Speke Uganda Holidays
- Located In:
-
Germany
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, APTA, AUTO & We Are Africa
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $1,830 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Jasmin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, reliable and representing Uganda
Very reliable tour operator. We felt safe all the time with our guide, who has explained us a lot of background information. Uganda was a great experience for us! Visiting the Gorillas at Bwindi was a highlight, relaxing at Mutanda lake and enjoying Mburo Nationalpark simply a must-do! Thanks for many impressive moments and all the friendly people around us!
CH
Email Hans | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda 2 week Safari during Covid-19
We had decided to take a rather spontaneous escape from Covid-19 over Christmas/NYE to Africa. Uganda was not even on our radar and we rather accidentally stumbled across this amazing country, rightfully referred to as the „Pearl of Africa“. Speke Uganda was the local tour operator on behalf of the german Diamir Erlebnisreisen, through which we had booked our trip. The main motivation to visit was seeing mountain gorillas, only possible in this region (Rwanda, DR Kongo, Uganda. Tip: Watch the Netflix docu „Virunga“ to get some more appetite). After this trip, I need to say that Uganda has even more to offer. Chimpanzee tracking was an absolutely amazing experience as well. Among our other highlights were leopards and lions. In fact, we had the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) covered after less than half our trip!! Our trip covered Zhiwa Rhino sanctuary, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale Forest NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Lake Bunyoni and the very remote Kidepo Valley NP (plan with many driving hours). During the driving through the cities and villages, and the additional explanations of the guide, we got a impression of the daily life in Uganda.
David, our native Ugandan guide, was amazing. He is very knowledgeable, well educated, sympathic, professional, flexible and polite and he took very good care of us and went many extra miles to realize our extra wishes we had. Ask the boss Tony to arrange your trip with David as your guide! Speke Uganda provided a very spacious, reliable, well maintained open-top Safari vehicle (custom 2017 Toyota Landcruiser) with serious off-road capabilities. Compared to other trip operators that operate sometimes crammed mini-buses (some without open top) that can only maneuver the parks main roads, Speke is a premium operator.
We were booked on a midrange trip and accommodation and food quality was mixed. Most lodges were good, with some very good or exceptional (Kidepo Savannah Lodge). Food quality ranged inbetween ok to very good. But again, the choice of accommodation depends on the trip type/the budget.
As this might be interesting for many - about the Covid-19 situation:
Uganda has opened its borders and during the time of our visit, neither Germany nor Switzerland had Uganda on the „quarantine list“, which was the condition for us to travel. For traveling to Uganda, we got a 6 hour Covid-19 PCR test at Frankfurt airport for about 140€. For traveling back, we needed another test that was done in Kampala for about 65 USD. You will need additional travel time for going and coming back, but other than that, that‘s it. We don‘t need to quarantine and there were no other negative surprises from travel perspective.
To be fair, it needs to be said that Covid-19 might affect your experience in Uganda, however. In our case, David was rightfully extremely careful where to let us interact with locals. For this reason, we were not able to walk through markets, dine out, walk through cities or villages, which is normally something we would do to get a better feeling for the people and the country. Hand sanitization and masks were provided by Speke. Those Ugandan‘s in the hospitality sector we interacted with mostly at the hotels were also extremely careful and disciplined (temperature screenings done almost everywhere, handwashing or even once a shoe-washing stations).
On the other hand, Covid-19 has caused the cast majority of tourists so stay at home. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits were available on a less than 2-week notice (normally >6 months) and for half the price as usual (!!!). The parks we visited were amazingly empty, which is a true blessing if you have experienced looking at a lion with 20 other cars fighting for the best photo spot in South Africa.
After all, we have made the very best of the Covid situation by escaping the madness in Europe to this beautiful country.
DE
Email Dirk | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
experienced Speke as an excellent and very professional tour operator
Thank you so much for an outstanding private safari experience in Uganda. Our guide Gulielm was the best guide we ever had on our tours. Very professional how you could arrange going on gorilla trecking spontaniously again after the first time flashed us. Gulielm was very empathic and gave us an very close insight in Uganda traditions and way of living. The hotels and guesthouses were very well chosen and fitted our expectation perfectly. It is a once in a lifetime experience, but due to your service, we might come back again.
Email Kay | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Uganda
We spent just under two weeks touring around the Pearl of Africa for our honeymoon and it did not disappoint. Speke made the most wonderful program and booked hotels of outstanding beauty.
Our driver/guide/friend was David - and words cannot describe our level of gratitude.
David has a breadth of knowledge and his kindness and likeability ensured good communications with his fellow guides which enabled us to know best locations or spots for tree climbing lions or leopards while in QE park.
David suggested community activities which help local communities and allowed us to learn so much more about the region and heritage.
We were able to communicate freely and tailor our programme to suit our energy levels to ensure maximum enjoyment.
Each hotel that Speke selected made a genuine effort to acknowledge our honeymoon and the memories we have made will never fade.
We also had a check in midway through our travels from Tony at head office, which was a nice touch.
We cannot wait to come back to continue exploring a country of such rich kindness, happiness, wildlife and beauty.
Thank you David
And thank you Speke
DE
Email Olaf Kropp | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great tour, more than expected
I've booked the best of uganda tour (at least that's what it's called here by the local travell office). It was a great tour! Our guide (Ivan) did a great job! He organized all very well. All Safaris were varied, because they were not only by car, but also by boat or foot.
Especially the safaris by foot were extraordinary experiences.
Email Dr Haroon S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Do your research but be sure to choose Speke.
Its always been on our bucket list to go gorilla trekking.The first choice to make was Rwanda or Uganda and looking at costs and travel routes we chose Uganda. Now like me you've probably trawled through the reviews and tried to get as much information you can from the limited few lines that travellers write, and like me you'll probably struggle to really differentiate between them. So I sent off emails to numerous companies asking questions, confirming prices etc. The first thing I noticed about Speke was the quick and informative responses I got from Isabella, she even replied on the weekends and late in the evening UK time. Lots of questions later and I had developed a good level of rapport and trust with her.
She helped tailor the trip so that we drove from Entebbe to Bwindi with an overnight stop at Lake Mburo National Park and then onto 4 Gorillas Lodge on the borders of Bwindi National Park. We spent 2 nights at the Lodge and did 1 day of trekking. It was a hard 3 hour trek in the heat but the hour we spent with the gorilla family made it all worth it. We then caught the early morning flight back to Entebbe. She happily adjusted the trip and route a few times so that it met our exacting requirements and budget.
The trip also started perfectly as the company had organised an agent to literally meet us as we got off the plane and escorted us through priority immigration, customs and then handed us over to our guide.
The other outstanding part of this tour was our driver/guide Emmanuel. He was polite, helpful, considerate and very knowledgeable, everything you would want on a tour like this.
Payments (deposit and balance) were made without any drama or pressure from the company and I was kept fully informed as the money transfers occurred.
So by all means do your research and due diligence but I think you'd struggle to find a tour company in Uganda that will look after you like Speke does. (I've also let the team at Speke know that I'm happy to communicate by email with any prospective clients).
Good luck on your travels.
US
Email Maggie Gatza | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Speke Uganda Holidays was wonderful in making my trip to stunning Uganda just perfect!
If anyone has thought about visiting Uganda, I say, Go, the first chance you have! It is a truly breathtaking Country, with unrivalled topographical beauty, lovely and warm culture and peoples, and magnificent wildlife and nature preserves and sustainable initiatives.
I took a 3-week trip to Africa last November and December, and Uganda was a last minute addition as the final leg of my larger trip. As such, I was only in the country for three days. My Trip was booked through an American travel company Timbuktu Travel, who employed Partner Tour Companies in each Country that I visited. Speke Uganda was my partner there. I cannot say enough about their excellent care of me.
My Primary guide, Africano, was really friendly, knowledgeable and took great care in making plans for me, based on my input of the things in which I'd expressed interest. He was really great for the entirety of my visit.
I did a life-changing Gorilla trek tracking the Rushegura Gorillas at the Blind Impenetrable National Park. The trackers, trek guides and trekking porter were all top! Excellent and really fun and helpful in capturing pictures and videos and sharing useful information. It was breathtaking.
I then did a cultural tour of the area, going around with another excellent guide, who showed me many of the specific groups working to educate travellers to Ugandan cultural and life, and work for the betterment of women and children, and all Ugandans. Again, spectacular.
My hotel was lovely and the staff there was great, and Africano checked in with me regularly across my trip to ensure I was happy and ok.
Tony called me personally one day to help me navigate some currency confusion I was having, and the team at Speke rectified everything for me graciously so that I could finish my trip with no stress. I'm really grateful for that part particularly as it really was a stressful moment, made better by their care.
On my final day, I had a very long Layover in Entebbe, and so, Speke made me a day reservation at yet another beautiful hotel, so that I could relax in peace and see a bit more of Uganda before leaving.
All in all, the only thing I can say is that I wish that I had had at least another week in the Country to explore all of the other things that I hadn't had time to see. Africano gave me a host of recommendations of different regions of Uganda so that I can plan for my next trip. I am already back, in my mind, and will absolutely contact Speke Uganda to help me with my plans! Thank you ever so much for your kind care of me!
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Email Maria | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beautiful and interesting time in Uganda and Ruanda
Beautiful landscape, very kind and open minded people, nice staff, wild animals (amazing to take pictures!) - Uganda had everything. The Tour guide (Paul) and the driver (Willi) were very kind, patient and helpful. Although I am deaf the communication was no problem!
Breathtaking impressions of nature, animals and the culture.
The Lodges were very good. Always beautiful and clean.
I would definetely recommend this Tour!
US
Email Ken and Tim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Africano, our guide was excellent and Speke Uganda Holidays was exceptional in service and value!
From our arrival at Entebbe International Airport, we were greeted with warmth and kindness by the Speke Uganda Holidays staff. This was our first visit to the "Pearl of Africa" and our guide throughout the tour, Africano, offered us so much educational support in understanding the culture of the people and the beauty of the wildlife. We visited several savannas at National Parks (i..e. Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchinson's Falls) and two rainforests (Kibale and Bwindi) where we were able to see up close and personal the various animals that roam freely in their natural habitats. Africano provided us details about each animal and the ecosystems, and since we were primarily intrigued by the Chimps and Mountain Gorillas, we felt blessed to learn about his many years of working as a park ranger at Kibale. We also thoroughly enjoyed being able to eat at local restaurants while on the road and Africano went above and beyond to introduce us to a variety of regional cuisines and even one of the freshest "Rolex" (rolled eggs) breakfast treats along the way. The eco-lodges did their very best to provide reusable resources so we rarely saw a plastic bottle of water and even used cloth napkins at our meals. The places we stayed along the way either grew their own food (tours of the lodge's gardens is a hidden highlight!) or purchased food from local villages, and the food was over the top delicious every step of the way. I finally had a lifelong dream of experiencing gorilla and chimp trekking and Africano shared the populations of these endangered species is increasing (in part, thanks to a lull in tourism during the covid pandemic) due to ongoing conservation efforts. I highly recommend Speke Uganda Holidays and if you are a conservationist, an animal lover who wants to see these beautiful creatures somewhere beside a zoo or sanctuary, this is the place to visit and Speke Uganda Holidays is the tour company to hire.
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Email Fred | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
thanks to Speke Uganda Holidays we had a spectacular and absolutely great trip to Uganda
right from the beginning it was a wonderful trip.
we had an exceptional good driver (Vincent) who was also an excellent guide and a really good guy with a lot of humor and a german speaking guide (Wahab) who was always very friendly and had always a good solution for our very rare problems.
The accommodations were outstanding either about their locations and also about their luxury. No wish was left open.
all was very very well organized and everything went out perfect.
Thanks to Speke Uganda Holidays it was a phantasmic an unforgettable trip.