35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Astounding
From start to finish I have had excellent communication and all questions answered efficiently leaving me with no doubts about the company.Lulu put together a package appropriate for my needs swiftly and ensured I was completely happy with it.The safari experience itself-truly unforgettable.I experienced Tanzanian hospitality from start to finish.Our guides both Iddy and Joseph were so knowledgable,spotted animals quickly and kept our groups spirits up.They were always smiling and truly made us feel like family.If that wasn’t enough we had a wonderful chef Bago who cooked us 3 meals a day which were so tasty and wholesome.I saw many other tourists eating cold lunches from food boxes whereas we got a warm freshly cooked lunch daily.The entire 7 day safari experience was worth every penny.I also want to mention Alan who picked me up from the airport and instantly made me feel at home.Also Kelvin who introduced me to Arusha and the markets. Geoffrey the main man came to meet us after our safari and made us feel once again like part of the Go Makini family.I came away feeling so deeply fulfilled and happy that I’d seen all the wildlife I wanted to see and of course blessed for the care I’d received.I can’t thank you enough Go Makini,your all truly amazing!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Sunnycreek Safaris offers a professional service of the highest quality.
From the beginning of my contact with Maureen at Sunnycreek Safaris I was put at ease. She responded quickly to my emails, and answered all of my questions. I travelled as a female by myself, and I can honestly recommend Sunnycreek Safaris to anyone who is considering traveling solo. You will be in safe hands, and experience Kenya and all that it has to offer to the full! Thank you for such an amazing experience!!! Charles, our guide was also extremely professional. He answered any questions we had of the wildlife or area, and he was accommodating of everyone who was on the safari. He is a very good driver and you will be in safe hands with him as your guide!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mountain Gorilla Trekking was exceeded our expectation!
We booked a 5D4N package with Safari by John starting on the 13th June.
Lucky (the name of our driver) came to pick us up from our hotel. We were initially a little bit disappointed that our car was not a land rover but instead a 4by4 van, but it is also something we should have double-checked beforehand. Honestly though in some ways this car was better than a land rover (we had one in Kenya), as it was faster and on tarmac roads the ride was smoother.
Lucky was a very chilled-out, calm and experienced driver and we were similar age (28) so felt like we had things to talk about.
Our first meal was a local Ugandan buffet popular with the locals which was very good in particular the sugar cane juice with lemon.
Our first accommodation was a bit of a disappointment as it was not the lodge we were expecting as per our itinerary. John explained the one originally listed was booked up for that night but it would have been nice to have been warned in advance. John did manage to get us to the originally intended lodge for the second night we were at Queen Elizabeth National park though, where the food was noticeably better. The downside was we got two single beds instead of a double and the shower was an outdoor one, so more of a sidegrade than an upgrade.
We did the Kalinzu Chimpanzee Trekking, which in hindsight I think we should have done the Kibale one instead. As our fellow gorilla trekkers later told us, the monkey and chimpanzee number is far greater in Kibale than Kalinzu. We saw five chimpanzees but they mostly stayed high up in the trees, I guess safari is all about luck on the day.
Having done safariing in Kenya a week prior to this, the animal density and variety in Queen Elizabeth National Park were noticeably sparser. We were also admittedly a bit burnt out. However, the Kazinga channel boat safari was definitely worth doing, with a huge number of animals including elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons and water birds. We even saw a monitor lizard and a Nile crocodile sunbathing.
The following day we travelled to the Ishasha region of the national park where we were fortunate enough to see one of the famous tree-climbing lions. This is rare though as our guide said he has only seen them several times in his 8 years of being a safari tour guide. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
Without a doubt though the main highlight of the trip was the mountain gorilla trekking. The lodge we stayed at had an amazing view of the forest and is also run by a NGO which gives a lot back to the local community. The trek can vary greatly depending on where your group of gorillas are (tourists are split into groups of 7 with a guide, two bodyguards, and porters). I strongly recommend a porter to carry your stuff, i.e. packed punch, camera etc as the trek can be quite challenging, very steep and slippery in some places. Our porter held my girlfriend's hand for a good portion of the hike which she very much appreciated otherwise she would have definitely slipped several times! It was all worth it though as we got very very close to several gorillas including a large silverback male and a baby gorilla. Certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The guide and the tracker make extra efforts to ensure we could get good photos and videos of the experience.
Bunyonyi Lake was a nice place to chill at the end. We had another hiccup with the accommodation though where we were put in a small cabin with no ensuite. Fortunately, after we brought this issue up with Lucky we were moved to a better room with an ensuite. The lake is worth visiting in my opinion and if you dont feel like rowing yourself there are tourguide services which do the rowing for you or motorboat hire is also an option.
Lucky then drove us safely back to Entebbe, stopping by for local pineapple, bananas and berries, which were delicious. The Ugandan countryside is something special and different to Kenya's for sure.
Overall a worthwhile trip and despite the hiccups is still something I'd recommend!
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was perfect
We really had a great experience with Going Green Safari. The communication before the tour was fast and reliable. We had a kind and flexible driver who took us safely to Mikumi and back. We had great experiences in the Maasai Village, the game drive and in Udzungwa Mountains. We highly recommend this 4-days tour to orhers. We are a family of 5 (three teenagers).
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just perfect!
Unforgettable.
I started asking for different quotes from various companies and, beyond the very well adjusted price, I chose Chalema (Joel) because of the customer service. He gave us his advice as a good expert in the area. We had read on the internet to go to Manyara and, with our 5 days of Safari, Joel told us that it was better to go to Tarangire, both for the time and for what we were looking for. It was a wise move to listen to him. He helped us with all the doubts and the management of the safari itself. He also helped us with flights from Arusha to Zanzibar, as well as various Zanzibar contacts in case we had any problems.
Once we arrived, Praygod, our guide, picked us up and we started the trip. We were very lucky because he drives phenomenally, he has experience in safaris and knows the animals very well (he explained the details of all the animals perfectly, such as the way they relate to each other, their curiosities, their food) and above all, his good attitude and positivity. He speaks English and French perfectly, it's a luxury.
On the other hand, we chose camping and not a lodge and it was the best choice because Erick came with us to cook. For us this was a very important part of the experience since we had a certain respect for the food that we could find. This cook is something out of the ordinary, we miss his food very much, the affection, the humility and the values he transmits, without a doubt ask Joel to put Erick as cook for you, it will be the best decision you can make.
They have definitely made my first safari such a spectacular experience that I am looking forward to repeating.
Asante sana Joel, Praygod na Erick :)
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional with excellent travel consultant and your guides
Me and my friends we booked trip to bwindi and murchison falls with beautiful safaris who gave us affordable budget
We meet gorillas which was dream come true with the best and experienced tour guide Derick was knowledgeable
We would highly recommend booking your trip with beautiful safaris uganda
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
Adam was exactly the kind of person we were looking for to organise our safari. Answered all questions thourougly and precise. He didnt’t push us for a response, was patient and all over very professional. And the safari was of course incredible.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
Unforgettable and exceptional at the same time!
We really loved our safari with our guide Hemedi! He was available and attentive! He knows safaris perfectly!
The partner establishments are also very good!
Just a word go with safari avventura!
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FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, available quickly to answer all questions and needs
Hello
It was a good experience that we won’t forget.
the game was very pleasant and the people very nice. even if we could not enjoy the pool, everything else was very good! at the lodge and in all our trips. special mention for Omary. it's the best. doing this travel without my husband with 3 children was a bit worrying for me. he was more than perfect. for the game but also everything around it. we felt safe and very well guided at all times. It was great. He explains clearly all we want to know about animals and the country. Very kind, professional. calling the boat safari is disappointing.. you see very few hippos and crocodiles. it was just a very pleasant ride to discover the country. by car, nothing to complain about, it was very addictive! rather than doing the safari while walking, the rest was deserved! it will be for next time… and one time for sure it was thanks to Omary. He knows his job and do it well
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the BEST excursions I’ve been on
My wife and truly enjoyed this excursion! It was a great value for the money. Our driver & tour guide was professional and made this a trip we will remember for the rest of our lives. We will definitely do use this company again the next time we’re in Kenya!