidegrade than an upgrade.
We did the Kalinzu Chimpanzee Trekking, which in hindsight I think we should have done the Kibale one instead. As our fellow gorilla trekkers later told us, the monkey and chimpanzee number is far greater in Kibale than Kalinzu. We saw five chimpanzees but they mostly stayed high up in the trees, I guess safari is all about luck on the day.
Having done safariing in Kenya a week prior to this, the animal density and variety in Queen Elizabeth National Park were noticeably sparser. We were also admittedly a bit burnt out. However, the Kazinga channel boat safari was definitely worth doing, with a huge number of animals including elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons and water birds. We even saw a monitor lizard and a Nile crocodile sunbathing.
The following day we travelled to the Ishasha region of the national park where we were fortunate enough to see one of the famous tree-climbing lions. This is rare though as our guide said he has only seen them several times in his 8 years of being a safari tour guide. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
Without a doubt though the main highlight of the trip was the mountain gorilla trekking. The lodge we stayed at had an amazing view of the forest and is also run by a NGO which gives a lot back to the local community. The trek can vary greatly depending on where your group of gorillas are (tourists are split into groups of 7 with a guide, two bodyguards, and porters). I strongly recommend a porter to carry your stuff, i.e. packed punch, camera etc as the trek can be quite challenging, very steep and slippery in some places. Our porter held my girlfriend's hand for a good portion of the hike which she very much appreciated otherwise she would have definitely slipped several times! It was all worth it though as we got very very close to several gorillas including a large silverback male and a baby gorilla. Certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The guide and the tracker make extra efforts to ensure we could get good photos and videos of the experience.
Bunyonyi Lake was a nice place to chill at the end. We had another hiccup with the accommodation though where we were put in a small cabin with no ensuite. Fortunately, after we brought this issue up with Lucky we were moved to a better room with an ensuite. The lake is worth visiting in my opinion and if you dont feel like rowing yourself there are tourguide services which do the rowing for you or motorboat hire is also an option.
Lucky then drove us safely back to Entebbe, stopping by for local pineapple, bananas and berries, which were delicious. The Ugandan countryside is something special and different to Kenya's for sure.
Overall a worthwhile trip and despite the hiccups is still something I'd recommend!
Reply from Safaris By Jon
Posted on Sep 10, 2023We are so grateful for your feedback about your experience with us. However, we would like to clarify that it was clearly indicated in the inclusions on here that getting around would be in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle which was exactly what you used driven by your driver-guide not specifically a land rover.
Secondly, availability of the accommodations listed in our tours here is based on how soon a client confirms the tour package more especially during the peak/ high season and it is clearly indicated that we would suggest comparable accommodations if the ones originally listed are found to be sold off by the time our client confirms the tour with us. So, this is what happened, and we had to book comparable accommodations respectively.
We thank you so much for booking with us.
EC
Email Andrea Yanez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jon was an amazing guide who always tried to create the best adventure.
I went with my mom and we had the best experience ever. We were able to see all kinds of animals, including the gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards and lions.
Uganda is definitely the Pearl of Africa due to its magnificent array of various animals and plants. Also, we found it very safe and travel friendly even though we were only two girls.
I will definitely recommend travelling with Jon because he always makes sure that his clients are happy with his service.
LK
Email Jeewaka Perera | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Pronominal
We did a 10 day tour starting from Entebbe covering the Rhino park in the North, Mutchison falls, delta cruise, the Nile cruise, night safari at mutchison, then Kibale to see the chimpanzee on foot, from there to queen Elizabeth national park, covering the kasinga channel ,and of course the Gorilla trekking at the Bwindi impenetrable forest. We Finished it all off by doing the last trip at Entebbe to see the Shoe bill. It's been a fantastic tour! We did game drives, trekking on foot as well as boat rides.
This makes it very interesting as you see animals and their behavior from different angles.
Our driver and guide Zhiwa was superb. He was informative and tended to all our requests.. he was a very safe driver and was responsible at all times. A massive thank you to Jon for the detailed plan and being so flexible and responsive at all times. The stops and locations had been selected with care and had been hand picked according to our personal needs. We will definitely be coming back and we promise to spread the word about the abundance of wild life, the fabulous parks, the efforts for conservation and more over how safe we felt in Uganda. The people of Uganda are absolutely wonderful, friendly and sincere..We will be back.
IT
Email Massimo and Arianna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Honeymoon Safari with Safaris by Jon
We just returned from an extraordinary 9-day honeymoon safari with Safaris by Jon, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. We spent 5 days in Uganda and 4 days in the Masai Mara, and every moment exceeded our expectations.
Jon, our guide, was exceptional. His knowledge and enthusiasm made even the long car journeys enjoyable, as he provided insightful explanations throughout. We opted for a van instead of a Land Cruiser, which turned out to be the perfect choice, especially in Uganda. The van was incredibly comfortable and allowed us to stretch out on the longer rides, which was a huge plus given the sometimes bumpy roads.
Uganda was a delightful surprise. The lush forests and stunning scenery left us in awe. We did both the gorilla trek and chimpanzee trek; experiences we will treasure for a lifetime. While the car rides can be a bit rough, that’s all part of the African adventure, and it’s more than made up for by the incredible landscapes and our comfortable vehicle. We highly recommend adding Uganda to your itinerary.
Jon is not only a wonderful guide but also a genuinely kind and thoughtful person. He made us feel safe at every step, and it was clear that the entire journey was meticulously planned. We chose mid-range lodges for our time in Uganda and luxury accommodations in Kenya, and we believe this was the best way to go. Every mid-range lodge in Uganda was exceptional, with warm welcomes and excellent service everywhere we stayed.
The camps Jon selected for us were Turaco Treetops, Elephant Hab Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and Ilkeliani Camp. In terms of luxury, we would rank them as follows:
1. Ilkeliani Camp (Masai Mara): Truly luxurious and the highlight of our accommodations.
2. Turaco Treetops: Very comfortable with beautiful surroundings deep in the forest.
3. Elephant Hab Lodge: A great stay with excellent service and breathtaking view.
4. Rushaga Gorilla Camp: A bit more basic, but considering it’s deep in the forest, it was still very comfortable and perfect for our gorilla trek.
For longer journeys, we opted for air travel, and we’re so glad we did! It’s worth the extra expense to feel more relaxed and maximize your time enjoying the experience.
Jon left us after our Uganda leg, and we were picked up by Duncan, our guide in Kenya, who was also fantastic. Kenya, especially the Masai Mara, can be a bit busier during the high season, but a skilled guide like Duncan knows exactly where to go for more peaceful, less crowded wildlife experiences.
If you're looking for a luxurious safari experience, Ilkeliani Camp in the Masai Mara is an absolute must. It was simply amazing in every way.
We initially chose Safaris by Jon based on a few positive reviews and took a chance on his company. We’re so glad we did because Jon exceeded our expectations in every way. He made this trip one of the most memorable experiences of our lives, and we will cherish it for years to come.
Thank you, Jon, for your incredible work, and for making our honeymoon an adventure we will never forget. You’re an amazing guide and an even better person.
Thank you!
Massimo & Arianna
Jon is amazing!
This trip was amazing! Jon was an amazing guide-- an excellent driver, very knowledgeable, and funny. He thought of every last detail, and his commitment, enthusiasm and curiosity about everything made the whole trip fascinating. Would highly recommend!
DE
Email Katharina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best tours we made
We did a 5 day tour with gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. It was a unique experience. The accommodations were all good, we especially liked the Bush Lodge. Our guide was always very friendly and responded to individual requests.
Great!
We spent a week with Jon exploring Uganda and contemplating the mind-boggling beauty of the country. It was one of the best trips of our lives, a true adventure. And we couldn’t be happier that among other companies, we chose Safaris by Jon, with Jon himself as our guide. The trip was organized perfectly, and the impressions we got exceeded our expectations. Jon was very thoughtful and caring. He made sure that we felt comfortable, arrived on time, and enjoyed a comfortable commute between the locations. A well-planned itinerary allowed us to experience a diverse range of activities and see different sides of Uganda.
Furthermore, Jon is a very interesting person to talk to. We asked multiple questions about the past and present of Uganda, and eventually, we enjoyed a sort of mini-course in Ugandan history. We highly recommend Safaris by Jon to everyone who wants to visit Uganda and enjoy a trip with a very professional guide.
ES
Email Sabine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect organisation, very profesional, great trip!
We booked our 6 day Safary Tour through Uganda with John. He has veen incredible professional, kind , absolutly reliable, and I can only highly recommend his services. He made our stay unforgettable and just perfect.
He is super punctual, aleays replies your whatsapp and mails inmediatly, he has a great knowlegde of his country which he is very happy to share with you! If you think of visiting Uganda, no doubt book with John!!!!!! He will make sure it will be an great experiance!
HK
Email Josh B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Organized, Professional, Friendly
Jon was recommended to me by a friend after the operator I had been planning with for several months suddenly stopped replying to my communications. Within a week, Jon had organized a great itinerary around my preferences and time constraints. We did everything we wanted to do and had incredible encounters with both Chimpanzees and Gorillas. My only regret is that I didn't have more time.
Jon is very organized and has the experience you want/need in a safari operator. He's also very friendly, which made the long drives pass more easily.
US
Email Zina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Johnny is professional, prompt with visible years of experience in tourism
This was an excellent experience overall. Johnny as a tour guide is trustworthy, punctual and very helpful. Johnny communication was excellent throughout our process. We were initially looking at a tour in Tanzania, however the cost comparison, level of professionalism and knowledge was unmatched. So, we chose the tour with Johnny. We received a full list of items that helped us navigate our way around visas, clothing options and vaccines. Uganda is stunningly beautiful, from our lodges to our activities, the experience overall was very unique. Going to see the chimpanzee and the gorillas is an experience one has to do atleast ones in a life time. Overall, I would recommend this tour to anyone looking for that unique blend of safari experiences. What you get from this tour is total peace of mind with accommodation, food, activities, and a dedicated driver/tour guide who will be with you at every step of your trip.
Book your tour now, Johnny will not disappoint!
