US
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by Michelle
Rangers are very considerate of tourist experience - among the best in the business.
US
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Huge potential in Uganda if tourism experience can be improved and conservation is better emphasized
I have mixed emotions about my experience in Uganda. On one hand, I had a number of great wildlife encounters with lions, leopards, gorillas and many other species in three of the country's national parks over a period of nine days. However on the other, I kept thinking about the huge potential that exists and the many challenges that remain with safari tourism in this country.
Wildlife conservation can be greatly improved in Uganda, and I think it is something that the country's government doesn't especially value. The communities around the parks have a very challenging existence with wildlife, and the use of snares and indiscriminate killings of animals is common. I read this in the newspapers and heard about it from the tour operators. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, I was so surprised how low the animal density was (with the exception of some species such as Ugandan Kob). In Lake Mburo National Park, I was concerned to see local ranchers chasing zebras into the bush so that their cattle could feed on the low grass outside of our lodge. Ranching and subsistence farming has really encroached into traditional spaces for wildlife. Parks are not fenced and perhaps this is something that contributes to territorial issues with residents and wildlife.
Tourism infrastructure could benefit from a number of small improvements. Park fees are not posted transparently online, and there is an archaic process of receipt-keeping for entering the parks. Visitor Centers could do more to help improve education and awareness of conservation and local species. Amenities such as toilets and other conveniences were not well maintained. The exception to this was in Bwindi National Park, home to many of the country's mountain gorillas. This is a main tourist draw and its focus on hospitality and learning should be considered a model for the other parks.
Early September is the beginning of the rainy season, and on many occasions I had the parks open to myself. There were very few tourists, and this was a nice improvement from other experiences I've had.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely accommodating
Extremely accommodating. Great guide and cook, clean tent, and not crowded like some other tour groups I met at the campgrounds. Very responsive by email, which I appreciated. There was an issue with my arrival time, as we'd agreed on an airport pickup and they didn't seem to have made note of the time, which caused me some headaches. Make sure they include your pickup time in the written agreement, as that is what they are using as reference. Overall I recommend this company as friendly and accommodating and a great value.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
"They really made it unforgettable"
Our experience with Global Insight Safaris was wonderful, from our initial information request all the way to our airport drop-off. We were happy with the company's ability to accommodate our special requests, including doing a day tour of Kilimanjaro before we kicked off our safari. We loved our guide, who was fun and very knowledgeable. And we were happy with the professional and helpful way the company corresponded with us as we planned our trip, and then as they conducted our tour seamlessly.
This company is wonderful if you want a private small-group tour for a great price! My friend and I were happy to have a guide and jeep to ourselves for six days as we drove around, enjoying the wildlife and scenery, and taking plenty of pictures at our leisure. Itinerary, jeep, camps, food—all were fantastic, and the overall experience was unforgettable!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Earthlife is a wonderful company that is detailed oriented that takes care of its customers
We traveled with Earthlife Expeditions on August 2015. We have wonderful time visiting four national parks. Eartlife and Deo booked all wonderful lodges in all national parks. Earth life is a great company that puts their customers first. Eartlife provided us with great guide. Earthlife worked with us to provide perfect trip. We would highly recommend this safari company. We loved all the lodges that Earthlife booked for us. The whole trip was excellent.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Mara Adventure
Frankly we were not sure if anyone will turn out to receive us on Nairobi Airport. However, we were warmly greeted by Mr. Francis of KETS at arrival, who stayed with us till he dropped us back to the airport after completion of our tour. KETS put us in Sarova Stanley, a Five star Hotel, for two nights in Nairobi. Mr. Francis was promptly at the hotel next day for a City tour including elephant orphange and Giraffe center. He went out of the way to find us a very nice Indian restaurant "HANDI".
Safari Adventure started on next day with stop at Ridge valley view point. When we landed at Sarova mari camp, it was a five star camp, where we forgot all about the rough roads that we had to travel to reach it. Same day Francis took us in the reserve and we were able to see couple of lions, Giraffes and wilder beast in their natural habitat.
Real fun was yet to come when next day, Francis made extra effort to take us to various river crossings, till we see the real migration of Wilder beasts across the Masai river. All kudos to his efforts, which made us boast of viewing the migration for which we had come all the way from Canada. We were able to see all the big five, except Rhino.
This visit and arrangement done by KETS will remain sketched in our memory as one of our best tours. We thank KETS and Mr. Francis for their effort.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent services.
I used Wildebeest Safaris Ltd for my last trip to Kenya and Tanzania.They organised my accommodation and transport.The pick up at the airport was prompt.I must say,I was really impressed by the whole itinerary, especially the visit to Masai Mara,and the Serengeti. Accommodation and transport were impressive.But what really impressed me were their charges which were quite friendly considering what I had been charged on my previous visits.You made my travel worthwhile.Most certainly looking forward to my next trip with you
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Masai Mara adventure
We, Ralph and Jeffie Herter and I, Oscar Frick enjoyed a four day pre-trip to Masai Mara with our guide and driver, Peter Ngaroiya. It was wonderful adventure seeing the tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra beginning their migration back to the Serengeti. We waited at a Mara River crossing area for a large herd of wildebeest to start their crossing but at the last minute the leader of the herd had a change of mind and returned to the grasslands for more grazing. We saw 12 lions feeding and twice cheetah mamas each with 4 cubs. All was most exciting and Peter was a perfect guide and driver.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Trips, Great Guide
We really enjoyed our trip to Ngorogoro, Manyara and Tarangire over a 3 day weekend. It was a short safari, but Ilmaasai did not make it feel rushed and we had several great experiences. We booked them because we like to support local small business and were glad we did. They were professional and we got all that was promised in a professional, warm manner. Loth, the owner communicated exactly how it would progress and it went off like clockwork.
Highly recommend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilimanjaro - 7 Day Rongai Route
We could not have had a better experience with E-Trip. Every single detail of the trip, from before we arrived, through our departure from Tanzania, was covered with extreme attention and care. Our guides, Caspar and Prosper, were incredible. They had years of experience, and kept us in good spirits and great health all the way to the top. They were treated like celebrities by the other guides and porters on our route...Clearly they are the among the best at what they do. The porters, all supported by KPAP, were engaging, hard working, hilarious, and eager to be our friends while we were on the mountain. They kept our spirits high and added so much to the experience. We were truly sad to leave the team when we had finished the climb. When I go back, I will undoubtedly be climbing with E-Trip, and I have recommended them wholeheartedly to friends and family. Just exchange a few emails with Ben and the rest of the team, and you will quickly see how much they care about you and the quality of your experience. Karen even visited us after our climb to get feedback on our experience. This represents their commitment to the client experience. I cannot say enough positive things about E-Trip, and hope I have represented them well in this review. They made a once in a lifetime experience truly perfect.