JDA Founders Patrick & Victoria Shah on safari
Journeys Discovering Africa
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Travel Trust Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $382 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Trip of a Lifetime.
I can honestly say that the 2 weeks we spent in Uganda was a trip of a lifetime. Every experience we had made you realize that the animals, flora and fauna are a true blessing from God. The wildlife was amazing. The number of elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, lions, etc. took your breath away. At Murchinson Falls make sure you do both a land and water safari. I highly recommend the water safari. The Chimp Habituation at Kibale was an educational experience beyond belief. The guides were very knowledgeable and were very happy to answer any questions you might have about these wonderful animals. The highlight of the trip was the tracking of gorillas in the Buniga Forest. This experience was so dynamic that I am sure most people back in the States think I am making-up many of my experiences. We tracked the gorillas on two different occasions and each experience offered new perspectives. These are incredibly intelligent animals that have much to teach us as humans. The lodges we stayed in (Boma Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge,Kyaninga Lodge) were beautiful and the food was delicious. However, the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge may have been the finest place I have ever stayed in all the world. This lodge is spectacular. The views are breathtaking, and food was delicious, but most of all the staff was like family. I cannot say enough about this lodge. It is a must see for everyone. Journeys Discovering Africa is an excellent safari operator. They not only met all of our needs they out-surpassed our expectations.
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Email Allen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a Lifetime
We spent two weeks in Uganda beginning in Murchison Falls, moving south to Kibale National Park and concluding in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Every aspect of the experience left a positive and lasting impression...from the hospitality and friendliness of the Ugandan people to the beauty of the countryside and the magical encounters we had with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees; from the comfort, good food and excellent service we experienced at the lodges to the fact that every logistical detail was expertly attended to. Our drivers were fun and attentive, the guides were informative and engaging, and wherever we traveled within the country we always felt so very welcome. Some of our favorite experiences were the Nile cruise at Murchison Falls, the all-day chimp habituation experience at Kibale, our two gorilla trekking experiences, and our day with the Batwa people. Grace from JDA expertly helped us plan the experience and she kept in touch with us throughout our trip to be sure all was well. We have had the privilege to travel far and wide, and we have never had a better experience with a travel planner than the experience we had with JDA...and the country of Uganda is just spectacular!
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
We used this company to book the mountain gorilla portion of our Africa trip. The trip was flawless, we always felt safe and cared for, and they took care of everything pertaining to the actual gorilla tracking. The hotel they chose for us, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, was incredible and special. I would recommend this company to anyone wanting to go to Africa to track the gorillas!
First-rate, efficient, reliable, luxurious, private tour company.
We are travelers using, most of the time, private tour companies around the world. Our experience with JDA ranks No 1. Our tour guide in Uganda, Davis, accompanied us for two weeks. He was very patient, pleasant and knowledgeable about animals and game drives.
Our guide for a week in Rwanda, Isaac, was Devis' best friend and was just as warm, courteous and accommodating. In gorilla country, we were booked in the Jack Hanna's House, a lovely homey accommodation with top-notch services (from food to laundry and boot cleaning).
JDA is a first-class operation and we intend to use this company again to create another private itinerary for us in our next African safari trip!
Email Ian Clark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional service
If you are reading this you are looking for a bespoke safari as we were. JDA provided exceptional service start to finish. Pre tour communication from Patrick was excellent and all of our needs were met. We stayed in terrific accommodation, travelled to 3 locations and changed between flights and safari vehicle at ease. Everything ran to time and our guide Kamyan was great company and very knowledgeable. We were virgins to Uganda but will absolutely go again and will certainly use JDA.
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Email Ronald Richardson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wildlife Viewing in Botswana
Patrick at Journeys Discovering Africa arranged our 11-day Botswana Explorer trip in June, 2016. Even though working at the last minute, Patrick managed to arrange a flawless itinerary. We proceeded through arrangements without incident. Every transfer, hotel, lodge, activity, and flight performed as expected, and there were no surprises.
Especially worth noting was the quality of the Botswana game lodge experience. In all cases, these lodges provided their guests with excellent administration, staff, drivers and guides, accommodations, and meals. Besides this first class hosting experience, all the wildlife of Africa is there for you to enjoy. Our Botswana experience was excellent, and we don't hesitate to recommend Journeys Discovering Africa and Botswana as a matchless travel opportunity.
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Email Sandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari Experience!
Journeys Discovering Africa absolutely made my dreams come true! I had long wanted to travel to Africa to see the gorillas and other animals but I wasn’t sure where to even start planning such an adventure. It turns out, all I had to do was contact JDA who helped me through the process. I am eternally thankful for that. My trip to Uganda and Rwanda surpassed all of my dreams and expectations.
Through the entire planning process Grace, my tour consultant, always answered my questions quickly and kindly. She also checked on me regularly once I arrived in Africa. Had it not been for her helpfulness, I may have never actually pursued the trip.
Davis, my guide, was outstanding in every way. He was professional, a good communicator, and I am still amazed by his knowledge of Uganda/Rwanda, its landscape, animals, people, and culture. It was a joy to learn from him! He met with me every evening to review the next day’s itinerary – which helped me feel comfortable and it also elicited excitement in me for the next day’s activities! He reviewed specifically meal times, drive times, locations, activities, how to be prepared, and what to wear when going to see the gorillas, etc. I was always made to feel comfortable. As a woman travelling alone, safety was important to me. Davis always ensured that I felt safe and happy with the experience. He was the best! His demeanor really made my entire trip an optimal experience.
All I can think of since I returned home is: When can I go back to Africa?
Email David Parsons | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip with Journeys Discovering Africa was perfect ,everything was taken care of.
The communications between Patrick and the team from Journeys Discovering Africa was exceptional from our first email to our last good bye. We did not have to worry about anything, it was all taken care of. Our driver Robert drove well and looked after our every need . The company arranged our difficult -to -get Rwanda Air flights, and our helicopter flights which were amazing. Even on the last day when our flight home left in the evening the company drove us around showing us the sights of Kigali with lunch and hotel room to freshen up. It definitely exceeded our expectations . I would highly recommend Patrick and his team.
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Email Amanda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top notch. JDA curated a unique safari itinerary based on our interests/needs. Highly recommend!
Patrick and Journey Discovering Africa are absolutely phenomenal!!! They plan every aspect of your trip so you can relax and completely enjoy your safari holiday. Patrick planned an 8 day / 7 night safari in Botswana, which included 3 different camps, 3 flights and an overland border crossing. Here's why I loved my experience with JDA:
1) Speedy communication. Patrick emailed and called me within 12 hours of my initial request.
2) Customized trip for your specific needs. The package on safaribookings.com was a suggested itinerary and Patrick explained that my friend and I could modify the route (including the start and end points), camps/lodges, number of nights, etc.
3) Knowledge of safari camps. There's endless info about all the different camps online, and it's pretty overwhelming. However, Patrick asked us about our interests/personalities, travel style, safari expectations, budget, things we wanted to see, etc. Based on that info, he curated a unique trip just for us. All 3 camps were perfect.
4) Handles last minute requests. Patrick must of thought I was crazy when I said our desired dates were less than 2 weeks away. August is peak season in the Okavango, but somehow he found availability at the camps and on the small planes used for transport between camps/lodges. I'm still not sure how he managed it all in 1.5 days. Really impressive!
5) Sit back, relax and enjoy. Once we arrived at the initial meeting point, we were always with a handler (outside of relax time) until the next handler greeted us.
Overall, I'd highly recommend Patrick and JDA. In fact, we're already used them again to coordinate another last minute safari in Etosha to find rhinos. We were fortunate enough to see black and white rhinos and even saw them mating!
Email rob mercer | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a magical experience, brought back many great memories.
communications excellent trouble free planning, virtual tailor made safari, quickly organised and rectified when one of the lodges unexpectedly closed with about two weeks to go!, payment was easy booking straightforward.
Th safari itself was entirely up to expectations, we had our own driver (Davis) who was knowledgeable friendly careful and available when needed. He provided fresh fruit guidance and showed a good knowledge of birds which was one of our booking criteria. he was always punctual, the vehicle though old was comfortable reliable and clean (every day) we felt safe in his hands.
The first hotel was a rural Ugandan hotel which was not unexpectedly a bit basic, however we were expecting that and have stayed in similar hotels in the past so no great problem there. the lodges Papaya Lake Lodge, Ishasha Forest lodge and Mihingo Lodge were all excellent, food was good service superb and the location magnificent, the views at Papaya and Mihingo contrasting with the tranquility and riveside location of Ishasha Forest . The activities centred on the Lodges chimp trekking and swamp walking from Papaya, Game drives at Ishasha and drives and walks at Mihingo all met or exceeded expectations.
Papya Lodge and Mihingo to a lesser degree would trouble the disabled , although Mihingo is slightly more accessible.
Overall an excellently organised safari. The customer care was reflected in our meeting with Graco on arrival and at Ishasha and the debrief by Patrick Shah at the end.
Entirely happy would undoubtedly book with JDA a gain