Average User Rating
Rating Breakdown
Write a User Review
Nick Groocock
CA
Visited:
November 2019
Reviewed: Apr 3, 2020
Email Nick Groocock | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I was mostly interested in the Kidepo Valley landscape - not the wildlife - and enjoyed every moment
Read more
bank account was concerned but Apoka Lodge, where I spent four nights, was never going to be inexpensive, even during the low season I was there for. ‘My’ driver Bob Asiimwe picked me up at the Guinea Fowl, a very comfortable guest house near Entebbe airport (Guinea Fowl did not complain when I reached them just before sunrise due to my flight from Ethiopia being briefly diverted to Kigali due to bad weather) and we, well HE, drove through the day to Apoka. We were expected and Apoka immediately made me feel at home. Kidepo Valley National Park, and Apoka, were wonderful. A morning drive by an Apoka driver, generally a very professional James, with other guests before breakfast and a late afternoon walk for just myself and a Kidepo Ranger Andrew, driven to and from a drop-off point by James - who even signalled all his turns when going from one dirt track to another. Andrew and he were both very, very good about spotting things I was completely missing. They seemed to have a good rapport and while not from the Kidepo area, were from the same other part of the country. I could not have had better company, so kudos to whoever is responsible for them being there. Since a first visit to Africa in 1971, my rural accommodation has almost always been in a two person tent or under the stars so, for me, Apoka was very comfortable and if they were missing something - don’t know if they have ‘wellness’ facilities, but those would represent no value at all to me - I don’t know what it could have been.Lots of elephant and buffalo, usually at a distance, but Apoka knew I was not there for the wildlife. The walks were wonderful. Meals were all very enjoyable.
My return to Entebbe involved two nights at Sipi River Lodge, on the side of Mount Elgin. A wonderful drive down from Kidepo. Before and after Kidepo the road was not always the smoothest - though nothing like Zaire and other countries to the west - and Bob would weave back and forth to avoid bumps and pot holes. Having spent a year or two on similar roads / tracks elsewhere in Africa, and Asia, I tried second guessing for awhile where Bob would go - right, left, straight ahead. Gave it up. Bob was far, far ahead of me.
My cottage at Sipi River Lodge was within sight and hearing of the falls. A very enjoyable stay. During the day I went for walks with Bob, and local guide Chebet Juma, and learned about the production of coffee, from planting it to grinding. I made the mistake of pitching in when it came to the grinding bit, with mortar and pestle. Wrist has not recovered four months later - apparently I didn’t do it properly, though ‘my’ coffee tasted just fine, to me.
All in all, my Grassrootz experience, both in Uganda and with Zander in their Holland office can’t be faulted. My memories of 1993 Uganda and 2019 Uganda are quite different, not surprising after a quarter century away.
Were I to return to Uganda for a similar journey, would be the first people I would contact. Would I stay at Apoka again? If I wanted that level of comfort THERE, I’m sure I would. The landscape alone would make another visit worthwhile, as would being in the company of people such as James and Andrew.
Yasuyo Tsunemine
US
Visited:
December 2018
Reviewed: Jan 13, 2019
Email Yasuyo Tsunemine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome!!!!
Uganda is a wonderful country. This is my fist time to visit Africa. I truly enjoyed time there and would love to visit there again. I highly recommend it!
Macca
GB
Visited:
October 2018
Reviewed: Oct 20, 2018
Email Macca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Stunning Kidepo
It is about 10-11 hours from kampala, but it is totally worth it. The drive into Kidepo is absolutely stunning, incredible scenery all around.
The park is certainly the hidden gem of East Africa, with very few tourist it offers a unique and remote vibe. Wildlife numbers and diversity continue to recover, and whilst it hasn't got the same density of wildlife as some other parks, you will see plenty and usually when you do, you are on your own.
Sunrises and sunsets are epic, with the backdrop of the mountains surrounding the valley. An hour or so drive up to the south Sudan border and you will be sure to see some ostriches, the only ones in Uganda.
It really is a stunning place, that should be on everyone's wish list!
Mezza
AE
Visited:
December 2017
Reviewed: Feb 25, 2018
Email Mezza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best thing I have ever done, fantastic, great tour company and staff, great service, great time.
My
Read more
family and I had a brilliant safari and were really pleased with the service offered. I would definitely travel with Go Explore Safari and have actually started organising another trip in Northern Uganda with them. I would definitely recommend doing a safari with them.
Emilie
US
Visited:
June 2016
Reviewed: Oct 14, 2016
Email Emilie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I only went to Queen Elizabeth NP for a true safari, but only a couple hours away I went on a chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest. And even driving on the outskirts of Lake Mburo, without actually entering the park, we saw quite a lot of wildlife. Although I was only there for a week, Uganda is rich with wildlife, and I met many Ugandans who were so hospitable.
cherepl
UG
Visited:
May 2016
Reviewed: Jun 12, 2016
Email cherepl | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda is a unique place to visit with its numerous travel highlights for photographers, adventurers and birders. It is outstanding for wildlife adventures in lush rainforests to savannah reserves. There are approximately 1000 birds, climbing tree lions, several varieties of primates along with observing chimps, mountain gorillas and breathtaking scenery.
MadGrin
IT
Visited:
August 2015
Reviewed: Mar 23, 2016
Email MadGrin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I liked the fact that noone knew what we were going to see and in the end, everybody resumed that we didn't miss anything!
Uganda is a very green and fertile country, with wonderful scenery and friendly people (most of them speaking kind-of English). A minor downside is that the big wildlife is spread over several NP's (we didn't visit them all, so we didn't see girafs f.e.). I would recommend tracking Mountain Gorilla's in Mgahinga NP, a few days rest at the magical Lake Bunyonyi (we stayed at Byoona Amagara Island Retreat), tracking chimps at Kyambura Gorge (QE NP) and going for a whitewater rafting on the Victoria Nile (we went with Adrift).
In my opinion, the best travel guide to Uganda is 'Bradt Uganda'. We had so much use for this book: it's clever, informative and funny! It really added an extra dimension to our travelling in Eastern Africa!
alkisaka
Visited:
July 2007
Reviewed: Sep 16, 2011