NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique blend of different parks and animals with excellent food, support, fantastic guide knowledge
Background information prior booking and support during booking and while travelling in Africa. The safari (s) were fabulously close to the animals and the choice of different parks was interesting. The other places visited were really lovely and very interesting. Transport was clean and comfortable (as could be). We'd go again if there weren't so many other places to see! Perhaps a different trip with Masihambe Afrika another time. Very good value for price!!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable opportunity to see mountain gorillas
On May 29th, 2008, I visited Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. By that time I had been in Uganda for three weeks, spending most of my time around Kabale and lake Bunyonyi - a lake suitable named after a 'place of many little birds'. Suitable, because the most colorful and cheeky little birds I've ever seen gladly helped me finish my fruit-breakfast in the morning, when I stayed at the lake. But I could not withstand the temptation to visit Bwindi - I wanted to see the gorillas with my own eyes! Even though the entrance price to the park was steep at the time, $500,- I decided that my chances of seeing these wonderful animals might be very slim if didn't take this opportunity. What are the odds of me going to Uganda again, when there is an entire world to explore? So why not see everything I want to see, while I can?
While in Kabale, I had made a few friends, and one of them helped me get a permit. If you want to avoid tour operators, getting a permit can be difficult if you're on a schedule. Only a few people a day are allowed to track the gorillas, so it could be a couple of days before you can get one. Since I was in Uganda for a month, I had that luxury, but if you're visiting for a short period of time or if you have planned your entire trip, better be safe than sorry and use a tour operator. In my case, my friend offered to drive me there on his cousin's motorcycle if I paid for the fuel - which is what we did. That in itself was an adventure, as paved roads are few and far between. We left late, and after it had started to rain, we found the roads be very muddy. We actually fell once and had to push the bike up a hill a couple of times, but I was so excited, it never felt dangerous. It took us 6 hours and we arrived after dark. But we were there! We found a place to stay and sleep and had a late dinner - goat meat was all that was available, but it tasted great - even for a vegetarian ;) The next morning I went to the UWA meeting place and heard some stories about what it was like. The gorillas move around a lot, so trackers are sent out to find them, before the tracking groups are sent on their way. The day before, the gorillas had stayed close to the camp area, and the group had found the gorillas within the hour. You're allowed to stay a maximum of one hour with the group, so as not to upset them, meaning this group had come back early. No such 'luck' for me, I am happy to say. We got word where the gorillas were, and our group was taken by car to the edge of the forest, where the trackers met us. The gorillas had moved on, so the tracking became a long, long hike - our entire trip, start to finish, took 7 hours, although that includes the drive and an hour with the gorillas. Yes, we did find them, after several hours following gorilla droppings, navigating narrow paths and steep climbs. Not everyone in our group was prepared for this, unfortunately. An elderly man had come with his daughters to 'see the waterfalls', but since that excursion was full, they had opted for the gorilla tracking. On sneakers. Not a great idea, especially since the man himself was not really fit enough for the climbs - the guides had to help him up and down every hill, sometimes one person pushing, the other pulling. To his credit - he never complained once, unlike his daughters, who were ready to go back after an hour or so, and eventually even demanded to be taken back - which was not an option. The lesson here: come prepared. Dress for the occasion, and do not try this if you are not up for a (very) long hike & climb on slippery forest trails and hills. This is not an exaggeration - holding on to tall grass to not slide down a hill was part of the journey. And on this day, the gorilla's had quickly moved out of the forest, so we did not go very deep into it, (unfortunately). But do not let this scare you off, either: that hill was the last one between us and the gorilla's, and we could see them from afar. We had come out of the forest, as the gorillas had moved to the banana plantation to feast on the leaves of the banana trees, after climbing down that hill, crossing a stream, we went up the next hill to the group of gorilla's (the H-group). We were told be as quiet as possible, no shouting, no wild gesturing or anything of the kind, and of course, we paid attention. We walked up a trail that brough us about 30 meters or so above the group, a great vantage point for quiet observation. Or so we thought. Part of the group of gorillas was actually a bit further up the hill than we were, putting us basically in the middle. We heard some huffing and grunting from behind the bushes, and after moving about a bit (carefully) I spotted one gorilla lying on his belly, staring at us. He seemed content enough to stay there though. Unlike the gorilla that suddenly broke out of the bushes and make a mock charge at our group, me being nearest. It was a female, with a baby on her back, which was no doubt the reason for her anger. Of course I instinctively backed away a couple of paces, even though she only took a step or two in my direction, I still think she was close enough to touch had I stayed where I was. She quickly moved down the hill to the rest of the group, and after calming down, we settled in for our hour of watching. The silverback, the leader of the group, was down there, climbing a tree to rip off leaves, then climbing down again with his massive, massive body to sit down and eat. A couple of meters before him, two very young gorilla's played on a log of wood, climbing, falling down, having fun, and the baby gorilla on the mother's back that had just passed us, was groping at leaves as his mom moved about. I just sat there, taking pictures, and sometimes just quietly contemplating life in general and the beauty of what I saw around me.
Since we were already almost out of the forest, the trip back was fairly easy. The cars picked us up and brough us back, and it was all over...
Was it worth it? Don't even ask. I am writing this in 2014, 6 years after I went, and it is still one of the dearest memories I have. I was reminded of my trip because a friend is in Uganda right now, and I just wish I could join her. Writing down my experience is as close as I can get.. for now ;)
A wonder of the World
The crater is one of the most incredible places I've seen in the world. A true wonder of the world. Except for the tourists, it looks like you have been teleported many million years in the past into the time of dinossaurs. Except instead of dinossaurs the place is the area on earth with the largest concentration of wildlife. Absolutely fantastic.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Discover wild animals in beautiful parks!
A wonderful time in Ruaha-Park we spend in 2012. Organisation: perfect! Guide and driver : super!
Lodge: comfortable! Thank you very much, for the good time!
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Roho Ya Chui provided all the support I needed to make my safari trip the best experience ever.
From the very beginning I received all the information I requested and all my questions were cleared really quick (even with the time difference since I live in Mexico).
Ute, my guardian angel and travel agent, was 100% supportive and she was always open to any concern I had. She kept a warm and open communication at all times.
She also arranged an incredible dinner as part of the wonderful experience - my boyfriend and I were celebrating our 10th anniversary and it was a magic night!
The service provided exceeded my expectations: all the bookings were done timely without problems, both logdes were wonderful, the staff was always kind and willing to help. The food was amazing and our guides/rangers made the whole safari experience the best trip of my life.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One week of pure magic
It was an incredible experience ! I really enjoyed my trip! Very nice staff, the organization was excellent !
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Victoria Falls Safari
Thorn Bush Safaris booked my three night stay in Victoria Falls. It was a pleasure dealing with their reservations. I Will definitely use them in the future. It was very impressive to see the falls in the high water season. Well worth the trip.
safari to see wild animals was up to our expectations
had a very comprehensive tour of the different reserves. Lodging was very good and our driver/guide was extremely dedicated to make our tour comfortable and as enjoyable as possible.
We recommend Destination Jungle as a very efficient travel agency for one who whishes to visit Uganda
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wealth of experience and excellent service
We did a quicky with Ulinda and it was perfectly organized.
Moremi Game Reserve – in ONE day. Yes it can be done with Jane and Sarah and crew.
- “This is not a zoo” – Once in a lifetime experience to sleep within 30 meters to a herd of Hippo’s – they are quite communicative
- Sometimes the road is the goal – being in Moremi
- Thanks to the great service of Jane and her team this will be forever in our mind
- Gin and Tonic as sun-downer
- Many stories by the fire
- Excellent chicken with Mango sauce
Jane was the first female tour operator in Zimbabwe before moving to Botswana. Jane and her daughter Sarah plus crew make a clockwork organized safari with attention to detail.
I would go again with Ulinda - next a bit longer.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masihambe gave me the greatest adventure of my lifetime
We went on perhaps one of the most difficult of all African safaris - East Africa (it was Masihambe's first time there).
There were no issues with communications and the service was excellent. We tented most of the way so there was little time to get too comfortable. Never the less no one complained about the conditions we faced.
The whole tour was professionally run and it was a credit to the tour operator.