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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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36 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Reviews

A superb trip which will stay with us for a long time...

A fantastic trip with almost daily opportunities to see a huge range of game, wildlife and birds. The chimpanzee trekking was great with two very different encounters, the safari park game drives were superb and the gorilla trekking in Bwindi was absolutely amazing, again with two very different encounters. The chance to see these incredible creatures close up really is a once in a lifetime experience which we thoroughly enjoyed. Uganda is a really very beautiful country and our fellow travellers, leader and guide all worked together to make this a incredibly memorable holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Almost every day held magical moments of some sort, chimp trekking was a great start, gorilla trekking was just amazing - being able to get far, far closer to this beautiful animals than we had ever dreamed, and having the time to be able to watch them interact with their family was just incredible. Watching lions in the early morning, having zebras outside our window, watching monkeys swing around the swimming pool, watching the sun go down over the savannah, being caught in the middle of an incredible storm, eating by torchlight, the boat safari seeing elephants and hippos, and the amazing variety and range of bird life - superb. Taking time to chat the very friendly locals, especially our visit to one of the orphanage schools in Bwindi. The penny dropping that the reason the bell boy is introducing us to the toilet, basin and shower in our ensuite bathroom is because he doesn't have one at home and can't imagine that you do either.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader and guide, David and Benjamin were fantastic, doing everything they could to make sure we had a great trip. David's daily briefings were superb and made sure we knew exactly what we would be doing when, what we needed to wear, how long the day in front of us would be and how much extra money, if any, we might need. Benjamin has a truly in-depth knowledge of wildlife, birds and animals and an incredible number of 'contacts' to ensure we got the very best out of our holiday at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the lodges provide mosquito spray for the rooms, some don't - you will probably benefit from taking your own so you can spray your room at night as in most locations (not Bwindi) mosquitoes and other insects are rather persistent. A good personal anti-muzzy for your own skin is also essential. Working out how much money to take and how much to exchange from the trip notes is a challenge - you do need cash, there are next to no ATMS or banks anywhere on route. We took $500USD and changed $200USD into Ugandan schillings - we could probably have done with another $100USD on us to buy a few more souvenirs, or if you want to drink a lot more Nile Special in an evening. David and Benjamin organised a group kitty for us for tipping purposes which worked brilliantly, you'll need $50 per person to contribute to this for the entire holiday. The gorilla trek porters costs $15 plus $5 tip (the only tip you pay yourselves if you do a kitty) - but you can pay them in almost any currency, including Ugandan of course. When the trip notes say 'basic' they mean basic - you will be living out of your bag for most of this holiday with nowhere to unpack even if you had time! In two of the lodges there is electric light in your room, but no power sockets, charging is done in reception, however be prepared for relatively frequent power cuts - bring fully charged spare batteries and don't expect there to be working WiFi all the time. Gaiters are a useful addition to your walking boots; they prevent your laces getting caught on undergrowth in Bwindi and prevent ants from getting in your pants elsewhere. I was really surprised that gluten free can be done (in the main, not pudding!) by most places - make sure Exodus and the group leader know what you can and cannot eat. There are no snacks anywhere, so take your own if you can't live without. Be prepared for some very long days in the 4X4 jeeps - if you have a bony bum, you may want to bring something to sit on.

Chimps and Gorillas Uganda

A wonderful trip which will remain with me forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the gorilla trek. Despite having read all the favourable reviews before my holiday the trek exceeded my wildest dreams.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent nothing was too much trouble for them and they always had a smile on their faces. They were also very knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Add three days to the trip and visit Murchison Falls.

Chimps and Gorillas Uganda

A wonderful holiday with unforgettable experiences.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the gorillas at Bwindi National Park. Despite having read very favourable reviews before the holiday the gorillas were way above any expectations I had.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Were always accessible and cheerful. Nothing was too much for them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do an extra thre days to Murchison Falls. The Red Chilli company do an excelent package.

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

Had a fabulous time on this trip. Chimps and gorillas were the highlight for me, but the boat trip on the lake was amazing as well as we saw many hippos, elephants, water buffalo etc along with a variety of bird life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking chimps and gorillas. It was a real life experience getting so close to them in their natural environment. Magical moments that I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was knowledgeable. However, communication wasn't his strong point, and we were often just driven and dropped at places with no idea what was happening next or what the plan was. I think there should be a driver and group leader on this trip as it is a lot to expect someone to drive so many miles each day on badly made of unmade roads and lead and guide a group at the same time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a long car drive on arrival at Entebbe. We expected a 5 hour drive, but it turned out to be nearer 9. Also there is a lot of driving throughout the holiday, although scenery is amazing and some of the miles covered where as a safari drive.

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

This trip was truly an adventure including our encounters with chimps & gorillas. Both the chimps & gorillas were on the ground & plentiful. We purchased permits for a second day for both & would highly recommend doing so. You will get to see different families, each with their own character. The safaris were incredible, as were cultural events where we met children at an orphanage/school, a pigmy family, and many more. Uganda has a diverse landscape including rainforest, savannah, & steep mountains. It was all so beautiful – friendly people with a very different culture than ours, wonderful places, breathtaking scenery, & of course a diverse & delightful variety of wildlife – especially the primates.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course, the chimps & gorillas were the stars of the holiday - so humanlike & gentle. I got the impression they were looking at us considering our likeness' & differences just as we were with them. However, the people of Uganda left an impression we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. They are incredibly hard working people living a much different lives than our own. It takes so little to be happy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Five out of five stars. Our group leader was fluent in many of the 31 languages/dialects of different areas of Uganda. This trip would have been very difficult without their expert guidance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would suggest bringing a few items to give to the children at the orphanage/school and communities you will get to visit. The children and adults treasure them - pencils & pens, crayons, coloring books, paper, toys such as balloons, beach balls which are compact & light to carry, clothes - just about anything. Remember, however, you want to please them with these gifts without unintended insult, so ask your group leader to help you know when, where, & to whom they should be given. He/she will know the customs of the people. Also, during your travels, please be courteous & ask people before you take their pictures. As a side note, if at all possible, we would recommend avoiding Kenya & Delta Airlines on the trip there & back. Emerates or Ethopian Airlines were recommended by people who have traveled extensively in Africa.

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

The main objective of the holiday was to see chimps and gorillas. The local organisation was well set up to see both of these and we had excellent sightings, and while nothing is certain, one would be very unlucky not to see them both. In addition we saw a lot of other animals including lions, giraffes, elephant, buffalo and various antelope. While this was not a dedicated bird watching trip we nevertheless saw and identified almost 170 species including such specialities as Crowned Crane, Finfoot and the weird, but much sought after, Shoebill Stork.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was no just one special moment! Being so close to gorillas, seeing a pair of Shoebill storks rise out of the marsh yards from us, getting to within a couple of yards of a Malachite Kingfisher....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jude, our leader was outstanding - as good as they come. His knowledge of animals and birds was exceptional and his ability to pick up distant birds enviable. He new where we were likely to see key species, and regularly checked with locals, resulting our seeing giraffe and lion, species not so common in the area we were visiting, and missed by other groups around. I doubt we would have seen the Shoebills without his knowledge and determination In addition to all this he was very caring and incredibly hard working all helping to make this and exceptional holiday

Advice for Potential Travellers

The gorillas live in demanding terrain - steep sided valleys - climbing down and getting back up is strenuous! No problem for anyone who goes hill walking regularly, but if one doesnt do much walking of any description, it will be hard work (but worth it!). There are porters available to carry ones pack (local lads who appreciate the cash) importantly they will also give you a pull up on the steeper bits if you need one - much appreciated by some members of the party -so hire one and couples, hire one each if you both think you might need a pull!

Chimps and Gorilas of Uganda Holiday

A busy trip to see unique animals and some interesting birds. Particularly good for primates. Quite a few early starts. Most accommodation in basic lodges. Food good. Local people friendly and willing to show us round. The holiday gave me an insight into how people live with basic amenities. Wonderful scenery, particularly towards the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla trek is tough and the advice to hire a porter to help you with the terrain is good to accept. I would definitely go on this holiday again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The gorilla and chimp treks are amazing and the highlight of the trip for me. Although I found it tough personally.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The local leaders wow fantastic and extremely knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink plenty of water throughout the trip and take some dextrose sweets to help give you some energy for the gorilla and chimp treks. Also take your own walking poles although the lodge does provide some wooden ones.

Chimps and Gorillas Uganda

One of my best holidays ever! Majestic wildlife in abundance, fabulous travel companions and a country more beautiful than I expected

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking into the eyes of the gorillas. A dream for many years

Thoughts on Group Leader

David and Vincent made a great team. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ignore the trip notes which say no wheels on your bag! Soft bag with wheels is absolutely fine and what everyone else had apart from me! Take a rain poncho rather than coat. Be warned early mornings, long drives and no way is this "leisurely". You need to be prepared to trek for several hours over uneven terrain in humid conditions.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Claire for her feedback and we would like to assure her that the Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda trip is still running, and it is featured in our 2016/17 wildlife brochure.

Sarah Ahern- Product Manager for Uganda

Fabulous wildlife adventure

A wonderful exposure to wildlife in Uganda and Africa. The highlights are definitely close encounters with gorillas and chimps, but we also saw lions, leopards, zebra, antelope, Impala, hippos galore, Buffalo, etc. At times long drives over bad roads that I was glad our guides were having to worry about but definitely worth it. Food reasonable, often very good with great soups, although packed lunches were often not great but u are hungry so who cares. Hotel standards below western standards, often power and charging ability is limited, and getting a warm clean shower is often but not always available, but the location of most lodges and access to wildlife is what u came for. Come with a good attitude and the friendly people of Uganda will help u realize how lucky u are to share their beautiful country!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting 2 metres away from a HUGE silverback, and then having roll over on the ground and start snoring. A moment an infant came by and posed for us. Chimps fabulous, and on our last game drive as the sun is setting spotting a leopard and having him look at us for a few minutes to finish the day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both guides were great, we switched vehicles so I used both David and Vincent. Great drivers and guides, especially thru their "shortcuts"!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a torch with new batteries. Good to have more than one camera battery, sometimes charging limited. Drinks very cheap at resorts, US$ after 2013 best, take smaller ones for your bar bill. I would recommending getting $25- 75 in local currency at airport (larger denominations get better rate, remember NEW bills best) despite advice of local rep who met people at the airport, at some resorts no US$ accepted but because I arrived separately I had enough to do some quick exchanges. Most other places US OK, but it might better to tip locals in Shillings to make it easier for them, not a big deal.

Gorillas at close quarters

This was an excellent trip, in which siting gorillas is almost guaranteed. The chimps were great fun and boat trips with lots of game and birds to see at close quarters were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably being with the gorillas was the greatest inspirational moment as the group of 19 which we visited had lots of playful youngsters who were obviously oblivious of the 7 metre rule for how near we should be. One passed only 6 ins from me while I was busy watching one further away, and the rolypolies down the slopes were very amusing. The Kasinga Channel was a brilliant afternoon too, plus the tree climbing lions and the chimps.

Thoughts on Group Leader

All three of our leaders were excellent and dry knowledgable. Bryn was especially good at bird identification. They also went beyond the call of duty ensuring power through the night which my husband needed for a health issue, even when the accommodation had only generator power. They used the land cruiser battery with an inverter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take gardening gloves and pole/s for the gorilla trek. We were lucky enough to have only a short trek to the gorillas but others had long and steep trekking. It is really an impenetrable forest. Also hire a porter as it not only saves you energy but helps to keep local people employed in a very poor and remote area. Also be prepared for some good, but some very poor and rough roads, but our drivers were second to none and we always felt safe. We had independently booked an extra few days to visit Murchison Falls and it was a highlight of our trip. It also avoided that final day of a long, hot drive ending at the airport for the flight home. Not something we would have wanted to do. Or alternatively book an extra night by Lake Victoria before you fly home.