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8-Day Classic Uganda Primates & Wildlife Tour
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Reviewed January 13, 2020

For part of our trip we trekked through the mountainous region of Uganda, from Gahinga to Bwindi, via Lake Mutanda and Nkuringo. Throughout this part of the trip we were accompanied by our wonderful guide (muhavara) Richard. Richard knew so much about pretty much everything - the local animals, plants and trees, the communities the country's history and culture. He's funny and friendly and looked after us incredibly well. I really recommend this way of exploring the region.

Date of experience: November 2019
Thank tomrV4961TY
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NBGL-OPS, General Manager at Nkuringo Safaris, responded to this reviewResponded March 16, 2020

Hello tomrV4961TY,

Thank you for choosing the activities with Nkuringo Walking safaris.
We glad you were able to experience this amazing country side and the different landscape and views.
Richard, one of our best walking safari guide always makes sure clients experience is memorable.

Thank you again for the review!

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Reviewed December 30, 2019

Our trip was actually organised by Wild Frontier Safaris and we spent 3 days at Buhoma Lodge and walked into see the H group on the second day. It took me one and half hours but some of the walking was not difficult. When I arrived it was just so wonderful I was almost in tears, it was one of the most amazing hours of my life, 14 gorillas who just went on with their lives and occasionally came right up to us. Two hours of a steep climb to get out,

Date of experience: May 2019
2  Thank Bill G
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariam Nchai, Marketing at Nkuringo Safaris, responded to this reviewResponded November 13, 2024

Bill,
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review of your experience! It's incredible to hear how transformative your time with the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was. It sounds like the moment you encountered the H group of gorillas was truly magical and emotional—there’s something so profound about connecting with these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

We completely agree that the experience of spending time with the gorillas is one of the most unforgettable moments any traveler can have. The way they interact with you—often coming up close, going about their day as if you’re just part of the scenery—is a rare and beautiful privilege.

The trek to see the gorillas can be challenging, but as you said, it's all worth it when you finally reach them. The steep climb out afterward is definitely a reminder of the effort it takes to access such an extraordinary experience, but it seems like it was more than worth it for you!

Thank you for trusting Nkuringo Safaris, Wild Frontier Safaris, and Uganda with your trip. We hope this experience is one you’ll carry with you forever, and we’d love to welcome you back to explore more of what this beautiful country has to offer.

Warm regards,
The Nkuringo Safaris Team



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Reviewed November 10, 2019

TOTAL COSTING
Single occupancy USD 3995.
Double occupancy USD 5115.
Includes:
Car hire, English speaking driver guide, Fuel, Management,Budget lodges,Gorilla permits, Chimps permits.
Excludes:
Staff tips, Visa fees, Souvenirs,

ITINERARY:
Drive to L. mburo Park, check in at Eagles Mburo Nest. Afternoon game drive , Zebra, Eland, Impala, Giraffees, and birds.
Day2. Very early game drive.
Return to the lodge for a late breakfast, and check out to Bwindi Forest.
Check in at Bakiga lodge in Ruhija or Rushaga gorilla lodge at Rushaga gate.
Day3. Gorilla tracking.
Afternoon , Batwa cultural experiencing.
Second Night.
Day4. check out , visit Ishasha for fig tree climbing Lions and may be share a moment with Elephants as you continue to Kibale
Overnight Kibale Chimpanzee Forest GH Or Kibale Forest Camp .
Please ask your guide to help you make an early night game drive in the Kibale forest public Road . Lots of nocturnal drive .
First night.
Day5. Chimpanzee tracking, another thriller , Chimpanzee are far interesting compared to other animals in the wild. If you can please ask for old UWA Staffs around Kibale who retired from work but has great knowledge and understanding of chimpanzee social behaviors. ( Astone, Gerald, Bradford and Silva)
Afternoon go for culture information.
Second Night.
Day 6.
Long day drive to Murchison and sleep at M R L ,
Day7 Morning game drive, boat cruise and hike to top of the falls. lodge MRL.

Date of experience: October 2019
Thank ugandaexcellentadven
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 21, 2019

We traveled as a group of 6 in January with Nkuringo Safaris .
Our tour guide/driver/ game tracker/ organizer was Jack. He is probably the best tour guide I have ever met, professional, courteous, knowledgeable and caring about his country, his people and his culture, and the amazing bonus of being an ex park ranger. He knew all the parks like the back of his hand, he knew the rangers, where to find the animals and when. We were very quick to realize that with Jack as our guide we were going to have the best of Ugandan adventures. And we did.
Such an amazing country, and of course sad to see the slow return from the devastation of decades of hardship. We learned almost as much about the beautiful people and culture of Uganda as we did about the wild animals we had come to see.
Queen Elizabeth Park was incredible, I have been on quite a few safaris in Africa but never have seen such a variety of animals in one place, in the same day. The boat trip on the Nile was also gorgeous and filled with animal life along the shores.
The lodging was very nice, with very good meals and excellent service. Some lodges were higher quality than others but they were all very comfortable.
For me, as a primate lover, the highlights were the Chimp tracking and of course the Gorilla tracking. It exceeded my hopes, dreams and expectations.
Our group was quite fit, and had done our research on the conditions in the mountains. We were shocked that some other ( Non Nkuringo) tour groups would bring tourists that were completely unfit and unprepared for the difficult conditions of the Gorillas tracking. Both of our groups saw unprepared tourists being carried out of the forest on stretchers. ( some did not bring the correct shoes, were not fit to hike difficult terrain and mountains, not aware of issues from high altitude, basically had no idea what they were getting into etc) Nkuringo was very careful to let us know just what to expect so we were well prepared and were all seasoned hikers. Simple Advise: Read up on where you are going before your Trip and be sure that is what you want to do :)
The Mountain Gorillas need to be saved, their habitat must be expanded and they must be continually protected from humans encroaching on their habitat. It was a wonder to see them and I hope and Pray that they will be there for generations, and that the Gorilla trekking will not be expanded in a way to ruin the peaceful existence they deserve.
Thank you Nkuringo Safaris!

Date of experience: January 2019
Thank SafariMundo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariam Nchai, Marketing at Nkuringo Safaris, responded to this reviewResponded November 13, 2024

Mundo,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We're thrilled to hear that your group had such an incredible experience with Nkuringo Safaris, and we're especially pleased that Jack, our expert guide, made such a positive impact on your adventure. It's wonderful to hear that his deep knowledge of the parks, wildlife, and his passion for his country made a difference in your safari experience. His background as a former park ranger truly adds a unique layer of insight, and we're so happy you felt that on your trip!

Uganda’s wildlife and culture truly make it a special destination, and we're glad you had the chance to learn about both. From the abundant animal sightings in Queen Elizabeth Park to the serene boat ride along the Nile, it’s clear that you experienced the richness that this country has to offer. We're also thrilled to hear the primate tracking experiences exceeded your expectations. Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and it’s fantastic that they lived up to all the hype!

Thank you for bringing up the important point about physical preparation for Gorilla trekking. The experience is definitely challenging, and we always make sure our guests are well-prepared for the trek. It's great to hear that you and your group were ready and able to enjoy the experience fully, while some other groups might not have been as prepared. Your advice to research and understand the requirements of the trek is very valuable for future travelers!

Lastly, we share your sentiments about the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas. It's heartening to see more and more people advocating for their preservation and ensuring that their habitat remains protected. We're all deeply committed to preserving these magnificent creatures for future generations.

Thank you once again for choosing Nkuringo Safaris, and for sharing your unforgettable experience. We hope to welcome you back for more incredible adventures in the future!

Warm regards,
The Nkuringo Safaris Team

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Reviewed March 13, 2019

My husband and I wanted a private safari tour. This was our first safari and our first visit to Africa. I used Trip Advisor’s resourceful reviews and customer feedback to make a list of places we wanted to visit. I emailed 6 different safari tours in East Africa with our travel dates, list of attractions and lodges we wanted to visit. Most of them emailed me right away with what seemed like copy/paste, cookie cutter trip itinerary. Lydia from Nkuringo Safaris took the time to read my list and respond with questions to help tailor my trip. Once she designed a customized private tour package for us, she communicated often via email and WhatsApp to further understand our needs. She scheduled our personal guide, Patrick to be by our side for the entire 24-day safari trip. He followed the detailed program from beginning to end but was very flexible changing the itinerary to suit our style and comfort level.
We booked 8 different lodges and only one was disappointing. As soon as we told our guide, he immediately acted and transferred us to a suitable lodge. Our guide Patrick was passionate about making our African trip truly memorable. The trip was perfect from start to finish. I highly recommend Nkuringo Safaris and their outstanding staff.

We trekked Uganda and Rwanda. Both treks were difficult but with the assistance of the porters we got to the gorillas and were not disappointed. Each country was an entirely different, but equally enchanting experience. The team of professional trekking guides, walking porters, animal trackers, and walking safari guides all love to share the pride of their land, exploration and adventure. Our visit to see the gorillas exceeded expectations.

How safe was the trip? Is the question I get asked the most after being back from our trip to East Africa. At no point during the trip did we feel in any danger. Our guide Patrick was by our side every step of the way. We traveled on a well-equipped, comfortable and spacious, super reliable 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser. Patrick always had bottle water and snacks available for us. He was very experienced and knew the destinations very well. He is known and respected by everyone in both Uganda and Rwanda. Locals refer to him as big Papa. During the safari game drives, he drove on a mission, taking us off the beaten track to uncover every hidden gems. We met many groups of people with their tour guides, none looked as happy as we were with our Papa!

So many highlights of the trip, every day completely different to the last. We are truly humbled and touched by the heartfelt sincerity of the people we meet on this safari. Everyone was professional and very knowledgeable but most of all helpful and kind. They all wanted us to have the most amazing experience. To them, this is not just a job, they support the local guides and the growth of the communities through tourism. The moments shared with the local people will be forever lasting memories. Every local we met shared their unique and warm hospitality. We arrived with an open mind and left with a full heart and long-lasting friendships.

Here’s a brief list of our program:
Flew from Florida to JFK to Amsterdam to Entebbe
—UGANDA
• Protea Hotel, Entebbe, took speed boat on Lake Victoria to Ngamba island Chimp sanctuary. Amazing experience! 2 nights
Aerolink Flight to Mweya
• Kyambura Gorge Lodge, 2 nights. Cruise along Kazinga Channel, Lake Edwards. Hippos, elephants, buffalos and so many more wild animals. Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth was incredible. Definitely trek chimps in Uganda. Coffee plantation tour.
• Ishasha Wilderness Camp, 2 nights. Queen Elizabeth National Park. Game drive, lions, tree climbing lions, elephants, baboons. Bush breakfast and sundowner. All Incredible tours.
Aerolink Flight to Kisoro
• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, 3 nights. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Gorilla Trekking to meet the Nkuringo Family. Buniga Forest walk to experience the Batwa people. Amazing!!!
Cross Cyanika border into Rwanda.
—RWANDA
• Sabinyo Lodge, 4 nights. Volcanoes National Park, Dian Fossey Karisoke RC, Gorilla Trekking to meet the Susa gorilla family of 22, Golden Monkeys. Life changing experiences!
• Nyungwe House, 5 nights, The best lodge!! Visited Musanze Market for vibrant fabric purchase. Colobus monkeys, chimpanzees trek not so great, canopy walk was fun.
Tea plantation and factory tour, best massage spa, yoga.
Flight Rwanda Air from Kanombe to Kigali
• Ruzizi Tented Camp, 2 nights. Akagera National Park. Ruzizi camp was terrible. I would not recommend. The Park and the guides were amazing! Game drive to see zebras, giraffes, hippos, elephants, vervet monkeys and more.
• The Retreat, Kigali 3 nights. City hotel with full amenities. Highly recommend to stay here and decompress from the safari before traveling back home. We visited Genocide memorial, Shopping Kimironko markets, Kigali Craft Village.

Date of experience: February 2019
1  Thank Carmen K
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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