JDA Founders Patrick & Victoria Shah on safari
Journeys Discovering Africa
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Travel Trust Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $382 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Trip of a Lifetime.
I can honestly say that the 2 weeks we spent in Uganda was a trip of a lifetime. Every experience we had made you realize that the animals, flora and fauna are a true blessing from God. The wildlife was amazing. The number of elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, lions, etc. took your breath away. At Murchinson Falls make sure you do both a land and water safari. I highly recommend the water safari. The Chimp Habituation at Kibale was an educational experience beyond belief. The guides were very knowledgeable and were very happy to answer any questions you might have about these wonderful animals. The highlight of the trip was the tracking of gorillas in the Buniga Forest. This experience was so dynamic that I am sure most people back in the States think I am making-up many of my experiences. We tracked the gorillas on two different occasions and each experience offered new perspectives. These are incredibly intelligent animals that have much to teach us as humans. The lodges we stayed in (Boma Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge,Kyaninga Lodge) were beautiful and the food was delicious. However, the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge may have been the finest place I have ever stayed in all the world. This lodge is spectacular. The views are breathtaking, and food was delicious, but most of all the staff was like family. I cannot say enough about this lodge. It is a must see for everyone. Journeys Discovering Africa is an excellent safari operator. They not only met all of our needs they out-surpassed our expectations.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime, made perfect by Journeys Discovering Africa
My mum, sister-in-law and I visited Uganda and Kenya in January 2014 - a two-week trip focussing on gorilla treks in Bwindi and a safari on the Masai Mara. Patrick at JDA started planning the trip with my mum many months in advance, providing helpful, insightful, friendly and knowledgeable advice right from the start. It was the first African trip for any of us, so we were starting from zero and Patrick helped to shape our trip into the most magical adventure. He asked the right questions, made sure he understood what was important to us (and what wasn't), worked with our budget and our available time, and basically got every single part of the trip absolutely spot on. The hotels/lodges were perfect - location, comfort, friendliness, wow-factor in every case. The treks (gorillas and chimps) and the safari drives were unforgettable. Our driver/guide in Uganda (James) couldn't possibly have been nicer or more helpful - he felt like an old friend by the end of the first day. All the other JDA staff were equally kind and professional - it was clearly important to them that we had a brilliant time.
I can't say enough about how wonderful our trip was. We will truly remember it forever - I'm very thankful that my mum found JDA and would certainly recommend them to anyone else planning an African adventure.
MC
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome holiday!
One of the best Holiday ever had.
I miss already the place, the people, the animals, I would like to came back now.
People are incredible. The full travel was incredibly very well organized .
Thank you to Patrick, Judith, Davis, Judh, and all the rest of the staff looked after us for the period.
We are been in paradise for 8 days.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Holiday Ever!
Over a year ago when my wonderful Mum-in-law started talking about gorilla trekking, I thought hmmm, sounds like fun. I really took a back seat to all the copious planning and communication that went into designing this trip as my husband and I were overwhelmed opening a restaurant at the time. However, I noticed right away how thorough, courteous and knowledgeable Patrick Shah of Journeys Discovering Africa was in every email he sent.
This trip was a lifetime dream for my Mum-in-law, and Patrick obviously recognized the importance of
every detail of planning, timing, expense and lodging. It took months of work on his part, and many, many emails, but we ended up with a magical, well organized, stress free trip. Patrick even took the time to join us for dinner on our first night in Entebbe (with his lovely wife) and it was a pleasure finally meeting the man behind the plan!
A common refrain during our trip as we were delighted by each beautiful hotel, delicious meal, knowledgeable guide, and well organized travel day was 'oh Patrick, done it again'. From chimp and gorilla trekking, in room massages, garden tours, kissing giraffes, and adopting baby elephants, every experience was special, and made possible by Patrick arranging our trip to fulfill our dreams of an African vacation.
Friends and family were a little dubious when they heard about our plans to visit Uganda and Kenya, trek in the jungle, fly about in little planes, then stay in an unfenced bush camp. Now, having seen our (many, many) pictures, and heard about our trip, they are all jealous! I will never forget this vacation, or the experiences I shared with my family. We would simply not have been able to arrange all the details without Patrick, and his colleagues. Thank you so much!
CA
Email Evelyn Hazzard | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip to Africa was stunningly perfect in every way!
When planning my trip to Africa it was not easy to chose a tour operator online! I contacted quite a few & was disappointed with their replies (or lack of replies). Then Patrick Shaw of 'Journeys Discovering Africa' actually wrote to me like I was a real person & suggested I might like to share a trip to trek gorillas that he was planning. My reason for going to Africa was to see the majestic mountain gorillas & finally someone actually listened to ME & was thinking about what I wanted, rather than what trips they already had to offer! So I began to correspond with Patrick. The poor man must have shared dozens of emails with me! Patrick never, ever made me feel like I was a bother. He answered all of my questions with grace & patience. Then Patrick sent me a (marvelous) itinerary for my own personal 19 day trip! By then my daughters had come 'on board' & they could only get two weeks so we had to revise & delete. It was difficult but we relied on Patrick's wisdom & he was right all the way. Our 12 day adventure was absolutely perfect - for US! Patrick sent us our itinerary, all the information we needed about gorilla groups, Uganda & Kenya, summaries of each trek, each drive, & each (gorgeous) accommodation. We knew what to expect in terms of time, clothing, tipping, customs, etc., each day of our trip. So we decided (after months of Patrick's hard work) that yes, we'd do it! It was very difficult to send money to someone you'd only 'seen' on email! So I asked Patrick for references & I wrote every single one, including each of the lodges! Glowing reports came back! So I believed that this paragon was a real person & sent off our money. Best thing I ever did! What an amazing trip we had! We were greeted at every airport, every lodge, every trekking point, every restaurant by smiling, helpful, knowledgeable people from 'Journeys Discovering Africa'! We sat down with our guides & went over the trip in detail each step of the way. We were never in doubt about what was happening next! It was all what WE wanted to do, not what some tour was already doing! And the things that were planned for us were marvelous! Yes, we did two gorilla treks which were life changing experiences. We also did a chimp trek which Patrick suggested & which I would not have missed! We went on many tiny planes, from tiny air fields, & were escorted there, on time, with all our bookings checked & rechecked ahead of time. Every transfer, every meeting, everything went as 'smooth as silk'! After the gorillas, we went to Kenya. Patrick again, chose perfectly, for US. We loved Giraffe Manor. Our safari experience at Kicheche Camp on the Masai Mara was unbelievable! And again, our guides, our hosts, everyone was so kind & welcoming to us. One thing on my 'must do' list was to adopt a baby elephant at the Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi. Patrick made it happen, & I know it wasn't easy! We had a private viewing of the orphans! Because of the strict timing, Patrick had a long day in Nairobi to plan for us. He managed to give us a final day of animals, & gorgeous restaurants so we could get to see the elephants. I can't say enough at Patrick Shah & his staff at 'Journeys Discovering Africa'. He listens. He is meticulous in the details. He knows all the best places to go & all the best guides! He understands our fears & communicates well each step of the way. He cares & he delivers. If we ever go again, Patrick's email will be on my fingertips! Our marvelous trip to Africa exceeded all of our expectations! We had the best time of our lives! Thank you Patrick Shah & your great staff at 'Journeys'!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A very well organised and comfortable holiday.
We couldn't fault the communications, meeting at Entebbe Airport and the transfers to hotels and lodges. Our driver for the whole 12 days, who doubled up as a guide, particularly for the birds, was knowledgeable, punctual, courteous, and a very good driver. The recently refurbished lodges at Paraa and Mweya were extremely good, as was Boma House and Kyaninga Lodge. The facilities at Eco Lodge in Budongo were pretty basic. Overall a memorable holiday.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda -Lovely country, wonderful people, exciting birding,marvellous guide, excellent lodges
Spent whole holiday in Uganda concentrating on bird life. Very well organized tour. Every detail had been thought of. Lodges very good and staff delightful.
Boat trips on Nile and Kazinga Channel were highlight of the tour.
Huge decline in numbers of antelope since last visit. Many fewer raptors and no vultures.Authorities will have to do something about poaching if game parks are to remain tourist attraction.
Email Rachel Landman | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A perfectly executed safari!
From start to finish - this safari was executed superbly. My first point of call was Anne-Marie Weeden. This was my second trip to Tanzania and far exceeded the first. Anne-Marie took a very detailed consultative approach which made me feel very comfortable throughout the process of making choices and booking. We were travelling towards the end of the great migration season in the Serengeti and she talked knowledgeably and passionately about the wildlife that we were likely to see and the lodges that we would be staying at. We were then introduced to her colleague, Joan Namuwulya who handled the finer details of the tour. Joan was efficient and took us through the booking process and managed our expectations very well.
We spent a total of 5 days in the Serengeti, exploring its wildlife and were fortunate enough to see the 'big five'. There were so many prides of lions! We saw one pride of eleven. We had 2 guides during this period. I found Ali to be an outstanding guide and my mother preferred Agafi, our second guide so that was great for us both. They were knowledgeable and attentive and Ali, in particular, had a great sense of homour. We learned so much about the Serengeti's mammals, reptiles, and fauna. They were respectful of the surroundings and gave us the ultimate safari experience.
We stayed at two accommodations whilst in pursuit of the wildebeests. Serengeti Safari Camp and Lamai Serengeti. Both were superb. Serengeti Safari Camp was my favourite as it was a mobile tented camp following the migration which gave us the real feel of the African bush but with luxury facilities - it must have been quite a feat to achieve. We slept (safely) to the sounds of the animals calling out after sitting with the wonderful manager at the campfire. The food was delicious. Lamai Serengeti was totally different. It was more hotel-like but with smashing panoramic vistas over in to Kenya's Massai Mara. Lions were plentiful and you could hear them roaring over the plains at night. We did a walking safari there which was really interesting and we learned a lot about the eco-system in the park from our guide, Agafi.
On our return we had a face-to-face follow up with Journey's Discovering Africa which was a nice touch.
I would definitely travel with them again. This really is a 'once in a lifetime' journey. Thank you to the team at Journey's Discovering Africa & The Far Horizons!
FR
Email Marie-Hélène | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable trip and stay at Gorilla Forest Camp in Buhoma
We are just back from a wonderful trip in Uganda, tracking the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Forest.
Our journey was perfectly organized by Patrick and his team from JDA, in a very professionnal way.
All ground and air transfers made by excellent drivers/pilots. All guides very knowledgable. The Gorilla Forest Camp is a wonderful place, with an excellent service and food !
The gorilla tracking has been very exciting and easier than expected. We saw a lot of them and made beautiful pictures !
US
Email Jada Jackson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda - Trekking Experience
The tour in Uganda was exceptional. Every detail was covered. The service from the onset of the planning to the actual trip was outstanding. The people at Journey's Discovering Africa made the experience as they customized the trip to meet our needs. If you are traveling to this area of Africa, I would chosse Journey's Discovering Africa.