65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A brief affordable well planned/executed gorilla trekking tour in Ugandas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
I am 74 years of age. I had climbed Kilimanjaro and been wild camping in the national parks and reserves of northern Tanzania on an independent self drive safari with another younger companion for the most part of January and I wished to complete my journey with a trek to see gorillas in the wild. Those of my friends who had previously gone gorilla trekking described the experience as amazing, not to be missed. I now concur completely, it was truly magic and certainly made possible for me by Explore Rwanda Tours. My very successful trip with them involved just three days. They picked me up from my accommodation in Entebbe early on day 1. Robert, my driver/guide, skillfully drove all the way (approximately 11 hours) to Bwindi on mostly good sealed roads except for the last stretch on dirt near the forest. I was checked into the Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for 2 nights. The cottage I had was just perfect and with a great view of the forest from the wrap-around balcony. The food and service at the lodge was first rate. The gorilla trek was on day 2. After a well informed briefing from the Park's rangers the approximately 40 trekkers on that day were split into groups of up to 8. My group of 5 plus 2 rifle-armed (used only for scaring off any rogue elephants on the track) rangers set off along a well maintained track and surprisingly within 1 hr 10 mins came across a gorilla family of 3 silverbacks, 2 mothers and 3 children (1 a baby). We spent a wonderful 1 hr 3 mins with them both on the track and also climbing in amongst the thick undergrowth (a path hacked away for you with machetes by the rangers), so close to them and yet so apparently safe it's unbelievable. The ranger said the alpha male silverback weighed 200 kg (although they can max out at about 250 kg). The ecological work the rangers are doing with the gorillas is truly most impressive. On day 3 Robert drove me back (approximately 10 hours) to Entebbe airport for my trip home. Thanks Robert for your safe driving, all your help and friendship. A few tips for any trekker planning on doing something similar: (a) if you want to trek for a short or longer distance (I would have preferred a much longer trek) to see the gorillas just tell your guide - you see the rangers have already spotted where the families are hanging out earlier in the morning, (b) wear a long sleeved shirt and trousers with your socks pulled over them (to prevent bitey ants in your pants), and (c) take a pair of gloves to protect your hands particularly from stinging nettles when climbing amongst the undergrowth.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Quick service
Enjoyed our experience booking with Traipsing Africa
US
Quick service
We enjoyed our experience booking with Traipsing Africa.
20-35 years of age
Excellent trip with enosa!
My journey was excellent from picking me up at the airport to dropping me off back.
Noel, the director was easily reachable and prompt to answer.The hotel were I stayed wqs high standards with swimming pool. On the first day I met him and my guide. They checked my gear and made sure I had all the necessary.
The team during the 7 days were super friendly and effective. Food was excellent. The guide really professional, listening and helpful on top of being funny. The tent was excellent quality. I felt really special.Overall an excellent experience!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You can't describe it in one sentence. It was amazing
We booked an adventure tour. First week, we climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. A great tour, but you need a good constitution. We saw some people we bet, they will never reach the summit. The second week we've been on safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyari. Different Landscapes with different species. You need to do all of it. At least we spent one week on zanzibar. One day in Stone town for history and the last days in Nungwi beach for diving.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We have been on safaris but a good guide makes all the difference!
Amazing. Namibia is more than a safari. Our guide Previous with Namibia Nature Travel has a degree in wildlife management and has spent 15 years guiding in Namibia. The scenery varied from sand dunes in the south to seals and ocean to scrub bush in Etosha.
The lodges booked for us were fantastic. Beautiful locations, design and comfort.
We were met by our guide at our hotel in Windhoek. We had an air conditioned 4x4 to ourselves. We took the 8 day classic tour but the company was open to adapting as we were alone. We knew nothing about Namibia so it was a great intro.
Previous is a birder so we now know more about birds than ever before.
My highlight was climbing the dunes in Soussevlei at dawn. My husbands was the massive seal colony at Cape Cross.
February is low season because the animals don't have to come to the waterholes in Etosha because of the rains. We did not have rain, and there were no crowds, which was great. We saw all kinds of wildlife, and Previous knew so much. He was also fun!
Other highlights were the Little Six tour in Swamkupmund, and prehistoric rock etchings in Twyfelfontein. These were side strips with other guides. We recommend dinner at The Jetty in Swamkupmund. Make reservations.
All of this was arranged seamlessly by the tour company. They were very responsive and I would highly recommend them. Nick, one of the owners, was born in Namibia and is also a vet.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a wonderful trip to Uganda, a beautiful country
We had a 12 day trip to Uganda with Gorilla Link Tours. Uganda has beautiful green scenery, quite different from other African countries we visited. The wildlife is unique as well, due to the presence of gorillas and chimpanzees, although other wildlife was also abundant and beautiful. The roads are quite bad, maintenance missing to make them even decent dirt roads. We recommend to take a jeep if possible since the safary vans are not so comfortable. The accomodations were all fine. Our guide, Mike, was very good and narrated Uganda to us, making also the long drives on bad roads part of the experience. The highlight of the trip was gorrila tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest. We got very close to 4 gorrilas (silverback, female, a 2 year old and a 2 month old) and spent 1 hour with them, an outstanding experience. The hike to the gorillas is difficult, up hill off trail in a dense, damp forest. In our case the 1.5 hours to reach the gorillas were a good part of the experience, but glad it was not much longer. We recommend very highly hiring a porter. They are really helpful in the difficult parts of the hike, which people tend to underestimate before going. It also provides economic incentive for supporting conservation by the local, very poor, communities.
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing day hike to Kilimanjaro!
We had an amazing experience with Daily Expeditions Limited, we got in contact with Frank, and he quickly answered all our questions and gave us all the information we needed. On the day of the hike, he pick us up, and we went with a guide, Nuru, who was really nice, gave us information and was open to answer any question during the hike. We asked for a vegetarian lunch, and it was really good, if you need it, you only have to let them know, so they can get you one. And the hike was really nice, it is a really good experience, to get to know the beginning of the Kilimanjaro. We went to the Mandara hut and then to Maundi crater.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
She was responsive to our requests and flexible as we decided on dates and location for our safaris
We felt the communication with our 4 travelers was very good. We asked her for advise about what to do during the 1 afternoon we had in Johannesburg and she arranged a convenient hotel and tour for us. It was extremely helpful to have someone meet us at the airport and help us with finding an ATM to obtain money. All our drivers were informative and answered our many questions. The drivers were prompt and also patient as we completed our check -in /check-out process.
The tour operator arranged for 2 different Safari Lodges, one in Sabi Sands and the other in a concession area within Kruger National Park. Even though they were only about 2 hours apart, we had different experiences and saw some different animals on each safari. Both lodges were very welcoming and had excellent rangers and guides.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic and above expectations.
Paul did a great job tailoring our experience to exactly what we wanted. Our tour guide James really made the whole thing exceptional! Ask for James!!!