Jones and Isolde the directors of NRSU
Nature Responsible Safari Uganda
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Member Of:
- AUTO & UTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $230 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AT
Email Rene Oblak | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream trip with Nature Responsible Safari Isolde Nowak and Jones Tugume
I give this trip 300 out of 100 possible points.
It was my first time experiencing a safari, and I'm more than overwhelmed by everything we were able to experience in 19 days.
But the excitement began much earlier. My wife contacted Isolde Nowak long before the trip. What's particularly cool is that Isolde speaks German quite well—joking aside, Isolde is from Germany, and her German is perfect.
What else do you get when the tour company is also the executing company? It was very pleasant not to have a language barrier. After we had the perfect itinerary, it was just a matter of waiting until it started. And then it started, and how! With her well-known German thoroughness, Isolde put on a fireworks display of experiences that left us in awe. The perfect combination in the execution of the trip is created by Isolde and her husband Jones, who is Ugandan and, above all, worked as a ranger with gorillas for a long time, which turned out to be particularly helpful for us.
From rhino tracking, to water game drives and the so-called Drive Games – across the national parks in an off-road vehicle – to tracking on foot and, the two highlights, the tracking of the mountain gorillas. Thanks to Jones's contacts, both treks were not only successful but also characterized by very short distances, which suited my fitness level well. Oh yes, there was also the chimpanzee trek. That requires some fitness, but I was able to manage it.
Many lodges were amazing. From the view from the swimming pool over the national park, the rhino encounter on the way to breakfast (all without fences or barriers), evening visits by hippos on the lodge grounds, to lodges so close to the national parks that various animals pay their respects. All in all, Isolde and Jones know their stuff, and their contacts are invaluable when there's something to check out.
And then there's the warm welcome. No matter what the issue is, preparation, execution, any uncertainties, whatever, Isolde is immediately on hand, and you feel cared for like a little baby and, above all, protected (Jones, as a ranger, never let us out of his sight).
Yes, exactly, we had the privilege of traveling with Isolde and Jones. The concentrated expertise, and even German-speaking in the same car. That's it!!!
And when it comes to cars, there's Clinton to mention. The Formula 1 champion on the roads of Uganda, who thrilled us with his masterful driving skills, although there were times when I simply closed my eyes to protect my blood pressure. Impressive – a man and his car fighting for the happiness of his guests. Thank you, dear Clinton, for your professionalism.
But besides the driving skills, we also got to meet a person who fits perfectly into Isolde and Jones's company. All three have an abundance of heart and are driven by the desire to show their customers as much as possible.
What can we say in conclusion: TOP planning and preparation.
TOP problem-solving and customer service.
TOP processing and service.
TOP sense of security and trust.
TOP price and transparency.
TOP human touch and heart.
TOP recommendation factor.
WE THANK YOU, THE LODGES, AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED TO MAKE OUR DREAM HOLIDAY A DREAM.
WE WILL BE BACK, AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ISOLDE AND JONES AND THEIR TEAM.
Rene Oblak
(automatic translation from German)
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Email Anita | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Sensational vacation
We traveled for 19 days in a small group (three guests with Isolde Nowak and her husband Jones, and a driver) and look back on indescribable days. Thanks to Isolde and Jones, we had perfect organization and the opportunity to not only see the wildlife but also get to know a little about the lifestyle and the Ugandans themselves. Our driver, Clinton, perfectly navigated the worst roads around Biwindi, Buhoma, and Rushaga and drove us safely the entire way.
The things we were able to experience during this time are indescribable, and the next trip will definitely be organized through Isolde Nowak's Nature Responsible. It's hard to fly home, thank you so much 😊
(automatic translation from German)
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Email Jürgen Schneider | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable days and experiences in Uganda!
Many thanks to Isolde and Jones!
We had 19 unforgettable days in Uganda. The diverse range of activities (game drives, walking safaris, biotope safaris, and mountain climbing) gave us a wonderful and profound insight into the culture and, above all, the diverse wildlife of this fantastic country. Isolde is a true organizational talent, and Jones provided us with the best possible support, for example, when it came to choosing the gorilla group or the top guide for the boat trip in the Nile Delta, where, thanks to his expertise, we actually found three shoebills.
The choice of lodges was outstanding in terms of standard and, above all, location. All in all, they were always extremely flexible in responding to our individual wishes and needs. The whole package was simply exceptional, and I can recommend to everyone—especially first-time visitors to Africa—to discover this amazing country with Isolde and her team!
Thanks again!
Best regards, Jürgen
(automatic translation from German)
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Email Ralf S. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Return to Uganda after 56 years
I lived in East Africa from 1957 to 1972 as a young child and teenager. About 9 years of this in Uganda and the rest in Kenya. From 1968 to 1970 I was at home In Uganda and at the same time a boarder in a school in Nairobi, Kenya. I have been back to Kenya several times but never to Uganda. I developed the desire to finally see the Pearl of Africa again.
During research in the Internet I came across Nature Responsible with various itinaries and the offer of flexible adjustments to my specific wishes. In October 2024 I had a first contact with Isolde Nowak the co-owner of the company and a perfect package was put together based on a 20-day all Uganda tour. Never has any tour operator in my past experience created such a wonderful travel book with detailed descriptions and photos. Very valuable was the provided file with packing information and practical information such as how to tip for which services.
In a review a brief comment on the pricing should be mentioned. The quote depends very much on what you ask for and I can confirm that the requested price for 20 days full board for mid-range accomodation in Uganda was very reasonable. The cost of international flights are generally not included as this is far too diversified for a Uganda based operator and allows the traveller a choice according to his needs. It may seem to be lof money (currently US$ 800 for gorillas and US$ 250 for chimps) for the permits to visit these wonderful animals, but those prices are determined by the government and it is still worth it for the experience offered and the money goes towards the program.
The trip was then booked for July 2026 starting in Entebbe and proceeding to Jinja, Sipi Falls, Moroto, Kidepo, Ziwa, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elisabeth, Bwindi, Mburo National Park and finally Kampala with Ndere Culture Centre and my very own special tour of Kampala.
The trip was extremely well organised and we had two vehicles at our disposal for seven travellers and two most competent tour guide/drivers Clinton Mugisha and City Tyson. Isolde selected for us the right lodges in the mid-range category which personally I think are much better than the often overrated deluxe places with little character. These lodges usually accomodate a maximum of up to 40 guests and the service was warmhearted (typical for Ugandans).
We also had the opportunity to stay in the Ensiko Primates Lodge near Bigodi (see separate review). This is a project of the two owners of Nature Responsible and they have my greatest respect for this incedible investment in a lodge that was built in such a way as they see how a lodge should be.
Finally I recommend all travellers wishing to travel to Uganda to make us of Nature Responsible for at least a quote and a proposal. That would convince you. And if you go to Uganda: this is not a country for a hop in hop out trip of a week! This country deserves to be visited at a slow pace and to allow time for impressions to sink in!
