At Kubwa Five Safaris Offices
Kubwa Five Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- APTA, UTB, ESTOA & AUWOTT
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Haig | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Supportive, responsive, and flexible
My wife and I just returned from an 18-day trip to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with Kubwa Five. It was the trip of a lifetime. From the beginning, Kubwa Five was extremely fast to respond to any and all questions we had (and we had many), which put our minds at ease as there are many logistics that go into a trip like this, apart from the fact that neither of us had been to that part of the world before. We also appreciated the ability to swap out certain accommodations for others based on our own research.
Once we arrived in Kampala, things took off smoothly. Someone was waiting for us with a sign with our names and took us straight to our first hotel. The next morning our guide had arrived, introduced himself, and we were off. Our guide, Charles, knew Uganda inside and out, down to every bird species we encountered along the way. His passion for his country was effusive, as he enthusiastically shared his deep well of knowledge with us during each drive and at every destination. The variety of activities in Uganda kept things fresh while offering plenty of time for wildlife viewing: game drives in the national parks, cultural interactions with local people, primate tracking (chimpanzees and mountain gorillas), boat rides, and, at our request, a visit to a home for disadvantaged children. The staff at all of the lodges and hotels were friendly, warm, and accommodating. In terms of wildlife, we saw nearly all of the animals we'd had on our list even before heading to Kenya and Tanzania, which are much more popular tourist destinations for safaris. Kubwa Five nailed planning and executing the Uganda leg of the trip, perhaps because they are based their and so have a deep knowledge of country.
Next up was Kenya. Our journey took us from our arrival by plane to Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, the Maasai Mara, and finally to the border for our transfer to Tanzania. Again our guide did not disappoint: while more reserved, Geoffrey was equally knowledgeable, had a pleasant demeanor, and put a high emphasis on safety. He kept up to date on the status of the recent political protests that have been taking place in Kenya, monitoring social media to ensure our security. Witnessing the great migration of wildebeest and zebra at the Maasai Mara, standing up close to giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest on the Lake Naivasha walking safari, and witnessing the astonishing bird life at Lake Nakuru were experiences we'll never forget. If I had constructive feedback to provide for this leg of the trip, it would be that a couple of the accommodations (Burch's Resort in Nakuru and Lenchada in the Mara) left much to be desired, the former being what seemed like a half-abandoned shell of a convention center hotel undergoing renovations and the latter being a tented camp with very limited electricity hours, a prison-like bathroom, and mosquitos that kept finding their way into my mosquito net. The first full day at Lake Naivasha could have also been optimized, as the day's main activity was over by 1pm (would have been 12pm if not for paying for an optional activity), leaving us with several wasted hours in an already fast-paced itinerary.
The land border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania was surprisingly smooth. Our Tanzanian guide Alfa came over to the Kenyan side to help facilitate the transfer. It was nice to see that he and Geoffrey knew one another, and Geoffrey comforted us by telling us that we were in good hands. From the beginning Alfa made us laugh with his crazy stories, while educating us with his encyclopedic knowledge about not only wildlife in Tanzania but of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, politics, and social issues. The wildlife on the Serengeti was no less stunning that in the Maasai Mara or any other national park we had visited; in fact we counted 33 lions on a single full-day game drive. People were as warm to us as they had been in Uganda. Several times, at both lodges and on an activity (hot air ballooning in the Serengeti) staff charmed us by singing and dancing for us. While we'd begun to get safari burnout by this point in the trip, Kubwa Five seamlessly accommodated our request to swap out and add certain non-wildlife-related activities so that we could get the blood circulating in our legs again after countless hours in the car. The only unexpected hitch in Tanzania was discovering that we'd been taken to a lodge that wasn't the same one on our itinerary for that night. The issue was that the original lodge had been overbooked due to a sick guest but we hadn't informed about it. We resolved the misunderstanding and accepted the company's genuine apology for the mistake, which they fully owned up to. And in the end, the new lodge wound up being an incredible luxury tented camp that we greatly enjoyed.
In short, our experience in East Africa with Kubwa Five was worth every penny. Choosing a safari company is a big decision, but I can assure anyone who is considering Kubwa Five that you are in good hands and will leave with the most incredible memories.
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Email Shira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and organized
Kubwa Five did an amazing job planning and delivering our 19 day trip in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. From the very beginning, they were incredibly easy to work with and communicated clearly on our options before we booked. They provided us with all the information we needed beforehand to plan, what to pack, and answered all the questions we had. Everything on the trip itself went very smoothly - when our flight to Uganda was delayed by more than five hours, they had it covered and made sure all was taken care of.
Our guides in each country were all amazing in their own right - Charles in Uganda, Geoffrey in Kenya, and Alfa in Tanzania. Each of them were incredibly knowledgeable about their countries and answered all questions we had and engaged in interesting discussions, whether it was about the life in those countries, animals, politics, their personal experiences, etc. Each of them made us feel safe and taken care of, were always on time, and always approached each moment with a great attitude.
The trip itself was organized very well - we loved every single moment in Uganda and everything we did there, mostly the chimp and gorilla treks! Kubwa chose amazing lodges to stay in that blew our minds. Every moment was jam-packed with very diverse and amazing experiences and we loved it. Kenya was great too, and we loved all the game drives we did there, as well as the cultural interactions with the Maasai. We wish day 1 in Kenya had been planned a little differently - for example, on the first day there, Kubwa had only scheduled a 1 hour boat ride (we added on a 1 hour walking safari) and then left us at our hotel the rest of the day, but the hotel (Burch's resort) was run down, our room was filled with mosquitos, and there was not much place to relax at the resort because it was under construction and our balcony did not have any chairs on it. We wished that something else had been planned for that day (like maybe switching the bike ride in Hell's Gate NP) or that Kubwa chose a nicer luxury resort for that day since we had to pretty much spend the day in our room. The rest of Kenya was nice though and we were lucky to see the migration of the wildebeests. We were very happy to end our trip in Tanzania - although most of the scheduled program was game drives, we were feeling a little burnt out from game drives and spending so much time in the car, and we were happy to add on the hot air balloon ride in Serengeti (worth every penny) and also - Kubwa suggested we switch the last day game drive with a hunt with the Hadza tribe, and that turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. We were grateful that they worked with us to change the itinerary so last minute.
There was one hiccup in Tanzania where the company did not tell us they switched our lodging last minute and we found out when we showed up at a different location than we were told. While the place we stayed at turned out to be better than the original tented camp, we wished Kubwa Five communicated the change beforehand. The reason for the change was because there was a sick couple at the original resort who could not check out and the place was full - something we totally would have understood if Kubwa had told us. It ended up being for the better and the office did apologize multiple times, but we just want to note this so that in the future, these types of changes are communicated to the clients beforehand. I do want to note that everything else we did was 100% by the itinerary and all of the other lodges and days went exactly as planned.
We are thankful that Kubwa chose great places for us to stay in - we did a mixture of budget, midrange, and luxury - and most places we stayed in exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort, food, and proximity to the parks.
Overall, the trip was a wonderful experience and we would definitely choose Kubwa Five again for any future trips in countries where they operate. The level of professionalism, attention to detail, and positive attitude was just above and beyond, and we are so thankful that they gave us an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives.
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Email Lisa H. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour operator that truly delivers a thrilling Safari
Kubwa5 truly delivered a thrilling Safari of a lifetime! The Safari was everything we had every dreamed of as this had been a bucket list adventure trip we had wanted to take for many years. Kubwa5 was amazing to work with as I had so many questions before I ever booked the Safari and they answered every question in great detail. They were so professional and easy to work with from start to finish, I cannot say enough wonderful things about the company and highly recommend them. Our tour guides in Kenya and Tanzania, Tony and Alfa, were both so awesome and they truly made the trip even more special than we ever imagined it would be. Both guides took the time to position the vehicle for optimal viewing experience of the animals and were always checking in with us to make sure everything was okay. Both guides made the Safari even more special than we could have ever hoped for. The lodges, hotels and tented camps we stayed at were each different and unique and we absolutely loved every placed we stayed and the food was excellent. The tented camps are a must to experience while on Safari and they are well appointed and have everything you could possibly need. Although we wanted to experience all the animals in Kenya and Tanzania, for us it was not just about the animals as we wanted to experience the culture of both countries, everyone was so accommodating and made us feel at home. This Safari adventure allowed us to become a part of the African story and it will always be a part of us.
Email Miss environment Ug . Ms Parvin | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best, very good customer care and have a good travel plan for everyone considering your interest
I normally do my booking this time Kubwa five safaris did and I don’t regret it. I saved some money from the bookings toured the best places in stone town and had the best activities as they planned. With the best guide from Zanzibar organized my transportation and made sure to inform me prior to all my programs so I don’t miss out. The customer care is top notch guides are linguistic which makes communication easy all round . Kubwa five .Asante saana
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Email Kathy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour operators were knowledgeable and professional at their job.
Kubwa 5 made our trip unforgettable. Our tour directors in both Kenya and Tanzania were personable and proficient. They knew exactly where to go to see animals and were diligent in finding them. Communication with personnel at Kubwa 5 was consistent throughout the trip and they were so accommodating when we wanted to change the itinerary last minute.
The cost of the trip was well worth all of the experiences it included. Would highly recommend them to anyone interested in a safari.
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Email Matt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good with communication and ensuring you're having a good time.
I can’t recommend Kubwa 5 Safaris highly enough. I just finished a 21-day safari covering Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Initially when I got my itinerary my first thought was, “why so long in Uganda?” I had a few days for the gorillas and chimps, but wondered why there was so many other days (8 days total). Uganda does not get the global recognition that Kenya or Tanzania gets when it comes to safaris, which is why I was slightly hesitant, but I was so wrong. Uganda ended up being my favorite country of the trip. Gorilla trek, chimp trek, and the only member of the Big 5 I didn’t see (but is possible to see in Uganda) was a leopard. I had no idea the diversity you get in Uganda. You could be on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park spotting elephants in 90 degree weather and then the next day in Kibale Nation Park, waking up to high 50 degrees, ready to trek in the forrest to spot chimps. I LOVE Uganda. If you love primates at all, I cannot recommend the chimpanzee and gorilla trekking enough, it is COMPLETELY worth it.
I was sad that I only got 2 full days in Rwanda, because it felt like there was so much potential in that country, but the main reason I went was for a golden monkey trek and it was amazing. Did not require a high level of fitness to reach the monkeys and it was a joy to watch them jump around from tree to tree. I could have watched them for HOURS. Rwanda has a completely different feel to Uganda. Uganda feels more free, while Rwanda is more structured and disciplined, mainly due to the drastic difference in their governments and how they enforce laws. Rwanda felt more upscale, so if you want to stay at fancier resorts (not that you can’t in Uganda), Rwanda may be a good choice.
That’s a good segway into safety. I want to make sure this is very clear, I NEVER felt unsafe in any country that I visited. Nobody ever treated me poorly and was graciously welcomed by everyone that I encountered. Kids love seeing foreigners and they are always waving as you drive by. I did several cultural experiences throughout this journey and all of them were a special experience. Whether it was leaving how to weave, make banana gin, “marrying” and going through a traditional wedding, or dancing with kids at a school. Every experience is one that I will remember for a long time.
There was one slight hiccup with the initial planning of my flight from Rwanda to Kenya in regards to the timing of my flight compared to my itinerary, but once it was discovered they resolved it without ANY ISSUE in my itinerary.
Kenya and Tanzania felt somewhat similar, only because they were noticeable different to Rwanda and Uganda. Maasai Mara and the Serengenti were unbelievable and allowed me to see all the Big 5. I did several boat tours and they are an amazing way to see the native birds, hippos, and even crocodiles. I also did two hot air balloon rides, one in the Maasai Mara and one in the Serengeti. Unfortunately neither had a great sunrise, but that’s just unlucky and nothing to do with the companies. If I had to choose one, I’d probably choose the one in the Serengeti. Although the hot air balloon basket was more cramped, we did see a lot more animals (maybe it was just a bad day for the Maasai Mara balloon).
I had a separate guide for each country and I got incredibly lucky that each one was amazing. I had Sam in Uganda, Smith in Rwanda, Geoffrey in Kenya, and Gift in Tanzania. Each one was so knowledgable about the animals and it always amazed me at what they were able to spot while also focusing on driving the vehicle. Each was willing to consider what I wanted to see or what I haven’t seen yet, to change our itinerary on the spot to get a better chance at spotting specific things. I would happily request each of my guides again if I ever visit these countries again.
In the end, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Safaris are expensive, there’s no way around it, so I was a little nervous that it may not live up to the expense and the expectations I had in my head. It exceeded all my expectations and I can’t wait to plan a different safari in a different part of Africa in the future.
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Email Jim B | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Big Five and More!
We had high expectations and Kubwa Five exceeded them all! We had them plan the entire itinerary, since we’d never been to Africa before. They selected the lodges, guides, and which parks we would see- all were fantastic! We saw many animals, even some that surprised our guides (caracol cat and a Pels fishing owl) In Botswana we did land and water tours in the Okavango Delta, Khwai and Chobe River. In Tanzania, we spent time in Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire. All the lodges were great, food was delicious and plentiful, but the guides made it spectacular. Their knowledge of the locales and animal behaviors were key to seeing the wide variety that we did. Kubwa kept in touch with us during the trip making sure everything went well and keeping us informed of any changes. We are heading back again next year and will definitely use Kubwa Five again.
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Email Ramiro N | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible
The experience with them was incredible. From the moment I booked, they were friendly, prompt, and answered all my questions. Before the safari, they followed up on my reservation via email. When I arrived in Uganda and their services began, I was convinced I had made the best decision. The safari experience was unique; I would book again without hesitation. My guide was Mustafa. I would also recommend him without hesitation. He is professional and very good at his job. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.
P.S.: I also heard about the company through this site and considered other people's comments when making my reservation, which I can confirm (the positive comments).
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Email Dee | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guides and schedules
We just returned from two weeks of game drives, first week in Botswana, second in Tanzania. We selected Kubwa Five Safaris to organize everything and it was an extraordinary experience. Great communication prior to the trip-and I had tons of questions, to check-ins during the trip making sure everything was going well. The accommodations they arranged were amazing, and all of the guides were stellar. We got our Big Five and plenty more. Kubwa arranged all of flights within the countries, and the flights between the two, as well.
In Botswana we enjoyed game drives in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Preserve and Chobe Nat’l Park. In Tanzania we searched The Ngorongo Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire.
Our guides did an incredible job locating the animals and with their knowledge of their behaviors, we saw several many big cats!!
It truly was beyond our expectations!
If seeing lots of wild animals is on your bucket list, book with Kubwa Five Safaris.
Email Allan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Is a person or an organization that organises tour packages such as transport, accomodations
I wholeheartedly endorse Kubwa Five Safaris for their exceptional service and expertise. Our safari experience was truly outstanding, with the team demonstrating unwavering professionalism and attentiveness to detail. Their prompt and efficient communication ensured seamless arrangements, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure.
Their extensive knowledge and local expertise enabled us to witness a diverse range of remarkable wildlife. I highly recommend Kubwa Five Safaris to anyone seeking a memorable and well-organized safari experience
