DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best Safari ever😍
Short travel report Uganda January/February 2024
We left almost on time on January 24th shortly after 11 a.m. from Nuremberg's Albrecht Dürer Airport via Istanbul to Entebbe. When we arrived there, we were met by our two guides Elli and Joseph at around 6 a.m. and taken to the Seven Seasons Hotel to relax. In the afternoon we went on our first trip to the Entebbe Botanical Garden. This was founded by the English in 1902 during the colonial period and has a large variety of plants, shrubs and trees. We were also able to observe the first species of monkeys such as mantled monkeys and vervet monkeys.
The next day we set off early in the morning to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. In this great park we were able to admire 13 rhinos while tracking with a local ranger. The sight was simply indescribable, we got to within about 20m of these wonderful animals. After a short night at the Bomah Hotel in Gulu, we continued to the Zebra Lodge in Kidepo Valley National Park for 2 nights.
This park is located across borders in the drier north of Uganda on the borders with Kenya and South Sudan. On the game drives we were able to see huge herds of buffalo, lots of elephants, bumbas (warthogs), some giraffes and various types of impala. This savannah landscape there is simply indescribably beautiful. A highlight was the visit to Idi Amin's former residence in the Katurum Lodge park.
After another night at the Bomah Hotel, due to the longer distance, we went to Murchison Falls National Park. Here the Pakuba Safari Lodge was our accommodation for 2 days. It is located in the middle of the park with a small waterhole and a wonderful pool that gave us our first slight sunburn. On our game drives we had lots of animal sightings, saw our first lions in Uganda and, as a highlight, a leopard in its tree hideout. We ended the evening by the campfire with guitar music and singing from our new Canadian friends Beggi and Tom.
It can really continue like this!! The next day, after the morning game drive and lunch in the lodge, we went to the Nile for a boat trip upstream to the Murchison Falls. Along the Nile we saw buffalo, elephants, monitor lizards and some large crocodiles, as well as many species of birds. But the view of the waterfall from below was already very impressive, but it was about to get even better.
The trip directly to the falls was only planned for the next day, but Elli, our guide, had a feeling and after a short drive and a short walk we arrived at the top of the waterfall. The rushing and roaring, the spray, the play of light until sunset, just amazing, fantastic and indescribably beautiful. An impression that will last forever!!
Early in the morning when we left the Pakuba Lodge, a herd of elephants was standing almost directly in front of our room, leisurely making their way around the grounds, which delayed our departure a little. But we reached the Kibale Forest Camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon we went on an excursion to the “country and its people” including a medicine man, coffee roastery, basket weaving and banana beer brewery. A must if you want to get to know the culture of these great people. In addition to the beer tasting, there was also a great homemade banana schnapps. The way back to the camp took a little longer!!
The next morning we set off for a wonderful walk in the forest before going chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale National Park in the afternoon. After a few mud holes, wet shoes and dripping trousers, there they were, the chimpanzees. It was wonderful to be able to observe our closest relatives up close, simply unforgettable moments!!
On the 10th day of our tour through Uganda we continued across the equator to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here we stayed at the Buffalo Safari Lodge. During the game drives we were able to see a lioness with her 4 cubs, but the absolute highlight was a bull elephant who visited us while we were swimming in the lodge's pool and drank a few liters of water from the pool with his trunk. Another highlight that you won't forget!!
The next day we went on a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edouard with Lake George. Here too we were able to see lots of elephants, buffalo, many species of birds and hippos. This time we only saw small crocodiles. But a boat trip like this is just awesome, highly recommended!!
After 2 nights in the Buffalo Lodge, we went to the highlands, to the rainforest of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, to the Rushaga Gorilla Camp. The temperature difference was really big, in the evening hot water bottles were put in our beds so that we were nice and warm.
After breakfast and a very short drive, the lodge is about 300m from the starting point of the gorilla trek. We were greeted by a dance group and after a detailed briefing we set off. In total we were on the road for about three and a half hours, up and down hills, through the thicket, over small streams and mud holes, but after about 80 minutes of extreme conditions we were able to see them. A mountain gorilla family, the silverback with about 14 family members, we were sometimes only about 2 meters away from these amazing creatures. Unfortunately, after 10 minutes it started to rain very heavily and the animals hid under a large bush. I quickly threw on a ponch and followed the family. We overlooked the fact that the poncho was over our feet and we had to go headfirst into a mud hole. After about 30 minutes of heavy rain, the gorillas came out of their hiding place again and we were given an extra hour to take photos before heading back to the starting point. A small detour was necessary because our path crossed that of an elephant. After receiving our gorilla certificate, we went back to Rushaga Camp to shower and change before we reflected on our experiences in the evening around the campfire.
Day 14 of our trip had already arrived, and we headed to Lake Bunyonyi with incredibly heavy legs and sore muscles. There we were taken by boat to a small island called Habuhdro Island. A wonderful gem for relaxing, where you could just unwind with a good, cold Nile beer. A dream island that you could walk around in just under 15 minutes.
After a good night's sleep, we took the boat back to civilization the next morning after breakfast and then on to Lake Mburo National Park. Here, too, we had a wonderful lodge with a view of the park's wide valley, the Kigarama Wilderness Lodge. On our last game drive in the park, we saw lots of giraffes, buffalo, antelopes and also some hippos. We were also able to leave our jeep and get within about 4 meters of the giraffes, who were watching us curiously.
But unfortunately our adventure slowly came to an end the next day. We stayed at the Seven Seasons for a few more hours and then drove to the airport at 3 a.m. the next morning where we flew back home to Nuremberg on time with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.
Special thanks go to our two guides Joseph and Elli!! We had a lot of fun with them during the 16 days. They took us safely and reliably across Uganda and brought us much closer to the wildlife, nature and culture through their knowledge.
Also Sedrick, the boss of Ngoni Safaris who planned this unique tour for us, and all the staff at the hotels and lodges. We were warmly welcomed and entertained everywhere. We will definitely travel to this great country again!!
To paraphrase Hemingway:
“If I’ve ever seen magic, it was in Africa”
(automatic translation from German)
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Big 5 safaris and awesome bush lodge experience with VivaSafari.
I had an incredible time in South Africa with VivaSafari during my stay at both Tremisana and Marc's treehouse lodge. I want to thank all the staff at both lodges and all the guides who took us on safaris in Balule and Kruger. I got to say that we were very lucky with our sighting, including a leopard on a night time safari, 3 black rhinos, all the big fives, hyenas, hippos, baboons, and other beautiful species like ground hornbills and a saddlebilled stork.
Also a pleasure to stop by the Blyde River Canyon's 3 rondavelles spots on the way back to Joburg. Wildlife, scenery, accomodations and great food all made it a truly special trip to me. South Africa has always been a favorite of mine for wildlife photo safaris and scenery, and this is without a doubt one of the best times I've had on a trip.
I would highly recommend this safari, and can honestly say I just wish I could have stayed another 5 days !
All my thanks again to every person at Viva Safari, Tremisana and Marc's treehouse lodge for making all of this possible.
Martin
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Masai Mara and the Laikipia Plateau
In Kenya we visited both the Masai Mara and the Laikipia Plateau (Mugie). Both very different but also both very good for wildlife viewing. Laikipia being the more exclusive destination and thus often being the only car at a sighting. Especially the possibility to off-road is magical. The Mara is a place you need to share with many other tourists, but the number of game is excellent. Maybe we where luckily but we did see a lot of active (hunting, fighting cuddling) lions which was for me something I've only seen happen so often in the Mara.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely enjoyable and very professional.
I first landed in Entebbe and visited the Mabamba Swamp, we encountered a Shoebill in the first minute and spent time observing this prehistoric bird, to my joy we saw it walk and then fly in the swamp, many other birds were also seen.
I travelled by vehicle up to Murchison Falls, beautiful trip through the villages and landscape, staying at the Pakuba Safari Lodge was brilliant, superb setting with animals roaming around the area most of the day. My company Adventure in the Wild Safaris was fantastic, my guide Joram was skilled at finding animals and really went the extra efforts to see as much as I could, I couldn’t have been more pleased with his guiding and friendly nature, to make my trip a pleasure.
A visit to the top of the falls is a must see, the power of the water is frightening, then a cruise on the Nile river to see the bottom of the falls is also brilliant, along the way we saw elephants, Nile crocodiles, Hippos and much bird life.
I am very impressed with the organisation and skills of the travel industry in Uganda, I am a solo traveller and enjoyed every aspect of my trip to Uganda, I can highly recommend the country to visit and experience different adventures.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One of the finest places to do a safari
We stayed in the Mugie Conservancy of the Laikipia paleau, a magical place mainly because of the lack of tourists. We have stayed here for 10 nights, doing morning and afternoon safari's every day and had to share a sighting with at max 2 other vehicles. The chances of seeing lion and elephants are good, cheetah decent, leopard rare and rhino is not present in this area.
But I loved the feeling of being the only visitors in an area ruled by animals.
A slight negative thing about the Mugie Conservancy is the tar road splitting the conservancy. With influences the bush vibes slightly. Also there are lots of local farmers present which btw did not bother me at all. In fact, it's very interesting to see how the conservancy makes sure farmers and wildlife can co-exist in the same area.
The possibility to off-road in this area is also very nice and give greet opportunities. All in all a very nice place to visit!
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Murchison Falls National Park by Chris Millbank
Expert guidance on the safaris, knowledge and explanation of animals behaviour and movements, beautiful lodge and first class food, service A+
US
Accommodating and friendly service!
For the safari we wanted, this company provided the best quote and made booking easy! Everything went just as smoothly throughout the entire trip, and we ended up seeing 3 of the Big Five! The Suricata Boma lodge was one of the best hotels we’ve ever been too and we were glad we spent a little more money on that extra. Overall great experience!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exceptional person
My safari experience was awesome with Godfrey.
Everything was handled impeccably from start to finish.
Godfrey is an exceptional guide, truly joyful, good humored from start to finish.
I re how strongly
☺️
(automatic translation from French)
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lots of experience to find the best spots and super nice to talk with. Super photographer as well!!
I did the safari with Abouh and it was the best experience ever! He always knows where to find the wild animals, explains you about the nature, shares experiences and he is an excellent photographer. Totally recommend
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience
Booking our dream Safari to Tanzania was such a pleasure thanks to all the hard work from Boris! We were in touch with little itinerary changes and she sorted them for us with absolutely no problem and with such a quick turnaround. Every part of the experience felt awesome, bespoke and extremely filled with expertise and knowledge. I would recommend working with Akondo Adventures to absolutely everyone!!