African Safari Tour, June 2017
I had an absolutely marvellous time, filled with such great contrasts in the four key places I was fortunate enough to visit: Chobe National Park, Savute National Park, Okavango Delta and culminating in the wonderful Bwindi lodge in Uganda!
Every place I visited, the guides were superb and all staff were very helpful, bending over backwards to assist us at any time. The food and service was all excellent. The photo opportunities were continual and exciting, especially since every trip produced new experiences with such a variety of wildlife. The houseboat trip on Chobe River was great, especially since we had the use of the smaller motorised boats appointed with swivelling seats and gimbal heads on tripod stands to suit heavy lenses. Here we saw a variety of scenes played out and could get so close to the action onshore in the boat. Everything from sparring bull elephants to hippos, impala practising their fighting skills, mongoose and baboon family activities. The birds were wonderful and many different species were within our photographic sights on each trip.
The cheetahs were wonderful in Savute and lovely to see the giraffes practising their battle skills and a huge bull elephant walked right up to our vehicle and past us on his way. Lions were part of our photographic diet and zebra, impala, kudu and other antelopes were there. The birds were continually available, including many birds of prey and the beautiful hornbills and roller birds. The Magpie Shrike eating the mouse was terrific to witness as well.
At Okavango, I was treated to hippo feeding and an elephant sleeping just outside my tent lodge at 4.30 am, after having removed some branches from a nearby tree! Here we had marvellous canoe and boat trips as well as safaris each day allowing us to see a leopard feeding, wild dogs, lions, elephants, zebra, mongooses, wonderful storks and birds of prey etc.
The optional gorilla trip extension was wonderful, and although we needed to go on two hard treks to see them deep in the forest over two days, it was great to see how they live and interact in the wild. Then on the last afternoon we were treated to a return visit from one gorilla family which came right up out of the forest into our lodge grounds! The huge Silverback walked right past me on the pathway, so it was hard to keep the camera still as I was a bit nervous! Amazing way to end a terrific tour to Africa.
At all times we were able to get valuable assistance when required from our photography expert Alistair MacDougall, who showed amazing energy and dedication to the task of recording our trip both in video and photographs, as well as helping all participants to achieve the most out of all photo opportunities. Our trip manager, Gerald MacLaren was always pleasant and very helpful, preparing us for every part of the trip as we went.
The accommodation was excellent all round and I enjoyed staying in the tent camp at Savute as much as the higher class accommodation at the other three places. It was overall very good value for money, especially considering we had 6 hours of safari trips most days.
From the termites and butterflies to the squirrels, mongoose, gorillas and the biggest mammals (and of course the frogs and a nice snake I saw), I had a great time meeting a sample of Africa's wonderful wildlife.
Thank you all so much for providing this fantastic opportunity.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised, planned and tailored to suit our needs
We have travelled with African Ubuntu Safaris on two occasions now and find the agents very knowledgeable and informative. They make themselves extremely accessible and are very communicative. The trips were well planned and organised. African Ubuntu Safaris made every effort to tailor our trips to our needs. Additionally, they endeavour to find good quality accommodation at affordable prices with excellent guides. All in all, we would happily use them for any future trips to Africa
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Glad We Chose Good Earth
Planing a once in lifetime Tanzania trip, I was very serious. I communicated with top 8 Safari tours together, and I end up with Good Earth!
Reasons:
1. They take my time seriously
Baraka replies emails promptly, answers tons of my questions patiently.
2. They are knowledgable
After Baraka found out my expectation quickly, he gave many wise advices.
3. They offer the Best Price
I sent my final itinerary to other companies to compare price. Good Earth beat others!
4. Their local staffs are helpful
Our flight was changed at last minute, their local contact Rose was able to reschedule a pick up seamlessly.
5. Tour Guiders are well trained
Our guider Eliaza's eye are better than my binoculars! We always surprised how could he see animals were there. I am sure he can recognize hundreds kinds of animals.
Eliaza always found the best angle to stop for my husband taking pictures.
He cleaned our car everyday, and gave us the highest comfort level.
It was very appreciate that he truly respected my mom during the whole trip.g
US
Really nice trip indeed
We've travelled with Safarihub last week in a safari in Tanzania. We covered some amazing places such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire and we were able to see a great variety of wild animals, views and landscapes that would leave anyone astonished with such beauty. I believe that all the amazing things that we've seen were only possible since we were travelling with Safarihub which has a great team and planned our trip the best way they could in order to provide us a fantastic week.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and great planning
Gerald was amazing from the start. He asked us exactly what we wanted out of our trip and what level of comfort we wanted. Our trip exceeded our expectations!!! It waz such a fantastic trip and we would definitely book with Ubuntu safaris again!!!
CA
Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Rwanda - A must-see destination !
Overall it was a very nice and enjoyable solo tailored trip. I found Rwanda to be a beautiful lush green country with amazing scenery at every turn but mostly it’s the people, they are very warm, friendly, open and curious. Have always felt welcomed, very safe and the few kinyarwandan words I learned, well wow! It had a great positive impact when making contact with locals. If you have never been to Africa, this country is a great option for a first-time experience.
Kigali
Vibrant city and so clean! Felt instantly comfortable and at ease.
Interesting visits: Inewa art gallery, Ikerezi Bookshop, dodo lunch (delicious!), Cards for Africa, Kigali and Nyamata Genocide Memorials.
Hôtel des Mille Collines : grounds are nice, pool not very clean, very good breakfast but room quite ordinary with stained carpets but comfortable bed, in need of renovations, pool meals ok, very good service all-aound. First room had nice view and always had hot water. Still enjoyed mostly because of history of this landmark hotel. WIFI in room is a plus.
Akagera National Park
The drive between Kigali and Akagera is absolutely beautiful and worth it.
Safari game drives: Few animals but I did get to see all of those I wanted except lion: elephant, giraffes, buffalo, impala, hippos, alligator, baboons, etc. The scenery is beautiful and very different from what I expected, not flat at all, plenty of hills. Our guide Vetuste was a wonderful, curious, knowledgeable young man. While driving aimlessly at some point, we were lucky enough to quickly spot a rhino, they are new to the park and not yet accustomed to people. PM boat ride was nice, lots of birds and buffalos. Knowledgable guide.
Community Cultural Experiences:
In collaboration with the community and the park, the Community Freelance Guides have developed some cultural experiences to share with park guests. Revenue is shared with the community members visited.
Banana-beer maker: probably one of the highlights of this trip, it was amazing to be hands-on in a local community and in someone’s home.
Honey cooperative: delicious! I am allergic to bees and I must say that they went out of their way to make sure I was safe. They adapted the visit accordingly.
Ruzizi tented lodge: Fabulous experience! Beautiful grounds and tents. Quite an experience to sleep at night with so much nature noise. Food ok, excellent service. Hot water issue, none for a day but was resolved. I would easily have stayed an extra night. Cons: the need to choose in advance your meal and meal time did not please me and no WIFI.
Huye
National ethnographic museum: Nice visit, interesting to see the women make baskets and plates in the training quarters in the garden area. Warm welcome. Delicious lunch at local buffet style restaurant.
Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee tracking: Really enjoyed it but was a difficult treck, demanding and off the beaten track.
Tea plantation visit: Spent an hour walking around the fields with knowledgeable guide. Interesting.
Waterfall hike: Very enjoyable but few birds. Easy treck.
Top View Hill Hotel: Excellent service. Good food. Hot water issues resolved. WIFI in main building only. Amazing views. Room a bit sad looking and empty but clean, large with fireplace and terrace. Main building is awfully depressing and sad. Cons: No spirit, no light, no music, no life it's just plain dead.
Kibuye - Lake Kivu
Majestic lake that looks like an ocean in some areas. Nice scenery but less impressive and green. Nice stop to relax a few days.
Cormoran Lodge: Waterfront and away from town, good food, great views, pretty warm and no fan, WIFI in room, simple, clean rooms but very little or no hot water. Very steep climb to cabins, might not be convenient to anyone with walking issues. Excellent service.
Swimming and kayaking to see sunset over the water was beautiful.
Short boat trip to island where you hike to the top, beautiful views but too expensive for what it was.
Rubavu
Excellent lunch at Serena hotel by the beach. Fabulous location and great city.
Imbabazi visit: For anyone you loved reading Land of a thousand hills: My life in Rwanda by Rosamond Healsey Carr, visiting her house, grounds, school is a must. Emmanuel, my guide had the privilege of working with her for many years. Touching.
Volcano National Park
Park entrance: Intore dancing à 7:00am: a real treat, enjoyed it very much. Colorful and energetic.
Gorilla tracking: Quite an experience, quiet and calm small group. Beautiful creatures. Interesting to watch interactions. Gloves came in handy, no need for gaiters in dry season but walking pants are not enough, needed my yoga pants under so that it was thicker, helps with nettles. Easy enough treck.
Golden monkeys tracking: Up close and personal, so many of them everywhere and very active. Enjoyed it very much. Easy short treck.
Short nature walk: easy 90 min walk in the forest before heading out to Kigali for return flight. Nice scenery. First female guide I had, interesting conversations, she was curious and not shy to ask many questions, I liked.
Lake Ruhondo: drive to Virunga Lodge for fabulous view
Mountain Gorilla View lodge: Great volcano views, nice grounds, nice large room with fireplace and hot water bottle. Good meals, packed lunch/wine expensive, better to stock up at breakfast and bring snacks for trackers. Bathroom needs renovations. Plenty of hot water, WIFI in main building only. Excellent service.
Gorilla Guardians Village Visit : lifestyles, activities, artifacts and traditions of local people. Interesting.
Special thanks to Lionel, sales consultant at Matoke:
I cannot comment this trip without mentioning the excellent service provided before and during my trip. He has been a gem and I thank him for all his work, patience and insight, it has been greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Confidence, driver/guide for Matoke:
He was safe, punctual, patient and excellent driver. Respectful, professional, smiling, calm, easygoing, warm and easy to get along with excellent birding knowledge. Travelling with an African native makes contact with others easier as he knows how to approach and communicate with everyone. Ate great local food in places I might not have went on my own. Could work on his overall knowledge of Rwanda.
Tips:
If you are curious, crave information, fun-facts and knowledge about your destination, I strongly suggest that you read-up beforehand. Rwanda Bradt guide is a must.
Before a visit or activity, find out what to wear. It makes the visit more interesting and comfortable if you are wearing the proper clothing.
If your tour starts in Kigali, ask to be picked-up at the airport by your driver/guide to make sure you are on the same page for activities and visits itinerary the day after. More efficient timewise if short stay.
Good to know:
Food: Varied, Rwanda grows fruits and veggies. Also meats and delicious fish. Veggie options easy to find.
Toilets: On the road, mostly basic hole in the ground and while tracking, in the bush.
Insects: Tse Tse flies are a nuisance in Akagera but no worries if bitten. Saw little to no mosquitos during my 2 week stay.
Weather: Perfect, no rain and not too hot. Warm temperate and cool in mountains.
Altitude: Make sure to bring proper medication just in case your body does not have the time to acclimatize.
Safety: No worries at all.
Children: Sooo adorable! But do not take pictures without permission and do not give money.
Souvenirs: Beautiful wood jewellery, local organic coffee and tea, delicious!
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. It will be a pleasure!
Sophie
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding
Everything about African Ubuntu Safaris was outstanding. From the communication in booking our holiday (a massive thank you to Diederik for putting our itinerary together) through to the guides, accommodation, food and experiences with the wildlife, particularly the gorillas and the habituation day with the chimps, we couldn't have wished for a better holiday. Will definitely book with African Ubuntu Safaris again.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Epic 6 day safari
Well organized your that was reasonably priced. Organizing was easy and John peter very easy to deal with. No hidden costs. Accommodation varied in standard depending on location you were doing safari and how remote you were but was always satisfactory. Our guide John was very knowledgeable not only about wildlife but also about any questions ranging from culture to politics and many more. I have done many safaris throughout Africa and would rate him very highly. Vehicle 4 x 4 landcrusier well maintained and clean. No mechanical issues. Would highly recommend.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing! Great communication!
I talked with several safari agencies, but decided to go with Matoke due to its competitive pricing and the great reviews I saw on this website. I'm glad I did. Despite the time difference between the US and Uganda, the agency, especially its manager Ilse, were extremely communicative and walked me through the whole planning process. Together, we created a Tanzanian safari that met my family's needs. Our experience last month was exactly as planned. I would like give a special thanks to our driver and tour guide Edward (in partnership with Easy Travel in Arusha) for his unparalleled expertise. We not only saw the Big 5, but other animals we didn't even know existed. He toured us through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. He took great care to make sure we had a great time and most of all that we were safe always. Thank you Edward!!!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go2Africa and the trip itself met or exceeded our expectatioms in every way.
Visited the Serengeti, Nrongorogoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. Highly recommend the hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Very satisfied with Go2Africa and the trip in general. Tanzania is a very friendly place, and it's easy to fly directly into Kilimanjaro Airport. Would definitely recommend Go2Africa. Their communication was excellent throughout the process.