Our guides Paul K. K. and Tim birding at Mpanga.
Terrain Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Marilyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exciting Cultural Adventure in Uganda with Terrain Safaris with Paul as our Guide
Travelers coming to Uganda need to do their homework on the country first. Do not expect all the comforts of the USA while in Uganda. It is a country trying to recover from years of fiscal and emotional abuse from a brutal dictator. Many Ugandans live their lives without the luxury of electricity or running water, not to mention any technology advances. However, the people of Uganda are gracious, nice, caring people. Paul, our guide, from Terrain Safaris did a really good job showing us his beautiful country. The value of our 16 day safari trip was good. We were deeply immersed in Ugandan culture, touring small villages and eating in local restaurants. The tour of Kampala at the end of the tour was nice. The lodging was not as impressive as more visited neighboring countries like Kenya or Tanzania, but after spending days in the country I understood why. Edith's communication with us before and during the tour was very timely. I would suggest she visit more of the lodges in person before booking for clients. The only lodging I had problems with was Trekkers Tarven with no hot water, extremely poor lighting, and safety issues. BUT, the workers at the lodge were very friendly and even baked a delicious birthday cake for two of the travelers in my group. That accommodation was the worst, but with the trekking of the gorillas from there turned out to be the best. I would highly recommend Paul and Terrain Safaris as a great Uganda Safari tour operator. DO NOT EXPECT LUXURY! EXPECT GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY. Thank you, Paul!
NO
Email Karl-Kristian J. Hus | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Gorilla and Golden Monkey tracking in Rwanda.
I had a wonderful time traveling with Terrain Safaris in Rwanda. The guide was very helpful and helped me meet with locals that had the same interests as me. Very professionally organized and I am definitely going to be using them on later occasions.
DE
Email Hendrik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
7 excellent days of individual safari!
I had the pleasure of spending 7 days on an individual safari with Paul, the head of Terrain Safaris.
We covered Queen Elizabeth Park, chimp & gorilla tracking and Lake Bunyonyi.
Paul was extremely kind and patient and always did his best to give me a perfect experience in Uganda. I would recommend him to anyone.
Email Mandy Elizabeth Rush | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari with Terrain Safaris, Uganda – the Pearl of Ugandan Safari Companies
To watch a short video on our Ugandan Safari follow this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/s5L-fwxEE8Q
Uganda and Terrain Safaris exceeded our expectations.
We contacted scores of safari companies, and then narrowed it down to three companies and then I did some due diligence Tripadvisor review research. We choose Terrain Safaris as we are keen birdwatchers and many of the reviews mentioned Paul’s excellent bird knowledge along with the positive reviews they had already received. We were choosing to do a general safari, Murchison Falls, then Chimpanzee Tracking and Gorilla Tracking however we wanted to squeeze in birding at every opportunity.
Paul arrived promptly at our hotel in Entebbe and off we set on a magical adventure around the Pearl of Africa. The country is rich and fertile and bustling with life. Travelling to the National Parks was an amazing experience in itself, as the terrain is constantly changing, the people, the homes, the crops, fruits and vegetation.
We had chosen the budget accommodation option and were impressed with the quality of the camps and food. Some places have power via a generator which is switched on after dark and all of them had Wi-Fi services. Remember however that National Parks are naturally remote areas and you should not expect superfast broadband connections.
We were impressed with the professional standards in the camps. Staff were welcoming, introduced themselves, informed us about the dinner options etc. They were, at all times, welcoming, friendly.
Lugandan is widely spoken but the standard of English spoken is excellent, probably even better than that spoken in Kenya.
We visited Uganda in February 2020, during a time where the ‘dry season’ had become an unseasonable wet season. Terrain Safaris vehicle performed very well in the challenging driving conditions, aided by Paul’s excellent driving skills. The vehicle was clean, reliable and robust with a pop up roof for game viewing and constant supply of drinking water.
On our way to Murchison Falls we stopped off at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and enjoyed the breath-taking experience of tracking wild rhino. Accompanied by a ranger, we walked with rhino and enjoyed a magical hour with these giant grey creatures in the hot African sun.
Then onwards to Murchison National Park. We had two nights at this park and enjoyed a full day exploring its natural wonders. The animals which delighted me most were the Abyssinian Ground Hornbills of which there are many and then the elephant who got a bit too interested in our vehicle when it smelt the ripe pineapples in our boot, and started trotting along behind our vehicle, trunk aloft and curious.
In the afternoon we boarded the African Queen Boat for a cruise on the Nile towards the falls. Imagine how amazing the falls were during the time of unseasonable rains!
We cruised towards the Falls, watching hippos relaxing in the river, sometimes with birds on their back, crocodiles sunbathing. We watched elephants coming down to drink from the river along with waterbuck and pumbas while sipping on a cold beer with a great name Nile Beer!
Next morning and an early start to catch the 7am ferry across the Nile to head south towards Kibale National Park and Chimpanzees. We headed south through more beautiful countryside and our next adventure. In the late evening on nearing our accommodation, baboons had taken over the road, one curious guy jumped on our vehicle, a modern day Highway Man. This baboon looked at Paul, then he peered at the passenger seat, quickly we closed the windows, he was searching for his dinner, this cheeky Baboon Highway Man.
The next morning we headed to Kibale National Park. There were so many vehicles there, so many tourists for the Chimpanzee Trekking briefing. A ranger skilfully told all of us the Dos and Don’ts in the Forest. Then we were split into small groups of 6 tourists to one armed (AK47s) ranger. Amazingly when we disappeared into the forest tracks with our ranger Jessica, you would never know there were another 40 people looking for Chimpanzees.
Wow! To hear the Chimpanzees calling in the Jungle! We stop, we listen, and we change direction. The rangers communicate with their colleagues by radio and try to assist each other to locate the chimpanzees.
Amazingly after only 45 minutes, chimpanzee were spotted high up in the forest canopy feasting on figs. We were thrilled! We gazed and gasped! Jessica told us to be patient, as it might get even better.
The experience didn’t disappoint. The Alpha Male of the group decided to come down to the forest floor, he came Face to Face with a lucky tourist, the rangers told him to move back (8 metres to avoid transmission of our human diseases) but he would have got amazing eye to eye images.
Then the Chimpanzees would hoot and holler some more! The forest reverberated with their call! One of the females was on heat and things were indeed hotting up. More chimpanzees came to the forest floor; we watched them groom each other, relaxing against a tree. They gazed at us, we gazed adoringly back at them, they moved, on instruction from our ranger we followed them. Wow, wow, wow!
After Chimpanzee Tracking, next challenge, Mountain Gorillas!
We drove through a landscape of fertile terraces en route to Mgahinga National Park. We expected to walk from 3 to 8 hours to locate the Mountain Gorillas but we were blessed that morning. No rain, amazing mountain views and after a short trek of only 45 minutes our Ranger told us “we are near”!
We discarded our walking poles as these remind the Gorilla’s of the spears of hunters long ago. The rangers who protect the Gorilla group and who follow them every day of the year, greeted us and then the baby gorillas were spotted playing in the trees.
Then as we looked around it seemed as though the forest was teaming with Gorillas.
Gorillas everywhere!
Babies playing, mum’s with suckling babies, teenagers showing off. Then, from deep in the grass, the magnificent head of the group’s silverback. He lifted his regal head, the sun caught his eyes and he regally checked us out.
We were absolutely thrilled, spellbound and so so lucky.
Only one tourist group, with a maximum eight tourists per day, may spend one magnificent hour with the Gorilla group.
The sun was out, the Gorillas basked in the sun, stripped bark, fed, played and frolicked. One rambunctious gorilla teenager bounded past our group and playfully grabbed the leg of a Dutch lady and down she tumbled into the soft grass.
We could not have wished for a more memorable magnificent hour! We were thrilled beyond words with this experience.
Did I mention that our first trip to Uganda exceeded our expectations?
Well let me mention it again. Uganda exceeded our expectations. Friendly people, beautiful country, amazing National Parks and wildlife experiences, which will not be surpassed for close encounters of the rare and wonderful kind.
Terrain Safari’s answered all our emails promptly and thoroughly. We especially loved Abraham’s email salutations “mysteriously awaiting”. Payment procedures were simple and easy to make. Terrain Safaris tailored the safari to our needs. Paul is a very knowledgeable and experienced guide, kind and considerate, an excellent driver. We had plenty of water in the vehicle and sufficient breaks while driving to our next destination. Even our break sights were chosen with care, packed lunch at Queen Elizabeth’s pavilion and the Equator for a photo opportunity.
Would we use Terrain Safaris again?
Yes, we wouldn’t hesitate to use them again and recommend them. We look forward to our next trip to the Pearl of Africa and hope to experience more of the wonders that it has to offer.
Email Chris Courtaux | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent BirdingTour with Paul Kaggwa through Entebbe, Mabamba, Masindi and Murhison Falls
Paul Kaggwa provided birding and driving support for 10 days in Uganda. His communication and payment process gave confidence before we left. He looked after both of us well throughout the trip. We found 292 species in 11 days. His knowledge and the respect from all the local guides and hotels and reserves, we went to, demonstrates that he has great credibility in Uganda as a Birding Tour Guide. I would not hesitate to recommend him and perhaps go to South West Uganda next time.
Email Peter ssetenda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Amazing and Memoreable experience
Terrain safari Team provided a precise but kept to detail Itinerary,giving the necessary information which met our expectations.The guides had vast knowledge/experience about the various fauna and flora which enriched our Tour at the same time making it enjoyable. They had it for both adults and info for our kids.Very flexible and made it a point that we feel at home .I would love to tour with them again.Thanks a lot Terrain Safaris!!
Great and safe !
We made a Gorilla and Chimp Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. It was incredible to see the Gorillas!Paul was a very nice driver with a big knowledge about the animals! It was a really great Tour. Unforgettable! Thank you Paul! Hope we see us again!
CH
Email Xavier Miserez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda tour with Paul
We had a great experience with Terrain Safaris, mostly thanks to Paul who has been a fantastic guide. He drove us around Uganda for about 10 days, showed us around and even introduced us to his family. He has an extensive knowledge of his country, about the geography and more importantly about the fauna. He is a passionate birdwatcher and will show you animals you would never spot yourself!! I only keep great memories of that trip to Uganda and would highly recommend it to anyone! Don't miss the bungy jump, Paul will tell you all about it ;-)
Email Robin Scott | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
My good friend Paul Kaggwa Kibirango
I had the pleasure of travelling with Paul on a visit to south-east Uganda, to visit an orphanage there. During the week we were together, I had the utmost confidence in Paul to make all of my arrangements for my safety and well-being. Thanks to him, I enjoyed my trip immensely and it was a great success. He has a particularly sweet nature, and was a great asset during my trip, with language, information and guidance. His knowledge especially of birds is fascinating and extensive. I cannot think of a better person with whom to travel and explore in Uganda. I wish him and his wonderful family all the very best.
Email Isabel Jackson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing and so very professional! Could not have asked for more....
Terrain Sarafis took us through Uganda and into Rawanda. Paul's knowledge and experience was evident and so appreciated. I loved his passion for birds and it engaged me into a life-long love for birds. Uganda's birds are amazing. And I felt so safe with Paul and Terrain Safaris as they took us through difficult terrain, found us perfect restaurants and delivered us to unbelievable locations and accommodation. If I went back to Uganda I would not think twice about engaging these guys. Superb!!