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Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda

10-Insider Tips that will help you choose the Right Safari Tour Operator

Helpful Advice on Choosing the Right Tour Operator for your Primate – Wildlife Safari in Uganda

Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in UgandaChoosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda: Choosing a Safari Company that is right for you is one of the most you must make when planning your African Safari in Uganda.

A Safari Tour Operator can make or break your African Safari. Your vision of a once-in-a-lifetime African Dream Safari can evaporate into vapors like water on an equatorial road in Uganda if you select the wrong tour operator.

Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda should be crucial to you since it directly affects the outcome of your Safari.

You do not want a Safari filled with one tragic mishap and disappointment after another. Most enjoy a no-worries Safari where you can focus on the journey, the primates, wildlife, scenery, and the cultures you will encounter.

Tips and Advice will keep you from engaging a tour operator that promises the moon but delivers a safari that vastly differs from what was promised on the itinerary. Though such a scenario is rare, it can and does happen.  That is why we have put together some practical Tips and Advice to choose the right Safari tour operator for you. 

Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda

8 -Tips that will help you in choosing the right Tour Operator for you

 

1.- Go on your Safari with a Local – Use an in-country Tour Operator:

For most, Uganda is part of the great African unknown. You are clueless about what to expect, and you do not know about tourist visas, yellow fever certificates, or even what airport to use.

A local tour brings their knowledge of the country, culture, scenic wonders, wildlife, and primate activities. Only a local Ugandan Tour Operator can give you the best Safari Experience.

The added benefit is that you deal directly with a Ugandan Safari Company eliminating any go-between costs and making your Safari more affordable.

Discover Uganda, Experience it through the eyes of a local Ugandan. You are not dealing with a travel provider in London, LA, NY, Paris, Rome or Berling but a local Ugandan Tour Operator.

A Safari is an inner and outer experience. You cannot experience Uganda on a self-drive Safari or a Safari arranged by a Tour Operator not located in Uganda. We like to say we live and work In Uganda, and we know Uganda is our home, and we do not need a map or GPS device.

2. – Use an accredited Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) Safari Company

By choosing an AUTO Tour Operators member company, you deal with hundreds, not thousands, of Tour Operators found on the Internet.

You are dealing with an Uganda Tourism Board licensed company that adheres to a code of conduct, ethics, and standards where the client comes first. There are standards that a tour operator must adhere to and there are annual reviews.

UTB periodically inspects licensed tour operators to meet the higher standards set forth by the Board.

AUTO members are the ones who have an inside track when it comes to the all-important Gorilla Permits. They sell the lion’s share of primate tracking permits and have the first pick over other tour operators. 

For peace of mind and a higher level of professionalism, deal with an AUTO Tour Operator. The added plus for you is that he is a Ugandan Tour Operator that knows the country firsthand.  

 

3. – Use a Tour Operator with an Informative Website

You can learn a lot about a Tour Operator by perusing their website. It should give you the information you want about Uganda Travel, Safaris, and Requirement, rather than all about selling.

By looking at a tour operator’s website, you can quickly catch the motivation of the tour operator.

A Ugandan Tour Website should address your health concerns and security. Whether your dietary needs can be met, the kind of lodges and hotels are used. You can partake in the activities and something about your driver-guide and vehicle provided.

Additionally 

A tour operator should have a website that not only sells but informs you and gives you the safari information you are looking for.

A tour operator should see things from your point of view and not theirs.

 

 

4. – Do some research on the tour operator you are Considering:

In your country and Uganda, we live in a world where things are not always on the up and up, and the reality is that anyone can put up a Tour Operator website. Each day there are a handful more, and most of them are honest individuals wanting to partake in the great pre-pandemic Tourism Gold Rush. 

There will always be a few bad apples including in tourism. Briefcase tour operators without substance. Unscrupulous individuals who do not care about the outcome of your safari but personal income. Just because someone has an Association of Uganda Tour Operators logo on their site does not mean they are members. 

Be wary of Tour operators who use Gmail or Yahoo email addresses and not an email with their web-domain name.

Look at the tour operator’s reviews on their Google Business page, Trip Advisor, and Facebook. Sadly, such reviews can be and are manipulated, even in Uganda. In addition, you can look up their Facebook page and LinkedIn, Google Business presence, and Google Business demands verification of the business location. Be sure to look at the reviews that you can find on the above pages and also on TripAdvisor.

Such research deals with the reputation of a tour operator. Do you need to know how long the Tour Operator has been in the Business? You do not want to entrust your African dream safari to a Tour Operator who just started. That would be risky unless you thrive on chaos. It would be best to have a tour operator with experience and a proven track of successful Safaris. 

While a novice tour operator may have enthusiasm, it takes more than enthusiasm to create and implement a successful safari that you invest a considerable sum of money in. As a Safari company matures, experience, customer service, and a satisfying Safari Experience are developed. 

You want someone with experience that has remained innovative and is on top of the latest trends in safari travel. The good news is that the Uganda Tourism Board, the Association of Ugandan Tourism Operators, and the Tourism Police vigorously enforce its standards and bring dishonest tour operators to book.

 

 

5.-Does the Tour Operator offer you the Safari that you want?

Those wanting to go on their long-planned Dream Safari have certain expectations. Many tourists look for a Tour Operator that supports primates, wildlife, and, yes, indigenous people conservation and environmental sustainability that create a win-win situation for nature and humans.

Most Tour Operators want to get sales, especially during the present pandemic. They are jacks of all Trades and sell safaris all over the African continent. 

Other tour operators choose a different style, becoming niche safari operators, offering what they are best at. Should you want a luxury or midrange Safari, you do not want to use a tour operator that provides budget safaris. 

If you want a private safari just for you with your personal vehicle and driver-guide, you do not want a tour operator specializing in group safaris.

Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda comes down to your preferences, including the booking and planning process.  At times a tour operator may attempt to create a safari that does not suit you. Stick with what you want unless what you are offered makes sense.

 

6. You do not want to deal with a High-Pressure Sales Tactic Tour Operator:

Go with me to Uganda’s extensive and bustling Owned Market. As you enter, shopkeepers will do everything to pull you to their stall to sell their wares. They will shout at you, beg you, and even physically try to pull you to their shop.

As you search for a tour operator, you might find a former Owino shopkeeper now selling safaris. At least it seems that way, and it isn’t enjoyable no matter what. 

No one wants to be pressured into something they do not wish to. Selling a safari is relational, not aggressive. Say no and go elsewhere. Fortunately, the above rarely takes place, but it does happen often. However, tourism arrivals have been down since 2020, and the pandemic has taken its toll on tour operators. Challenging times mean that some may resort to pressing you into going on safari with them.  

A few who use high-pressure sales tactics might be con artists working a scam. A reputable, accredited tour operator will not use such techniques. Yearly there are several such cases reported. Not many, but a few. Those conned have lost significant amounts of money that are often never recovered.

The solution is simple. You can say no and go with someone else.

7. – A low price offer by a Tour Operator is not always a good deal for you!!!

When Comparing Safari Prices, it is good to remember the Yugo Principle, “Cheap Things are not Good, Good Things are not Cheap.” The Yugo was the World’s Cheapest Car, which gave its owners unending trouble and grief costing them more than a higher-priced vehicle.

In Uganda and much of Africa where unscrupulous traders send  the lowest we know that cheap things fall apart.

Cheap Things are called Fake or Zing-Zong Goods in Uganda. Below, Standard Goods made in China, such as fake Nokia, Samsung, or Apple Phones. They are like the forks that bend upon use, the knives that do not cut or the fan that burns up after one week of use.

The last thing is a Zing-Zong Safari based purely on price. An African Safari is the journey of a lifetime for most, and saving a few hundred dollars is not worth sacrificing a better experience that gives you long-lasting memories.

Lower-priced safaris are often the result of offering lesser value. That is especially true with the lodges and hotels a tour operator may choose for your African Safari.

When weighing your safari options, always compare apples with apples. We know what a Safari should include, and we will notice what is left out by a tour operator to offer a lower price. The worst mistake that you can make is to only look at prices!

Here are some of the low-price gimmicks used in giving you an attractive Safari price:

  • The Practice of Bait and switch:  Your itinerary shows one thing, such as a moderate lodge, you wind up in a lesser value lodge.  When you ask, you get an answer like they were overbooked. The same applies to the quality of vehicles. When you ask, you are told it is in the shop for repair.
  • Gorilla – Chimpanzee permits may not be included: This is a practice of scammers and rarely happens. They might have an Association of Uganda Tour Operators logo on their site, but they are not members.
  • You did not realize it, but the safari you bought is on a Bed and Breakfast basis:  You have to pay a sizeable amount of money for lunch and dinner. 

Suppose the safari price is too low and too tempting.  You might be the recipient of a stripped-down, bare-bone safari. You get what you pay for.

Do a search on Google for a Cheap Safaris in Uganda, or try Cheap Gorilla Safaris. Here is the reality no matter what a site might say, there is nothing cheap about an African Safari, especially a Gorilla Safari where the permit price alone is $700. Be comforted. A Gorilla Safari in Uganda will cost you at least half as much as in neighboring Rwanda without compromising the quality of experience.

8. – You need an honest Tour Operator when it comes to payments:

Most Association of Uganda Tour Operators will allow International Wire Transfers. Additionally, you can use a credit card with PesaPal, East Africa’s answer to PayPal.

There usually are two payments that are required, the down payment and the final payment. Do not pay safari in full unless the safari n begins in less than thirty days.

Do not send money via Western Union, Moneygram, or World Remit. Neither should you send money to a personal checking account for a Safari. If that happens, your internal security alarm system should go off.

The reason is that you are entering into an iffy non-businesslike relationship. Do not be tempted by promises of the moon, sun, and stars or a seemingly low price. All signs that someone is attempting to defraud you. 

A legitimate tour operator will have a business bank account in Ugandan Shillings and US Dollars. No legitimate tour operator will ever ask you to send a safari payment to a personal checking account or a mobile money account.

 

In Conclusion-Consider, Kabiza Wilderness Safaris as your Tour Operator:

Choosing the right Tour Operator for your Safari in Uganda:

 For over a decade (2008), we have done only one thing: creating and implementing memorable Safaris for our clients. We do not claim to be a jack of all trades but a tour operator offering mid-range and luxury private Hakuna Matata – No Worries Safaris focusing on Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

We live and work in Uganda. It is our home, and we would love to introduce you to a different country from anywhere else in Africa. Discover why Uganda is the Pearl of Africa while with us.

We offer you Ugandan Hospitality with a dash of American Style Customer Service that includes a quality safari vehicle and an experienced and knowledgeable driver-guide who will introduce you to Uganda. You are on Safari with a local who does not need a GPS guidance system, nor a copy of the famed Bradt Guide to Uganda.

We offer both a flexible no-risk booking policy and our one-of-a-kind price guarantee.

What our clients say about going on Safari with us:

We just completed a 10 day safari with Kabiza, starting in Kigali and ending in Entebbe with 10 glorious days in between. We had the most wonderful time! Jon Blanc, who handled our booking and custom itinerary did a superb job of communicating from the initial contact through departure. This was going to be the trip of a lifetime with it’s highlight, an all day Mountain Gorilla habituation. It was all that and more. Brian, our driver, was phenomenal. We dubbed him Brian Uganda! He is representing some of the best Uganda has to offer. Always cheerful, polite, informative and going above and beyond even at the end of an arduous 13 hour day! We will remember him and our 10 days forever! The lodges were mid range and all delivered in their own unique ways, some had stellar service, others incredible food or phenomenal settings, in all though, none fell short in delivering on expectations. The journey itself was wonderful, we enjoyed between parks to experience Uganda and observing its people, an eye opener even for experienced travelers. The parks all rounded out a fuller picture of wildlife and ecosystems, so varied in a relatively small country. Bwindi is truly the impenetrable forest..the hike to the gorillas and back was challenging, but Adrenaline and your porter will push you forward and when you are in their midst for those glorious 4 hours it is truly life changing. We also did the chimpanzee habituation in Kibale and it turned out to be amazing. The unhabituated group was not cooperative, but the rangers took us at the end over to the habituated group and allowed us to stay longer with them than the folks who only paid for the trek. That really made up for the earlier miss and the larger amount of people on this side that could only stay mere minutes with each primate. No tree climbing lion sightings for us in QEP but a good amount of elephants even in large groups and with many babies in close proximity. The Kazinga Channel boat ride is amazing, much better than that at Murcheson Falls with respect to abundant wildlife, however, MF made up for it if you take the hike up to the top of the falls to marvel at its power...mind blowing. We were lucky to see a total of 6 lions and a leopard as well and were super excited to track many giraffes. We even witnessed the ugly and other side of wildlife protection in Murcheson, as during a game drive with a ranger we spotted three poachers chasing a large herd of buffalo. Like marathon runners they sprinted across the Savannah with their spears and our land cruiser was quickly outmatched. With that and the risk to our own safety we had to abandon a chase, but we were able to alert the other rangers in the park and hope they were captured. All in all we could not have asked for more and would highly recommend Uganda, Kabiza and especially Brian for anyone looking to have a great safari experience!Astrid StrackeFebruary 3, 2020
Myself, 2 friends and my 2 children aged 6 and 2 years had a wonderful time on safari with Kabiza wilderness safari. The communication from them was great both before and during the trip. Everything was as promised (as much as is possible on an African safari!) and we have many special memories from our trip. Our driver was knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs of the whole group. We had such a good time what we extended our safari by a day! I have no hesitation in recommending Kabiza Wilderness Safaris and will use them again in future if the opportunity arises.Becca JonesJanuary 21, 2020
We chose to use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris because they are actually based in Uganda and to us that means they will know the ins and outs better than a travel company thousands of miles away. Kabiza planned a 12 day safari for us with a focus on primates. Chimps, Gorillas and Monkeys. We just emailed Jon Blanc and told him what we wanted to see . He gave us a sample itinerary, we then gave our input and ended up with the PERFECT Safari adventure.We were very pleased with all of the recommendations. The gorillas were, of course, the highlight! The experience of having the little gorilla reach out and touch me was unforgettable. The boat trips were a very pleasant surprise. We expected to enjoy them but did not expect them to be right up there with game drives. The banded Mongoose was another surprise! That was a treat, I would have stayed with them longer if time permitted. That was great! We saw the Big 5, no problem. Every detail was thought of. Our guide, Carlos was great, very knowledgeable and professional. He really knows his job and he works very hard to make sure everything goes smoothly. Every evening Carlos would tell us what to expect the next day, even recommendations on appropriate dress based on activities. A good guide can truly make or break your trip.Alan JamesOctober 31, 2019
We recently finished a gorilla safari in Uganda organized by Kabiza. Jon was very helpful and insightful in arranging all of the details and answering my many questions beforehand. The logistics were well taken care from our pick-up in Rwanda, transportation to Uganda and the return journey. Our guide/driver was very knowledgeable and made sure everything went smoothly with transportation, hotels, trekking, etc. We were very impressed with the natural beauty of the country and friendliness of the people we met. We trekked in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. The gorilla trekking was an unforgettable experience. I’d certainly recommend Kabiza and we will definitely use them again if our travels ever take us back to Uganda.Douglas ChudySeptember 25, 2019
We highly recommend Kabiza Safaris. Our planning started only 2 months prior as we had been invited to weddings in Rwanda which prompted unexpected travel to Africa. I feel blessed to have found Kabiza thru google search. Their website is the most comprehensive of all I looked at. Jon was helpful in letting us individualize our tour, adding in extra days for community overnight visits at Boomu Woman's Village and at Ruboni Community Camp to connect with the African people and make our time more meaningful during our 12 days. We were fortunate that two gorilla trekking permits had come available due to someone else cancellation, and our trip was adjusted according to the gorilla permit dates. Communication is key when planning and carrying out such an event. Jon was excellent at returning my emails, answering my many questions and offering suggestions. Carlos our driver/guide was also a great communicator, always giving an overview of the next days events the evening prior. Our initial pickup spot in Entebbe was at an Air BnB not in the center of Entebbe and he called the location the afternoon prior to get exact directions to be on time for our safari start. In preparing for the next day, while in Queen Elizabeth NP Carlos contacted the Lion Researcher to confirm our time with him the next morning. The researcher was no longer available on our scheduled date but was willing to meet us in half an hour so Carlos came by our room to ask if we would like to switch our game drive to having time with the Lion Researcher. If he had not been proactive, we would have missed out on one of the most awesome and entertaining events of our trip. Carlos had a great rapport with Park and Lodge staff and got us connected with a great guide for the chimp trek. At our last NP, Carlos suggested we change out the boat cruise for a Ranger Walk thru the park being up close to the zebras, Impalas and Elon which had not been at the previous NP. It was the perfect sendoff from our five NP tour. Having a private tour in our own comfortable safari jeep, without a doubt was the best way to travel. We witnessed the BIG 5 and so much more. It took me two months to convince my husband to travel to Africa but he totally loved it and so often throughout the trip has told me I absolutely chose the BEST SAFARI company-KABIZA!!! THANK YOU for a trip of the lifetime!!Steven FisherAugust 31, 2019
(Translated by Google) We had a wonderful holiday in Uganda. I had made contact with Jon Blanc from Kabiza Wilderness Safari more than a year before leaving (we must go a little early to get the "Gorilla Permits") and everything went well, from the first contact until the last day of the stay. First of all, Jon was very available for the preparation of the trip. He quickly answered all my many questions in order to organize the trip as I wished, taking into account his advice of course. We went with family to 5, our son (15 years), our 2 twin daughters (19 years), my wife and me. As a result, we were able to have our own car and spend 12 days in Uganda without having to be attached to a larger group. As a guide / driver, we were lucky enough to meet Wilson. He drives in a very safe way, but it is above all an extremely endearing person who knows the country and the parks on the tip of his fingers. Wilson has quickly become the friend of the whole family and he is for many in the great success of our vacation. We had a probably "classic" trip: Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls Park, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi Forest (and its gorillas!) And Mburo Park before returning to Entebbe. Each stop was worth it: the rhinos to start, very impressive, especially that we meet them on foot! The Murchison Falls Park with a multitude of animals including elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes and monkeys of all kinds, not to mention the spectacular Murchinson Falls. Chimpanzees from Kibale Forest, rather difficult to find, it took a very long walk ... At Queen Elisabeth Park, Lion Tracking Research kept its promises by coming very close not only to the lionesses with their young but also a beautiful leopard. Obviously the pinnacle is the time spent in the middle of a dozen gorillas in the forest of Bwindi. We made a stop in Mburo Park on the way to Entebbe to see zebras and impalas. This park allows to approach the animals on foot (with a ranger) and is worth it to stop. The organization was impeccable, everything was well prepared, keeping some flexibility despite everything. All the lodges were very good and the food excellent. And the people of Uganda are infinitely hospitable. Many thanks to Jon, Wilson and everyone we met. I can only recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safari for your stays in Uganda. (Original) Nous avons passé de merveilleuses vacances en Ouganda. J'avais pris contact avec Jon Blanc de Kabiza Wilderness Safari plus d'1 an avant de partir (il faut s'y prendre un peu en avance pour obtenir les "Permis Gorilles") et tout s'est passé à merveille, du premier contact jusqu'au dernier jour du séjour. Tout d'abord, Jon a été très disponible pour la préparation du voyage. Il a répondu rapidement à toutes mes nombreuses questions afin d'organiser le voyage tel que je le souhaitais, en tenant compte de ses conseils évidemment. Nous sommes partis en famille à 5, notre fils (15 ans), nos 2 filles jumelles (19 ans), mon épouse et moi. De ce fait, nous avons pu avoir notre propre voiture et passer 12 jours en Ouganda sans devoir être rattaché à un plus grand groupe. Comme guide/chauffeur, nous avons eu la chance de tomber sur Wilson. Il conduit de manière très sûr, mais c'est surtout une personne extrêmement attachante qui connaît le pays et les parcs sur le bout des doigts. Wilson est rapidement devenu l'ami de toute la famille et il est pour beaucoup dans la grande réussite de nos vacances. Nous avons fait un trajet probablement "classique" : Entebbe, le Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, le parc Murchison Falls, la forêt de Kibale, le parc Queen Elisabeth, la forêt de Bwindi (et ses gorilles !) et le parc Mburo avant le retour sur Entebbe. Chaque arrêt en valait la peine: les rhinos pour commencer, très impressionnants, surtout qu'on les rencontre à pieds ! Le parc des Murchison Falls avec une multitudes d'animaux dont les éléphants, girafes, hippos, buffles, antilopes et singes en tout genre, sans oublier les spectaculaires chutes Murchinson. Les chimpanzés de la forêt de Kibale, plutôt difficiles à trouver, il a fallu une très très longue marche... Au parc Queen Elisabeth, le Lion Tracking Research a tenu ses promesses en s'approchant très près non seulement des lionnes avec leurs petits mais aussi d'un magnifique léopard. Evidemment le summum c'est l'heure passée au milieu d'une douzaine de gorilles dans la forêt de Bwindi. Nous avons fait un stop dans le parc Mburo sur le chemin vers Entebbe pour y voir des zèbres et des impalas. Ce parc permet d'approcher les animaux à pieds (avec un ranger) et vaut la peine qu'on s'y arrête. L'organisation était impeccable, tout était bien préparé, en gardant une certaine flexibilité malgré tout. Tous les lodges étaient de très bonne qualité et la nourriture excellente. Et la population ougandaise est infiniment accueillante. Un grand merci à Jon, Wilson et toutes les personnes que nous avons rencontrées. Je ne peux que recommander Kabiza Wilderness Safari pour vos séjours en Ouganda.Pierre GodelaineAugust 17, 2019
We booked a 7-day gorilla habituation safari with Kabiza. We had an amazing time, the habituation is definitely worth the extra cost - the experience of spending so much time watching gorillas in their natural habitat was incredible. Queen Elizabeth National Park and the chimpanzee habituation at Kibale were also great - with an abundance of wildlife. The accommodation along the way was all very good, with friendly staff. Jon was always very quick to respond to questions we had, and to confirm payment. I also found the website really helpful. Finally our driver, Brian, was fantastic. Friendly, attentive and informative. Coping well with some difficult driving conditions and giving us lots of opportunities for taking photos etc.Justin CarrJuly 30, 2019
We just had a fantastic 11-day safari in Uganda with Kabiza. Jon and his team provided a top-notch professional experience from our initial email contact right through to the drop-off at the airport for our flight home. Jon was happy to tailor one of his suggested safaris to include exactly what we wanted and was always responsive to our emails throughout the planning process. The price was extremely competitive, especially considering the cost of tracking permits, the private driver/guide, and the level of luxury we found at the lodges. Our guide Fred was friendly, very knowledgeable, and a great driver (something you'll definitely appreciate on some of the roads!) We stayed at lodges recommended on the Kabiza website and they were all incredible. Most importantly, every detail of our trip was taken care of seamlessly - lodging, permits, entry fees to parks, etc. You definitely want a reputable operator for a trip like this. We witnessed an unfortunate situation in which someone showed up for a chimpanzee trek and their operator had not set it up - what a nightmare, but not something you'll have to worry about if you book with Kabiza! Finally, the Kabiza website is a treasure trove of information, with articles about everything from what to expect on a gorilla trek to information about the culture in Uganda and Rwanda, and regular updates about current events. We met plenty of people on our trip who weren't even aware that something like the gorilla habituation experience or collared lion tracking existed, whereas we had seen all the details about our options on the Kabiza site. Uganda is a beautiful country, we hope to be able to return soon and it will definitely be with Kabiza. We've been on three other safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, so we've had some experience with trips like this - I can't recommend Kabiza enough!Barbara RocciJuly 30, 2019
Jon and his team from Kabiza gave my 15 yr old son and I the trip of a lifetime ! After many months of research it was clear Kabiza was a trustworthy professional and experienced company and it was a delight dealing with Jon as he shaped the perfect week long experience for us. I wanted to do the 4 hour Gorilla Habituation experience and I’m so thrilled I did. I was up-close with a majestic Silverback and his family in the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest ... The trackers and guides are incredible and will slash foliage ahead of you to help you get the best possible view of these beautiful creatures. You become part of the experiment as this group becomes accustomed to human contact. I should mention the journey is very challenging and can take up to 4 or more hours each way hiking through very steep and at times muddy terrain. A level of fitness is very important ... I also highly recommend you take a porter to help carry the (at least) 3 bottles of water you should take with you. Thank you Frances and Everest for all your help and patience and good humour !!! The accommodation Jon chose for us was outstanding .... Clouds, Crater Lake Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge are standouts. We had simply wonderful drivers on our trip as we experienced not only the Gorillas but the Chimpanzee Habituation which was also wonderful in the Kibale Forest and a safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park where we saw stunning tree lions and elephants and even a leopard... We would like to thank Wilson, Geoffrey and Hamid ....you guys showed us just how beautiful Uganda is. We cannot wait to return and I highly recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.JANE KJuly 15, 2019
We booked a 5 day "Gorilla and Chimpanzee" trek" safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris last year for 14 crazy 🇨🇦’s and loved every minute of it. These guys do a great job! From the "pre-planning" details, the information available on Kabiza's great website.... and the knowledge of the guides we travelled with was ALL amazing. Can’t wait to come back again..... working on another trip for next year! ❤️👍 Like Show more reactionsJoey and Christine WalkerMay 9, 2019
I was hesitant at first but Jon from Kabiza Wilderness Safari made me feel comfortable navigating a system from the other side of the world. The advice provided for our five day gorilla/chimpanzee trekking was spot on. Our guide Remmy took care of us for five days. Again, if you are going on one of these treks, I strongly recommend that you take all the advice from their website. Were we do to this trip again, I would definitely use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.Don ShearerApril 30, 2019
We are delighted that Jon arranged our ten day gorilla safari in Uganda. The organisation was excellent, we saw gorillas at close range and stayed in lovely accommodations. Our driver/ guide Omar was absolutely first class. I really cannot fault the trip and have no hesitation in highly recommending Kabiza to others. Seeing gorillas in the wild is one of life's beautiful experiences.Jan ShouldersJanuary 29, 2019
Jon was awesome to deal with, right from the get go, and he was very patient with my concerns about booking and paying monies to an organisation we found online. Transferring money was safe and easy. We sent Jon an idea of what we wanted to see and how long we had to play with and he gave us several itineraries to choose from. We booked more than 6 months in advance to secure our Gorilla permits and in the end chose to do 2 days in Uganda with the Gorillas, which we do not regret for 1 second.....we had the most amazing, once in a lifetime experience - both days were different and just as amazing. Brian as our guide for the trip, he was there to meet us at the airport and from then on, was there for anything we needed.....even to the point that when we were on our last Gorilla Trek and running out of time, he went and bought us our wooden Gorillas that we really wanted but had run out of time. We did have some down time and Brian made suggestions about what we could do and was happy to take us anywhere we wanted. The Dian Fossey Museum was a great stop to get some background, and then the Trek to her grave site and to where her cabin used to be, was very special, also very hard (we had mud up to our knees) but we would do it again in a heartbeat. We chose up market accommodation for the trip and we were not disappointed....great food, great customer service and great facilities. The drive to our accommodation in Uganda was both interesting and 'thrilling'! The roads are dirt and very uneven and at times narrow, thankfully Brian was very good at navigating the terrain and made us feel at ease. We have travelled quite a bit and had some unforgettable experiences, Kabiza have added to these and gave us a once in a lifetime experience that was worth every single cent. Everybody should have this experience, these are beautiful creatures that need our help (tourism $$) to ensure that they are there for centuries to come for all to enjoy.Mignon FurnellJanuary 27, 2019
Dear Fellow Travellers! I have been booking tours within Uganda with Kabiza for many years and they have always been an excellent Partner. From the very beginning of planning a wildlife tour to Uganda to the actual Safari they are a very trustful and reliable tour operator. The owners Jon & Geoffrey have been in the tourism business for along time and they do know their country very, very well when it comes to planning and operating a tour! All in all a great company to have a wildlife tour with! Thanks very much once again for the last tour in December 2018. Wolfgang from AustriaWolfgang StolzlechnerJanuary 14, 2019
Of the many wildlife and gorilla trekking tour operators available, I chose Kabiza Wilderness Safaris because I came across their incredibly helpful blog posts on gorilla trekking and found them to be straight forward and incredibly helpful. Even if you choose to go with someone else- read some of Kabiza's content and you'll have a better trip. After choosing Kabiza, Jon and his team's level of service was exemplary! Jon was fast and crisp in all of his email communications and he set up a tour that met our needs exactly. Our tour guide Carlos was wonderfully kind and helpful. He had us feeling at home in Africa within minutes of meeting him. The gorilla trekking itself was magical with Jon and his team being absolutely on point in quickly snagging some habituation permits that became available at the last minute. We stayed at lodges across different price points and each location was comfortable, clean and had it's own charm. Huge thank you to Jon, Carlos, and the rest of the Kabiza Wilderness Safaris team for a wonderful vacation!Ananda GhoshJanuary 11, 2019
We recently returned from Uganda and Rwanda where we did a 4 day gorilla trekking tour, all arranged by Jon at Kabiza Wilderness Safari, and I have to say the experience was nothing short of phenomenal. From the beginning of planning the trip, Jon was very responsive and accommodating to all our requests. He listened to what we wanted and then made suggestions, which all turned out to be amazing, and all for a competitive price. Our driver Bosco was fantastic, very knowledgeable and personable, and all the the different lodges we stayed at throughout the trip were spot on. Mount Gahinga Lodge was fantastic, from the food, to the service and most importantly the proximity to the entrance of the park. Chameleon Lodge is another gem perched on top of Lake Mutanda, it's a little bit of a trek to get there, but the view makes it worth it. Overall the trip far exceeded our lofty expectations, which is a huge compliment to Jon and everyone at Kabiza. Seeing mountain gorillas up close in the wild is an experience unlike any other and something you'll never forget. I can't recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safari enough! You won't be disappointed.Paul VoisardDecember 11, 2018
We just came back from an amazing 9 days safari started in Kigali and ended Entebbe. We did many parks, gorilla tracking x 2 etc ... From the first contact with Jon to the end, everything was perfect. Ask for Remmy as your driver. He has 10 years experience, he drives very well and safely in these bad Uganda roads. He showed to us many animals in the park , he tried hard and made sure we saw the lions and many more. We had many laughs throughout the roads. The car 4x4 was in good condition with a pop off roof. All the lodges Jon suggested were very good . We particularly loved Gahinga lodge ( near entrance of Mgagingha gorilla park ) , ishasha wilderness camp in Queen Elizabeth park and safari crater lodge in kibale. I asked other companies for prices and the price with Kabiza was very competitive even little lower than others. I enjoyed my trip and I highly recommand you Kabiza Wildwrness safaris . Thank you Remmy and Jon .Stephanie CardinalNovember 5, 2018
We have just returned from the most amazing and exciting trip to Rwanda and Uganda. Everything was above and beyond our expectations thanks to Jon and Kabiza Wilderness Safaris. From the early stages of planning, where Jon was extremely helpful and accommodating making sure we got the tour just perfectly tailor made to our wishes to the wonderful lodges, the incredible wildlife and the astonishing natural beauty of The Pearl of Africa. For anybody wanting a trip of a lifetime, we can warmly recommend Kabiza. Thanks a million, Jon - we hope to be able to return soon.tine altschulerSeptember 24, 2018

We realize that we are not the right tour operator for everyone, and we do not focus on mass tourism and offer no scheduled group safaris. We know we are good at – private, midrange, and luxury Primate and Wildlife Safaris that maximize your experience in the African Wild. Feel free to contact us if you feel that we might be right for you.

Choosing a Safari company is one of the most significant decisions you have to make when planning an African Safari.

The quality of the services provided by the safari company you use will make or break your safari. For this reason, you need to know what to look for in choosing a good Safari company and the steps you will take to help you get the very best company for your trip.

 

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