We took a last-minute trip to Uganda in June 2022. Ivan helped arrange an amazing 9 day safari. Leaving by car from Kampala, we stopped at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison... read more Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP, and then flew back to Kampala.

Our guide Kassim was extremely knowledgeable, a great driver, and a top-notch game spotter. He saw a leopard hidden in the brush that the car ahead of us missed, and we ended up spending 20 mins watching it stalk a Ugandan kob.

A few highlights:

Murchison Falls deserves to be in the same category as Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls, and Iceland's Gullfoss. We had the top of the falls to ourselves for 20 minutes and it was a magical experience.

In Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NPs, we saw the Big 5 and got tons of quality time with the animals. Some highlights included dozens of hippos/elephants on the Kazinga Channel and watching lions mate.

In Kibale NP, the chimp tour was awesome. It was a nice intro to the gorilla tour that we took a few days later. But because it was a habituated group, we ended up getting closer to the chimps and they didn't run away from us.

We did the four-hour habituation trip with the gorillas and it was spectacular. One of the most unique travel experiences one could imagine. Tough hiking but it paid off. Top five lifetime travel experience (up there with Antarctica and backcountry camping in Alaska).

The one thing that we'd do differently is skip Ishasha (which both Ivan and Kassim warned us about in advance and we should have listened to them). Not sure it was worth the long drive on bad roads. But we wanted to see the tree-climbing lions. Thankfully, we had already gotten lucky and saw them near the Kazinga Channel.

Some thoughts on hotels:

The Enganzi Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP is a bit far from the main game drives. So that eats up some time. However, the rooms, views, and pool are incredible. I'd suggest bringing a packed lunch and not coming back to the hotel mid-day.

The Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge in Bwindi is outstanding. Perfect views, helpful staff, and relaxing rooms.

In sum, Uganda is a potential tourism juggernaut. Come for the primates, stay for the Big Five.

  We had a great trip in Uganda thanks to Ivan's organisation of our last-minute trip. He managed to ensure we had Gorilla tracking permits for my partners birthday, despite the... read more request coming quite late.

There must be a special mention for Richard, our tour guide, who clearly has a passion and enthusiasm for the wildlife/nature and Uganda as a whole. He could answer all of our questions and really did his very best to make sure we had as a memorable trip as possible, with nothing being too much hassle for him!

For reference, our tour was:
Day 1
Lake Mburo National Park & Game Drive - Saw plenty of animals, including zebra, giraffes, baboons, hippos and a number of different birds and antelopes.
Accommodation – Eagle’s Nest; twin bed tents - very nice and great views over the national park

Day 2
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Accommodation – Gorilla Havens; double room with bathroom – nice place with great view of the forest.

Day 3
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - For us, the main event. Opted for the longest walk possible to make the most of our visit. Ended up in the medium group (as nobody else wanted the longer walks). Magical time tracking the gorillas and they didn't seem too bothered that we were watching them.
Accommodation – Gorilla Havens

Day 4
Game Drive (Ishasha) & Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) - With only one Lioness here, we weren't optimistic of seeing her, but managed to see her sleeping up in a tree. Also saw a Hyena guarding a kill from the surrounding vultures, which was quite the experience!
Accommodation – Bush Lodge; double bed tent – our favourite accommodation of the trip. Amazing camp next to the water with open, outdoor dining space. Can hear the hippos whilst lying in bed. After dark, you have to be guided to your tent, which we thought was a bit odd, but after seeing a hippo walk through the camp on our second evening there, we fully understood. Little/no risk to the residents as it is very well managed to allow nature to carry on their lives in a respectful way to each other.

Day 5
Game Drive QENP & Community Boat Safari in Kazinga Channel & Chimp Tracking in Kyambura Gorge - very busy but exciting day.
Accommodation – Bush Lodge

Day 6
Drive to Kampala (stop at Equator again).

Overall, we had a great trip and made so many new memories that we will ever forget! I really recommend booking with Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris as Ivan was very responsive and managed to arrange everything in line with our requests, and Richard did an amazing job to make sure our trip was as memorable as could be! Thank you guys!

  It was perfectly organized by Ivan. Ahmed, our driver/guide, drove us in a safe and professional way and saw to it, that every check-in and check-out at the lodges was... read more made easy for us three. Also his knowledge of your country is above average. Your overnight suggestions in the lodges Mihingo, Crater Lake and Paraa Lodge was ideal. Each place had ist charm, pleasant staff and faboulous views. We were also surpprised by the variety of animals and birds. The chimpanzee trek in the Kiblae NP was extraordinary. We admired that beautiful, green countryside and the friendly people of Uganda. Age will not permit us to visit your country again but rest assured that we will highly recommend Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris thereby pointing out what great jobs you Ivan and Ahmed did. Thank you very much.

  What an amazing trip! I can’t say enough about the experience we had! My son and I did the 4 day gorilla trek, absolutely unbelievable experience! The following day I... read more saw the golden monkeys and my son hiked the volcano, we were both so happy with our choices. My son went on to do a safari and see Murchison Falls. Eric our guide was perfect! He took such great care of us and was super knowledgeable and helpful, could not ask for more! I was so grateful my son was able to continue the trip with him. I’ve been raving about our trip to everyone since coming back. Hopefully going back someday!

  With GORILLAS AND WILDLIFE SAFARIS we did an eight-day expedition in Uganda. We arranged the program in advance from the Czech Republic and already at that time Ivan recommended and... read more helped us to arrange interesting places for photographers. When we found out at the airport that we were not issued visas in time and would not be allowed to board the plane, we called Ivan and he helped us to sort everything out and hurried the Ugandan officials and within a few tens of minutes we received our visas in the mail and could leave. They are one of the few companies that offer flights within Uganda so we had booked flights from Entebbe to Semliki and back from Kihihi to Entebbe with Aerolink. Waiting for us in Semliki was our guide Kassim, who accompanied us the whole time in his Toyota Land Cruiser, which, although of an older date of manufacture, looked the best among all the offroads. Kassim was very kind and helpful, stopping us himself at interesting places and places perfect for photographing wildlife and landscapes, and helpfully explaining local customs to people and animals. He even provided us with small snacks in the form of bunches of bananas during the crossings :-). The whole trip was well arranged, we did not encounter the slightest problem anywhere, and if something came up (e.g. the need to have a PCT test before departure to Rwanda (even for transit at the airport)), Kassim promptly solved everything over the phone or on the spot. We enjoyed the trip with him very much and we enjoyed everything perfectly. We will be happy to come back and use your services again.

  With GORILLAS AND WILDLIFE SAFARIS we did an eight-day expedition in Uganda. We arranged the program in advance from the Czech Republic and already at that time Ivan recommended and... read more helped us to arrange interesting places for photographers. When we found out at the airport that we were not issued visas in time and would not be allowed to board the plane, we called Ivan and he helped us to sort everything out and hurried the Ugandan officials and within a few tens of minutes we received our visas in the mail and could leave. They are one of the few companies that offer flights within Uganda so we had booked flights from Entebbe to Semliki and back from Kihihi to Entebbe with Aerolink. Waiting for us in Semliki was our guide Kassim, who accompanied us the whole time in his Toyota Land Cruiser, which, although of an older date of manufacture, looked the best among all the offroads. Kassim was very kind and helpful, stopping us himself at interesting places and places perfect for photographing wildlife and landscapes, and helpfully explaining local customs to people and animals. He even provided us with small snacks in the form of bunches of bananas during the crossings :-). The whole trip was well arranged, we did not encounter the slightest problem anywhere, and if something came up (e.g. the need to have a PCT test before departure to Rwanda (even for transit at the airport)), Kassim promptly solved everything over the phone or on the spot. We enjoyed the trip with him very much and we enjoyed everything perfectly. We will be happy to come back and use your services again.

  What an amazing trip! I can’t say enough about the experience we had! My son and I did the 4 day gorilla trek, absolutely unbelievable experience! The following day I... read more saw the golden monkeys and my son hiked the volcano, we were both so happy with our choices. My son went on to do a safari and see Murchison Falls. Eric our guide was perfect! He took such great care of us and was super knowledgeable and helpful, could not ask for more! I was so grateful my son was able to continue the trip with him. I’ve been raving about our trip to everyone since coming back. Hopefully going back

  In February 2022, I spent a little more than a week in Uganda. Much thanks to Ivan of Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris, and Richard, one of his tour guides.... read more This is my third trip with the tour group and guide, and I cannot be more than happy to share my glowing review of them. It should be that Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris are part of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, so you can be assured that they have been through the vetting process. I

Last year, I decided to do something unique. Other countries in Africa have national parks, where you can see animals, but I find other countries such as Tanzania and Kenya a bit too commercialized. Furthermore, in those countries, safaris are typically arranged through the lodge that you stay. So there is a high probability that you will sharing a ride with many others, and on their schedule. That is what Uganda holds a special place in my heart. Because you can have the best safari experience, with animals, along with your own guide and safari vehicle from Day 1 of arrival at the Entebbe Airport to the last Day when you leave Entebbe. You won’t get that in any other countries in Africa, since that is not the way safaris work, or if you do have a private guide and vehicle, it would be extremely expensive. Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris happily provides a guide and company-owned safari vehicle, in my case, a soft-top Land Rover.

In my last trip with Ivan and Richard, I went to Kidepo Valley National Park. I decided to go to Kidepo again this year. It is one of the best national parks in all of Africa, according to CNN because of its remote nature, density of animals and beauty.

With the help of Ivan and Richard, they planned a 8 days/ 7 days trip, with 3 of the nights spent at Kidepo. The other nights were spent at Sipi Falls (Day 1) and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve (Day 2 and 3). I wanted something unique and out of the ordinary, since I wanted to combine nature, community tours and wildlife in one trip. I got more than I wished for, thanks to this tour company.

I arrived before the first day of my trip. That night, I arranged a stay at Karibu BB Suites. Very clean and friendly accommodation. Ivan and Richard showed up the next morning to start the trip. In the first day, Richard brought me to the Mabamba Swamps, outside of Entebbe. There was a boat tour, and we were able to catch a look at the endangered Shoebill. Uganda is one of the very few countries in the world where the Shoebill exists. It was such an amazing site, seeing a bird that is so closely related to the dinosaur. Afterwards, we drove to Sipi Falls Resort. I was the only guest there, and it just made it even more special. Enjoying the beautiful view without the crowds.

The next morning, I did a hike to the top of Sipi Falls. It is a waterfall in Uganda. It does not have the immensity of Murchison Falls, but what it offers is the chance to combine it with a community tour. During the hike, I went through different villages and saw the hardworking villagers carrying on with their duties. It was a very non-tourist experience. I do not think they were used seeing tourists, since they did not put up a fake act like you might see in some other villages in Tanzania or Kenya. The villages near Sipi Falls were just so real.

Afterwards, onwards I went to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. In the last ten years, the density of animals supposedly increased. It was recently upgraded to a Wildlife Reserve and according to Richard, possibly a National Park in the next five years. I hope it does. Pian Upe was very different, since there are so traditional lodges, but “bandas,” which are owned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. “Bandas” are small houses, with a bathroom. They are very basic, but they were the only accommodations available now at Pian Upe. That is okay, since the staff members at the “bandas” were more than friendly. They cooked meals, and drink service to all of the visitors that stay overnight. The food was more than adequate, and the drinks were diverse and cold. Anything from soft drinks, to juices to cold beer. Pian Upe has a very healthy population of ostriches and antelopes. Cheetahs also live in Pian Upe, but it might take more than two nights there to be able to locate one. Nature is nature, and as much as people do not admit it, rare animal sightings are really more than a matter of luck than anything else.

After two nights at Pian Upe, onwards to Kipepo National Park. Like last time, I stayed at the Savannah Lodge. Since my last trip, two to three new lodges were built. This goes to show the promise and increased interest in Kidepo. With the help of Richard and a ranger, we saw elephants, antelopes, giraffes, zebras and lions. What more can you ask for with a 3-day game drives through Kidepo. In the last evening game, Richard made me coffee. I just sat out at a viewpoint, drank coffee and enjoyed the peaceful animals like the elephants and buffalos grazing all around us. What a great experience to end the trip.

There is no doubt that Uganda holds a special place in my heart, all thanks to Ivan’s tour company and Richard, one of his guides. When I left Entebbe, I felt a sense of sadness and void in my heart, knowing that I will soon be leaving this beautiful country, with its national parks and people. However, I know that I will be back soon.

After having been to several African countries through different tour companies, I am going to say that the overall success of a safari depends mostly on the tour company, and most importantly the guide. The tour company and guide will greatly add to the experience, since, to at least to me, a safari is not only about the animals, but the overall experience and customer service of the tour company and guide. Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris, along with Richard as a guide, meet these expectations and I give my wholehearted recommendation to them.