65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Experienced African-specialist travel agent recommends Home to Africa and extra-ordinary guide Karim
Our first experiences in Africa were wonderful itineraries sampling Capetown, wine country, and game parks, so this time we wanted to experience the Africa of the African people, but still have the experience of seeing amazing wildlife and landscapes. Uganda has 10 National Parks, richly populated and less-traveled wildlife reserves and a vibrant variety of cultures, like the Karamajong and the Batwa (pygmies). Uganda is one the safest countries we traveled through in Africa.
We had heard enough about Uganda to choose it, not only because the gorilla trekking permits are now half the cost of the more-traveled Rwanda, but Uganda offered so much more, including a thrilling afternoon in the forest with chimpanzees, and also a new opportunity to see a newly habituated community of golden monkeys (which might remind you of orangutans).
You will want a great guide and a sturdy vehicle to fully experience Uganda. I want to recommend a great company and remarkable individual with whom we spent three weeks. Home to Africa is the company and the guide I highly recommend is Karim. Karim was our driver, our teacher, our friend and our wonderful ‘mother hen’ for our three-week trip. Home to Africa crafted an itinerary that held surprises for us every day. We not only visited the ‘source of the Nile’ in Jinja but did so in a raft that crashed through thrilling rapids and then allowed us to float serenely in our vests. We spent fascinating hours in the vehicle and around the dining tables learning about Uganda’s history, culture and people from the scholarly Karim, only to experience it all in the days that followed.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
great service from safarihub
Great service from the team both in the planning and execution of the trip. They were outstanding when we were let down by our international carrier (Ethiopian Airways delayed us by 3+ hrs) and ensured we got as much of our safari as possible and did not charge extra for waiting at the airport.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A brief affordable well planned/executed gorilla trekking tour in Ugandas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
I am 74 years of age. I had climbed Kilimanjaro and been wild camping in the national parks and reserves of northern Tanzania on an independent self drive safari with another younger companion for the most part of January and I wished to complete my journey with a trek to see gorillas in the wild. Those of my friends who had previously gone gorilla trekking described the experience as amazing, not to be missed. I now concur completely, it was truly magic and certainly made possible for me by Explore Rwanda Tours. My very successful trip with them involved just three days. They picked me up from my accommodation in Entebbe early on day 1. Robert, my driver/guide, skillfully drove all the way (approximately 11 hours) to Bwindi on mostly good sealed roads except for the last stretch on dirt near the forest. I was checked into the Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for 2 nights. The cottage I had was just perfect and with a great view of the forest from the wrap-around balcony. The food and service at the lodge was first rate. The gorilla trek was on day 2. After a well informed briefing from the Park's rangers the approximately 40 trekkers on that day were split into groups of up to 8. My group of 5 plus 2 rifle-armed (used only for scaring off any rogue elephants on the track) rangers set off along a well maintained track and surprisingly within 1 hr 10 mins came across a gorilla family of 3 silverbacks, 2 mothers and 3 children (1 a baby). We spent a wonderful 1 hr 3 mins with them both on the track and also climbing in amongst the thick undergrowth (a path hacked away for you with machetes by the rangers), so close to them and yet so apparently safe it's unbelievable. The ranger said the alpha male silverback weighed 200 kg (although they can max out at about 250 kg). The ecological work the rangers are doing with the gorillas is truly most impressive. On day 3 Robert drove me back (approximately 10 hours) to Entebbe airport for my trip home. Thanks Robert for your safe driving, all your help and friendship. A few tips for any trekker planning on doing something similar: (a) if you want to trek for a short or longer distance (I would have preferred a much longer trek) to see the gorillas just tell your guide - you see the rangers have already spotted where the families are hanging out earlier in the morning, (b) wear a long sleeved shirt and trousers with your socks pulled over them (to prevent bitey ants in your pants), and (c) take a pair of gloves to protect your hands particularly from stinging nettles when climbing amongst the undergrowth.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Quick service
Enjoyed our experience booking with Traipsing Africa
Quick service
We enjoyed our experience booking with Traipsing Africa.
20-35 years of age
Excellent trip with enosa!
My journey was excellent from picking me up at the airport to dropping me off back.
Noel, the director was easily reachable and prompt to answer.The hotel were I stayed wqs high standards with swimming pool. On the first day I met him and my guide. They checked my gear and made sure I had all the necessary.
The team during the 7 days were super friendly and effective. Food was excellent. The guide really professional, listening and helpful on top of being funny. The tent was excellent quality. I felt really special.Overall an excellent experience!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Skeleton Coast National Park by Heather Johnston
Dunes run to the ocean. Cooler than inland. Seal colony a big hit, but smelly!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Damaraland by Heather Johnston
Namibia is more than a safari. I think I would still recommend east Africa for first timers. But Namibia was varied and amazing.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You can't describe it in one sentence. It was amazing
We booked an adventure tour. First week, we climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. A great tour, but you need a good constitution. We saw some people we bet, they will never reach the summit. The second week we've been on safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyari. Different Landscapes with different species. You need to do all of it. At least we spent one week on zanzibar. One day in Stone town for history and the last days in Nungwi beach for diving.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We have been on safaris but a good guide makes all the difference!
Amazing. Namibia is more than a safari. Our guide Previous with Namibia Nature Travel has a degree in wildlife management and has spent 15 years guiding in Namibia. The scenery varied from sand dunes in the south to seals and ocean to scrub bush in Etosha.
The lodges booked for us were fantastic. Beautiful locations, design and comfort.
We were met by our guide at our hotel in Windhoek. We had an air conditioned 4x4 to ourselves. We took the 8 day classic tour but the company was open to adapting as we were alone. We knew nothing about Namibia so it was a great intro.
Previous is a birder so we now know more about birds than ever before.
My highlight was climbing the dunes in Soussevlei at dawn. My husbands was the massive seal colony at Cape Cross.
February is low season because the animals don't have to come to the waterholes in Etosha because of the rains. We did not have rain, and there were no crowds, which was great. We saw all kinds of wildlife, and Previous knew so much. He was also fun!
Other highlights were the Little Six tour in Swamkupmund, and prehistoric rock etchings in Twyfelfontein. These were side strips with other guides. We recommend dinner at The Jetty in Swamkupmund. Make reservations.
All of this was arranged seamlessly by the tour company. They were very responsive and I would highly recommend them. Nick, one of the owners, was born in Namibia and is also a vet.
