A brilliant nine day safari with an exceptional guide
I have just returned from a fantastic 9-day tour of Uganda with Home To Africa. It was a very enjoyable and productive trip - thanks, especially, to my outstanding guide Karim.
I’m a photographer and have made around 20 wildlife or journalism-focused trips to Africa over the years, including a previous visit to Uganda. My focuses this time were chimps at Kibale, gorillas at Bwindi and mongoose tracking at Mweya (that last one being a bit niche). But we covered a lot more than just this, and the spectacular landscapes alone make Uganda a very compelling photographic destination.
I was travelling by myself, and Karim made the trip so much better by not only being an excellent and very safe driver and a sharp-eyed and very knowledgeable guide, but also by being such a pleasure to travel with. The drives in Uganda are long, so to spend that time with someone who is so nice, so interesting and such a great conversationalist makes a big difference.
I was also grateful for his unfailing punctuality. Early morning light is critical to photography, and he understood that well. He always beat me to breakfast, and we always got to the various park gates before they opened. He also has a well-attuned eye for what makes a good photo and made lots of very helpful suggestions. It really felt like we were working as a team, and I really appreciated that.
The accommodation was all excellent, but I would particularly single out Haven Lodge Buhoma Community at Bwindi. The views from the restaurant terrace looking over the forested slopes are exceptional - and they were just as good from the (very private) terrace of my room. I already miss the view, the tranquility and the sounds of the forest!
It was an exceptional trip and I can recommend Karim and Home to Africa very highly indeed.
