Wildlife of Uganda (formerly Gorillas & Wildlife of Uganda) Safari Adventure Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 7 reviews.

Paul Downing

WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written August 2012
The tour itself was tremendous. The only real problem was the very poor accomodation chosen fot the hotel outside Queen Elizabeth Park.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the wildlife
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be warned that what used to be a termed a premier tour has been downgraded because of the poor selection of hotels.
The tour specified that we would be seeing chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge. On the first day in Uganda we were advised that there were no permits notwithstanding that we had booked months in advance. It was particularly irritating when we got to the location to come across othe tourists who had permits who had booked later than us.
Trudi Humphry-Rankin

GORILLAS & WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written February 2012
Amazing experience with the gorillas that will stay with me forever.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The scenery and wildlife was beautiful but the gorillas were the highlight and a real privalege to spend time with
What did you think of your group leader?
Helpful, pleasant and accommodating
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Uganda seems almost new to tourism so chill and go with the flow
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Uganda is a beautiful country and support from tourism is vital for the wildlife their habitats and the people.
Ineke Jones

GORILLAS & WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written February 2012
Although we knew this was no longer a premium trip some of the accommodation was still below expectations. However, the driver / guides were excellent and made up for the accommodation shortcomings, which we hope will be addressed for future trips.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The boat trips, game drive in Murchisson NP and chimp tracking in Kibale Forest were all excellent but the gorilla tracking has to be the highlight of the holiday. We were split into 2 groups and both saw one of the larger families, so more than a dozen gorillas, including silverback and babies. As it had rained most of the previous night and that morning it was slippery in places and hiring porters was definitely an excellent way of lightening the load and making things easier for us, as well as providing direct local employment.
What did you think of your group leader?
There was no group leader as such but the lead guide / driver and his colleague were both well informed and helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be aware that this is still very much a third world country with mainly bumpy dirt track roads and few shops as we have become accustomed to, so bring what you need from home. You'll need plenty of cards for your camera - we took 1500+ photos - and that was after deleting as we went along.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Meal times can be a little eratic on travelling days, so have some snacks with you to keep you going on the longer days.
Robin Gupta

GORILLAS & WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written February 2012
This was a father and son holiday to celebrate a major birthday. I had a great time, Uganda, the wildlife and the scenery were stunning. The drivers/guides were excellent. However, the accomodation left quite a lot to be desired. When I booked this trip it was a Premium trip and I had wanted the luxury of good lodges. I did know before I went that the trip had been downgraded, but had been told that most of it was still comfortable hotels. However, some of the alternative accomodation that was used was unsatisfactory and below an accepatble standard.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the gorillas, followed by seeing the chimps, followed by two fantastic boat trips where we saw hippos by the hundreds, elephant by the dozen, numerous crocs, water buffalo, eagles, kingfishers, and on and on!
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two local African driver/guides. There was no Exodus leader. This trip is very new. I think we were the third trip. The trip would certainly have benefited by an Exodus leader having undertaken the trip before it was sold to the public.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The activities are nearly all truly excellent. However, some of the accomodation was a bit down market; 1* or 2*. One was 3*. So be prepared for some basic overnight stays. Take a good working headtorch!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go for it! A fantastic country and the Gorillas are worth the entire trip. But be prepared for some basic accomodation.
Janet Wraith

WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written February 2012
An amazing trip, with a wide variety of wildlife as well as the unforgettable gorillas.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
Spending an hour with a family of 11 gorillas, including several infants. The two boat trips were also fantastic, getting us amazingly close to a wide variety of wildlife. Trekking to see chimps at Kibale forest was also exciting and we got very close to several active chimps.
What did you think of your group leader?
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
Efficient and helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
Uganda is still pretty undeveloped and tourist-standard facilities are uncommon outside the main park areas. We’ve travelled quite widely and were happy with the standard of accommodation but Uganda is a developing country, so things can go wrong – just be prepared to go with the flow. Take some snacks - there are some long travelling days, with no opportunity to stop for lunch on the way. Sometimes it was mid-afternoon before we got to that evening’s hotel where we had a late lunch … often after an early breakfast.
Carla Heath

GORILLAS & WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written December 2011
Having been to other East African countries, Uganda surprised me by being very lush and green - in fact, very very beautiful. This is a great trip with lots of highlights but the people and the wildlife stood out for me. It's Africa with a smile.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I've wanted to see mountain gorillas for years so it's a given to say that coming face to face with a fully grown silver back was a heart stopping moment. However there were many other magical moments - the leopard perched obediently by the side of the road, the elephants crossing the road holding tails or maybe the lion escort back to our lodge one night.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was very new so has a lot to learn but this will come with experience. She was lovely and friendly and so eager for us to have a great time. Our driver was amazing - the roads are very poor and he spent long hours delivering us safely from A to B.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Top tip - take a good zoom camera!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just book this trip - you'll love it!
Urmila Jayarajan

GORILLAS & WILDLIFE OF UGANDA

Written October 2011
Very very Disappointed that Exodus failed to obtain permits to trekk chimps in Kibale forest. Alternative arrangements were made and it was not satisfactory.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the gorillas!
What did you think of your group leader?
She was very good, However due to unforseen circumstances some alterations were made to suit the daily needs. She handled the difficult problems quite well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Check with Exodus before paying the full amount if they have obtained permits for trekking chimps and gorillas. These are the main items of the holiday. You will be disappointed when they inform you two weeks prior to departure that they do not have the permit and refund £100.00. Alternative arrangements were made and it was time wasting trips!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were told two weeks before the departure date that Exodus has failed to obtain permit for Kibale. It was too late to cancel the trip!! Very Very disappointing!!!
Exodus Response
Dear Mrs. Jayarajan,
I understand your frustration at not having been able to visit Kibale. Unfortunately the number of permits available for Kibale is limited and we were, sadly, unable to secure permits for your trip. We did, however, organise alternative visits in the area on the day as well as an extra opportunity to look for chimpanzees in a separate forest (where, I am told, you did manage to see chimps) therefore offering two opportunities to track chimps as in the original programme.

The limited number of permits is regulated by the Ugandan Wildlife Authorities. We initially contacted all clients affected in August, 7 weeks before departure, to let you know at this time that there was a possibility we would not be able to obtain the permits and were waitlisted for them. Over the following weeks we did all we could to try and secure the permits. When we eventually received final confirmation that we, indeed, would not be able to secure the Kibale permits we contacted you again a second time and gave you the £100 refund you mention.
We have secured all of the Kibale Forest permits for all departures in 2012.
Kind regards,
Tom
Trip Manager

- Exodus Staff