Reviews

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

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30 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Hilary Humphreys

Reviewed March 2016

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.

Suggestions

If you like wildlife this is a unique experience to see amazing primates.

Claire Howard

Reviewed October 2015

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.

Suggestions

What a shame this trip has been removed from 2016/17 brochure.

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

Ross Pezzack

Reviewed September 2015

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.

Suggestions

We lucked out, very short treks to gorillas, back within 3-4 hours and I am slow. I did 2 treks both very different and worth it for me. Take your ibuprofen and just do it. Porters are very helpful! 2 chimp walks were great as well. I wish we could have brought supplies for local schools, or small soccer balls for the children, perhaps exodus could organize this, just blow up and leave a ball on the field. The people of Uganda are very friendly and helpful!

Pauline Thomas

Reviewed July 2015

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.

Suggestions

An excellent trip. Some long rough travelling days but worth it for the gorillas. Also most places you stay at least 2 nights so you get a bit of respite from the bumps. Land Cruisers definitely better here than some other trips which use minibuses.

Philip Philip

Reviewed January 2015

Chimps and gorillas of Uganda

This was a great holiday and we fell in love with Uganda during the trip. Although most people booking this trip will probably expect the gorillas to be the highlight, we found the chimpanzees’ more energetic behaviour even more captivating, though having a silverback plus females with infants clinging beneath almost brush past us was the highlight of the trip. We saw a leopard resting very close to a track in Queen Elizabeth National Park, saw a tree-climbing lion in Ishasha and had a great boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.

Most Inspirational Moment

For the trip organised by Exodus the gorilla and chimp trekking were both highlights. We took the optional second day on each occasion and were surprised how differnt the second day was, especially for the gorillas. If you do two gorilla treks your tour leader will try and make sure you see a different group on the second day. After the Exodus trip we spent a few relaxing days in Entebbe, and had the most insprirational moment of the entire trip when we visite a tiny fishing island called Makusa, only an acre but with 450 people living in wooden shacks only just above the level of the lake. Everyone was so friendly and the kids so happy - makes you appreciate that you don't really need all the trappings of modern life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Male was the group leader and was fine. We spent more time with Sula who we found more lively and keen to discuss anything. We learnt a lot about Uganda from Sula. Both worked really hard to make sure we were happy, and took great care of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect anything special on your first night, the Central Inn was adequate but no more. We stayed at a much better place in Entebbe (Gately Inn) for 5 nights after the end of the Exodus trip. Don't expect to see shoebills on the quick stop at Mabamba swamp. We were lucky enough to see one on a separate trip after the Exodus holiday, but you have to go to the right place. Take at least one walking stick on the gorilla trek, but depending on your age and fitness you may not need one on the chimp trek. Use the services of a porter on the gorilla trek, well worth the $15 plus tip. The plants that look like nettles on the gorilla trek don't sting and we didn't encounter much that would warrant a pair of gloves, but someone on our group went on a more demanding second trek where gloves and robust clothing were needed. Despite the number of flying insects on the gorilla trek none of them seemed to bother us. You may find that you get better results from a good HD video than a conventiuonal camera when trying to capture the chimps and gorillas - more fun watching the videos when you get home too. A good HD video such as a Sony Handycam only weighs a fraction of a camera with large zoom. Tip as generously as you can as local hotel staff and others are on very low wages. If you take a close up of a local person offer money in advance and agree an amount that seems fair. No one has change, anywhere, so get mainly low value shilling notes when you exchange your dollars. The exchange rates for dollars to shillings is much better for values of $50 or above. Take a few extra days at the end and visit Murchison Falls if you have time. If you have time in Entebbe you could visit the Reptile Village and Makusa Island, both well worth the trip.

Suggestions

All the Ugandan people we met were lovely and we felt very safe at all times. If you get chance to learn a few words of Luganda (spoken around Entebbe and Kampala but not everywhere) then you will get an even bigger smile from people. Try the youtube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BY0Ur-TMmQ

Simon Pugsley

Reviewed January 2015

Rewarding Wildlife

Whilst the focus of this trip was chimps and gorillas, Uganda rewarded us with a wide variety of mammals and bird life and in contrasting landscapes; forests, savannahs and volcanic craters.

Most Inspirational Moment

The gorillas were great, but the Kazinga channel was such a surprise, teaming with wildlife and not just birds; elephants, lion, buffalo, hippo, even the elusive forest hog and to cap it all a leopard on the way out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 Land Cruisers and 2 guides, Male and Sula. Male was the group leader and very professional, sought and listened to our feedback and gave time for photos on game drives. Both engaged with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a pole for the gorilla trek and definitely make use of the porters as a good way of supporting the local community. These guys are on rotation and may only get to porter one trek a month. We ascended around 500 metres from 1400 to 1900, but you could get a group at 2500 metres. If you don't do the 2nd chimp trek I would recommend to do a birding tour in the morning through botanical gardens and marsh. Stephen from the botanical gardens gave a great tour and we saw some 36 different types of bird. Morning is best. Money - I'd suggest accounting for $50 for your local tipping to cover the entire trip. We were responsible for our own tips, and found the local staff and guides preferred tips in schillings. When it comes to changing you will get a better rate at the exchange your leader will take you to. You can pay in dollars at hotels and lodges but the rate is less. Similarly dollars can be used to pay for optional trips in Bwindi.

Suggestions

The last day is a very long drive back to Entebbe and whilst the Mbamba swamp is on the itinerary for shoebill, it is highly unlikely that you will see this, simply because the time of day you arrive at the swamp. The best chance is at Murchison falls and we felt if you have the time it would be worth investigating into booking an extra couple of days up at Murchison.

Angela Pugsley

Reviewed January 2015

Uganda - Wildlife

We picked Uganda for the diverse wildlife and was not disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Chimpanzee's The Gorillas The tree climbing lion Leopard The Kazinga Channel - Needed more time there

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were good and flexible with our start times, as we all were so eager to make the most of our time watching animals. We wanted to start as early as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

One walking stick is essential for the Gorilla trek no matter how old or fit you are. As they said they are MOUNTAIN Gorillas and it's at altitude. Some long drives but so worth it. US Dollars can be used for payment at most hotels. If you can add a few extra days on to your trip, Murchison Falls we heard was a must - disappointed we hadn't considered this at the time.

Suggestions

Its a little unfair to mention the Shoebill, as there really is no chance of seeing it on this trip.

Victoria Boughton

Reviewed July 2014

Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda

This was my first visit to East Africa and I absolutely loved it! Passing through lush jungle and remote villages, I was enchanted by everything that I saw and experienced in Uganda.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights. The noisy chimpanzees of Kibale Forest, hundreds of monkey's lounging in the trees of the Bigodi Wetlands, coming face to face with a family of gorillas after a humid trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, spotting elephants, lions and other big game in Queen Elizabeth National Park, seeing hippos line the banks of the Kazinga Channel as a herd of elephants came to drink at the waters edge.... the list goes on!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a pleasure to be around with great wildlife knowledge. We all enjoyed his company and everything ran very smoothly. The group were great fun to be with and plenty of stories were shared over a 'Nile Special' in the evenings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good camera and lens but remember that sometimes you need to put the camera down and just enjoy the experience! Especially when you have just one precious hour with the gorillas. It was magical to just sit and watch their behaviour and interactions without trying to get the perfect photo.

Suggestions

Brilliant trip and great memories! I would love to experience it all over again.

Russell Conway

Reviewed April 2014

Primates in Uganda

This was a road trip around Uganda with an intention of seeing as many varieties of Monkey as possible.
On the way we saw a great deal more, strange birds, odd looking antelopes and a few things that remain to be identified.
This was a brilliant and unusual trip with a high activity content and some of the walks will stay with me for a long time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Yes seeing the mountain Gorillas is always going to be great but there were so many other moments. Seeing 3 huge chimps swing out of their tree a few inches away from us, figs in their mouth and the smell of chimp heavy on the nostrils. Seeing the cormorant like African Fin-Foot peck flies off the back of a basking buffalo in Lake Mbouro and minutes later seeing a nest with 2 white backed night herons is just as good as it gets birding-wise!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very nice guy. A great driver who throughout the trip never once had a problem on roads which could be difficult and he had to put up with swerving to avoid animals, bikes, odd vehicles and on another occasion a snake. He facilitated all the check-ins seamlessly at the 4 sets of accommodation and on top of all of this he could identify most birds and mammals. Nothing was too much trouble, whether it was loaning me his waterproof or repairing a pair of glasses. He was a jack of all trades and a master of them all. We also had a bit of a bonus in that as well as the group-leader we had a representative from Exodus accompanying us which was fun and we all felt very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long walks on uneven terrain. And it rains. A lot. But don`t worry this is a wonderful trip and as long as you are prepared the memories will live with you for a very long time. Electricity supply can be a bit intermittent. Bring torches.

Suggestions

This trip is NOT just about the monkies. You will travel through enchanting African towns and villages. You will meet extremely friendly local people and along the way you will spot some of the 1000 odd birds on offer in Uganda. We were also lucky enough to see some wonderful crater lakes, listen to a chorus of frogs at dusk and be joined by a variety of wildlife in the camps we stayed in inclusive of Zebra, Impala, Vervet monkies and so much more. I have been on many safari trips. I am used to the lions and the leopards but some of the sights on this trip were truly truly scrumptious!!

Reviewed March 2012