Amakula African Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- TUGATA, USAGA & UTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $75 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Sebastian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Experience travelling with Amakula African Safaris
Our 15-day Gorilla Tour with Amakula African Safaris was an absolutely excellent experience. The entire tour operator, including our guide, was incredibly friendly, well-organized, professional, and trustworthy. We had an amazing time and got to see everything we had hoped for—and more! We highly recommend Amakula African Safaris.
US
Email Karen Russell | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime with best tour company ever!
Where do I begin to share about the trip of a lifetime?! I have been blessed to travel many places throughout the world, including safari in S Africa, but our trip to Uganda tops it all.
Let me begin by saying, my husband didn't want to go. He was afraid for our safety. I spent time interviewing previous travelers and felt assured we would be safe, and indeed we were!
My initial contact at Amakula, Davis, was so patient and thorough, spending weeks answering my myriad questions. He adjusted our itinerary to suit our needs and interests. From food to accommodations and itinerary, everything was wonderful.
My husband and I have special dietary needs and each and every one was accommodated. So whether one is vegan, ketogenic or Gluten free or has food allergies, everything was handled and the food was delicious and nutritious, and believe me when I say I am picky lol.
I have to also say that we had the most amazing tour guide ever! Julius Tinka was kind, knowledgeable, patient, experienced, friendly, easy to understand, reliable, punctual, and honestly perfect in every way! If there were a problem, and there a couple, ie the A.C went out in our vehicle and I'm sensitive to dust and heat, and he got it fixed. One of the national parks had our tour time wrong and we would have missed our morning tour, and he got it straightened out, when the park had said "no way!" Everywhere we went people knew him, respected him and went out of their way to help him. I was in awe at the way he handled everything that came our way.
And for the long drives, he was fascinating to talk to and for me, a bonus was to be able to charge my phone in the vehicle, and use his mobile hot spot, so I could edit my pictures and share with family and friends, and be fully charged so I could capture more pictures of our amazing adventures. If you are lucky enough to get Julius as your tour guide, you will be in the best hands, and not disappointed!
We saw all the amazing animals, with the exception of the tree climbing lions...we saw hippos, elephants, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, of all kinds of birds, lions, crocodiles, giraffes, the elusive leopard, and a special Rhino trek that allowed us to be 15 feet away, on foot, from these majestic creatures. And of course, the icing on the cake was our chimp and gorilla treks. To be feet away from these incredible creatures took our breath away and was the most memorable experience!
I am thankful our guide, Julius, urged me to get a porter for the gorilla trek. Best $20 I ever spent! I'm 72 and told I look 50. I consider myself to be in great shape, but I would not have made it without the wonderful porter. He carried our water, jackets, food and held my hand to prevent me from falling and pulled me up the dense mountainess terrain. There were times I begged them to leave me behind in the forest, but they would not. lol. My husband booked the intermediate tour, which at my pace was 5 hours. We did get to see the most incredible family of gorillas, 2 Silverback, 6 females and a baby, which made it all worthwhile, but if you can't squat for 5 hours, I'd recommend booking the easier hour and a half to 2 hour trek. Glad the gorillas were at the end of our tour, as squatting was impossible for a couple days following lol. And when out and about, and away from the Lodges, which have great bathrooms, you need to be prepared for hole in the ground type places to relieve oneself...or even bush toilets if out in safari. Being older having had kids, my bladder isn't what it used to be!
If you have a chance, we recommend allowing time to visit the communities and share in the cultures and traditions of the various tribes. The Ugandan people were so warm and friendly and hopeful in conditions that many of us would be filled with despair...no electricity, water, indoor plumbing, shoes, etc. But their resilience was inspiring. We even visited several schools and orphanages, leaving me with plans to do a Go Fund me campaign to try to help.
It was fascinating to learn about the various tribes, from the Pygmies, to basket makers, coffee makers, makers of banana products and cattle raisers. It was fun milking a cow with 3 foot long horns, and learning to make ghee and more. And dancing with some of the tribes was an added treat. And my husband, who is a holistic physician had added joy in meeting the tribe's Medicine Man and learning about the plants he used in healing!
Our 11 day tour included all tours, permits, a guide, local transportation, accomodations, all meals for $4500 each. The only thing not included was air fare and tips, which you need to allow for. We used airline miles. I can tell you that I've spoken to people who spent $15-20,000 and did not have the incredible experience we had! The owner of Amakula, Simon, was also very wonderful. We simply can't recommend this tour company more highly. If you have questions or would like to chat, please feel free to call me or text 808-325-1500 (Hawaii) Warmest aloha, Karen Russell and Dr. Tim Hendlin
Email Mary | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They were just great,doing everything you needed and so much more
Amakula African Safaris was great! From the moment they picked me up at the airport until the moment they dropped me off at the end of my trip. They made sure that I had everything I needed and that I had the best experience imaginable. They were very knowledgeable about Rwanda and constantly had more information to share as well as answers to any questions I asked. And let's. Not forget to mention how insane it was to be 10 feet away from a mountain gorilla.
Email Quin Grace | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Experience
It was a good safari that we had with Amakula African Safaris and I highly recommend this company for their hospitality and experience.
SA
Email Mohit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely accommodating, experienced and knowledgeable 🙏
Simon runs a cool operation, catering to fine details of his guests’ tastes and needs. Simon, Arafat and Davis were an absolute treat to be with for our 3 day mountain gorillas tracking tour! Would not hesitate in referring them to one and all. Keep up the good work gents!
CA
Email Joseph | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing trip it was.
We thank you so much team Amakula African Safaris. You truly organized us a wonderful Safari. We thank you so much. My family is so much appreciative.
Email Jyothish | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very committed people
Very committed people who know what they doing. Wonderful experience
CA
Email Catherine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The 15 unforgettable days in Rwanda and Uganda
When you read you read about uganda, what comes in your mind is totally different from what you see from the hospital smiling faces of Ugandans at the airport until you leave the country. When we contacted Amakula, Simon was our contact person but he is some professional guy who told nothing but the best any one would ever lobe to hear about his country. Besides him being the agency owner but even his drivers delivered the best. Thank you so much team for the professionalism. To things i would not miss telling the world are Uganda is beautiful, Amakula guys are really so smart and lastly but not least. The people in Uganda are really hospital headed by Simon of course.
US
Email Godfrey | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The amazing and gentle gorilla
On behalf of my beloved family, we wish to thank you Simon and everyone at your work station for organising is a beautiful Safari like it was. Our aim was to see the Gorilla and you did it. Thank you and I surely recommend Amakula African safaris.
CA
Email Dianah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great organization and well planned trip
I humbly thank the team Amakula african safaris .These boys are really amazing. They gave us what I call the best itinerary. Thank you Simon you made my year. Atleast we paid expensively but it was worthy.