Visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda (Bwindi) or Rwanda, plus chimpanzee trekking and game viewing in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as a cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Overall operator rating 9.4/10 from 111 trip reviews
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I cannot praise the tour operator enough. After I made the initial enquiry on your site Peniel got in touch with me on a timely basis. Although I did receive answers to my enquiries from the other tour companies they were by far the most efficient and offered the best value for money.
All my questions were answered and Peniel told me things I never thought to ask. At our request they added on a few days in Zanzibar after the safari and that to was excellent.
Peniel was in Arusha to meet us when we arrived at the hotel and he explained everything we needed to know. He came to see us again when we got back from the safari to make sure everything went well and to explain the Zanzibar portion of the trip.
Our guide was also outstanding. During the entire safari his eyes were constantly on the landscaping looking for game for us to view. We saw all of the big five up close. We even saw 4 black rhinos thanks to Anton, and I understand they are hard to see. The safari that they offer is 30% cheaper than other tour companies. I was a little concerned that we may get a cut rate safari but that was not the case. The customer service, accommodation, food and our guide was first rate. All of us have no hesitation in recommending this tour operator.
We had a fabulous time. We had John as our driver guide and Benson as our cook... he is an amazing cook!
We saw Tarangire, Manyara and Serengeti national parks and the Ngorongoro conservation area. It was an amazing safari, John was an excellent guide, the car was an older version landcruiser, but very comfortable and suited to the safari as it had a pop up roof for photographing the animals and comfy seats.
The tent was great and the staff almost always managed to pack up and set up everything before we had a chance to help so we felt lazy but was nice to have it all done for us. We saw all the big 5 plus many other amazing animals and would definately recommend the company to others.
They have an office in Arusha and very competent customer service staff that went beyond duty to help us with going around Arusha to sort our money troubles when our bank had issues sending money from Australia.
Only suggested improvement was a bit more confidence from the guide in terms of engaging us, he had a great knowledge base but seemed shy in divulging the info, we had to ask a lot of questions. all in all a solid 8.5 out of 10! We had a great time with them.
Our safari was wonderful!, The Tangerine and the Ngorongoro parks were beautiful and we saw a lot of animals, although Lake Manyara was not so nice, may be because of the season we went, we couldn't see so many animals there.
John our driver was nice and knowledgeable. We also enjoyed the Octagon Lodge, the service was very good and the installation nice.
I booked a camping tour of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro through the Africa Guide website for July 2011 for myself and son (age 14). The trip was at the end of several weeks of working in East Africa.
Peniel was incredibly helpful in designing an itinerary and schedule that worked for us, and in assisting us in obtaining local air transportation from Rwanda to our starting point in Arusha. Our driver, Anthony, was very friendly and knowledgeable about flora and fauna during our trip. In terms of animals, we were able to view the 'big 5' in addition to many, many others. We were pleasantly surprised that the package included our own camp guide and cook (Benson) who had delicious meals waiting for us upon arising and return to camp every evening.
We camped in a two man tent, and the addition of cots added significantly to the comfort.
Our guides were very attentive to our needs including, at our request, steering us to a more local craft area for curios and gifts rather than the more well-known, and over-priced, tourist traps in Arusha.
I have had a number of prior safari experiences ranging from tent camping (alone, with groups, and with my children) to high-end lodges (with spouse) in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. Unlike other tours with other companies, the operator did not combine us with other groups in the vehicle, allowing for a completely personalized vacation. This added to the flexibility of timing and accommodations.
Overall, this experience ranks an excellent value that allows one to "rough it" but with some unexpected added creature comforts (cots, personal cook). I plan to recommend the operator to my colleagues who are considering safaris in Tanzania.
Everything concerning the accomodations, guides, transprortation and wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations.
Peniel was very professional and took care of all the details concerning the 5 day Safari. Geoffery, our guide, was an excellent travelling companion, wildlife finder, safety manager and teacher.
We strongly recommend using this tour operator for your once in a lifetime safari to Tanzania.
I would be delighted to offer a short review of our holiday experience.
From meeting us at the airport to our departure a fortnight later, Penel, from the tour company, Anton, our safari guide,and Meckson, ourKilimanjaro guide ,were kindness itself.
Nothing was too much trouble and everything ran like clockwork, even when we altered our plans!
The holiday was well organised, from planning our journey up Mt Kilimanjaro, through to which safari parks to visit and which hotels to stay at- all within our price range, I may add.
The whole holiday was a total delight, with of course the friendliness of the Tanzanian people & the beauty of the country all adding to the experience.
I can't recommend this operator highly enough & will certainly return to them when we plan our next holiday ( funds permitting).
Hope this brief paragraph conveys how much we enjoyed the whole experence,
We have just completed the most amazing holiday in Tanzania. The tour operator was fantastic and I would highly recommend them to any travellers to this area.
Peniel did an excellent job of booking all we required and spending time greeting us and making sure eveything was OK. Our driver guide for our safari Apollo was exceptional. He knew so much about the area and the animals and we saw everything! They offer you a very individualised trip suited to your needs and without having to join a group of strangers.As a small local company they value their clients and we were made to feel special.All the accomodation at the lodges was wonderful and we particularly enjoyed the small Manyara Octagon Lodge unique and friendly with excellent home cooked food.
The personnel were wonderful people to deal with, from booking, to the guide. Neema was a delight to work with as I made my reservations. She was patient and prompt with answers to any questions I had.
Huruma, my guide was very knowledgable and pleasant. He took the time to inform me on vegetation, birds, animals and history of the Sengetti and Ngorongoro. The food was good.... Ben (our cook) did a great job.
All went smoothly, from being picked up at the airport to the resrvations at the hotel (which they made for me). Everything was taken care of... Huruma made sure I was settled in at the hotel before he left for the evening.
I would recommend this operator for others to use as a tour operator.
Although I was nervous booking and transferring money overseas, to our pleasant surprise everything went according to plan, including the arrangement of pre and post safari accommodation at the Impala Hotel in Arusha.
We had a comfortable vehicle and our tent was great - a very good size and kept us dry through storms, night after night. Apollo was our guide/driver and was extremely knowledgeable and proficient. He had to do some very challenging four wheel driving owing to a lot of rain and got us through every time without a hitch (others were not so lucky!!).
We saw so much wildlife right up close and personnel, including the Big 5 - and he was so patient when we just wanted to spend ages watching nature at its best. Our cook Bereggi (sorry I have no idea how he spells it?) was excellent also, providing absolutely fabulous meals!! The two of them made a trip to remember!
Overall, it was an excellent 8 days which allowed us to see the best of what Tanzania can offer on safari.
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Itinerary
CHIMPANZEE AND MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING – KIBALE AND BWINDI: 7DAYS – 6NIGHTS
TRIP INFORMATION
Experience a selection of one or more well-appointed lodges in wildlife sanctuaries where the focus is on guided game viewing activities.
Visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda (Bwindi) or Rwanda, plus chimpanzee trekking and game viewing in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as a cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day One: Arrive at the airport, met and transferred to Kampala for a safari briefing. Later take an afternoon city of Kampala touring the Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum, Namugongo Basilica and the Hindu Temples. Overnight at Grand Imperial Hotel or Hotel Africana. Meal Plan - Bed and breakfast. TRANSIT TIME 45 minutes..
Day Two: Head west after breakfast through Mubende arriving in Fort Portal for lunch. Later proceed to the Kibale Forest for a Nocturnal Walk tracking the Galagos, Bushbabies, Pottos and the Night Jars with the use of Flashlights. Dinner and overnight either at the Ndali Lodge or Mantana Kibale Camp. Meal Plan - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. TRANSIT TIME 5 HOURS
Day Three: Morning breakfast, later start a halfday Forest walk in the Forest on a primate Eco walk. Look out for the Red Colubus(an endemic species only found in this forest in Uganda). Other primates include the Chimpanzee, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys and others. In the afternoon, take a swamp walk in Magombe for a more closer to nature encounter. Return to Ndali Lodge or Mantana Kibale Camp. Meal Plan - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Four: Breakfast, later travel to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with picnic lunches (TRANSIT TIME 6 HOURS). Drive through the Ishasha Plains the area famous for its tree climbing Lions. Arrive at Buhoma the Gorilla Staging area where dinner and overnight is at either Gorilla Forest Camp or Mantana Bwindi Camp. Meal Plan - Lunch and Dinner..
Day Five: Gorilla trekking starts after breakfast. The rangers and trackers through the thick and steep vegetation track the Gorillas. After viewing the gorillas, have your picnic lunch and return to either Gorilla Forest Camp or Mantana Bwindi Camp. Meal Plan - Lunch and Dinner.. TREKKING TIME - 30 Minutes - 8 HOURS
Day Six: Take a scenic drive to Kampala, through the mountainous area of Kigezi and the Ankole area with its Long Horned cattle before arriving Kampala in the evening. Night stay at either Grand Imperial Hotel or Hotel Africana. Meal Plan - Breakfast and Lunch. TRANSIT TIME 8 - 9 HOURS
Day Seven: Airport transfer.
END OF OUR SERVICES:
PRICE: US$2592 NOTE: PRICES BASED ON PER PERSON IN A DOUBLE OR TWIN ROOM
Includes: Airport transfers accommodation Meals (At Bwindi) bottled water, Unlimited Sodas and Local Brand Beers, Local Brand Spirits, House Wines, Teas and Coffees, Laundry Park entry fees, primate/chimpanzee permits Gorilla Permit Private 4x4 ground transportation with an English speaking driver guide.
Excludes: International Flights Beverages, tips personal expenses.
Note: As gorillas are sensitive to human diseases, the park authorities will not allow anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups and children under 15 years of age are not allowed to visit.
