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...
A huge amount crammed into 2 weeks and very thoughtfully structured. The guides and cooks were superb, and were as excited by the experiences offered on the trip as the group. I've done over 10 trips like this with Exodus and similar companies, and this struck exactly the right balance between being full of new experiences without ever feeling like a relentless slog hours on the road-wise.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Rwanda! From the gorillas and Gordon's 70th birthday present, to the lush landscape, and the incredible warmth, openness and optimism of the Rwandan people.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you take warm clothes as it can be a bit chilly on the truck. Rwanda is cheaper for shopping than Kenya which can be over-priced. The upgrades at the campsite are worth it! Take video at the gorillas as photos are a bit hit and miss because of the ban on using a flash.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Unexpected price hike of $30 on white water rafting hit some budgets quite hard, and it was a surprise not to have the chance to buy rafting t-shirts or watch the rafting DVD before buying it. Rapids were fun and safety was excellent, but there are long stretches of paddling (or swimming) without rapids compared to other rivers I've rafted on.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Meeting the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, closely followed by white-water rafting in Jinja and the game drives in the Masai Mara.
What did you think of your group leader?
Often is a fantastic group leader with lots of experience and great interpersonal skills.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't forget your head torch and your sense of humour!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be prepared for some long days in the truck!
Jayne Bryant
GORILLAS & MASAI MARA
Written
This trip was so much better than expected there were so many highlights, the gorrillas, the kids in Uganda, all the wildlife in the serengeti, and the group leaders were fantastic and really made the trip special.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being so close to the Gorrillas is an experience you will never forget, it was both moving and scary at the same time and you felt totally priviledged to be there, in fact you felt like the ones being watched!!
We were also really lucky to have met some amazing children in Uganda that we intend to keep in contact with, they really are an inspiration, and make you feel so humble. It is amazing that they can be so happy with so little.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was fantastic in fact all 3 were, the driver, leader and the cook. They all made the trip extra special and worked so hard for us.
If you ever have the oppurtunity to travel with Emias, Mike or Bachi (wish I knew there surnames!!) go for it they are all fantastic. Bachi's cooking deserves a medal!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As this trip was changed slightly because of the troubles in Kenya we did have a couple more long days travelling so be prepared for that, although the vehicles are very sociable so the time goes very quickly.
There are alot of early mornings but they are worth it!!
you only get 1 hour with gorrillas so don't waist all the time taking photos stand back and watch them.
Finally don't be shy about having to go to the loo in the bush it is quite ofter nicer that the amenities!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip was fantastic and we have not stopped raving about it, it was also the first time my husband and I have been on any kind of organised trip, but this was certainly the best way to travel, and you certainly will not be going home feeling like you had waisted any time relaxing every day was a new adventure!!
We are already planning our next trip!!
Donald Sandeman
GORILLAS & MASAI MARA
Written
Due to civil unrest in Kenya the itinerary was completely changed at the last minute with the Kenyan part of the trip replaced by a trip through the Serengeti in Tanzania. Exodus did a remarkable job in arranging such an interesting and enjoyable alternative at very short notice. It did, however, involve some very long and arduous road journeys through territories of which the guides had no previous experience. They coped with great humour skill and patience all adding to a wonderful adventure.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Without doubt the gorillas is an experience I will never forget. It's well described in other reviews and that day alone made the whole trip worthwhile.
I had no conception that the rafting took place on one of the best courses in the world. I didn't participate during the tour but as I remained in Uganda for a week after, I returned to Jinja and was terrified and thrilled. Can only describe it as similar to being flushed down the toilet but for 20 km.
What did you think of your group leader?
The three guides were faultless throughout the trip despite some difficult circumstances. Their humour and enthusiasm was infectious. The cook provided some fantastic meals at short notice over an open fire. 10/10
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a warm jacket and go for it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Only bad part was a very,very late price hike due to tour being changed from a 'participatory itinerary' to full service.
The price rise was also supposed to cover superior vehicle and accomodation in Kenya but in fairness it was not the fault of Exodus that the trouble arose in Kenya and I was grateful that they were able to provide a similar alternative trip
amazing wildlife, spectacular scenery, exhilarating rapids, and -well mountain gorillas (no words can describe seeing these animals up close), all topped off with fantastic staff.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
visiting the gorillas, walking safari at lake naivasha
What did you think of your group leader?
brilliant. friendly funny and very knowledgeable
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take some warm clothes, especially in november,oh and don't drink the water that is provided on the rafting day and save your money don't buy the rafting dvd, they tend not to work very well!!!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the Amaharo family of gorillas in Rwanda was an experience I will remember always - standing just a very few feet from a silverback; being gently knocked off my feet by a playful but determined young blackback; watching babies playing in the tree branches whilst their mothers contemplated life chewing on bamboo shoots - priceless. And that was only day 3!! What followed was a huge animal lineup - cheetah, lion, antelope, chimpanzee, hippopotamus, rhinocerus, jackal, hyena, serval, monkeys of all shapes and sizes and birds, birds, birds. A wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream!
Our group leader was Manny - a wonderful chap from Zimbabwe with character and a very great knowledge of his continent, it's history, politics, wildlife. He endured every minor hiccup with humour and was even-handed with all of us, playing no favourites and excluding no-one. Every evening he would tell us stories and enthuse us for the next day's adventure. I cannot recommend this man highly enough nor his crew: Doc, Manny's second-in-command and Francis (our wonderful and very accomplished cook). This was a team that I felt could tackle just about anything but make it fun and for two pins I could have carried on following them on their next trip into Tanzania!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
From this and past experiences of overlanding (or any extended foreign travel) the most efficient ways of avoiding illness are firstly to drink loads of water, even when you're not thirsty and secondly, buy and carry everywhere a disinfectant hand gel (the pocket sized ones that most supermarkets sell). Use this throughout the day, after a loo stop (which may be in the 'bush' or at the roadside), before and after food or if you go wandering outside in a town or village and touch anything that others may have handled. This behaviour is not in any way obsessive - it becomes second nature after a while but you will avoid the most common travelling ailment , diarrhoea, which spoils your trip. Also, if you get a cold or severe stomach problems you will NOT be allowed to visit the gorillas - worth keeping in mind!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't pack too many clothes - you'll never need them and you'll find a couple of places along the way where you can use an inexpensive laundry service so it's not necessary.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This type of holiday was completely new to my husband and I. We were both excited but apprehensive - unsure of how we would get on with the camping side of things. Would we be issued with our own trowel, for example. So to arrive at proper camp sites was a huge relief, even if the facilities were rather basic at times.
The trip was fabulous. East Africa is a beautiful part of the world and the people are warm and friendly. From taking a balloon trip over the Masai Mara with a champagne breakfast at the end, to white water rafting in Uganda (incredible, especially as I don't like water!) every day was a new experience.
However, the whole reason for the trip was, of course, to see the animals and ultimately the gorillas.
I cannot put into words how I felt when I first caught sight of the gorillas. These are truly superb creatures and to be priveleged to visit them and to observe them on their territory was surreal. To say we were up close and personal with them is an understatement as one of the male black-backs decided he wanted to play with us. He obviously hadn't heard of the 7 metre rule! I will never forget the experience and as a member of the Gorilla Organisation, I will continue to support the good work being done to help prevent these magnificent animals from being massacred to extinction.
Our group leader, Often, was wonderful. It was reassuring to have someone who was an experienced leader and terrific driver - the roads in Kenya and Ugnada leave a lot to be desired!
He was knowledgable, interesting and had a great sense of humour. The group took to him straight away. A great guy and an asset to Exodus.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes are really worthwhile and give loads of valuable information. Do take the time to read them as they give a flavour of what to expect and recommendations of what you will require. However, don't be frightened to contact Exodus if you have any questions. I had a few queries and contacted Exodus who were able to put my mind at ease.
I have no hesitation in recommending Exodus. We will certainly use them again.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For many years I've talked about seeing the gorillas and this year that dream came true. It was truly a holiday of a lifetime.
Not only have we great memories, we have made new friends as well.
The only problem now is...........how do we top this?
from 127 reviews.
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