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:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $1,020 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email John Crawford | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Linda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
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
Email Kabirdas B K | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Nikolai | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Kasey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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! :)
ES
Email Nicolas L | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Epxerience
My dream was to go and see Gorilla's in Uganda. And Big Apes Africa made it possible.
In the first place the communication with Peter by email was very clear and his 14 days tour directly convinced me. I felt really secure, as he and his team were really constant in the communication.
We went on the tour with my girlfriend and it totally fulfilled our expectations. All was just perfect: Lodges, food, activities and of course our guide Jackson.
Jackson directly made us feel comfortable. More than a guide, he really became a friend. He shared a lot of knowledge with us, optimized our trip by presenting amazing communities and people and was always here to fix any challenges we could find on our way. Thanks again.
Thanks to Big Apes Africa for bringing our dream to reality. Fully recommended.
Email Piero | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A few Issues and an Inexperienced Guide
Unfortunately, our trip did not meet the 5-star expectations that led us to book this experience. From the outset, there were a number of concerns that impacted our overall enjoyment.
On the first day, we were left waiting outside the Genocide Memorial for over 45 minutes. Our guide dropped us off at the entrance and said he would park the car and return, but he never reappeared. We tried looking for him around the area and the vehicle, but he was nowhere to be found. We never received an explanation for what happened during that time.
The driving throughout Kigali felt unsafe and erratic. The guide frequently seemed unsure of the directions, and on multiple occasions, we had to assist using Google Maps. It was evident that he lacked confidence driving in Rwanda and was unfamiliar with many of the destinations on our itinerary.
Communication was another major challenge. Instructions and updates were often unclear and lacked the level of professionalism we expected. While it was clear that our guide meant well and was trying to do a good job, we strongly feel he needs further training and more experience to meet the standards promised.
Additionally, prior to the start of the trip, we attempted several times to pay the remaining balance ahead but did not receive the invoice until the final day of the trip. We were then told we couldn’t leave the lodge until payment was made — despite unreliable Wi-Fi and power outages that made it nearly impossible to complete the transaction promptly. This situation made us feel as if we were being held hostage, which was stressful and unnecessary.
That said, we do want to acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the support we received from the company during the trip, especially when we had to cancel the Golden Monkey trek due to a health issue with my partner. The understanding and flexibility shown during that situation were truly appreciated and made a difficult moment easier to manage.
While there were some highlights — notably the incredible gorilla trekking and a few lovely accommodations — these moments were overshadowed by the logistical issues and lack of professionalism throughout the rest of the experience.
BR
Email Ana Carolina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Trekking with gorillas with Big Apes was an incredible experience — it made our trip complete and absolutely perfect.
The initial service from Bella was excellent; she helped us and answered all our questions with great care.
During the tour, our guide Blair was more than just a guide — he was kind, attentive, punctual, and went above and beyond by assisting us with immigration, helping us find an ATM, sharing insights about the region, and giving great advice for the trek.
Our lodge, Bweza, was exceptional — everything was clean, beautiful, and the staff were incredibly kind and welcoming.
The gorilla trek itself is truly one-of-a-kind. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience it at least once in their life, and I highly recommend doing it with Big Apes.
Email Jason Shillam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
This trip far exceeded my expectations. A 1 to 1 safari with Tim my guide, whose knowledge of the animals and birds of Uganda was incredible. I booked 10 days including Chimpanzee trekking and Mountain Gorilla trekking. This was about right for me and I would not have wanted less. The accommodation was far better than I expected and the food was simple and very tasty.
Tim was always on hand if I needed him but allowed me to do my own thing in the evenings which was great. I saw everything I wanted to see including the main reason for going which was the Gorillas. The hour I spent with them was unforgettable.
I loved my visit to Uganda and loved the people who are so friendly and kind. I would highly recommend BIG APES as an operator and would definitely recommend Tim as a guide. Take a good pair of binoculars but there really is no need for a camera with a 6 foot lens. I took all my photos using an iPhone as the wildlife is that close!!
Thank you Tim for making the trip one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
CH
Email Marianne Hafliger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable, wonderful experience. Even though we spent money, we have become so much richer.
Booking the tour is very straightforward, there is only documentation for the tour. No information on the day of arrival and departure.
Very nice and special accommodation selected, thank you. Price - performance of the tour is adjusted.
The last leg of the journey, 8 hours drive without a break in one day, and flight to Zurich (as originally planned) did not work. Thank God we had accidentally booked the flight a day later. Thanks to the secretary for the additional hotel booking.
The guides were very good drivers, reliable, friendly, helpful and looked after us very, very well. Every wish was fulfilled in the best possible way. The second driver could have gained a little more local knowledge and familiarised himself better with the journey times. But no effort was too much for him either. Thank you both.
In short, a wonderful, varied, fascinating and eventful holiday.