US
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Educational, Memorable and Fun
Memorable Hour with Gorillas
A friend and I went to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in May 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas via Kampala where we work. Our trip was planned with great detail and our local guide Martin Ngabirano met with us a few days before our trip to see if we had any additional questions about the trekking. Martin, is very personable, extremely knowledgable about the culture, environment and an excellent birder. Our three day trip started early in the morning from Kampala with a mid day stop at the Equator for a bite to eat and a few pictures. The drive is approximately 10 hours through hilly and mountainous geographical areas of Western Uganda. That evening we stayed at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp which I would highly recommend for trekkers. The staff was helpful and the scenery from the lodge is beautiful.
On the second morning we left for the Rushaga Gate for gorilla orientation and to meet the ranger, trekkers, guide and porters. Do hire a porter to carry your backpack, camera bag, and help you through some physically demanding areas and you are helping the local people. The time it takes to trek the gorillas can vary from a half an hour to 6+ hours. Our guide told us that we would be following the Bweza Gorilla Group. We hiked for approximately an hour and a half before we saw our first subadult. We were instructed to keep our distance to 7 meters but on occasions it can be closer due to the where the animals are feeding next to the trail. Visitors to the forest are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos, and videos at this time. No flash is allowed. We saw 8 of the family members, feeding, and climbing trees. To spend this hour with these astonishing beautiful animals and the very skilled rangers, and guides was a life time experience. After the gorilla trekking we left the Rushaga gate and drove two hours to visit the Ruhija community Orphanage just outside the Ruhija gate in Bwindi. This orphanage is run by remarkable lady, Happy and the children are taught by a dedicated staff. Ruhija Little Angels Orphanage and Primary School is found on Facebook. We spent the night in the Ruhija community at the Trekkers Tervan which is comfortable.
The third morning after breakfast we headed back to Kampala and and on our way we saw Blue Monkeys, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.
The gorilla permit is now $600 except during the rainy season months which are April, May and November when the permit is $450.00 When you go gorilla tracking, you are not just supporting the protection of the gorillas as well as the surrounding communities, but also helping to preserve the entire Uganda National Park System.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Wildside Safari Co fullfilled all my expectations excellent service and an outstanding safari.
My dream was to see the Gorillas and I was fortunate to join a Wildside Safari Co Tour to Rwanda 3 years ago. We stayed in the Volcanoes national part which is a small village in Rhungeri. Our mountain lodge was simple but comfortable, with a warm cosy room and wood fire and delicious food. Our trek up the mountain to the Gorillas the next morning was nothing but spectacular, our guides were superb and in the short hour that we were with these magnificent creatures, we saw the great Silver Back and his family happily munching away at the Eucalyptus leaves. A magnificent trip and definitely lived up to my expectations and one I will remember for ever.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WOW!! Makasa is amazing.
Makasa is a top-notch company that offered a spectacular Safari with a personal touch. We have 2 kids ages 8 and 10 and they matched a guide that also had kids and Kalebi could not have been better! He answered their endless questions, taught them Tanzanian songs and was just a joy to be around. He also knew everything about everything from people, animals and culture. Highly recommend this company. Selma (owner) is quick to cater a tour to your specific needs and managed a lost bag for us so we could just enjoy the safari. She came to our hotel to meet us and got the paperwork and had the bag sent to our first camp. The places we stayed were incredible and the food was amazing and safe to eat. A lifetime memory complete.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Truly Amazing Safari with It Started In Africa
My friend and I just finished sorting through the multitude of photos we took, but we both had an amazing time! On the first day, our driver, Joel, picked us up in Arusha at our hostel and drove us to Lake Manyara for a day and night game drive. Both game drives were great, and we even got lucky by seeing lions in the trees! On the second day, Joel took us past Ngorongoro Crater and into the Serengeti. The view from above the Crater was breathtaking, and Serengeti plains were awe-inspiring. We saw so many animals, including lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. On the third day, Joel took us through the Serengeti early in the morning, and he was eagerly listening to the game radio to ensure we had the best safari experience possible. And we sure did! On this very special day (and my friend's birthday), we saw a leopard in a tree, a male lion bedded down in the tall grass, a whole lion family with 3 cubs, 2 cheetahs, and a live cheetah hunt! Oh, and then we walked around Ngorongoro crater and came within yards of a zebra herd. Needless to say, Joel's ability to spot wildlife and eagerly listen to the game radio made the third day of our safari very, very special. And the cook we had with us even made my friend a birthday cake! On the last day of our safari, Joel drove us into Ngorongoro Crater, and we completed our goal of seeing the Big Five with both a buffalo and rhino in the Crater. At the end of the day, he dropped us back off at our hostel in Arusha. As you can see, It Started in Africa did a fantastic job with providing us the best possible safari experience. Our driver, Joel, and the cook were great! We even used them to drive us to JRO airport the next day, and Joel picked us up on time and we made our flight. Based on things we heard from other tourists who booked safaris last minute, I'm sure glad we did our research ahead of time and chose It Started in Africa to be our safari company. We would highly recommend a safari with It Started in Africa to any of our friends. Thanks It Started in Africa for making our safari a very memorable experience!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya southern game parks tour
I recently returned from an 8 day tour of Kenya's southern game parks with my family. The tour exceeded my expectations. We had an excellent driver/tour guide who was always on time, friendly and knowledgeable about the parks and the animals in it. He worked hard to get us to see as many different animals as possible. We chose 3 star accommodations and each one we stayed at was excellent. The rooms were clean and modern, the service was outstanding and the food was good too.
I would recommend Kikwetu Cultural Adventures to anyone who is interested in doing a similar tour
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a very nice time
Kruger was great. The lodging and food were as expected. The coordination was done well. Overall a very nice trip.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Lekha Suraweera
There were more animals and water birds to be seen at Lake Nakuru. There were more greenery. Tall trees and more birds here. The scenic beauty of the lake above average.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Bogoria National Reserve by Lekha Suraweera
Lake Bogoria is good for seeing Flamingos. I think that the entrance fee of 50 US dollars each is too much for that park.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had a wonderful wildlife experience at Amboseli National Park
We were a group of 8 photographers, and we stayed at Amboseli Serina lodge for two nights. We were very pleased with our accommodation and food at the lodge. As we went just after the rains, the park was lush green everywhere. The wild animals had babies with them and it was a pleasure to watch the baby elephants with their mothers and their families. The bird life was less than we had expected , but the ambience of this park with the Mount Kilimanjaro at the background was breath taking. We photographed elephants blowing dust at each other and also baby elephants playing in the mud. The scenery was wonderful and we took sunset and sunrise photos at Amboseli with elephants and water holes in the foreground.
We experienced good weather, no rain and the temperatures were cooler than I had expected. The climate was very pleasant indeed. We travelled with Arunga tours and we had two very capable drivers /guides for our two four wheel drive vans. I would recommend Amboseli National Park to any traveller who appreciate wildlife
Experience level: over 5 safaris
A wildlife memorable hour
A friend and I went to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in May 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas via Kampala where we work. Our trip was planned with great detail and our local guide Martin Ngabirano met with us a few days before our trip to see if we had any additional questions about the trekking. Martin, is very personable, extremely knowledgable about the culture, environment and an excellent birder. Our three day trip started early in the morning from Kampala with a mid day stop at the Equator for a bite to eat and a few pictures. The drive is approximately 10 hours through hilly and mountainous geographical areas of Western Uganda. That evening we stayed at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp which I would highly recommend for trekkers. The staff was helpful and the scenery from the lodge is beautiful.
On the second morning we left for the Rushaga Gate for gorilla orientation and to meet the ranger, trekkers, guide and porters. Do hire a porter to carry your backpack, camera bag, and help you through some physically demanding areas and you are helping the local people. The time it takes to trek the gorillas can vary from a half an hour to 6+ hours. Our guide told us that we would be following the Bweza Gorilla Group. We hiked for approximately an hour and a half before we saw our first subadult. We were instructed to keep our distance to 7 meters but on occasions it can be closer due to the where the animals are feeding next to the trail. Visitors to the forest are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos, and videos at this time. No flash is allowed. We saw 8 of the family members, feeding, and climbing trees. To spend this hour with these astonishing beautiful animals and the very skilled rangers, and guides was a life time experience. After the gorilla trekking we left the Rushaga gate and drove two hours to visit the Ruhija community Orphanage just outside the Ruhija gate in Bwindi. This orphanage is run by remarkable lady, Happy and the children are taught by a dedicated staff. Ruhija Little Angels Orphanage and Primary School is found on Facebook. We spent the night in the Ruhija community at the Trekkers Tervan which is comfortable.
The third morning after breakfast we headed back to Kampala and and on our way we saw Blue Monkeys, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.
The gorilla permit is now $600 except during the rainy season months which are April, May and November when the permit is $450.00 When you go gorilla tracking, you are not just supporting the protection of the gorillas as well as the surrounding communities, but also helping to preserve the entire Uganda National Park System.
