A fraction of our Team.
Big Apes Africa
- Located 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)
Reviews
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Email Robert Z | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We got a customized tour that exceeded our expectations.
Peter modified our tour at our request multiple times, including changes after we arrived in Uganda. We were very pleased with the service and results!
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Email Cindy Zahner | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded our expectations, our guide/driver Roland was outstanding, we had the best experience ever!
It was everything we expected and more. Everything was planned booked and carried out with ease. Our driver/guide Roland was the best. He drove safely and everything was organized for complete enjoyment. We actually added on two days and Peter did not bat an eye. He planned our extra two days and what he planned was exactly what we wanted. We would recommend this company totally, you will be so happy.
DE
Email Marco | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Probably best guide in East Africa
The whole trip was perfect. The experience with the gorillas and also another tour to the Queen Elizabeth NP is unforgettable. From the beginning, Peter helped us with everything we needed. Was always checking if we could get something cheaper as we would have found it. We saved much money thanks to his negotiating skills with food and accommodation. In addition he even picked us up for free from our hotels and brought us back even after our agreement. He drove us from Kabale to our Hotel in Kigali for free and offered his knowledge whenever we have questions. Also important are his extraordinary driving skills. We felt save the whole tour due to his careful way to drive. Honestly I think it's not possible to do it better.
CA
Email Diane | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
He was very attentive, very professional, with a calming disposition.
The trip was phenomenal. Peter our tour operator always insured we were having a great time. We saw many gorillas, the silverback, and babies. Our trip to the Lake which I was not expecting to be much was such a highlight. The lake and accommodations were breathtaking , the service was very professional and the value spectacular. This Canadian found Uganda a wonderful experience all because of Peter.
CO
Email Ana Cristina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Magical Experience
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling with Big Apes Africa and Peter, the owner, to Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas. From start to finish I had a magical experience. It's no secret the gorilla hike is an unforgettable experience as most reviews claim. However, the help and attention provided by Peter truly made this experience outstanding. Since the start he proved his professionalism with a perfectly tailored quote and timely responses to all my queries. After paying for the experience he was always available for any other questions I might have coming up to the trip. Finally, when he picked me up for the two day gorilla safari he went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable, safe and had an amazing time.
As a female young solo traveler I deeply appreciate companies and people that make me feel safe and protected. Big Apes Africa and Peter were definitely the best choice I could have made for this unforgettable experience! Thank you!
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Email Rosanne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Peter is down-to-earth, authentic, smart and thoughtful, and just overall a wonderful tour guide.
Peter got in touch minutes after I searched on safaribookings.com for a Uganda gorilla trekking experience. Our situation is a bit unique as we will have to leave from and come back to Kigali, Rwanda. We wanted to do gorilla trekking in Uganda because it's cheaper, but eventually we'd want to return to Rwanda. After knowing our special requirements, Peter offered a 5-day tour package that included gorilla trekking and safaris, with reasonable travel distances across two countries. He's also very responsive to my questions and requests for changes. It started out to be just two of us, but after I told some of my colleagues that had a similar travel schedule, it quickly expanded to be a 8-person group because everyone liked the package immediately.
A week before our trip, our return flight was canceled that we had to return one day sooner. I communicated this change to Peter and he was able to quickly adjust our itinerary to meet out new needs. In the end, we had amazing 5 days together with a group of 8 friends. We saw many gorillas, numerous elephants, giraffes, buffalos, rhinos, hippos, antelopes, and all kinds of African animals. Peter drove us around tirelessly and was always on time and quick to act when there's a problem or request.
We had great conversations too while on the road. He's very open to talk, and learn about his guests, although he can also be quiet and let his passengers have a meditative time when needed. He's very open to feedback and eager to improve his service, which to us had already been impeccable.
In sum, I had a wonderful time going on this African trip with Peter and big Apes. I would recommend them to anyone going to Uganda and Rwanda, wishing to have an authentic and memorable true African experience.
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Email Kyle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The most amazing East African and Primate Safari Tour!
I don’t write reviews often, but this one deserves it. I’m not being compensated and had no stipulations about writing a review.
Peter and his growing team with Big Apes is by far one of the best tour companies with whom we’ve worked in our 150+ holidays in 75 countries across the globe. He customizes travel plans, learns his customers’ personalities to adapt the trip, and is responsive to feedback. There are numerous safari contractors in Uganda/Rwanda—take this one!
We took a tour through Rwanda and Uganda for golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, and some local culture. The overall price was amazing given the costs of permits in the countries, the accommodations Peter selected were perfect, and the amount of knowledge sharing along the trek was supreme. Peter guided us from Kigali to Volcanoes to Bwindi and back again, with several stops in between.
We couldn’t have asked for a better time in East Africa. We have been disappointed with other safari tour contractors in the past who felt like rolling cash cows, always hounding for extra money, not responsive to feedback or offering flexibility, and cutting corners everywhere possible. Take some time to make comparisons between tour companies, but highly encourage you to use Big Apes. You won’t be disappointed!
Email Dan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the most insane experiences i've had. Peter knows how to ensure a great trip for anyone.
So we had gorilla trekking in mind for a few weeks and unsure on where to do it, who the best company to go with was and most importantly how to do it the right way.
All we knew is we wanted to feel super in the wild and see the most we possibly could in 4 days. After contacting a few other companies/operators before peter we didn't have a good feeling, seeing payment links before an actual plan for us and mostly travelling long hours between places.
We found Big Apes Africa 2 days before our flight and explained a little bit about what we wanted.
Within an hour, Peter sent a full 8 page PDF with the exact itinerary for our 4 days and we were sold instantly it seemed unreal and it was also half the price, seemed almost too good to be true!
We rolled into Kigali and 2 days later and started our trip. We learnt about Kigali, Rwanda and it's crazy history which was cool and then set off into the wild. We could instantly tell peter knew his plan and knew where we would love, always on time and no time for f*ck ups. Like it.
Seeing the deep rural side of Africa was so eye opening to us and staying in an amongst the villagers in small eco lodges was sick. Just what we had hoped for, we aren't the kind for fancy 5* luxury! (although Pete can offer if you are)
The next day we headed an hour on foot into the jungle to find the only golden monkeys in the world at volcanoes national park, was super cool and the scenery was amazing.
The next morning we set off to see the gorillas, we hit the bumpy road at 5am sunrise as peter knew we would love the view and scenery over the misty mountains. And sure was he correct! Something out of the movies!!
We were soon in the impenetrable Bwindi National Park and hiking through the jungle to see the gorillas which was absolutely insane, we reached them spent an hour with a family of 18 wild mountain gorillas! Only about 2 foot away at some points!
ps. Take your camera!
We then drove to an insane lake called Lake Bunyoni which we could tell peter knew like the back of his hand and it was surreal. We stayed in an eco lodge on an island which was sick. Stranded in the wild, love it.
This was our final night and headed back to Kigali the next morning for our flight.
Amazing 4 days and all I can say is I was completely blown away by the professionalism and Knowledge peter had, the way he analysed us (2 mates travelling Africa) and crafted the trip perfectly to what we wanted, theres almost no value to that, priceless!
Thanks Pete, and till next time
Cheers Dan
Email Chillion Paul | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I THINK THE BEST
Rich Experience!
My 30 days trip to Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was spectacular but proved shorter than I imagined. Days passed by quickly because I was enjoying each to the fullest. My driver guide ensured that everything was arranged and I did not have to do anything. I totally recommend BIG APES AFRICA
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Email Patrick Owor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Peter and his team are very organized knowledge based personalities with a bias to clients satisfac.
I traveled with Big Apes Africa with Peter as our lead Safari Guide and I must admit we were blown away by his level skills in driving and guiding. His knowledge about Uganda and conservation is so extensive and I highly recommend this company.
