CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 8 day Ugandan safari, highly recommend!
My husband and I booked our trip (aka our honeymoon) with Engagi Safaris after seeing really good TripAdvisor reviews about the company and after reading recommendations for a budget/mid-range safari from online forums. At first we were a little unsure about booking directly with a local safari company (opposed to a well known international company) but after meeting our guide and the owner of the company, Basiima (Robert), we quickly realized that any doubts we had were completely unfounded.
We had an amazing 8 days with Basiima and we couldn't have asked for a better tour guide for Uganda. We had corresponded with Basiima by email prior to arriving about what we were hoping to see (primarily the gorillas, but we also wanted to go white water rafting and go on a small safari before we headed off to Tanzania) and Basiima suggested the perfect flexible itinerary that was within our budget. When we arrived everything had been pre-arranged by Basiima and went off without a hitch. The accommodations (a combination of budget and mid-range) were great - our favourite actually being Basiima's lodge (Lake Bunyoni Rock Resort) which is a beautiful, modern and small lodge (with large rooms) set in a tranquil spot away from the chaos of other resorts on the lake. The staff at his resort were so friendly and accommodating. However, all the places we stayed at were really good including the Haven (set on the banks of the Nile River), the Bush Lodge and the Chimpanzee Guest House (where Basiima had told the staff it was our honeymoon and they had decorated our room with flowers everywhere).
We got along really well with Basiima, who was always on time and went out of his way to make sure we saw and experienced everything we had wanted to see and do (including finding us leopards and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park which took some effort). When it came time for arranging our groups for tracking gorillas (your guide is the one who'll negotiate your group for you) Basiima told us he had set us up with one of the best guides and I can say with confidence that our guide for the gorilla tracking was so knowledgeable and made our experience with the gorillas that much more amazing. Basiima is also well known in his community (around Kabale) and although it may sound odd, one of our funniest experiences on our trip involved going to the car wash with the locals who knew Basiima. I couldn't stop laughing as they were blasting music, dancing and cleaning the car at lightening speed. Basiima is also extremely knowledgeable about the history, people and wildlife of Uganda so if you're the kind of person who asks about every question that pops into your head, you're in luck!
After experiencing various other guides in Tanzania (on safari, while climbing and while exploring cities), I can honestly say that Basiima was definitely our favourite in terms of personality, punctuality, professionalism AND value. If you're looking for an amazing (and affordable) guide for Uganda (and/or Rwanda) then look no further!
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by JulieDin
We arrived after 02 days of rain in the region, so everything as green and fresh, the reserve looked like a golf course. We stayed at a nature camp (Mara Eden) on the Mara River bank and could count hippos and crocodiles and hear them during the night). Such a immersion in nature!
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by JulieDin
I wish we had spent more time in Lake Nakuru Reserve, it is actually very beautiful and we certainly saw rhinos (both withe and black ones!). However, we found far was less bird wildlife than expected (specially flamingoes, as there was only a small group of no more than 40 specimen.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Untouched Wildlife with Kilimanjaro as background: who could ask for more?
To summarize in two words: must go. Definitely so. This place is a painting, and elephants abound all year round, since Serengeti migration does not affect wildlife population and habits in this region. Being there, with so many creatures of God, helps us put things in perspective and is a humbleness lesson.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kenya by JulieDin
Uncooked abundant widlife, wonderfulll people, unique destination.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good review for Wildside Kenya Safaris
These are excellent providers and very friendly I would recommend them
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful chance to experience an amazing safari at budget costs
I went on safari with Best Camping in September 2016 ehwith my friend. From the very start it was easy to plan, I spoke with Imraan and was offered flexibility on dates and pick up and drop off locations. Ben was an excellent driver who made us laugh, and has an excellent eye, meaning we saw elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, hippos and more. The tents were small but adequate, with hot showers, electricity after sundown and the occasional bonfire at night! The food was plentiful and it was an all round enjoyable experience, at much less than most other safari operators. Would thoroughly recommend.
CA
A well planned and diverse experience touching all aspects of Tanzanian life
The tour was well managed with great drivers who were always friendly and well informed. The itinerary was great, including a wide variety of wildlife in the parks and a very moving experience visiting markets and school in Karatu Village. The only shortcomings were the rather hurried drive through Lake Manyara Park after the stop at the hot springs, and the long drive to and from the Oldapi Gorge for quite a short stay. But these were minor problems and the whole experience was very enjoyable. The accomocations were excellent in all cases as were the vehicles.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Indescribable! Life changing experience.
My wife and I were very impressed by every aspect of the arrangements and execution by E-Trip. There wasn't a moment we would have changed.
Service was very well delivered and appreciated, from our guide David to the camp and lodge staff and the pilots flying us.
The only suggestions we could make, and I'm sure this is different for only a few people, but we really would have liked to spent more time with our guide David outside of the safari truck. Spending time at dinner or at our camp would have been nice. He was a wonderful person and an exceptional guide.
LV
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First Africa safari experience
When we planed our trip to Tanzania, we wrote to several companies as they didn't have prices on their pages and were quite surprised about high safari prices. And then luckily we found safaribookings.com site with offers from different safari companies. As we already had booked hotel in Arusha, we choose two one day safaris- to Tarangire and Arusha park with Heri Africa Tours as they offered reasonable price for safari. About tour booking it was pleasure to contact with manager Ima, very responsive and responds very quickly. She and driver/guide Tom met us in the hotel day before tours and give all necessary information about next two days. We are very satisfied with tours and definetely can suggest this company. Thanks Ima and Tom, we had lot of fun and it was great to met you.