IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic planning with SIA and Safari experience
I was extremely anxious about dealing with a company that wasn't in my country, because it's such an expensive affair but three of us had an amazing time with them.
Nuhu was very patient throughout the planning process as I kept changing countries and parks and days and camps!
They were on time to pick us in Arusha and our guide for the 6 day trip - Patrick was really great.
We were lucky to have him because he had a great sense of humour and kept us in good spirits while telling us amazing facts about the country, the parks, the animals.
I'm very glad I ended up going with SIA after doing some rounds of communication with the other guys. Like I said interacting with Nuhu was just so lovely.
Thank you for making this a memorable trip for us!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Experience
From start to finish, I have nothing but praise for our guide Ben from Big Apes Africa. He was on time waiting for us at Kigali airport and never left our side until he dropped us back off in Kigali 3 days later. He was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained with local history throughout the trip. The 4x4 vehicle was old but comfortable. The roads in Uganda are very bumpy so comfort is crucial.
Our first experience was a trip to the Rwanda Genocide Memorial. Such a humbling place and I would definitely recommend a visit here. We then had long road trip across the border into Uganda, where again Ben made sure everything went smoothly during the border crossing. The scenery during the drive was absolutely spectacular, such a beautiful country.
We arrived at our first lodge for the night, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, which was basic but had everything we needed. Ben helped us get checked in and took care of the details such as dietary requirements and likes and dislikes for dinner and breakfast. The evening meal was pleasant with dancing from the local ladies community.
Early rise in the morning where we had breakfast before heading off to the orientation for the trekking. We were lucky enough to only have 5 people in our group. Pointer - If you get offered a stick to help with the trekking, take it. It was such a valuable help to steady yourself and to use as a level to help when climbing or descending. Also, there are local men who you can hire for the trek for $20 to help carry your bags, water and to also help you over unsteady terrain. Even if you are capable of carrying your own bags, if you have the resource, I would strongly recommend hiring someone as the money is crucial to them. Unfortunately, we were the only 1 in our group to hire someone.
During the trek, the guides make sure we all stayed together and took regular water breaks to make sure we stayed hydrated. I believe we were quite fortunate as we had only been walking for about 2 miles when we were told to put our masks on. Immediately I knew we had found them. I cannot express the absolutely feeling of joy when I saw the first gorilla. There were a total of 8 gorillas in the group with a large silverback, females and a couple of babies. They were super chilled and eating their way through the forest. The babies were playful, hanging upside in the trees. Although you are told to stay 10 feet away, the gorilla's did not get this message and came closer. At one point, the silverback decided he wanted to walk through the trees where we were and I could feel him brush past me. You would think this would be scary, but I was totally lost in the moment and did not feel any fear. The hour goes far too fast so make sure you enjoy every moment and don't just see it through the lens of your camera.
Couple of pointers...Make sure you have long sleeves, long trousers and long socks to tuck your trousers into. Sturdy walking shoes with grip is also essential. We were fortunate that it didn't rain, but a lightweight waterproof jacket would also be good. A pair of gloves is also recommended as the trek can be very rough in places.
We were then taken back to the briefing house where we were presented with certificates. The day was one of the best experiences of my life!!
Ben then drove us to the Birds Nest hotel on Lake Bunyonyi where we were spending our second night. The views were absolutely sensational and I could have stayed here a lot longer than just one night. The rooms were comfortable and the food was delicious. We had the steak which was lovely and lean and very tender.
The following morning we made the trip back to Kigali, Rwanda. The border crossing back into Rwanda was a lot stricter than coming the other way into Uganda, but again Ben was there to help us navigate everything.
Our flight onto our next destination (Zanzibar) was the following morning so Ben dropped us off at the Five to Five hotel for our 3rd night. This is where we parted company. A hotel taxi was arranged for the following morning to take us to the airport. The Five to Five hotel was in a great location with lovely food and drink. Rooms also large and comfortable.
All meals were provided and the food was good. Only things to pay extra for are alcohol and soft drinks.
The whole trip went smoothly and far exceeded our expectations. One of the best experiences of my life! I would have no hesitation in recommending Big Apes Africa and if you have the option to choose your guide, I would definitely recommend Ben.
Thanks you Big Apes. I will remember this trip with a huge smile forever!
RO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
From the first online Hello to the last Goodbye at the airport , our journey was in safe hands.
It was a pleasure planning our trip to Uganda and Rwanda with Wild Uganda ,as we were asked about our preferences right from the beginning. Ernest listened to us, offered advice, and guided us in creating the perfect itinerary tailored to our wishes and flights. The online communication with Wild Uganda is very precise, with immediate support, great solutions and clear responses . In the middle of the nature ,the accommodations were really lovely, we enjoyed ourselves and rested in comfortable, beautifully decorated, and well-equipped lodges.
We were also offered a very convenient payment plan, allowing us to enjoy this adventure even more .
Our direct link to Wild Uganda throughout our stay was Linus, our wonderful guide and driver. He is a very polite, well-mannered, cheerful, charismatic, and energetic young man. To us, Linus was not just a guide but a true travel companion; his humor and good spirits made us feel as we were visiting our best friend . With great confidence and disciplined driving, Linus ensured also a comfortable journey for us across the more than 2,000 kilometers through fascinating Uganda and mysterious Rwanda. Thanks to his perseverance, we managed to tick off the "Big Five"—a fantastic experience for which we are very grateful. We will greatly miss our conversations about the culture, history, and customs of Uganda, the local food, and the wonderful Ugandan people . He really made all our wishes come true .
Thanks to Linus & Wild Uganda , we were able to discover Uganda and Rwanda in a delightful way; we had a fantastic time walking among giraffes and rhinos, visiting our primate relatives—chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, and golden monkeys—and admiring herds of zebras and antelopes .We could watch many impressive birds, including the famous shoebill and the grey crowned crane . We enjoyed the tastiest pineapples on the planet, as well as the most aromatic and juicy mangoes ever . The local food, the smiling people, the African landscapes, and the sweet scent of Uganda made us fall in love with this country and find it so hard to leave.
Thank you Wild Uganda, for these unforgettable experiences and for the care you showed us during our time in Uganda & Rwanda . See you soon for new African adventures !
An outstanding tour operator that turned our dream safari into an unforgettable experience
We were lucky to have Mozz as our guide in Masai Mara and Amboseli. He has a fantastic sense of humor and made every game drive fun and exciting. His knowledge of wildlife and the parks was outstanding, and he always seemed to know the best places to find incredible animals. Thanks to him, we experienced breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. He truly made the first half of our safari amazing.
We also had Ruben as our guide in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. He was incredibly patient, thoughtful, and attentive throughout our journey. He always made sure we were comfortable, answered every question with care, and worked hard to give us the best possible wildlife viewing experience. His professionalism and dedication made every day smooth, enjoyable, and memorable.
A huge thank you to both Mozz and Ruben for making our Kenya and Tanzania safari an unforgettable adventure. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for an exceptional safari experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dedicated to creating safe, seamless, and memorable travel experiences.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Safe Drive Tours and Travel exceeded my expectations! Everything was well organized, and the team was so friendly and professional. I had such a wonderful experience. Highly recommend! ❤️
SE
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Safari Adventure in Tanzania
Our safari in Tanzania was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The entire tour was exceptionally well organized, making our journey smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free from start to finish.
A special thanks goes to our tour guide, Baraka, who played a huge role in making this trip unforgettable. He was knowledgeable, informative, fun, and always full of positive energy. His passion for wildlife and the local environment enhanced every game drive. Baraka made sure we had the best possible safari experience and maximized every opportunity to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Witnessing the incredible wildlife roaming freely across Tanzania's stunning landscapes was an awe-inspiring experience. From the vast plains to the diverse animal sightings, every day brought something new and exciting.
The accommodations provided throughout the safari were comfortable, well-maintained, and perfectly suited to our needs. We were also impressed with Serengeti Clarity, whose team was responsive, accommodating, and easy to communicate with before and during the trip.
Overall, this was a professionally organized tour that exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Serengeti Clarity and especially guide Baraka to anyone looking for an authentic, memorable, and well-planned safari adventure in Tanzania.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service from start to finish.
We had a wonderful safari experience from start to finish. We first connected with James, who was responsive, helpful, and made the planning process smooth and hassle-free.
Our guide, John, was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, making every game drive enjoyable.
The airport pickup was seamless, and our stay at Wildnest was comfortable with great food and a memorable evening guided walk. The game drives were the highlight of the trip—we saw lions, rhinos, and many other animals. Lunch near the Serengeti border and the sunrise game drive at Lake Nakuru were unforgettable.
Thank you, James and John, for making our safari such a memorable experience. We highly recommend them!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The entire journey was something we didn’t have to use our brains for, so good!
They provide extremely good guide/host, the stays were very clean and inclusive and so comfortable, food was taken care of as per our needs, everything in their hands was performed timely. The over all experience was true to the expectations, stays being more than that.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Very nice 3-day Safari to Masai Mara. Communication was phenomenal, very clear and quick replies. Great value for a once a lifetime experience.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are just awesome guy with excellent tour guided
Their communication has been top notch from james from day 1 of the booking. Their service and approach are very real and they are always ready to do minor change here and there. Even minor inconvenience to me has been taken care well by james and steve our tour guide.
