This Tour Is Offered By
Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- Uganda Tourism Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
RWUG
Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda is an African based Tour Agency, offering the best safaris in mainly Uganda and Rwanda. Not only do we help you see the best of Uganda and East Africa (Mountain Gorilla's, Volcanoes, The Big 5, Waterfalls, ect.) but we also bring out the best in you! We guide you on bumpy roads into Savannah, along hidden pathways of eco tourism and into ways you can use your passions and talents to meaningful ways
Reviews31
IT
A great memorable experience with Mambo Gorilla Safari
Mambo Gorilla Safari went over expectations!
Didan is really a gentle heart and always trying to feel us better and amazed by Uganda surroundings. We enjoyed so much both the Gorilla safari (incredible!), the stay on Lake Bunyonyi was chilling and peaceful, and safari (both by Didan car and by boat) were stunning. Didan always explained the best options in such a kind and a heart loving Uganda way: we trusted him and we really had the best experiences we neither haven't imaged at departure.
Professional, incredibly helpful and friendly!
My family and I went on the three-day gorilla tour with Mambo Gorilla Safaris in August 2024, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable holidays we've ever had!
Didan, who was our amazing tour operator (and one of the owners of this family-run business), made everything so easy. I had only booked the trip a month before and had tons of questions, but Didan was always available on WhatsApp, offering great advice and helping us figure things out, especially with the Monkeypox situation in Rwanda/Uganda at the time. He even offered to reschedule or cancel the trip, but since our flights were non-refundable, we stuck with our original plan—and we're so glad we did!
Our driver, Hillary, picked us up at the airport and took us to the Kigali Genocide Museum, which was a deeply moving experience in itself. From there, we crossed the border into Uganda to stay at Lake Bunyonyi. Hillary was so friendly and knowledgeable, answering all our questions about both Rwanda and Uganda along the way.
At Lake Bunyonyi, we were the only guests due to many cancellations because of Monkeypox. But the staff, led by Charity, made us feel incredibly welcome, taking care of us in every way. We went with the most budget-friendly accommodation, so the rooms weren't the most modern rooms we've stayed in but everything was clean and organised. Didan also mentioned that they're building a new lodge near the forest, which I’m sure will be amazing!
The highlight of our trip was, of course, the gorilla trek. After a 3.5-hour hike through the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we had an extraordinary experience. The Monkeypox cancellations actually worked in our favour, as it was just my family in our group with the ranger, trackers, and porter, alone with the gorillas. It was surreal! The gorillas came so close, even nudging my brother on two different occasions. Keep in mind that the trek itself is not for the faint-hearted, as you're hiking up and down 50-60 degree inclines - however, we were told it's also dependent on where you enter, where the gorillas are etc.
I can’t put into words how incredible this experience was. Seeing the gorillas has been a dream for our family for years, and we’re so happy we went for it. Mambo Gorilla Safaris made the whole trip extra special with their friendly, professional service. A huge thanks to Didan, Charity, Hillary, and their team for making this trip one of our best memories ever! I highly recommend Mambo Gorilla Safaris to anyone thinking about visiting the mountain gorillas.
CA
Friendly, accommodating, experienced, informatiive
This opportunity was on our minds for a very long time. Finally in Jan2024 we were able to pull the trigger and make the trip happen. Called it the 'primates tour' where. we wanted to see the golden monkeys/chimps/and most importantly gorillas. We also wanted to get some game drives and take in some of the local sights and scenery.
After some research of various fitters we found Mambo Safaris as a highly rated company. Since it was just 2 of us, we got in touch with Mambo where Didan and Nicholas were extremely helpful. We wanted to make some subtle adjustments and tailor the trip to our needs.
I cannot express how amazing the experience was. Starting from the pickup past midnight to our lovely accommodation in the Airport Guest Lounge all the way to the airport drop off on day 9, the entire trip went without any interruptions or hitches. I credit the entire team from Mambo for allowing us to enjoy the trip, offering us very valuable feedback and information to make the plans fully successful.
Even when unplanned events did happen, we were able to pivot and maximize our times and experience. I would like to especially thank Twinomuhangi Yonah for his outstanding company and driving throughout the entire trip. He was very entertaining and sharing a lot of the local knowledge which we were very thankful for.
Just a warning for anyone reading. If you are planning on paying US cash, make sure they are not marked and newer than 2018.
In closing, Mambo is an EXCELLENT choice for anyone travelling to UGANDA and looking into taking in the wildlife tours. The lodgings were amazing as well, even though we opted for the budget.
Thank you Mambo team for all your help and guidance throughout out stay. All the very best!!
MX
Gorilla Tour not official, but bribed a guard for a private tour.
The tour went ok. While tour was in a Landrover, it was not well maintained. Twice the car would not start until fixed a few days later, ran out of gas since dashboard was not working so never knew how much gas we had or how fast we were going. He tried to change originally quoted hotels on me, most where for a lower quality but when pressed he changed back. I was in low season so no issue with availability.
The biggest issue I had was on the gorilla trekking. The night before he called me to say needed to wake up and hour earlier cause gorillas had moved. I said we stayed in this hotel since it was 10 mins from the Buhoma gate. He said please wake earlier, so I did. One of the owners picked me up, not my usual guide we drove for about an hour. Then parked on side of road, where a Ugandan guard came out of the forest I followed him alone, not sure what was going on and saw gorillas for an hour. This was clearly a bribe for the guard and much lower cost for the operator. For all gorilla treks you usually meet with the group at an official entrance show passport get signed in and and divided into groups, as well as a short talk. This operator clearly did not pay for a gorilla permit. Tour operator and guard pocketed the money not Uganda Parks.
IL
Perfect attention to customer experience!
I went with Mambo Gorila to Gorilla trekking for one day. As I requested, and althoue very unusual, they managed to arranage a tour for only myself with the gorilas for the same price!
The price I got from Mambo was the best offer by a hundreds of dolars from other companies.
All the staff of the hotel and the company are so nice and helpful especialy Nicholus who took amazing care of me from the minuite I conacted Mambo and even helped me long after with other activitis in diffarent country (which were not paid to Mambo).
I recomend this company with all my hurt!
