ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
My husband and I did a 6D/5N camping safari to Lake Manyara, Serengueti and Ngorongoro last December. We booked it from home and Irene replied us answering all our questions.
I have no words to express how much we enjoyed. Our guide Abdul, great driver, worked in every moment to find all kinds of animals (we saw leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, a enormous python snake, lions,...) and he always managed to place our car in the best position to see them. Our cook, Vincent, was absolutely excellent, thoughtful and prepared us delicious meals, taking care of even the smallest details.
I highly recommend Sunny Safaris, Abdul and Vincent.
Asante sana!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience
We (family of 4 with 2 teenagers) recently did an 8-day safari with African Big Five Safaris, that combined all the main elements of the 7 Day Gorilla and Wilderness Safari and the 3 Day Murchison Falls tour. We also added on the 1 Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour in Kampala. We loved all parts of the trip and everything went extremely smoothly. Everyone we dealt with at African Big Five Safaris was very helpful, friendly and professional. Mary and Geoffrey were fantastic at organizing the trip exactly to our specifications and helping us decide on which lodges were best for us. They were also quick to respond to my many questions. We were on the move every day so stayed in many different lodges that they recommended (mostly mid-range) and all were very comfortable and enjoyable. The food was included everywhere and was very good and very plentiful (usually 3 courses for dinner and sometimes also for lunch). Our driver, David, was great and always very organized and on time. He was also very knowledgeable and friendly, and we were sad to say goodbye to him. At the end of the trip, Mary made a special trip to our hotel in Kampala just to meet us and thank us for our business, which was a very nice personal touch. I highly recommend booking any travel with this company; with such fantastic service and reasonable prices, you cannot do any better than this.
Review about South Africa by Tjeerd de Wit
Many parks with Wildlife.
About 950 Bird species
Scenic beauty from seashores to mountains, deserts and great cities like Cape own.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Rift valley, Lions, Plains, Lakes, good night sleep, Nile Special, Good Food.
Mission Safari
One week from UK into the sunshine.
Party
David = 60 = Experienced
Chris = 30+ David Son = Second Safari to Uganda
Katie = First Trip to Africa = Safari
Moses = David’s regular guide & fixit +256774078821
Plan
Relax, not try to do too much, hobby is photos & generally seeing what comes.
Advice
Your guide is key, I have been with Moses many times, he is the fixer, arranger, driver, knows the people & hence can get the location from James the Ranger of where the cats are etc. Sit back.
Note that Uganda Tours are a bit like a spider web, everything comes to the centre ( Kampala )
Travel along the Radius, the spiral threads may be difficult
Lake Mburo & QE is good
Or ZIWA Rhino Reserve & Murchison Falls is good
Avoid Kampala traffic jams
Chris has been in both directions and chose the route.
Lake Mburo National Park has a family of Giraffe which is a big bonus, must make it the best park for location. We did hear a lion that is reputed to take up residence.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wonderful reliable park, Uganda is looking after wildlife well, the Elephants are tusked and in peak condition and on my last two visits have seen Lions close up and Leopard.
AIMS
None set – no time schedule – allow the good things to come
Equipment
Insect Repellent 50% DEET Pump Spray
Fuji XS1 Camera ( tried & trusted )
Fuji X PRO 1 & XC 50 to 230mm lens ( First Safari )
Fuji XA1 & XF 28mm Lens for Landscapes
Monopods
Medicine
Mefloquine weekly tablets
Transport
Emrates Newcastle, Dubai, Entebbe
Uganda ground transport Toyota HiAce Manual 4 Wheel Drive
Fuel : Moses took 800,000 shillings
Security
Met at Entebbe Airport by Moses & accompanied until back to EBB
Finance
50% Sent via Moses to various camps, car rental etc.
Rest cash on arrival & as spent.
Most fees are US dollars ( Hotel Nights / Uganda Wildlife Fees )
Uganda Shillings for Vehicle, Guide ( Daily Rate ) , Meals, Roadside Expenses, Beverages
Itinerary
Day 1 Newcastle Dubai
Day 2 Dubai Entebbe
Stay Entebbe Lakeside 2 Friends / Andrieta
Note $100 Visa on arrival may change to electronic internet fee
Day 3 Entebbe to Mabamba Wetlands 1 hour
Mabamba Wetlands Boat Trip 2½ hours
Guide Ismail = Despite the hard work of Ismail and the boat man poling the boat over beds infested by water lily roots we failed to see the elusive Shoebill Crane. Otherwise a good boating trip.
Mabamba Wetlands to Lake Mburo National Park via Equator 5½ hours
Lunch at Equator & Photos
Stay at Eagles Nest
Eagles Nest is tented accommodation at a hill top with a central restaurant serving good food & cold beverages.
Recently refurbished you get a good night sleep, it is now fitted with solar hot water and flushing toilets.
We had a dark night and stars, so dark, stars so bright, Venus almost cast a shadow before dawn.
Till you see a night like this you do not realise there is no space between the stars.
Note the track to the hill top requires a strong vehicle with 4 wheel as it is very steep, a well found two wheel may make it. Our Hiace would not entertain two wheel to get up.
Day 4 Lake Mburo Safari & Boat Ride
Bushback, Croc, Zebra, Hippo, Impala, Giraffe, Buffalo, Waterbuck
Stay at Eagles Nest
Day 5 Lake Mburo National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park 5 hours max
Katunguru Community Boat Ride along banks of Kazinga Channel
( note no park fee ) as the community is outside park $15/person 2 hours
Guide very good = boat old but presently sound
Hippo = Crocs, Elephant, Cape Buffalo – Kingfishers, Gulls, Cormorants, Herons, Eagles, etc.
Buy Park Tickets for Two Following Days at Queen Elizabeth Pavilion
Note – important to get this right, a card system operates – communication link with Kampala can be a problem & one does not want to waste Safari Time on paperwork – we had time for a coffee whilst this was completed.
Stay at Engiri Game Lodge – Lion Roars in the night
Taking my younger family members to QE Park to see the Lions I set my Guide Moses Wabwire
( +256774078821 ) to find a more pocket friendly stay than Kingfisher at the top of the escarpment. He came up with this wood & nails camp where the accommodation is in self contained cottages ( a cabin on stilts ). Each cottage has 2 twin beds ( 4 persons would be tight but ideal for a young family ) we were in two which was comfortable. Service was out of this world, greeted with hot tiles every time we appeared, the almost set menu very well cooked. Power was Solar/Generator - Running Water was not heated - hot water delivered to the cabin in plastic jerry cans if you needed it, Jan Temps we had no need. Cold beers, sodas etc. available. Bedding clean, towels, little imperial leather soaps, Sure you get the idea, note the property is bush and those travelling with children take care with the nails! not a biggie - but better have the warning. The rating considers the full board price paid. Location, short drive to national park gates but outside regulated area. Liked the sound of elephants trumpeting at night. Its a wildlife area and the security escort you to the room after dinner. I think the hippo cuts the lawn as I heard him chomping in the night
Day 6
Safari
Brilliant Morning
Hyena – before we entered the park
Lions – cubs, laid down posing for photos. Male nearby.
On way back for lunch we turned about – late lunch – mobile call received and we are off to see a female leopard – the while is snow white against the cactus tree.
Lunch – Rest
Afternoon Game Drive
Elephants – lots and lots of elephants – we watched for over an hour as they cavorted, fed, and crossed the track.
Stay at Engiri Game Lodge – Elephants Trumpet
Day 7
Disaster!
Queens Pavilion onto the Crater Trail for sight seeing.
Trail was rough – as we climbed through the bush land the vehicle was set upon by Tsetse Fly. We cannot outrun them, popup is brought down, no-where to turn around. Hammer Horror swotting the flies that made it inside. Constant guard for the rest of the circuit.
Unable to get out to take photos
Results
Katie will shake off English Fly Attacks, The floor of the van was a tsetse graveyard. You know the hydraulic action machines at fairgrounds – now you can deem them tame. Life experience!
Proceed to Mweya Safari Lodge for cold coke, coffee & check email, internet connection.
Serious Advice
Do not follow Crater Trail until conditions have been assessed!
Lunch
Evening game drive
Endless plains! Monitor Lizard – Leopard Cub
Stay at Engiri Game Lodge – A quiet night
Day 8
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Entebbe
All Day Drive
Evening – Relax – Drinks
2 Friends / Andrieta
Day 9 Morning
Relax
Noon to Airport for EBB DXB
Day 10
DXB to EBB
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Murchison Falls National Park by David Thompson
Its on the tin, just wonderful, rolling hills, large herds, the Nile
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari
We had great communication from World Air Travel & Tours when requesting the quote and they quickly answered all of our questions by email. We were hesitant to send money to Africa - however everything was exactly as it was detailed on the quote & itinerary. Our guide Robbie was knowledgeable and knew the terrain very well. He made sure we saw all the animals we wanted to see. The lodges were hospitable and had excellent cuisine. There was one small issue (our issue) and both Robbie and Elias at head office did their best to solve it - we were very pleased with their solution. We highly recommend World Air Travel & Tours and our guide Robbie!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful, accommodating, and fun tour company!
Easy travel lives up to it's name - it makes planning a safari simple and fun! Caudence, who helped us plan and book our trip, was extremely responsive, helpful, and warm. She even gave us her cell phone in case we had any troubles in our travels after the safari. I'd recommend our guides, Cornel and Beni, who were knowledgeable, fun, and great at finding and spotting animals. Cornel was especially knowledgeable about all things Tanzania. Overall amazing experience and highly recommend booking a safari through Easy Travel!
BH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's amazing. The Guide was very knowledgable & knew exactly how to plan the trip. We faced no issue
It's amazing. The Guide was very knowledgable & knew exactly how to plan the trip. We faced no issue
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The planning and hospitality at all points was excellent !
I commend the Kenya Safari Bookings at any point in time ....It never disappointed me
HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
South Africa .... experience of a lifetime.
I loved my 14 days in South Africa. All transfers were smooth and well planned. The lodging was excellent and Kerry made sure that I was totally taken care of. I stayed at lovely lodging that was not only aesthetically inviting, but the people were stellar. The safari was better than my imagination. I stayed at Notten's Bush Camp and would go there again and again. Besides the camp being beautiful, the people and food were outstanding. I saw all of the "Big 5" more than once and the drives were great. With some very minor changes, I would do this trip again and recommend it to everyone! Thank you Kerry for such a lovely experience.