Sep 17, 2017
Wonderful Experince on Gorilla Tour Booking Safari's 10-Day Gorilla & Wildlife Safari - After my wonderful trip to Kenya & Tanzania in 2009 I decided when I returned to Africa I wanted to see primates as well as Victoria Falls and game drives to again see the big 5. It was too costly to see primates, other animals and Victoria Falls so I compromised and determined we’d do South Africa another time.
The best place to see Gorillas in Africa is Uganda or Rwanda. When my daughter agreed to go with me I was absolutely thrilled and to be very through I checked out more then 30 tour sites in both countries, including those suggested by the company we used in 2009 (who don’t offer tours in either country), as well as those suggested by several travel sites. Upon review we narrowed our search to the top dozen whom we corresponded with.
After several emails with Ronald, a very courteous and professional manager at Gorilla Tour Booking Safari (whom we’ll refer to as “GTBS” for rest of this review), reading review of GTBS and others on this site and other, we selected the GTBS, 10-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari. We elected to spend the extra few dollars to stay at luxury lodges with full board (3 meals a day). Although we had been led to believe that all luxury lodges have air-conditioning, free laundry and free boot cleaning after trekking, which they do not, the choice of luxury lodges turned out to be a great choice. Most lodges had Internet access, although some only in the lobby areas.
This tour not only includes both Gorilla and Chimpanzee Treks but also a visit to a Rhino sanctuary, the unique tree climbing lions, Murchison falls, game drives, two boat rides, and much more. Further this was a private tour for just my daughter and I.
When we communicated with the travel agent who had booked our 2009 trip she suggested we grab this trip, as she could not come anywhere close to the cost for what was included! We are glad we did.
A point of information: When we obtained our VISA’s from VisaHQ.com in NYC. The agent there told us we did not need to bring our Yellow Fever letters with us to Uganda. That turned out to be untrue. Carry your yellow fever card / letter or expect to be delayed and spend another $200 per person to get shots there! Fortunately I had my letter and my daughter was able to find hers with her smart phone.
Also at Entebbe airport no one to ask which line to get on for customs, we got on wrong line and wasted another half hour. As we already had Visa we could have, and eventually did, go on the quick exit with no line.
Our Driver Guide for the tour, Francis met us at the gate. They say Uganda is the Pearl of Africa, I’d say Francis is the Diamond of tour driver-guides of all of Africa! Throughout the ten-day tour, he was simply amazing, caring, personable, and knowledgeable. Bottled water was plentiful and we usually had local bananas in the van. Uganda has some of the worse roads I’ve seen anywhere in the world but Francis tackled them with poise and professional driving. His congenial personality made our trip that much more enjoyable.
Day 1: As our flight arrived late at night, day one was simply a trip to the very comfortable Protea Hotel. We left the next morning right after breakfast. The Velcro belt loop came loose and I lost my folding binoculars in my room. I didn’t realize that until after we left but my daughter also had a pair so not a great loss.
Day 2: Francis met us early in the AM. First stop was at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary were we walked within 20 yards of mother and baby Rhino, with father on other side of tree. Great pictures and then on to Murchison falls for spectacular view of the falls. Observed several rainbows at the falls. Took great photos, which as you read on you’ll find got compromised. We stayed at Paraa Safari Lodge for 2 nights, the first of the Mweya chain of luxury lodges we eventually spent six of our nine nights in. Had booked with air-conditioned room, which we only received after asking at the desk. Food was good but also we ate pizza for lunch one day at the outside grill and they counted that as our lunch, only charging for our beers. Throughout the trip the food was good or better and you’re able to have vegetarian food at every meal.
Day 3: Early game drive we saw a lions, monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, birds, various types of deer, antelopes and many other creatures. Back for lunch and afternoon boat ride. Elephants, hippos, water buffalo and lots of birds were among the wild life we observed.
Hint: For best views on both boat rides sit on the port or left said as you face front of boats.
Day 4: Long drive to Hoima Cultural Hotel with stop on the way for view of Rift Valley. Hotel is very rustic with a very friendly staff but no air-conditioning. Provided us with a fan but had trouble keeping it going all night. After dinner, dancers from village came to perform for us. Nice touch!
Day 5: Drove to Kibale Forest Park. Discovered to my dismay that 138 pictures had disappeared from my camera; all of the first 3 days including those great rainbow shots were gone. Read online that it could be easily fixed but to remove SD card immediately. We did not have that option as I didn’t bring an extra SD card and there are no camera stores in the area. This would not be my last camera issue. Good thing my daughter took lots of similar pictures.
A resulting suggestion: Instead of one large capacity SD card, bring several of smaller capacity cards and change from day to day.
We arrived at the Kibale forest a few minutes after group left. This turned to our advantage as Francis arranged a private tour for us with one of the guides. We lucked out as our UWA Guide had a degree in Primatology having worked not only with Chimpanzees, but also previously with Gorillas. Can’t say enough how much I treasure this trek. As we were the last to leave the forest, we were able to get even more up close and personal with chimps. One walked between the guide and me, coming within an inch of us. Another walked right passed my daughter brushing her leg as he passed. While we were in the forest it rained. The forest canopy kept us dry but by the time we left many of the routes had flooded. Although we found Chimps within 20 minutes and spent about an hour with them, it took us almost 90 minutes to get out of the forest. The guide repeatedly asked us to wait as he went ahead then returned telling us one after another route was flooded above level of our boots. We continually cut though the forest without a machete, finally finding a dry route. I was exhausted but absolutely thrilled by this encounter. This was my personal favorite trek, but my daughter liked the Gorilla trek better. Realizing how exhausted I was, I addressed my concern to Francis about climbing mountain to see Gorillas. He told us he would take us to an easier entry, which he did, but I get ahead of myself.
We drove to Papaya Lake Lodge in a beautiful setting overlooking a crater lake. However, the lodges were some sixty plus, unlit stone steps below the main house. Visitors need to go up and back down those steps for meals, drinks, to charge phone or camera. That is a bit much after a day of chimpanzee trekking. Lodge has an Olympic pool that my daughter looked at by herself, as I did not want to climb more steps to view it. No A/C in room. Francis advised it was a new lodge for GTBS. I suggested to Ronald that he might want to find an alternate luxury lodge for seniors, disabled, or those just out of shape. Young folks loved it.
Day 6: Papaya Lodge and Francis accommodated me when we left in the morning by opening lower gate so I did not have to climb steps again after breakfast. We found all the lodge people we met at all the lodges to be very friendly and welcoming. Today is a driving day to Queen Elizabeth National Park, past the Equator and on to Mweya Safari Lodge. Not only was this Mweya lodge air-conditioned but also it has great views from the rooms, lobby, and patio of the lake with Hippos, Water Buffalo and Elephants. Saw Wart Hogs and storks on the property. On the way to the lodge stopped at a few booths to buy souvenirs. Several Elephants were chomping at trees not 30 yards from us.
Day 7: A morning game drive - view of monkeys and other animals. Then afternoon boat ride. Finally saw African Crocodiles, in addition to the water buffalo, hippos, elephants, birds, etc. In the middle of Queen Elizabeth Park there is a fishing village of indigenous peoples. Another great day.
Day 8: Passed though the Ishasha Section with Francis pointing out 3 lions in a tree. The area is known for these unique tree-climbing lions. We ate our box lunch as we watched them. We then proceeded to Bwindi National park and Silverback Lodge. This is another beautiful, quaint, 12 unit Mweya lodge, for last two nights in Uganda. No A/C but beautiful mountain view, higher - thus cooler elevations, more than friendly staff. They offer free beer or wine (two per person per lunch & dinner) but I don’t know if that is their policy all year or just at the time we visited. My daughter told me I should have asked for a fan as due to mosquitos, even though all lodges has mosquito netting, we had to keep windows closed and she was warm first night. The first evening about 30 youngsters came up from local school to perform for us. As a retired educator who enjoys children I found that delightful as did all at the lodge. We made a donation to the school.
Day 9: Although there is a gorilla trek entrance a few minutes from the Silverback Lodge we had to get up early to drive two hours up the mountain to the easier entry as Francis had promised. We trekked down to the gorillas. Fortunate again, we found gorillas in less than 10 minutes. Although this trek was easier, it was not easy. I even took a small tumble. However, the encounter was beyond amazing. We saw a family of about 15 members including the dominant Silverback and two other Silverbacks as well as females and younger gorillas. Other guests we met had suggested we hire a porter when we got to the Gorilla trek entry point, which we did. Porters are locals who for $15 USD (plus a $5 tip) would carry your backpack. After Gorilla encounter, we had to climb back up to road, no small feat at that height. It was quite steep. My porter was pulling me up by my hand as two guides, each pushed on one butt cheek. Don’t laugh too hard till you try it. I suggested to my daughter that if she took a few pictures of this she could sell them to me. Seriously, I am not vain but I never felt my age more that trying to get up that mountain and I walk or ride my bike almost every day at home. Told by guides that oldest tourist to ever do this trek was in there 90’s. We were all told, I believe, seriously, that for $300 USD could hire an “African Helicopter” – six guides to carry you up and down the mountain.
Had an issue that afternoon that caused us some concern for the next day’s 11-hour drive back to Entebbe to catch our flight home. Jonah, the manager at the hotel really went above and beyond the call of duty, staying with us till 9:30 at night to help get the issue resolved with the help of Ronald. Jonah’s professionalism was wonderful and by the morning our issue was solved.
Day 10: Long drive to airport with stop at Equator gift shops to buy some more souvenirs and a sad farewell to our phenomenal driver and guide Francis.
Regrettably, had many issues with KLM getting home with rude employees and a total of 24 hours delay but that will be covered in a review and zero rating of KLM airlines.
The GTBS, 10 Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari, was everything we expected and so much more. Ronald, Francis, and the lodge people were the best. I highly recommend you use the GTBS service if you plan to tour Uganda or Rwanda. If you’ve read some of my other reviews you know do not give that highest rating easily!
Unfortunately in the middle of the Gorilla encounter got error message on camera that could not read SD Card. Only have access to about 40 usable pictures of the 209 shown on the camera. Another 170 lost for a total of over 300 lost pictures. Upon arriving home contacted a local camera shop and they believe they can recover some or most of my lost photos. On that happy note I’ll close this positive review of Gorilla Tour Booking Service.
Review provided by Tripadvisor