Uganda is a fascinating country to visit.
My wife and I greatly enjoyed our week in Uganda. It was a week of public political debate and we saw several soldiers in Kampala but never felt in any danger. After attending the launch of my sister's book about an outstanding Ugandan killed in 1984 we went on the Red Chilli 3-day tour to Murchison Falls National Park. It was a great adventure. Though it involved a 5-6 hour drive each way in our minibus the main highways were mostly in very good condition; our journey only became bumpy when we left the highway and had to take rough roads. The weather was generally fine and, as soon as we entered the park, we began to see baboons and interesting birds. At Red Chilli Hideaway camp site we stayed in mosquito proof tents. The first night we slept through the chomping sound of hippos eating grass outside, but some of our companions filled us in on this next morning!! The meals we ate in the camp dining quarters were particularly good. We greatly enjoyed our walk around the Falls which are quite dramatic. In our drives in the park we came quite close to giraffes, elephants, two lionesses, buffalos and saw also many antelopes, warthogs, and a spotted hyena. On our boat trip on the Nile we saw many interesting birds, also hippos and a sleeping crockodile! Our guides were excellent and our driver was very careful. We took many photos. From these, the African artwork souvenirs we bought, and from the warmth of African friendship we have many precious memories of the country. All our journeys started on time, but be prepared for a long wait for meals ordered in hotels and restaurants!
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Email Charles L Walker Jr | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had a wonderful time, had a great guide and enjoyed the sights.
Meet at the airport by my guide Apolo. Was very well taken care of. The lodging was adequate and the food. Was very good. Everyone at resort was very accommodating. Got to see lots of wildlife but missed seeing any lions. Taken back to airport and then on to Kampala after safari. I was only one on safari and could not have felt any safer.
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Email Kyle Correia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome introduction to Africa
This was my first, but probably not last, trip to Africa. We were able to see animals infrequently enough to keep us on our toes, but often enough to make every moment worthwhile! Variety was limited, but the scenery was beautiful and weather was too - warm, often hot during the day, comfortable at night. The safari tents were a wonderful experience where we could hear animals (and see some too!) while feeling safe and comfortable. Food was middle of the road overall, but the fruit was phenomenal! Fresh pineapple, bananas, mango, watermelon every morning! The highlight of my experience was our Matoke tour guide Caleb. He taught us about Ugandas turbulent history, its culture, and his hopes for its future. He was funny and accomodating and even set us up with local guides for extra tours. I cant say enough good things about Caleb!!
ES
Email Albert Maspons Sala | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience
We make a travel with Gatatu Safaris. Good price and good driver. You can't forget the gorila trekking.
The only problem we couldn't see the lion tree becsise it's very difficult. We could see a lot of elephant, hipos, etc....
We recomend to visit Uganda. Also we recomend Gatatu Safaris
DE
Email Jens | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Georgeous look at the remains of african wilderness
Pleasant hilly landscapes or wast savannah-like plains. We travelled at the beginning of the rainy season, and found temperature-range very enjoyable. We admired the sublime unrestraint of the nile valley, the rwenzory hights, the easy access to chimp- and gorilla habitats. After making peace with the salt poverty of the food, we gained 2 kilos each within 3 weeks. Seducing sweet and ripe fruits, some of them we had never seen before, excellent meat and fish, tasty side-dishes. All you can eat, and more. Shame on me. Never got a stomach egg though. Almost no moskitos. Tsetse-flies only on the people around me dressed in blue and black just like the insect traps . Thrilling Boda-boda rides, allegedly even more dangerous than hippos. Drivers were true reliable acrobats, so was our tour guide. Intelligent, always friendly, never tired, very communicative, competent. Felt like travelling with a friend. Safari-van in best shape to survive african massage. Commod way to get around. Wonderful wildlife experience, getting as close as that elephant sniffling at the porch of my tent. Accomodation viable. Sometimes no warm water, sometimes broken tent zippers, sometimes mosquito-tents only useful as decoration. Had not seen a single water tap properly bolted to the sink, however this is a mysterium to be found all over east africa. Opined Uganda with its vivid chaos much more attractive than almost suisse-like rwanda. This may however change with the soon expected doubling of population, meaning the doubling of dwellings, infrastructure, traffic. No more space for wildlife of any kind (please refer to Germany). No more rain forests. No more rain. Do your travelling now!
CA
Email Christian Fontaine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla tracking in the rainy season
We were worried about going to Uganda during the rain season but it actually turned out extremely well. There was very little rain during the day and very few tourists. Our gorilla tracking groups was 4 persons (could be as much as 8). On our Golden Monkey and Chimp tracking it was only the 2 of us and the guides, I must says that was extremely nice. Uganda has a lot of game but also a lot about primates, big and small and our guides did a spectacular job to make sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. The lodges were all very good and quiet (no tourists remember :) we did a few cultural activities as well. All in all Uganda is a great destination and Instinct Safari did a great job taking us around and making sure our trip was memorable.
BR
Email Natasha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Uganda is a very beautiful country, but you have to find a good guide to do safari what is not easy.
We had a very nice expecience, the gorila trakking was amazing, the weather was very nice, sunny, what helped a lot to see them.
Our accommodations were not very good, we did not have hot shower, but we did not pay for the best tour, our choice was a middle term one.
Regarding our guide, we were very disapointed, we did not have any safari in the morning and just one in the evening, so it was very difficult to see animal (we saw 3 of the big five). Our guide was desorganized! He booked a wrong room in a hotel, did not have the safari boat ticket on time. We went to queen' elizabeth and lake mburo. I still dont know why we went to lake mboro, once we got there at 5 pm (we did not have a night safari, cause our guide did not have light) and left at 9 am.
In my option everyone should go to Uganda, the people is amazing, food is very good and it is t one of the most beaultiful place I have been, but you have to look for a very good guide and check the schedule before (check the time of your safaris, in the afternoon is very difficult to see animals), I do not know which company is the best, but do not choose for the price, sometimes is better pay more to have a better service.
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Email Eric Krissek | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip to trek for gorillas is completely worth the time and money to go!
We had a quick trip with Africa Tours Adventure to go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest. We had a very good guide who drove us from Entebbe to Bwindi, which is an 8 hour trip. We stopped at the equator and shopped (which is a great place to barter). We had outstanding lodging arranged for us at Bakiga Lodge and at Birdnest Resort and loved the experience hiking with the gorillas. We were glad to take this trip while we were in shape since the hiking is very challenging.
Email Ryan Mays | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I went again, I'd use a different guide company.
The scenery was nice and we saw a few animals but overall the trip was less enjoyable than I would have liked. Kibale Tours didn't do a great job with planning. They used a car that wasn't advertised and that was really uncomfortable. We had to stop numerous times when we were in a rush to do various things that should have been done beforehand. On the trip home, the guide put the wrong type of gas in the car and we had to wait for 3 hours on the side of the road while the tank was drained and the battery changed.
CO
Email Diego Higuera | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda is a place full of contrasts, sometimes in a positive way other times in negative
In Uganda you can live many experiences, some incredibles others not so much, sometimes there are certain social dynamics that make it difficult to move quietly in certain areas so you should always be well informed about safety. Public transport is not so easy, but it is a great adventure. The food often does not have a salad and soft drinks are sweet, sweet.
