US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Would 100% recommend!
I was a solo female traveler and a bit anxious so go on a tour by myself. Didan made me feel so comfortable and it was such an amazing time! He gave me so many options of things to do and tailored the tour to what I was interested in. It was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t recommend this tour enough! If you’re thinking about going with this tour company, don’t hesitate! It will be the most amazing trip!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
A fantastic journey, to discover animals.
All organized to perfection, our guide Elia always punctual and competent in illustrating the peculiarities of the animals, and the culture of the locals. Also fantastic clean facilities and with great food.
An experience that will last forever!
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totally reliable and prepared to go the extra mile for us every minute every hour and every day.
Absolute Trip of a Life Time
For Karo and Grant from New Zealand
Travel Uganda : Travel Uzari Safaris
For introduction, my husband Grant and I are from a dairy farm in New Zealand have done A LOT of travelling. This trip was a big safari bucket list experience we wanted to have before our second lot of knee replacements put paid to us! We went with Uzuri Ugandan Safaris and it was by far the BEST decision and trip of our lives. Read on and see why you should book with them too.
So our great Ugandan adventure began flying from the cold grey climes of winter in New Zealand to tumble us in the colour, confusion and cacophony of Entebbe Airport. We bustled from the challenging arms of Ugandan customs into the bright warm sunshine, and the warm welcoming arms of our guide Joe from Uzuri Ugandan Safaris.
We can’t say how wonderful it was to be looked after by someone who was obviously very experienced and so easy to be with. To spend our 9 days in a country so foreign to our own and feel so relaxed and so secure was brilliant. The long distances, the traffic, the terrain in this busy colourful country would have been a nightmare for us to negotiate on our own. But Joe made us feel just so safe and we could just sit back and take in all the wonderful sights and sounds.
Just a short drive that afternoon to our first accommodation at the Karibu Guest House where the staff made us feel more at home than my own mother. Beautiful food and comfort plus. Every accommodation that was organised for us was far above our expectation in every respect. We felt a little too special. It was very hard to go home!
Each evening Joe would have a wee chin wag with us to go over our day and prepare us mentally and physically for our next big day. And every day was … BIG! No down time for us … just as we wanted it. You could organise absolutely anything with Joe, at any time, to change anything that your wee heart or physical capability or incapability desired.
Our first day was an extensive drive in our comfortable safari jeep across the whole country to Kibale Forest National Park, but Joe kept us entertained all the way. He stopped at anything that slightly piqued our interest or stunned us … like the troupes of baboons wandering the roads. Stayed at ‘Tree Tops’ for the night. It was like out of the movies and seemed just too good for us … but we weren’t complaining!
Our next day had us gob-smacked already. It was a chimpanzee excursion out of this world. Joe ensured we got Florence, a ranger who certainly knew her business … and her chimps inside out. She took us searching along easy walking paths to find the families. We found them high up, swinging in the canopy and were totally enthralled. But Florence had us ripping along paths and positioning us so when they all came swinging down, we were hunkered in places where they were all just lumbering past in groups. Amazing feeling to almost reach out and touch them. Photos galore.
We were off in the afternoon to the Katwe Salt Mining Crater Lakes. A fascinating look at how the Katwe made and still make a living from mining the salt. Historically the lifestyle put many of their people’s lives in peril and our guide there had personal experience of this that made this excursion all too poignant.
That night we resided at Bush Lodge, which was probably our most exciting accommodation of the trip. We were completely and CLOSELY surrounded by wildlife. The first night we found ourselves being personally guided by our hosts to our cabin to ensure our safety which gave the whole experience excitement. That night the sounds of the wildlife was mind … and ear blowing! Like you were sleeping among the animals. So not surprising to peep out our door around 2am to discover a hippo grazing a mere 5 meters away.
The next day our Safari time at Queen Elizabeth National Park was scheduled. Here Joe came into his own. He went beyond the call of any imaginable duty to ensure we had the best experience ever. He negotiated the many hours of bottom bouncing, mud and pothole obstructions with great skill and aplomb. With his patience and skill driving and guiding, Joe enabled us to see the sights of our lifetime. Our bucket list was being realised. Herds of hippos, mighty elephants with calves, a pride of lions, water buffalo, horror inducing hyena, bouncing bushbuck, vultures in a feeding frenzy, scampering mongoose, strutting warthogs, three species of monkeys and a myriad of fascinating bird life.
What a day … Joe spent from 5.30am to 7pm totally committed to ensuring we had this time where you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces.
We also on that day navigated the Kazinga Channel linking lakes George and Edward. Seething herds of Hippo and many families of elephants trundling down to the river for fun and food and photos.
Could our trip get any better … YES!!! The Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone else’s personal experience of this by talking too much of our own. This was THE most exhilarating, thrilling time of our lives to date. (In our 60’s) we couldn’t recommend this trip more. Challenging, life changing, life enhancing and so rewarding on every front. We would have based our whole trip just around this … it was that good. JUST DO IT!
Our final day was spent with the Batwe people at Mgahinga National Park, who took us back in time. We spent three hours with four of their people who walked us through the jungle in which their people used to thrive. They re-enacted the way they lived. It was fascinating and personal. The villagers all arrived at the end to show us traditional song and dance and they happily had us join in even with our knee replacements impeding our rhythm.
Back in our jeep with ‘our’ (now almost family) guide Joe to make our way back to Karibu Guest House to catch up with Edris from Uzuri Home Office. Edris had communicated extremely well all through the previous year, and painstakingly organised our trip to totally fit with our time interests and energy. These two men were wonderful representatives for not only Uzuri but for Uganda. We are forever thankful they were recommended to us by our daughter in law who also could not speak more highly of them.
Thankyou Uzuri Uganda Safaris. We were ‘enchanted’ … and experienced something we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
Cheers Karo Preston and Grant Wills, New Zealand.
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great place to visit
Had a wonderful experience, people are very welcoming nice and friendly - except in the airport. Worth to visit nice part of Africa. Had a bitter experience on our return, in airport at the checkpoint ( baggage screening - not flight crews ) they asked for money in return to let me off from carrying wine(souvenir) in my check in luggage. I have been in many airports in my time and there are no restrictions in carrying wine in your checked in luggage(not hand bag) and this is the first time someone has ever asked me for money.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful place for safaris and to visit Nairobi, a developing African city.
We loved our visit to Kenya. Nairobi was a bustling city with many wonderful places to visit. The Bomas of Kenya was a great event showcasing traditional African dances. We were able to view the city from the top of the convention center and the restaurants where we ate were great. Taking an Uber around Nairobi was much cheaper than in the US, so we did not hesitate to call for one.
The safari in the Maasai Mara was outstanding. We stayed at the Enkorok Mara Camp. The accommodations were like glamorous camping. We were in two person cabins with our own bathrooms. The large dining room was very nice and the food, a mixture of African and American, was well worth the cost. We went on the Safari with our travel guide Michael. He was great. He was very accommodating and very knowledgeable.
We were able to see a large variety of animals and take some wonderful pictures and videos. I would highly recommend Wasili Kenya Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Michelle
The Masai Mara National Reserve had a wide variety of animals. We were able to see them close-up and they were not at all bothered by the tourists.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a phenomenal experience full of excitement,joy, and adventures!
Explorers Wild Adventures had a magnificent and very well planned safari for us. The places were majestic and the people very welcoming! It was a dream come true. The Safari surpassed our expectations. We were constantly amazed. Our tour guide, Mr Zachary, was extremely knowledgeable and very energized, he became our friend. We learned so much from the culture and had one of our best times. Zachary treated us as part of his family and took care of us. We never felt unsafe with Zachary.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best in Kenya!!
After doing a lot of research based on the previous reviews, we decided to go with Kameraz of Afrika! Carol was so efficient in responding to all our questions within few hours. We changed our plan number of times and she was accommodated all our requests. This being our first time visiting Kenya, we were not sure about hotels, vegan food, how much luggage to carry, Carol helped us plan everything! Our driver was George who was one of the best tour guides. He was able to explain so much more about the animals, surrounding and just in general questions about Kenya. He even had few books to refer to. The hotels we stayed were one of the best. Great customer service altogether! We will definitely will refer George and Kameraz of Afrika to all our family and friends. Thank you Carol and George for making this trip as one of the most memorable vacations!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and always totally on top of everything.
Really enjoyed working with Anja, she organised everything just as we wanted. She was always available to answer questions and change plans, or assist in anyway. Our once in a lifetime holiday went perfectly without any issues thanks to such great organision. Strongly recommend this business.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you are looking for the best vacation of your life, book with Lion King Adventures.
A safari was on my bucket list and Lion King Adventures made it so easy to plan and put all my fears to rest. Nick helped me arrange a safari and beach itinerary from beginning to end. He promptly answered all my questions via email. Then Rose stepped in and covered every detail for my trip, leaving nothing to chance. From airport pickups and drop offs, beautiful lodgings, meal plans, getting our visas, safe money transfers, and arranged a birthday surprise for my travel companion. Even helped getting our lost luggage to us while we enjoyed our day on safari. Rose was always just an email away and always responded. She got our accommodations upgraded when she could. Love you Rose. Our driver/guide Salehe was fantastic, very knowledgeable, patient and polite. We always felt safe while with him. The game drives were incredible, animals were close enough to touch. Each day was a new adventure, and we loved every moment. I believe we got out money's worth and then some. I am so glad I booked with Lion King Adventures - they are the best!! Trust me because I am very picky and do not take disappointment well.