This Tour Is Offered By
A fraction of our Team.
Big Apes Africa
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- USAGA, UTB & UWA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
RWUG
We are a Safari Company with operations in Uganda and Rwanda handling Destination management for Tour operators around the world through well crafted private or group tailor made life impacting African experiences. We are a team of Nature lovers and believe in sustainable tourism through conservation and community empowerment. We love to constantly explore our region just for the love of it and it is from this passion and personal experience that we want to craft for you a lifetime experience.
Reviews132
Wow! A Fantastic Experience!
Wow! What a trip! Big Apes Africa helped us to create a lifetime of memories in only 8 days.
For logistical reasons our week was split between 3 guides - and all 3 were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they were very caring, friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, 100% customer-focused and professional. They were clearly very proud of their country and wanted us to see as much of it as possible - with a full-on, non-stop itinerary. We were very well looked after and felt extremely safe at all times. Thank you so much Blair, Gerald and Ismail.
Days were long (with early starts and late finishes) and it was hard going, with many hours spent in the (non air conditioned) van on endless potholed roads - but that only added to the authentic African experience. As we were on a private tour we had lots of space in the van and driving along with the windows open allowed us to experience a comfortable trip with a cool breeze, with the multitude of sights, sounds and smells of the real Uganda.
Highlights of the trip were many - but of course the gorilla trekking was top of the bill. Spending an hour in very close proximity to a group of 9 gorillas (including a baby) was beyond incredible and we feel very privileged to have experienced it. We flew into Kigali (but out of Entebbe), so other highlights included golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, the genocide museum in Kigali (gut wrenching and very upsetting but, nevertheless, a must see); and, in Uganda, chimpanzee trekking, rhino trekking, a visit to the Equator, a guided walk in Bwindi village and swamp (where we saw numerous types of monkeys and birds), a boat cruise on the Nile (with wildlife viewing - including crocodiles, hippos, giraffes and elephants) to Murchison Falls, a drive to the incredible top of the Falls and 3 safari drives in Murchison Falls National Park, during which we saw many animals - including giraffes, buffalo, many types of gazelle and antelope, elephants, warthogs and a lioness with a cub in her mouth, and numerous birds.
All accommodation was excellent (with great service and good food) and we particularly enjoyed the Bweza (jungle) lodges at Bwindi and Kibale. Elephant Oasis at Murchison Falls was also great; and in a beautiful location.
The trip was great value for money, with all meals, park entry fees and trekking permits included and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Big Apes were helpful from start to finish and Bella was particularly helpful with the administration, being happy to accommodate a change to our itinerary at short notice when we requested it.
If in doubt... book with Big Apes Africa!
BE
Responsive, knowledgable and helpful
Communication with the company was great, Bella was responsive and helpful, including helping with booking accommodation before and after the tour. The actual tour was fantastic - the gorilla trekking was out of this world, the chimp trekking was fantastic and the safari was incredible. Blair, our guide, was absolutely wonderful, including taking us to local restaurants when we asked to have traditional Ugandan meals, explaining culture and customs, language and history. The local guide in Queen Elizabeth, Ronaldo, was also fabulous and incredibly knowledgeable. We had such a lovely time and everyone we met along the way was friendly and kind. Would absolutely recommend to friends and family.
IN
Unforgettable First Africa Experience with Big Apes and Our Exceptional Guide Jackson
My wife and I recently completed our very first African adventure, and we chose Big Apes to plan our journey a decision we’re truly grateful for. We booked the tour about two months in advance, and throughout the entire process, the team at Big Apes was supportive, responsive, and thoroughly professional.
What truly elevated our experience, however, was our guide, Jackson. We can’t thank Big Apes enough for assigning him to us. Jackson became the face of our first African experience someone we’ll always remember when we talk about our trip. His dedication to making us feel comfortable was evident in every detail. He consistently went the extra mile to ensure we had the best possible experience.
Jackson was always punctual, ensuring we arrived early for all activities and avoided long queues. He stayed connected with fellow guides for real-time updates on animal sightings in the parks and worked closely with hotel staff to ensure our accommodations and meals were well taken care of. With a degree in tourism and hospitality, his knowledge of local culture, cuisine, wildlife, and birdlife was impressive. He shared insights without ever being intrusive, striking the perfect balance between informative and relaxed guiding.
We thoroughly enjoyed his company and would wholeheartedly recommend him as a guide for anyone visiting Uganda. We would definitely request him again for our next trip.
While the overall experience was exceptional, we did feel that the vehicle provided was quite old and lacked a functioning air conditioner, which was a bit of a letdown. However, aside from that, everything else was handled excellently, and we truly appreciate the effort Big Apes put into making our trip so memorable.
US
Perfect
We went on a 4 day golden monkey and gorilla trek adventure with Big Apes. Our assigned tour guide was Blair and he was awesome. He was timely, communicative, friendly, and went above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience. Blair was knowledgeable about all of the surrounding areas and made our travel between Rwanda and Uganda a breeze. He made sure we were able to do everything that we had planned and even made a few slight tweaks to accommodate our preferences without question. Overall, I highly recommend Blair and Big Apes for any similar adventure.
US
Big Apes Safari Group is a top-tier tour operator that delivers expertly organized, deeply immersive
We had an unforgettable experience with Big Apes Safari Group, and we owe so much of it to our incredible guide, Gerald. From the moment our journey began, Gerald made us feel completely safe, comfortable, and cared for. His calm, professional demeanor paired with his deep knowledge of Uganda’s wildlife, culture, and landscapes elevated our entire trip.
Gerald went above and beyond every single day whether it was adjusting plans to fit our pace, making sure we were always comfortable, or pointing out wildlife we never would have spotted on our own. We visited Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and trekked with gorillas in Bwindi, (to name a few) and at each destination, Gerald’s passion for his country and its natural beauty truly shone through.
He was not just a guide but a storyteller, and a friend. We always felt safe in his hands, even in the most remote areas. His ability to read animal behavior, communicate with rangers, and navigate the parks with ease made our experience smooth and stress free.
If you’re planning a trip to Uganda, ask for Gerald. He played a huge role in making this a once-in-a-lifetime journey that we’ll never forget. Thank you, Big Apes Safari Group and Gerald, we couldn’t have asked for better! :)
