20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
He has exceptional knowledge of both the land and its wildlife!
We booked our stay at Umkhumbe Bush Lodge through Leopards Den at the end of April 2025, and it was an unforgettable experience. The lodge itself was breathtaking, with luxurious amenities that made our stay incredibly comfortable. The staff were warm, welcoming, and went out of their way to make us feel at home. The food was absolutely phenomenal, proudly South African cuisine that showcased local flavor at its best. Beyond that, the wildlife encounters and the depth of knowledge shared made the experience truly special. A must for anyone looking for an authentic and memorable bush getaway!
ID
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth it
Safari in kenya is my ultimate dream. Thank you jocky to make it come true. Wyclef such an amazing tour guide, very friendly and answer all our questions.
I definitely will be back again for longer safari with jocky
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
“Rhinos, Chimps, Waterfalls & More – Uganda at Its Best with Mercylinah Wild Safaris”
Rhinos, Chimps, Waterfalls & More – Uganda at Its Best with Mercylinah Wild Safaris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently returned from an unforgettable 11-day safari with Mercylinah Wild Safaris, and it truly exceeded all expectations. Everything was carefully organised, the service was warm and professional, and the experiences themselves were nothing short of life-changing.
On the first day, I was met at the airport in Entebbe and taken to a delightful hotel overlooking a monkey-filled, bird-rich forest and lake. After collecting our 4WD and purchasing provisions that same afternoon, everything was ready for an early start the next day. Shortly after dawn we boarded the first ferry of the day across an arm of Lake Victoria. It was an unforgettable introduction to Uganda: hundreds of people, cars, animals, and schoolchildren alighted from the ferry coming the other way, a vibrant display of the country’s diversity and the good humour of its people.
From there, we drove on well-paved roads toward the southwest, the 4WD handling the last few kilometers of smaller village dirt tracks with ease until we reached Lake Bunyonyi. Our hotel was beautifully situated above the lake, with terraced views and a lakeside garden perfect for relaxing and watching the spectacular birdlife. This was our base for three nights. I enjoyed a peaceful boat cruise, explored the lakeside villages, and visited the lively town of Kabale. The terraced hillsides rising from the lake created a stunning backdrop, and the tranquil atmosphere was unforgettable.
From Bunyonyi, we began a spectacular drive north through western Uganda. Towering mountains, deep valleys, and lush green landscapes gradually gave way to the flatter savannah areas of the north. Our destination was Masindi, where I stayed in a beautifully appointed forest cabin, alive with birds and small animals. Two of the most memorable days of the trip were spent here. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, I saw more than six rhinos in one area — a rare and remarkable experience. The following day was dedicated to chimpanzee tracking, where I was able to observe these intelligent, playful primates in their natural habitat.
After a shorter but very scenic drive north — including crossing a bridge over the lower reaches of a waterfall on one of the many tributaries of the Nile — we arrived in Gulu, a large, bustling, and active town in northern Uganda. The highlight of my stay here was visiting the authentic village where Mercy, the owner of the company, grew up. This was no tourist stop but real village life: no electricity, water drawn from the well, and few personal possessions, yet an unmistakable dignity and order in the way people lived. I saw careful animal husbandry, including piglets just three days old, and fields prepared entirely by hand, with every furrow dug without power tools. Sharing roasted corn fresh from the charcoal fire was a simple but unforgettable moment. From Gulu I also visited the spectacular Aruu Falls, descending with a guide to stand close to the thundering cascade, and the remarkable Fort Patiko (Baker’s Fort), where striking rock formations combine with a piece of colonial history in Africa that is now largely forgotten.
Throughout the journey, I was also fascinated by Uganda’s unique geology. At school I had learned about the source of the Nile, and on this trip I could see with my own eyes how the movement of tectonic plates had caused vast sections of land to collapse, creating deep rift valleys, unusual rock formations, and many of the lakes and waterfalls we visited. Travelling along much of Uganda’s western border revealed this remarkable landscape, and the well-paved, low-traffic roads made the experience both comfortable and scenic.
The safari concluded back in Entebbe, where I spent my final night in a hotel overlooking Lake Victoria before a short drive to the airport. It was the perfect way to end 11 nights of contrast — from tranquil lakes and dense forests to powerful waterfalls and authentic village life.
What made all of this possible was the outstanding service from Mercylinah Wild Safaris. The logistics, accommodations, guiding, and personal care were flawless. Every day felt easy and enjoyable, and I was able to focus entirely on experiencing the very best of Uganda.
This was far more than a safari; it was a journey into Uganda’s landscapes, wildlife, and culture. I loved it so much that I have already booked another trip with Mercylinah Wild Safaris for October. If you want an experience that combines comfort, adventure, and authenticity, I cannot recommend them highly enough. You will return with memories to last a lifetime.
— John
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
advised
I recommend Minneah and her staff.
She was always prompt in communicating before the trip.
Appointments were always respected, and our driver (Kelvin) was always available, courteous, and excellent at guiding in the parks.
The prices were very competitive.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review of Native Voyagers – Safari in Kenya (Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha)
1. Professionalism and Organization
The agency proved to be responsive and punctual in answering all our pre-trip requests. Upon arrival at the airport, we were warmly welcomed by the staff, who outlined the itinerary. A nice and much-appreciated touch was the gift of gadgets (water bottles and hats). However, the proposed itinerary was not optimized: it would have made much more sense to visit Masai Mara – Nakuru – Naivasha in that order, avoiding long and unnecessary back-and-forth transfers.
2. Punctuality
Overall, they were punctual, but the program management was left too much to our own judgment. The guide did not set a realistic schedule, which resulted in the loss of valuable time during the trip.
3. Hotels
No negative remarks here: we had chosen them ourselves from Italy, and they met expectations.
4. Guide
We had requested an Italian-speaking guide to gain deeper insights into the flora and fauna, but the person who accompanied us, although kind and sociable, did not have the skills of a true tour guide. He turned out to be more of an escort than a safari expert. On the last day, the Nairobi tour was limited to an insignificant walk around the city, when we would have preferred a more structured visit.
5. Driver and Vehicle
The driver was reluctant to go off-road, and the vehicle did not match the one shown in the photos: it was very old and lacked a radio for communication. This limited the chance to coordinate with other jeeps, so we often arrived late at wildlife sighting points. In addition, the driver drove very slowly and stuck to the main tracks, without attempting alternative routes. On several occasions, we had to point out where other jeeps had stopped to observe animals.
Conclusion
The overall experience was positive thanks to the unique beauty of the places and the abundance of wildlife, which alone makes the trip worthwhile. However, Native Voyagers’ service needs improvement: a truly knowledgeable safari guide should provide in-depth explanations, greater knowledge of the territory, and a more structured time management. Moreover, a suitable and well-equipped vehicle would make a real difference in wildlife viewing. With a few improvements, the quality of the experience could rise significantly.
MT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thrilling experience of coming face to face with the wild
The was our 26day tour in Uganda 9days, Rwanda 5days, Tanzania 7days and Zanzibar 4days, our first visit to East Africa. To start with, the communication with Magical Gorilla Adventures, first with Aina and then with Kolo, were very efficient and gave immediate reliable feedback to all our questions before and during the whole journey. We even had the pleasure to meet face to face with the people behind Magical Gorilla Adventures (Aina and the new born, Kolo and Ivarin (I hope I got her name right). The full board itinerary included everything from permits and entries, accommodation, internal flights, private guides, and land transportation. The itinerary was personalized to our requests and our main focus to visit Uganda was to see the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, but we had the occasion to see what Uganda has to offer, with our guide Eddie, from the source of the Nile, waterfalls, wild life, communities, great scenery through the country, passing through the equator and the wonderful smiles of all the children walking to school. Then we continued our journey to Rwanda to witness the land of 1000 hills and golden monkey and eye opening visit to the Dian Fossey and Kigali Genocide Memorial with our great guide Eddie from Uganda who was very experienced, helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Then we had our first internal flight to Serengeti from Rwanda and this was a fascinating experience in itself. Serengeti didn't disappoint at all and had the occasion of see the great migration in action, the big five, lots of animals and birds and some really rare ones too with the guided expertise of our guide Emma who was very experienced and knowledgeable to say the least. He guided us through Northern and Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire National Park. These two guides Eddie and Emma where the cherry on the cake as they really added value to our East Africa experience. Then we flew to Zanzibar for some relaxing time, while enjoying the beautiful clear waters. Magical Gorilla made sure to make our dream holiday as enjoyable as possible till the end. Magical in every aspect.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime, wonderful experience
We had a wonderful experience on a 8 day safari, seeing lots of animals. All the places we stayed were clean and tidy, with no issues. Our guide Dan was fantastic, helping us to get up close and personal with big cats, elephants, buffalo and many more. He went the extra mile each and every day and had a wonderful energy.
US
10/10 Safari Experience
We had a great trip with wakanda in August. From the quoting phase, Aishwarya our Wakanda contact, provided all the information in a great format with detailed daily itineraries and important information, she was responsive all the time and helped answer all of our questions in a timely manner. There are 200+ companies doing safaris and choosing the right one is key to get a good experience. Don't go with the bigger or most popular names as those lack the quality provided by Wakanda.
We started at Kilimanjaro airport where there was a driver already waiting for us to transport to Arusha where we stayed for two nights given the late arrival. Next day Aishwarya arranged a tour around Arusha where we visited local shops, market and concluded with traditional local food.
Our safari started the following day consisting of tangarine, lake manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. From the beginning of the safari, our driver Penuel provided the best experience, he is a knowledgable driver who explained EVERYTHING to us, there was not a single question he didn't know the answer. He is also concious that we are driving through the animals natural territories which has to be respected and treat the animals in a proper matter as well. You can see all other drivers rushing between each other to get as close as possible to the animals disturbing them, this was not the case with Wakanda as we explored areas were no other vehicles were around and had the opportunity to see amazing animals without the caos of all the other vehicles.
We saw all kinds of animals from antilopes, gacelles, pumbas, jirafes, zebras, hipos, flamingos, ñus, monkeys and some wild animals like cheetas and hienas to see the big five (elephant, buffalo, rino, leopard, lion). Penuel searched all possible places to find the best animals. We even saw two lions ready to hunt buffalos and a group of cheetas eating a gacelle. Our driver told us exactly what time to start every day and best routes to take to avoid all other tourist vehicles.
We took two extra activities. Night drive in lake manyara where we had the best chance to see the leopards and a hot air balloon in the serengeti. At the end of the hot air balloon we celebrated with chanpagne and a hot english breakfast in the middle of the serengeti. These activities were arranged by Wakanda with those companies and everything worked out just perfect with timing and organization.
The lodges and camps were fantastic, we had a great stay with proper commodities, hot water and good food. Each day, camps prepare the food for the groups on the road. The food was amazing, different things every day with enough variety to have a complete meal and cold drinks always available during the drive. We also had the chance to eat lunch right next to the wild animals which enhanced the experience.
Double recognition to our driver Penuel. We had a storm one day and on our way back from the serengeti we found an old couple alone with their broke down vehicle in the middle of the park. The rain didn't stop Penuel to give them a hand and look at the vehicle. In a couple of minutes working in the rail he was able to get the car running and saved those people. A couple other drivers just past around and ignored the old couple. Penuel you are an awesome human being, keep it up brother!
After the safari, wakanda team transported us back to kilimanjaro airport to take our departure flight. We didn't have to worry about anything, this company had everything under control, well planned and we just had to enjoy every moment. We need to come back in the near future to do a longer trip and 100% doing it with wakanda.
Thank you for one of the best experiences ever!
MT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience
Very good service received overall. We had an amazing time all thanks to our guide Goodluck who made us feel comfortable and explained a lot about the wildlife etc. Highly recommended.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Budget friendly option for Kenya safari
Our safari experience in Kenya was unfortunately below expectations due to several issues we encountered along the way.
We started the journey with an old 4x4 Nissan vehicle, which had multiple mechanical problems. On more than one occasion, our driver had to stop to fix issues with the vehicle, costing us valuable safari time. At Masai Mara, the vehicle broke down and got stuck, resulting in a **2-hour delay**. We had to rely on another passing driver (luckily) to take us for the game drive, and our assigned vehicle only rejoined us later in the afternoon around 3:30 pm.
The driver also did not have a radio, which is a crucial tool for wildlife spotting in the reserve. This further limited our chances of maximizing the safari experience.
In terms of accommodation, we were not provided with the camp originally promised in our contract (which was of a higher standard). Although the organizers compensated with a boat ride at Lake Naivasha, it did not make up for the downgrade in accommodation quality.
Our accommodation at Lake Nakuru was really good.
Additionally, poor planning of travel time and multiple vehicle breakdowns (including another repair during the transfer to Lake Nakuru) meant that we lost several opportunities to better utilize our time and include extra activities.
Overall, while Kenya itself is beautiful and the wildlife unforgettable, the logistics, vehicle condition, and lack of proper planning from the safari provider made the trip frustrating and disappointing. Better maintenance of vehicles, honoring of accommodation commitments, and professional planning would have made this experience much more enjoyable.
