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33 Day Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda Overland Trip

33 Day Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda Overland Trip

Overview

Join us for an unforgettable life changing experience as you watch the gorillas in their natural habitat, be involved in game drives looking for wildlife that includes 5/5 of African Big Five, get involved in the cultural performances, have spectacular views of the waterfalls, trek under the forests canopy to see the Chimpanzees, enjoy the stunning views of the Virunga mountains that straddles the Rwanda, Congo DRC & Uganda Borders in addition to being home to half the population of mountain gorillas in the world, enjoy up to grade 5 rafting on the longest River Nile & so much more while you traverse Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda over the land. Most interestingly the trip can tailored the to suit your needs and timing.

Included/Excluded

  • Meals ( 32 Breakfasts, lunches & Dinners)
  • Accommodation listed on the itinerary or similar
  • Roundtrip Transfers in a standard 4X4 Safari Van
  • Rhino trekking permit
  • Park entrance fees KVNP
  • Abseiling
  • White water rafting
  • Coffee Tour
  • Game drives
  • English speaking guide driver.
  • 1X Gorilla Permit
  • Gitega National
  • Park entrances fees
  • 1X Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
  • 1X Chimpanzee Habituation Permit
  • Cultural experiences
  • Game drives and boat trips
  • Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
  • Price excludes all other things of personal nature like the bar bills, visas, gratitudes, personal insurance, porter hire among others

Tour Plan

DAY 1: Arrive Bujumbura Airport/Hotel

Upon your Arrival at Bujumbura airport/Micheal Ndadaye International airport, a waiting guide/Guide welcomes you and shortly after briefing transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is left at leisure to relax after your long flight. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.

DAY 2: Bujumbura/Rusizi National Park

Rusizi National Park’s wetlands forms an ideal habitat for hippos, water-adapted Sitatunga antelope, & a wide variety of birds. Taking a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, there’s time to visit a nearby fishing village. Later, we explore a little-known and intriguing African capital. Learn about pre- and post-colonial history, and some of the challenges Burindi has faced. The city tour includes the outskirts of Bujumbura, and this will offer a glimpse of daily life. Visits include the Cathedral of Regina Mundi, and we pass the monument of the unknown soldier, the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore and Unity Monument, then ending with Musee Vivant. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.

DAY 3: Bujumbura/Teza Tea Plantations/Kibira National Park.

Today after a morning breakfast and with packed lunch, we drive to Teza to see the tea plantations & observe one of the main products the country exports & Burundian tea production. Later we take a nature walk around Kibira National Park. After a visit to Teza Plantations, we visit Kiganda Treaty Site, one of the historical sanctuaries containing all the details about signing the Treaty between Germans & King Mwezi Gisabo who was the king of Burundi during that colonial era. In the afternoon, we drive back to Bujumbura. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.

DAY 4: Livingstone & Stanley/Rumonge/Resha

Artisanal Production of Palm Oil - Our first stop is ‘La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley’, a stone monument claiming to mark the site where explorer Dr. David Livingstone met journalist Henry Morton Stanley, on 25th November 1871. At Rumonge there’s a first-hand opportunity to explore the increasingly contentious artisanal production of palm oil, before continuing to Resha for the night. In the afternoon around 4p.m, you are free to take a walk/hike in the hills overlooking the Lake Tanganyika which will mark the end of today’s tour. Overnight at Tanganyika Blue Bay or similar.

DAY 5: Kigwena Forest Nature Reserve/The Source of the Nile/Karera Waterfalls

Following an early morning breakfast, The day will start with a nature walk in Kigwena Forest nature Reserve where we take walk to see the monkeys and baboons. We continue to visit the southernmost source of the Nile in Rutovu near Rutana, only discovered in 1937. Continue to visit Karera waterfalls also known as les ‘Chutes de la Karera’, an impressive series of waterfalls said locally to have healing powers. Afterward, drive to the town of Gitega. Overnight at Hotel Tropitel or similar.

DAY 6: Gitega National Museum/Gishora Drum Sanctuary/Kirundo

Following a leisurely breakfast, you’ll go to to visit The country’s largest city, since January 2019 Gitega is again Burundi’s official capital. We visit the National Museum, a rather down-at-heel institution that nonetheless houses the country’s largest historical and ethnographic collection – in one room... However, museums and political administration are not Gitega’s headline acts. That billing rests with the world-famous Gitega Drummers whose performance on the royal field of Gishora is a sight not to be missed. This evening Later, we transfer to Kirundo for the night. Overnight at Rama Hotel or similar.

DAY 7: Kirundo Intore Dancers/Birds Lakes

Today it’s an early start for a sunrise trip by dugout canoe on Le Lac aux Oiseaux in Lake Rwihinda National Reserve. We will later visit the Intore Warrior Dancers for a show. During the royal times, the Intore warriors defended the King and paraded in dance before the delighted people when returning from victory. The dancer wears the skin of a leopard and an elaborate headdress, bells on their ankles, and a necklace of ivory. Afterwords return back to the lodge. Overnight at Rama Hotel or similar.

DAY 8: Burindi/Tanzania/Rwanda/Akagera National Park

Following an early morning breakfast, we shall begin our journey to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park and we will be driving through Tanzania crossing the borders at Kabanga (Burundi/Tanzania) and continue to cross Agian the border again at Rusumo (Tanzania/Rwanda) to proceed further to Akagera National Park. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or Similar.

DAY 9: Akagera National Park/Kigali

Following an early morning breakfast, begin the game drive through the northern sector of the park that has the largest concentration of wildlife and proceed to Kigali. Akagera National Park currently harbors 5/5 African big five in addition to antelopes, hippopotamuses, warthogs & more which your community site guide will be helping in spotting out. For birdlife, over 480 bird species has been recorded in Akagera National Park and there will be chances to see some bird species as you’ll be on this game drive safari. Overnight Step Town Hotel or similar

DAY 10: Kigali City Tour/Kigali Genocide Museum

Today we’re to have a leisurely morning breakfast and this is to be followed with a visit to the Belgium soldier museum and then to Kigali genocide museum and Kimironko market before returning to the lodge. Overnight Step Town Hotel or similar

DAY 11: Kigali/Nyanza Palace/Butare Museum/Nyungwe NP

Today after an early morning breakfast we will begin our journey to Nyungwe National Park with stops overs at Nyanza Place to learn about the cultural and history of rwanda and then proceed to make another stop at Butare National Museum before heading to Nyungwe National Park. Overnight at Ken Berham Guesthouse or similar.

DAY 12: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk/Nyungwe National Park.

An early morning call with your packed breakfast transfer to Uwinka/Cyamudongo visitors center ahead of chimpanzee trekking and this is to be followed with canopy walk experience before returning to the lodge. Nyungwe National Park is a home to over 13 primate species which you’ll get chance to see some when during the mentioned activities. Overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar

DAY 13: Nyungwe National Park/Volcanoes National Park

Today we shall be start with colobus monkey Trekking and set out for volcanoes National park driving alongside lake kivu with spectacular views of the lake. Overnight at The Garden Place Hotel or similar

DAY 14: Volcanoes NP, Rwanda/Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Uganda

Following an early morning breakfast, transfer to  Kinigi park headquarters a head of Golden Monkey trekking. You’ve an opportunity to upgrade the Golden Monkey trek to Gorilla Trekking at an additional of USD$1,500. Please note that a gorilla trekking ticket has to be pre purchased and thus a confirmation has to be at the time of booking the trip. After this experience transfer to Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar

DAY 15: Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Today after an early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters ahead of gorilla trekking experience. You’ll start with registration and be allocated a guide and a gorilla family to be trekked and then drive to the trailhead where your lead guide and escorts will be begin the trekking and once you get to the gorillas you will be allowed to stay with them for an hour observing them in close proximity of 10 meters. The whole trekking can last for about 2 - 10 hours depending on where the gorillas will be found. Gorillas can move further in search of food or during interaction with other gorilla families which leads to a fight that makes them move. After the day experience return to the lodge. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.

DAY 16: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park/Lake Bunyonyi

Today after an early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters ahead of gorilla trekking experience. You’ll start with registration and be allocated a guide and a gorilla family to be trekked and then drive to the trailhead where your lead guide and escorts will be begin the trekking and once you get to the gorillas you will be allowed to stay with them for an hour observing them in close proximity of 10 meters. The whole trekking can last for about 2 - 10 hours depending on where the gorillas will be found. Gorillas can move further in search of food or during interaction with other gorilla families which leads to a fight that makes them move. After the day experience return to the lodge. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.

DAY 17: Lake Bunyonyi/Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector)

After a leisurely beakfast, we will do a boat trip to visit some of the islands. Lake Bunyonyi is got about 29 islands and some of these Islands have historical meaning which your boat guide will be explaining to you. You will return to the lodge for lunch which will be followed by a transfer to Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight at Ishasha Pride Lodge or similar

DAY 18: Queen Elizabeth National Park

An early morning breakfast start with game drive in Ishasha southern sector. The open savannah plains is famous for tree climbing lions which on lucky day you find them hanging in fig tree like as if you’re watching mangos in a mango tree, other animals to expect during the course of the game drive includes African cape buffaloes, Elephants, warthogs, baboons, top extra extra. Afterwards drive to the northern part of the park. Overnight at Bush Lodge or similar

DAY 19: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Participate in a morning game drive after breakfast. The drive will take you through the main camp at the Mweya peninsular, a location that separates Lake George from Lake Edward via the Kazinga channel. This boat ride will provide you with the opportunity to view animals such as jackals, bush bucks, forest hogs, and lions. Buffalo, elepants, leopards, and the beautiful Uganda kob will be going about their daily routines as well. Retire to the lodge for late lunch, relax at the poolside and wait for lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon head to a fantastic launch cruise on the Kazinga channel and observe beautiful birds and more game. Have dinner upon your return. Overnight at Bush Lodge or similar

DAY 20: Queen Elizabeth National Park/Kibale National Park

After an early morning breakfast, we will return to Kasenyi for the last game drive that will connect us to Equator line where we will stop to make the pictures with the Equator Mark and proceed to Kibale traveling through the shadow of Rwenzori Mountains which are the second highest pick after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar

DAY 21: Chimpanzee Trekking/Kibale National Park

The chimpanzee Habituation Experience is a unique opportunity that will allow you to follow a chimpanzee group in its daily activities. Accompanying Kibale reserve researchers and rangers, you will be on the forest floor early in the morning to watch the chimps wake-up (de-nesting) and search for their breakfast. Then you will follow them all day – observing the full gamut of their behavior – until they build new nests (nesting) for themselves at around 7.30pm.

You will be part of the Uganda Wildlife Authority initiative to habituate chimps to the human presence without changing their natural environment. Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar

DAY 22: Kibale National Park/Semliki National Park

Proceed to Semliki National park after breakfast. This park also holds a good number of attractions including the famous hot springs, plenty of wildlife such as the Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks and a number of primates including the chimps, L’ Hoests, black and white colubus monkeys and so on. On this day, you will take a hike to the hot springs and check out for the interesting nature as you watch water boil eggs and bananas. Overnight at Rwenzori View Guesthouse or Similar

DAY 23: Semliki National Park/Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve/Lake Albert.

After breakfast, we will embark on the road to Masindi, though long journey but with a great scenery. You will drive through the farmlands, tea estates, sugarcane estates & learning a lot more of Ugandan cultural arriving kabwoya wildlife game reserve in the evening. Overnight at Lake Albert Safari Lodge or similar

DAY 24: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve/Murchison Falls NP/Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Kabwoya Wildlife reserve is a hidden gem situated within the Western side of the Albertine Rift Valley between the breathtaking Blue Mountains of the Congo and Lake Albert and covers an area of 87 square miles. It is characterized by remote savannah plains along Lake Albert and tourists can enjoy the striking views of Lake Albert and the magnificent Blue mountains of DRC. This Wildlife reserve was gazetted in 1980 and became a wildlife Reserve in 2002.

After a leisurely breakfast you will participate in the optional activities and be followed by a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. Overnight at Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge.

DAY 25: Game drives & Boat Cruise/Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up for a sumptuous breakfast served at 06.30 am so that adventurous can begin with an early game drive in the peninsula between the Victoria and lake Albert Nile known as the Buligi circuit. Catch the highest concentration of animals in the wilds of Murchison falls, cross to the Northern bank by Ferry and set up for an early morning game drive. Your guide will help you to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos and rare hyena, they hide and butterflies are abundant. The lush patches of forest along the waterways and the conspicuous borassus palms, dotting the ridges and valleys in between add to the attraction of the parks landscape. After the game drive, return for your lunch where you can relax. After lunch take a magnificent boat cruise to the base of the majestic Murchison falls. Overnight at Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge.

DAY 26: Boat Cruise/Murchison Falls National Park/Gulu

After an early morning breakfast, you will participate in another interesting but more placid activity is the boat trip through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. Here again there are plenty of animals and birds to see with an excellent chance of seeing the rare Shoebill alternatively afterwards transfer to Gulu. Overnight at Churchill Courts or similar

DAY 27: Gulu/Kidepo Valley National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on the road to Kidepo Valley National Park entering through Karenga Gate, you will do the do the game drive as you head to the Lodge. Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge. Kidepo Savannah in Kidepo Valley National Park sometimes has new visitor from the wildness. Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

DAY 28: Game drives, Kidepo Valley National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you set off for a 2-3 hour morning game drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in search of lions, cheetahs and leopards. Returning to the lodge to enjoy the mid-morning with an open swimming pool that has sight of the wildlife from the lodge. The lodge offers a viewing platform for wildlife and often at night you will hear the lions and hyenas. Lunch will be served following an evening game drive. Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

DAY 29: Kidepo Valley NP & Karamajongo Cultural Tour

Full Day in Kidepo Valley National Park – Cultural visit Kidepo is a wildlife bonanza you can either conduct a morning nature walk accompanied by a ranger escort or another game drive. In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby village of Karamojong. The Karamojongs are related to the Masai in Kenya and were mostly nomadic pastoralists. However, they have been recently introduced to farming and agriculture. Learn more about the culture and their cultural dance here. Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

DAY 30: Kidepo Valley National Park/Sipi River

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Sipi River. Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up to Mount Elgon. The most popular route starts in budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls. Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Overnight at Sipi Valley Lodge

DAY 31: Sipi Falls/Kapchorwa/Jinja City

Jinja enjoys a reputation as the adventure capital of Uganda, with a variety of different adrenaline filled activities to choose from. Arguably of the most thrilling experiences you can enjoy is Grade 5 rafting on the River Nile, considered one of the wildest one-day white water trips in the world! If this isn’t your cup of tea however, there are plenty of other options to choose from, including Nile horseback riding, kayaking, bungee jumping, quad biking and fishing.

09:00 After breakfast at the Crow’s Nest you will depart for a Sipi Coffee Tour. You will visit a plantation and learn about the farming, processing and roasting techniques they employ locally. You will be able to de-shell the beans yourself before roasting and grinding them in the traditional way…and finally enjoying a fresh home-brewed cup! Overnight at 2 Friends Guesthouse or similar

DAY 32: White Rafting Jinja/Entebbe

Today is a day to enjoy one of the numerous adventurous activities on offer in Jinja. This itinerary makes an example of a day’s white water rafting but you may substitute this instead for a horseback riding, kayaking, bungee jumping, fishing or quad biking adventure. It is also possible for the different members of your group to experience different activities, if you so wish. Please enquire for further details on the different options available.

08:00 After breakfast you will receive a briefing from your rafting guide and get fitted out with life jackets and helmets. You will then make your way to the starting point 15km away, where you will complete some safety exercises, by which point you will be ready to take on the mighty River Nile! The trip boasts 8 major rapids and several lower graded runs but by varying the route the rafts take, the adrenaline scale can be tailor made to your taste – wild or mild! Snacks will be enjoyed along the way and in between the rapids! Overnight at Airport View Guest House or similar

DAY 33: Entebbe/Departure

Breakfast and a free morning in Entebbe to enjoy the peaceful setting – a last chance to relax and unwind before hitting the city again! You may also choose to do optional activities like visiting the chimpanzee Island at Gamba or shoebill stock tour at Mabamba swamp before going to the airport targeting for your departure flight.

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Lokman_13
Lokman_13
2022-09-02
Reliable Organization of Gorilla Trekking Experience I was very satisfied with the Gorilla Trekking Experience. It was a true once in a lifetime experience. With Safari 2 Gorilla Tours Ltd I especially liked the fast and reliable communication with Aron who usually answers the same day when you ask questions via WhatsApp or Email. The money for the Gorilla-Trekking could easily be paid via MTN money transfer, however also bank transfer or cash payment would have been possible. Aron picked me up from my hotel at Lake Bunyonyi and drove me all the way to Mgahinga National Park. In the National Park they have their own guides. So Aron and his colleagues waited for me outside until the Trekking was over and then drove me back to Lake Bunyonyi.
Claudia
Claudia
2022-08-29
I totally recommend it Aron is very professional, the tour went perfectly. He was always very attentive to my needs, flexible and, without a doubt, very kind. I totally recommend it.
Ronny R
Ronny R
2022-01-15
Not recommendable We booked a combined trip to Rwanda and DRC. The services in Rwanda were close to what was offered. In DRC, however, Aaron tried to rip us off. Instead of the 3-star lodge we had booked and paid for, they wanted to put us up in a room without any standard (no water, used towels). We had to spend a night there and really struggle to get to the lodge we had booked. The Congolese guide kept telling us that he had not received any money from Safari 2 Gorilla Tours and therefore could not pay for the services we had booked. Aaron only gave us completely idiotic excuses like Covid, no cook in the lodge (all lies, there were good staff in the lodge). Safari 2 Gorilla Tours is not recommended because they are dishonest and that is dangerous when paying in advance. 2 hours before departure we were suddenly informed of the change in accommodation, where there was no way of defending ourselves. Should tours deny this, photos of paid and received services as well as price and itinerary follow.
Janusz S
Janusz S
2021-04-11
Great time in Uganda In February, I had the opportunity to travel around Uganda with Safari 2 Gorilla Tours Ltd. Great impression and great experience. We drove across the country from Kidepo Valley Park in the north to Mgahinga Park on the southern tip of Uganda- a unique opportunity to see mountain gorillas. Excellent tour guides Martin and Barnice- professional and enthusiastic. Thanks to them I learned a lot and, above all, I spent an amazing and unforgettable time in beautiful Uganda. I highly recommend
Danielle
Danielle
2021-04-07
Great private taxi transfer service! Normally we travel independently but because of Covid-19 we try not to use public transport on this trip. Safari 2 Gorilla Tours offered us private taxi transfer service with good value for money multiple times: from lake Mburo to Rushaga, Rushaga to lake Bunyonyi, lake Bunyonyi to Kampala, Kampala to Jinja and Jinja to Entebbe.
Communication via WhatsApp to make arrangements went very smooth with Aron being quick and clear in his responses.
Aron drove us most of the time, but we also had a ride with driver Barnice. Every time they were in time, most of the times even early to make sure we could leave whenever we wanted. The service was more than just a private taxi service: Aron told us many interesting things about Uganda and let us taste some local food. That really made our trip more colourful and interesting.They know a lot of good places all over the country, like restaurants and accomodation. Although we organized our trip by ourselves, that was still an advantage. Above that, Aron uses his business in Uganda to help other Ugandans as well.

We would definitely recommend to travel with Safari 2 Gorilla Tours.
jpeters-pa
jpeters-pa
2020-11-06
Rwanda - GO NOW! I decided to book at trip to Rwanda in September and within a month I was staring at Muhoza. I could not have pulled off such a successful trip without Safari 2 Gorilla Tours and Aron. S2G’s planning, communication, and execution of schedule was key to a solo traveler such as me, particularly during these challenging covid times. Because no one is getting back out there yet, I essentially had private tours for a totally reasonable cost. Aron customized two tours for me, and I went on both of them (starting and returning to Kigali, I was in Rwanda the whole time). Tour one was a five-day, three-park primate adventure, with Danny as my trusted driver/tour guide/translator/and all-around great company! Much joy was driving between the parks, seeing all of Rwanda and her busy, productive people and learning about the local culture from Danny. Tour two was a three-day Akagera NP safari, with a full day of game drive and a morning boat tour of Lake Ihema. Danny was again my driver/compadre for the Akagera tour. He actually drove the 8 hour park loop as Gisele and I spotted all of the safari animals – again, private tours right now! The hotels they selected along the way were very nice (especially the Ingagi Park View Lodge), and the schedule allowed for downtime between the activities. This was a totally unique adventure during a weird, strange time. But Rwanda has this covid issue under control as well as any other country in the world. If you want the feeling of being the “only one there”, right now is the time to go, Rwanda is the place to go, and Aron at Safari 2 Gorillas is the guy to call!
Jon Peters
USA
Henning T
Henning T
2020-03-10
Queen Elizabeth Nationalpark with Safari 2 Gorilla-Tours: Amazing! We highly recommend travelling with Safari 2 Gorilla Tours. Our tour guide Aron made our trip to Queen Elizabeth Nationalpark unforgettable. He was always pleasant and reliable. Thanks to him we got to see so many animals, even a leopard (very rare !) and some lions. He organized even a chimpanzee trekking for us. It was a fantastic experience ! Thanks again Aron !
Taabu
Taabu
2020-02-21
Safrai 2 Gorrilla Tours 'welcome people from all over the world' except black Africans I contacted Aron in November 2019 to organise a 3 day Uganda Gorilla Trek and Golden Monkey tour from 25 January 2020. As many contributors have already noted Aron is polite, attentive, and responds to emails prompltly regardless of the time of day however once I'd paid the balance of the invoice, Aron went silent.
In my iniitial email to him I had explained that I'm Kenyan and would be travelling to Rwanda from Nairobi, Kenya. As an east African citizen I thought this information was useful in terms of national park fees and so on; little did I know that it would affect my whole Gorilla trek experience.

I'd settled the balance of my invoice in November 2019 and Aron emailed to confirm full payment. I never heard from Aron again except when I emailed him to find out the arrangements for when I arrived in Rwanda. At the time I didn't think much of it as I'd read so many glowing reviews of Aron and his tour company; his attentive nature, professionalism and general good nature. A fortnight or so before my arrival I'd still not heard from him so I emailed to find out the itinerary for when I arrived in Rwanda - nothing. Just a curt response confirming that he had the number for my hotel and presumably (Aron did not confirm) that he would call me at my hotel to arrange a time to pick me up from my hotel.

I arrived at the hotel, following a 10 hour flight from London on Friday, 24 January to find there was no message was left by Aron advising when I'd be picked up the following day. On Saturday, 25 January at about 9 am the receptionist knocked on my door to inform me that a driver had arrived to pick me up and drive me to Uganda. As I'd not had any advance information of this arrangement I was not ready; i hadn't showered or eaten breakfast. And so we did not set off until gone 10 am. This was the first poor service i'd received.

I'd paid for a 3-day Gorilla trek etc which included on the first day a visit to the Rwanda Genocide memorial. When the driver set off we'd been driving and passed a sign to the memorial site, after almost an hour I asked if we were still going to the memoial site, and only then did the driver inform me that due to the late departure he had decided to postpone the visit to the memorial until the return leg of my three day trip. The second poor service i'd received.

Bwindi national park is in Uganda and so I was driven through Rwanda to Uganda via a land border, an eight hour journey that ordinarily shouldn't have taken that long. The third poor service.

During the drive Aron maintained constant communication with the driver - whose name escapes me - and not once did he ask the driver to pass the phone to me so that he could speak to me. By that I mean even welcoming me, asking me how my trip was, finding out if there was anything I needed, any issues or problems with the trip I'd paid for. The fourth poor service I received

When we arrived at Rushaga camp each visitor at dinner was assigned a table with the name of their guide on it; stupidly I immediately thought Ohhh so Aron had sent a driver to pick me up from Rwanda and that now I was going to meet him! How wrong i was. When i sat down expecting to meet Aron who should turn up? but the driver! Cheekily I asked if he was Aron and offended he curtly replied no!. When i asked what happend to Aron he informed me that Aron had been in constant communication throughout the day! When I asked why Aron hadn't even said hello or welcomed me he just said that Aron was on another tour. At that moment I realised what was happening and why. In Aron's eyes I was a black African tourist that yes, had paid for the same service and support that my white counterparts had received but due to his low perception of me and fellow black Africans I did not warrant the same service, attention, or even respect. I did not speak to the driver again for the rest of the evening. I was surrounded by fellow travellers that were accompanied by guides who made them feel welcome, valued and respected; they sat together sharing stories from their travels whilst I and the driver sat silently. Even as I tried to get the driver to understand how insulted and disrespected I felt he just didn't get it. A part of me feels if i was white he wouldn't have found it so hard understanding how poorly I'd been treated. But as a black African what reason did I have to complain? The fifth poor service I'd received

On the second day i was due to visit Mgahinga national park almost a two hour drive away. As debrief started at 8 am we arranged to leave Rushaga Gorilla camp by 6 am; arranging to meet for breakfast at 05:30 am. 06:00 am the driver was nowhere to be found. Finally at 06:30 he appears in the dinning room feigning an alarm malfunction. I had to demand an apology from him. The sixth poor service i'd received.

We arrived at the national park at 08:25. I was the only black tourist and when I asked the guide to summarise the debrief he audibly commented that as I'd arrived late he'd not be able to repeat it for me. Cynically I felt that If I was white he'd problably have ignored the fact that the driver had got me to the debrief late and still gone through the key points. The seventh poor sevice I'd received.

I could go on and on but I won't. I think you get the gist. I never once spoke to Aron, met him or communicated with him during my time in Rwanda and Uganda. I left Rwanda on Tuesday, 28 January 2020 and have delayed posting this review until now to see whether or not I'd hear from Aron. I haven't and I know I never will.

I would never recommend this company to anyone regardless of who you are. I pity and despise racists and would never support a business that openly discriminates against black Africans.
Sydney
Sydney
2020-01-05
3 day Uganda- Gorilla Trek and Golden Monkeys Would absolutely recommend them! Aaron was very professional when communicating with us. Our driver Martin picked us up in Kigali and he was great! Very professional and answered all our questions safe driver. He arranged all logistics and we were very happy!

Would absolutely recommend Safari 2 Gorilla Tours! Thanks Aaron and Martin for an unforgetable trip!
csimin
csimin
2020-01-03
일처리가 깔끔하고 친절한점이 훌륭했습니다. 카발레에서 당일치기로 고릴라 투어를 진행했는데 정시에 픽업을 나와주었고 투어 끝나고 Bunyonyi 호수를 들러달라는 요청도 들어주었습니다. (5만 실링 지불) 전반적으로 친절하였으며 메일 답장도 꽤 빨라서 추천할만합니다.

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