FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Do not go with Epic Uganda Vacation
Travel from February 14 to February 23
Agency: Epic Uganda Vacation
Driver/Guide: Moses Niwamanyaa
Flight: Luxembourg – Kigali – Entebbe by KLM
Planned route:
• Entebbe
• Murchison
• Kibale
• queen elizabeth
• Bwindi
• Lake Bunyonyi
• Entebbe
Hello
Here is my feedback following a trip with the local agency Epic Uganda Vacation as well as my feedback on the lodges and my itinerary.
Every year, I travel with my dad. Not living in the same country, we meet somewhere in the world for an average vacation of 8-12 days.
This year, we chose Uganda, from February 14 to 23.
I chose Epic Uganda Vacation and talked with them to put together an itinerary that met our expectations.
3 weeks after paying for half of the trip, the agency told me that 3 of the lodges I had selected were finally fully booked. At the time, although disappointed, I found new lodges that we liked and was able to confirm these with the agency. After having been able to check the tourist influx in Uganda, I doubt today that no lodge was really full. First disappointment.
Having to work every day for about an hour, I asked the agency for confirmation several times that internet access would be possible on our itinerary. They assured me that was the case. And… that was not the case at all. The lodges generally have a router at the restaurant but these only work very slightly. I bought a sim card with internet data, but without 4G (or very little) during our itinerary, it was not useful.
The agency also told me that they had internet at all times in the vehicle. The router had an autonomy of about 30 minutes in the car and had to be recharged on mains plug after that (thus completely useless during road transfers of several hours).
If the agency had been honest with me, I could have managed not to work during this period, but that was not the case. Second disappointment.
Moses, our guide, supposed to be fluent in English but we had a hard time understanding him. Third disappointment.
My father arrived in Entebbe on February 14th in the early afternoon and I in the late evening.
Our departures were scheduled as such: my father had to leave at 3 pm on February 23th (and be at the airport by 1 pm at the latest) and my flight was leaving at 11pm on February 23th (so I had to be at the airport by 9pm).
ENTEBBE
We spent the first night after arriving at the Airport GuestHouse hotel.
Very well located (close to the airport), quiet, spacious and very pretty rooms. The service is pleasant and the food ok.
MURCHISON
The next morning we drove to Murchison with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The walk is pleasant and the park well maintained. The proximity to the rhinos is original, impressive and is a very good experience.
Arriving in Murchison, we settled in at the Twiga Safari Lodge.
The rooms are spacious, clean and the view right at the foot of the Nile is splendid. The service is very good, the food excellent.
The next day's program was to take us to the base of Murchison Falls, by boat cruise and then up the falls to see them from above.
We finally stopped more than a kilometer from the falls for a short minute, after 2 hours of boating and returned to the starting point.
Explaining this disappointment to our guide, he finally took us to the top of the falls.
The Nile is breathtaking, powerful, the view is magnificent. This place is not to be missed under any circumstances.
KIBALE
Depart for Kibale with a stop at 'Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru. A stop with a visit to the caves and the wonderful waterfall.
Arrived at Kibale, we settle in at Turaco Treetops. Spacious, magnificent rooms, in the middle of the forest, with a breathtaking view. Very good service, good food.
The next morning, we leave for the chimpanzees trekking. An experience to live absolutely, which is indescribable. We were lucky enough to be able to find the family very quickly, and to observe them on the ground, in the trees, eating, playing, preening, …
Following this magnificent experience, we did the Bigodi Wetland nature walk, which I also recommend. The different village houses, the tasting of banana beer or banana gin, and the walk in the swamp allow us to discover this ecosite which is absolutely splendid.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth for a day of game drive and installation at Pumba Safari Cottages. A hotel well below the range we had paid for. A new disappointment. The view is beautiful, the bed comfortable, but the room is tiny. The service is very bad and the food too.
The next day, we drove on the way to the Ishasha sector to continue our game drives and hope to find the trees climbing lions (bad luck, we did not find them). Installation at the Topi Lodge. Beautiful rooms, impeccable service, very good food.
In general, the landscapes of Queen Elizabeth NP are splendid, but if you are used to safari in Kenya or Tanzania, the fauna is poor.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, direction Bwindi by a catastrophic road. Off the tracks, the road to access Bwindi is a mountain road with a huge gap on the side, huge crevasses, significant road insecurity (and yet I have traveled before in a lot of countries where the roads were neither finished nor started).
Installation at Bweza Gorilla Lodge, which is one of the most beautiful lodges I have had the opportunity to see. The rooms are spacious, splendid and the view breathtaking. The food is good and the service is great.
The next morning, departure for the Gorilla Trekking. We hiked about 6 hours, including one with the gorillas. The forest is aptly named impenetrable. A good physical condition is necessary to enjoy this trek but seeing a silverback is a reward that has to be earned. The flora of this forest is also a splendor.
We loved meeting the gorillas and observing them.
Unfortunately, unlike the trek with the chimpanzees where THEY were our guides, the rangers disturbed the gorillas a lot during this “hunt”. By dint of wanting to please the tourist by removing the branches behind which the gorillas settled (including a female with her three-week-old baby), one of them must have come to get angry and hit the ground in front of a ranger.
I think despite everything that it is an experience to live, hoping that our case was isolated and that most guides and rangers are more respectful.
We leaved the forest with wet feet (you have to walk in streams, in the mud, …) and clothes full of mud (we fell a lot ah ah).
BEGINNING OF BIG PROBLEMS
After our visit with the gorillas, we were supposed to go doing our PCR tests in anticipation of our departures the next day and then reach Lake Bunyonyi for a relaxation before the return route to Entebbe and our respective return flights the day after. This whole part (had to be) had been organized by the agency.
Arrived at the laboratory in Kabale (still being dirty and with wet feet), it is explained to us that I could have my results before my departure the following evening but that my father could not have his before his scheduled departure the following day at 3pm. Big panic!
Our guide tries to negotiate but fails. For more than two hours, we stayed there watching our guide making calls and talk with the lab technician, hardly speaking to us anymore, not keeping us informed of events or what solutions we had. In the meantime, I took my test on the spot since they assured that the results would arrive no later than 4 pm the next day and that I had to be at the airport by 9 pm.
Also, we found a flight for my father that could leave the following evening, which would have allowed the tests to arrive on time. Our guide refused this option and forced us to take the road to Entebbe at that time for an express test there, open 24 hours a day. We fell from the clouds.
We of course had no choice and left for 9 hours of driving, always with wet feet and disgusting clothes, without even going to the lodge which was planned at the lake and which we had paid for, after 6 hours of hiking + hours waiting at the lab.
We arrived at the express laboratory at 4 am, after an extremely dangerous 9-hour drive (trucks driving with full headlights and coming straight at us, for example) where our guide refused to pay the difference between the standard test and the express test at first. He finally accepted full responsibility and paid the difference.
We arrived at the hotel (Airport GuestHouse, the same as on arrival) at 4:45 am and my father received his results at 6 am.
After having slept for 2 hours, we had breakfast and the spirits had calmed down, reassured to know that my father was going to be able to take his flight.
The guide apologized, refunded me the lake lodge we hadn't been to, and seemed sincere in taking responsibility.
I had planned to normally go visit the Mabamba swamp after my father left at the airport, for $100, to be given to the guide. Counting on the sincerity of our guide's apology, I decided to keep this plan and go with him. I asked him to call the lab before leaving for the ferry to make sure my results would be there as planned, between 3 and 4 pm. The lab apparently confirmed.
To get to the peninsula, you have to take a ferry. Count at least half an hour for all cars to board, cyclists and pedestrians (passengers cannot stay in vehicles during boarding and crossing).
The Mabamba swamp is absolutely beautiful and I had the opportunity to see a shoebill there as well as a lot of other birds. Do not hesitate to go there, it is really worth it. And this little canoe safari is really soothing.
At 5 pm, as we head back to the mainland, I asked my guide to call the lab back because my results had still not arrived. From the tone of his voice, I immediately knew there were a problem. After hanging up, he told me that my results are not ready and that they will not be ready until 9:30 pm (I had to be at the airport at 9 pm).
I was then completely panicked, alone in Uganda, and asked him to rush to the ferry to take an express test (the results of which normally arrive in 2 hours). We arrive at the ferry, fortunately there is a place for us. The time of boarding, crossing and road to the hotel, we arrive on site at 7 pm and my guide has still not taken the responsibility to call the express lab. He finally does it, summoned by the manager of the hotel to whom I tell my problems.
The laboratory assistant arrives on site, gives me the express test and my guide refuses to pay it. Exasperated and absolutely wanting to go home, I handed him €100 to pay for my test (he had to go to the bank to change them into shillings, the lab not accepting euros).
So they go together to the bank, him and the laboratory technician, each in its car. Arrived at the bank, the technician gets out of her car, and my guide leaves with my money…………
Despite the warnings of the laboratory, the hotel manager and mine for more than two hours, he will not return. The manager took his license plate number and threatened to call the police.
Fortunately, the laboratory still agreed to do my test, seeing the state I was in and sent me the results. I offered to pay them (so I would have paid for 3 tests in case) but they refused, the fault being entirely that of the guide (and moreover, everyone had seen that I had given him the 100€ for the test – and not to settle the walk at the swamp as he seemed to justify after the threat of the police).
At 9:45 pm, while I was waiting for boarding at the airport, I received a message from the hotel and the laboratory telling me that he had come to apologize for his bad decision, that he had paid the test and wanted to take me to the airport. A few minutes later, he was also texting me apologizing.
CONCLUSION
Uganda is an absolutely beautiful country with splendid landscapes. The encounter with the great apes is an incredible experience.
The country is, I think, the poorest and saddest I have seen and the roads in a catastrophic state and a great danger, especially when there is a void of several hundred meters nearby.
I have always used Tripadvisor to choose my local agencies and itineraries, but it seems all the more important to me today after this experience.
I recommend this itinerary if you are in good shape and physical health, if you are adventurous and if you have the right guide/driver.
The country will certainly have changed in a few years and if I had known, I think I would have waited before going there.
Of course, I absolutely DO NOT RECOMMAND Epic Uganda Vacation.
Do not hesitate if you have any questions.
Lisa
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thieves, they stole our money
Incredibile, but true story
We booked a safari in Tanzania with John (Fig Tree) on January 2021 to July 2021 and paid more Than 1.000 euro in advance.
We asked whether the Safari was fully refundable or not (because of risk related with covid19). Of couse John answered us yes.
Now (AFTER TWO YEARS) we are still waiting our money.
We sent thousand of message, but we are still waiting.
An endless story. The Air company (Oman Air) refund us our flight tickets (even though after 1 year), but we are still waiting Fig Tree.
I think that we’ll never receive our money back, but i DON’T SUGGEST FIG TREE AND DON’T SUGGEST TO GIVE THEM MONEY IN ADVANCE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Francis Otieno is a SCAMMER!
Francis Otieno is a seasoned scam artist operating as a tour operator 'Adventure Dragon Safaris'. Under the suggestion of the safari driver (who was working for this scammer for the first time thus didn't know him), I have filed a police report and he has been issued with an OB number.
I could go into a lot of detail, but in short, he actually pretends to work for a registered company called Big Safari Tours and he didn't fully honor the tour I paid him for. On day 2 of the safari, the driver said he had not been sent the park fees and because we were such a long way, we had to pay for these (again) and hope he would refund us the money later. Of course, he turned his phone off. Back in Nairobi, the guide managed to get a hold of him, but he refused to refund the money so effectively, he had stolen those park fees even though it was part of our agreed safari tour. That, along with impersonating a registered company, is what is in the police report.
Foolishly, I did not verify that he worked for Big Time Safari until after I paid him the deposit in his MPesa account, in which he issued me with a receipt from his 'sister' company 'Adventure Dragon Safaris' with an official-looking logo. I couldn't verify with KATO that his 'business' is registered. While I wondered whether he was going to turn up at all and run off with my deposit, he did turn up, so I thought I was simply going to get what I paid for but with another company. I was obviously wrong. He is very manipulative, but the lies started becoming obvious when he suggested additional activities at clearly inflated prices (he quoted $150 for an activity I already knew was $60). I also discovered that he overcharged me for the actual tour too.
I acknowledge that all this wouldn't have happened if I had done my due diligence and had not been so trusting, but as it has happened now, all I can do is warn others not to make the same mistake as I did. I feel rather stupid because normally, I verify these things on Trip Advisor and such. I'm not the first person he has scammed, but I do hope I'm the last. Given he hasn't even changed his phone number or Facebook for several years, I feel it has been too long that he has been getting away with it. He told me he recently bought a new car (he's also an Uber driver). It's probably no wonder with all the money he continues to steal from people.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
disapponting!!
the van given to us-the speedometer was faulty, hence possibly the driver was over-speeding. 1 wheel nut was missing from the wheel which got tyre burst, jack wasn't working, spare tyre too wasn't in good condition. all in all it wasn't a pleasant trip as far as their services are concerned.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not recommendable
We booked a combined trip to Rwanda and DRC. The services in Rwanda were close to what was offered. In DRC, however, Aaron tried to rip us off. Instead of the 3-star lodge we had booked and paid for, they wanted to put us up in a room without any standard (no water, used towels). We had to spend a night there and really struggle to get to the lodge we had booked. The Congolese guide kept telling us that he had not received any money from Safari 2 Gorilla Tours and therefore could not pay for the services we had booked. Aaron only gave us completely idiotic excuses like Covid, no cook in the lodge (all lies, there were good staff in the lodge). Safari 2 Gorilla Tours is not recommended because they are dishonest and that is dangerous when paying in advance. 2 hours before departure we were suddenly informed of the change in accommodation, where there was no way of defending ourselves. Should tours deny this, photos of paid and received services as well as price and itinerary follow.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Find another company to book with!
We choose to go with Douglas, but I hope my review will help you to choose better.
We've booked with him 2 way transfers from the airport in Nairobi to our accomodation, one trip to Nairobi National Park, Giraffe center and Elephant Orphanage.
When we arrived at the airport no one was there waitting for us, even if one day before we reconfirm with him the time of our flight. We had to ask someone in the airport to call him. We waitted for more than an hour with our one year old baby for him to send someone to pick us up.
We ve payed for everythig to his colegue/employee Alex. The day we left we agreed with him to be at 7 30 to take us to the airport. He texted me at 7 20 that he arrived....but at 7 50 there was no sign of him in front of the building. I called him but he rejected my calls. Then he wrote he was lost... how can you text me you have arrived and half an hour later to be lost?! Lies and more lies...
We had to take uber and pay againg to get in time at the airport not to miss our flight. When I ve asked him for refund of 20$ we ve payed and didn t get the service, he said he ll pay only half. He told us he didn t find the adress I ve sent him...but his colegue one day before picked up us from the same place.
NEVER PAY BEFORE THE SERVICE IS DONE!!! AND THE BAD PART IS THAT HE IS THE CEO/OWNER OF THIS COMPANY.
I M SORRY DOUGLAS,I HOPE THAT 20$ REALLY HELPS YOU, BUT SOMETIMES IS NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just lies and stealing my money
Ktosh Group steal my money!!!
Since 4 month, Sylvester (the Guy I sent my Money) promise me to sent my money back and nothing happens. Again and again promesses…
So please don‘t book Safaris with Ktosh Group
35-50 years of age
Simply careless and borderline dishonest
We had a terrible experience having rented a unit in Diani Beach Golden Sands Diani Kenya from Acheche tours. The unit was advertised as one thing and when we got there quite different. Very many things were not working and the entire complex where the apartment is located is derelict condition. Elevators not working, busted ceilings boards, pool with overgrown grass and no pool chairs.. I can go on forever. My key grip is with Acheche tours. They did nothing to resolve the issues. Ann claimed not to have known about the condition and yet took the money. And simply stopped responding to us. You plan your trip with Acheche at your own peril
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ruined Honeymoon
We chose Bencia for a first safari experience during our honeymoon with a 6 days safari (2 full days in Masaï Mara + Nakuru + Hell's Gate, Nairobi to Nairobi).
Our initial plan had to be changed because of COVID test that we had to do at least the day before leaving. Bencia told me that last night we won't do in Naivasha/Hell's Gate but in Nairobi. What I didn't know was that we would have to sacrifice 1 full day and 1 night at Masaï Mara (which was of course the heart of our Safari) because of that. Of course they didn't tell me as day/night in Nairobi is not the same price as day/night in Masaï Mara. The safari cost didn't change at any moment.
The problem is that I never received any new plan, I think there was a real communication problem there from Bencia.
We only did one evening and full day next in Masaï Mara, not even the next morning as planned also because we had to be quickly to Nakuru for I do not know which reason because we arrived there at noon and left for safari at 6pm, all those lost hours we could have spent in Mara...
After this evening safari, I started contacting Bencia about our planning, they just said that we should do safari on the morning and head to Naivasha where we could do an activity that we would have to pay ourselves. I started to be angry and asked them (my contact was Alfred) why skipping one full day in Masaï Mara to be in Naivasha with nothing provided ? I asked them to provide us an activity as I was the one being stole and of course they first refuse. They even said that they would offer me activities in Nairobi and Hell's Gate, they are very funny in this so called ''company''. I paid for a 6 days safari, got stolen a day in Masaï Mara in exchange of one day in Nairobi but they continued talking about offering me things that I paid for... After a long discussion, I finally had a word from Bencia saying they would pay activity in Naivasha !
The next day, after only a few hours of safari in Nakuru (driver always had good excuses to quickly end the day or push us to do extra activity), we arrived in Naivasha. Other surprise there, we were not in the good hotel and when I compared rates of 2 hotels, 1 night in the one that was supposed to be booked was at USD 430 and the one we were in at USD 165. I gently asked for an explanation and a change or an upgrade during a long moment but Bencia never wanted to upgrade us, saying that it was the ''same level''. What a kind gift from them for our honeymoon !
We arrived in this hotel at 11:35 am and I had to struggle once again with Bencia (still Alfred who didn't want to get me his manager)@ to get our promised activity. Finally, at 17:00 after that our driver disapeared (even Bencia couldnt reach him) we were taken to our 1 hour boat ride, finally !
Last but not least, when we arrived at 3pm for check in in Nairobi without having any lunch, we discovered that Bencia booked only bed and breakfast. Reminder : I paid and signed and they signed to a contract for 6 days saying that all meals were included. There, once again, I had to fight during 2 hours to get our lunch (at 5pm bon appétit !) and also dinner.
This is where we met Cyprian from Bencia who listened to this story and tried to get us our meals and organized excursion the day after (of course Alfred from Bencia lied to me saying that he had booked excursions in Nairobi so we missed elephant orphanage).
Thanks to Cyprian, last day we were able to go to Nairobi NP for a last safari. That does not compensate at all the rest but I guess we will never received anything from them.
If you want an unbelievable experience, especially for honeymoon, I would not recommend Bencia, they are not tousism professionals. I would have done much more organizing it myself from Paris than them from Nairobi.
PS : Next to this comment, Bencia contacted me to remove my comment in exchange of some money, that tells the level of such company...
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Please beware of this sweet speaking cheater
I booked my 3nights and 4 days Salous safari through this travel agency and that's the biggest mistake I have done in 2021 before the year end.
I have spent $645 per head for 2 of us for a private tour instead of direct booking through the hotels website which would cost me $404/person for the same tour. I want a peaceful safari during the year end and change of career as per my choice Beavis of photography and what I got
1. The open Car - the car they provided as per my request, doesn't have the permit to enter in national park and stopped by the official today morning.
2. The 2nd car, which take us from Dar es salaam to Salous and back had different problem, once that car stopped you need some help to push the car to start, it's almost a 40 years old car, I feel pity for the driver Mike who is a nice person and good driver and always try to help with a smile.
3. I would like to take a name knowingly it's the great Joshua(owner of the Gombe tours company) the great story teller and full of commitments which never be fulfilled and he will definitely will never talk to you once you started complaining about anything during your tour instead one of his so called agent(Yusuf) will speak to you and always try to prove that everything is your luck and fault and they are the best.
For your information I back to Dar es Salaam after 2 nights without spending the 3rd night there because I can't tolerate such nonsense service anymore. What a bad start of new year.
I don't recommend this guys as I feel I got cheated and not be treated well after paying full amount on the first day.
It's better to book hotel directly and book car from hotel for your safari, so that you can pay at hotel and there will be someone in person present to listen your complain if any. This middleman short terms traders are the problem in Tanzania. Most of them doesn't have their own car, doesn't have their own guide they just have ample time to response on your first query to make you fool and then they take good amount and pay for worst service to serve you, they will ensure 3rd graded rooms in a hotel, old hired car without any maintenance or paper sometime and you never saw them in person.
However I have visited, Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, North Serengeti, Zanzibar, Mikumi during last one year with few other renowned travel agencies who are really good and professional., Shadow of Africa, Amo Zanzibar tour and safari, African quinsang adventure safari are few of them where I got full value for money. Good luck.