Gorilla and Chimp Tracking in Uganda - Many years ago we watched a nature program where people were getting up close with wild Mountain Gorillas and we said we need to do that someday. That “someday” came this year when we booked our Rwanda/Uganda adventure with #NkuringoSafaris and cannot think of a single thing that wasn’t perfect. Our driver Patrick Yiga picked us up at Kilgali airport and from that moment on he managed our itinerary perfectly. Not only did he drive us around Rwanda and Uganda but provided us with information about what we were seeing. Patrick has a great sense of humour and we shared many laughs both at his and our expense which made the hours in the Land Cruiser fly by. By the end of the trip when he dropped us at the Entebbe airport we had become good friends. A true professional and a real gentleman. As I stated our adventure started in Kilgali where we visited the Genocide Memorial. A somber experience but one which I felt necessary to experience. While in Kilgali we stayed at #TheHeavenBoutiqueHotel, a beautiful property with an African and Fusion Restaurant. The service was fantastic as it was all over Rwanda and Uganda. The staff went over and above our expectations. From there we went to #IngagiParkViewLodge. Once again the service was incredible. They had a very nice guitar which they allowed me to play. We visited the #DianFosseyCentre and #TheIby'wachuCulturalVillage. The next day we drove into Uganda. Both countries are stunningly beautiful and safe. Even though we came within 10 kms of the Congo border where fighting was going on we never felt any danger whatsoever. We checked into #TheNkuringoBwindiGorillaLodge high up in the forest. A spectacular room with spectacular views awaited us and our personal host, Friday looked after our every need. They even clean our mud cover hiking boots and gaiters. Now for the reason we went, the Gorilla Habituation hike. There are two options, Gorilla Treking and the Gorilla Habituation. We chose the habituation for a couple of reasons. First it’s a much smaller group (4 clients plus our guide. We also hired porters which I would strongly recommend. Not only do they carry your pack but are also there to help you over any tricky spots. It can be muddy and very steep in places and having them there to help was a godsend. The second reason we chose the habituation is that once you find the gorillas you get to spend 4 hours with them. We hiked 3.5 hours over some pretty extreme terrain so you should be in fairly good physical shape. My wife and I are 68 and 67 but it fairly good shape but even so after 3.5 hours in, 4 hours following the gorillas and then 3.5 hours we slept very well that night. We got within touching distance of some of the females and their babies but a much more respectful 2-3 meters from the huge Silverback. Exhausting but absolutely incredible. We then moved on to #TuracoTreeTopsLodge. Again a beautiful lodge with impeccable service. We got to visit a Batwa village, the indigenous Ugandans who up until recently lived in the forest. The final adventure was Chimpanzee tracking. Not as exhausting as the gorilla tracking but still tiring. Once again we got within a meter on some very large chimps and observed them for an hour. Some recommendations. #NkuringoSafaris gave us a checklist of things to bring and I would highly recommend all of them, especially the gaiters. They protect your legs from ticks etc, but a few times I sunk into the mud. Without the gaiters I would have had a boot full of mud and water. Gloves are essential too as there are sharp nettles and don’t forget your masks. We underestimated the weather. It can get quit chilly in the lodges as they are at elevation so be sure to bring warmer clothes in addition to shorts and tees. We ended our trip in Entebbe at #Karibuguesthouse, a beautiful property only minutes from the Entebbe airport. Thank you to #NkuringoSafaris and our driver and now good friend Patrick Yiga. This was truly an adventure we will never forget.

Best experience possibile! - We did an 8 day tour with Remmy, and it was amazing. All the places we visited were magnificent and everything was organized perfectly. Before booking the tour I thought that the many hours in the car would be a problem, but with Remmy, our guide, they were an added value: traveling by car we saw breathtaking views and breathed the soul of this incredible country. He is special, competent, friendly and kind, organized and never saves himself but always tried to offer us the best experience. We can't wait to organize another trip with Remmy and Nkuringo safaris because we had a great time!

Amazing once in a lifetime experience! - Once in a lifetime experience! Remmy our guide was excellent, and always ready to answer any questions we had. He also must have super-eyesight as he managed to spot so many animals whilst driving us around! Always felt safe when travelling with him and he was always on-hand to provide assistance with anything we needed! All the lodges organised as part of the trip were outstanding! We particularly enjoyed Ichumbi gorilla Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as could sit on the balcony and watch the wildlife!

Fantastic experience with Nkuringo Safaris - As experienced travellers, we were looking for new experiences, and Nkuringo Safaris did not disappoint! Led throughout by the wonderful Remmy Kityo, he guided us expertly from the moment we were collected in Kigali, until dropping us off at Entebbe to continue our journey onwards to Tanzania. His personal touch, and knowledge and experience, greatly enriched our experience - which ranged from gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, enjoying the scenic splendour of Murchison Falls and the wildlife of the national park, to bird watching in the Mabamba wetlands. Nkuringo organised a superb trip, with great experiences, wonderful accommodation (including the lovely Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge). Overall, a wonderful experience - thank you Nkuringo Safaris. Would thoroughly recommend and certainly be happy to use their services again.

Colorful Uganda - Our 8 day trip was fantastic! The hikes to see the chimps and gorillas were very fun, and not overly rigorous, which was perfect for us. Our guide, Patrick, was knowledgeable and humorous, and very safety aware. We became friends! The game drives were wonderful as well; we saw so many elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffalo and warthogs. Our days were full and fun, with stunning drives through the hills and mountains. The lodges were exceptional; great food, rooms and views! Excellent trip! Thank you!

Stupendous Safari! - An amazing adventure! We had a fabulous guide who was very knowledgeable about the country, animals and people of Uganda. Seeing the wildlife in their native habitat was an incredible experience. Our lodgings were comfortable, food delicious, the people friendly, and vistas awe inspiring. It was a trip of a lifetime!

An Experience Extraordinaire! - The entire experience with Nkuringo Safari was extraordinary! The driver, Patrick showed us phenomenal sights. He also carried on fascinating and informative conversations with us as we traveled. The accommodations and food were excellent! The animal drives, hikiking to the chimps and trekking to the gorillas was nothing short of living in Animal Planet. Seeing the countryside and the hardworking people of the country was humbling. I cannot recommend this experience and this company enough.

Uganda primates safari - trip of a lifetime!! - The experience with Nkuringo Safaris was a lifetime wish fulfilled. The trip totally exceeded our expectations. Our guide for the week, Milton Saturday, was exceptional in every way. If he is assigned to you, you will have a trip of a lifetime! The proximity to the chimps, gorillas big game and birds was astonishing! We have incredible photos as a memory but the ones in our minds are imprinted forever. Uganda is a beautiful and welcoming country. Do it! You won’t regret it for a second!

A responsive and excellent tour provider - we lucked out with an exceptional guide - We picked Nkuringo based on TA reviews, and we were not disappointed. Communication in advance of our trip was very good, detailed and responsive. We started with a "standard" itinerary and then customized it a bit by adding 2 more days to their standard 8-day itinerary...easy to do. Nkuringo also provided excellent travel advice in terms of packing, what to bring, vaccinations, making sure we had all documents in order, etc. But what really made the trip a remarkable and memorable one for us was our driver/guide. Jack met us at EBB airport and was with us at every step along the way. We cannot say enough great things about him. Before becoming a guide he'd spent 8 years as a Ugandan Park Ranger, rotating through several of the Ugandan National Parks. As such he was always treated like royalty and as a returning comrade by other Park Rangers every time we went to visit any of the National Parks. We gained as much from our daily interactions with Jack as we did from our time wandering through the various parks in search of Gorillas, chimps and all manner of other amazing fauna. Advice to anyone considering booking with Nkuringo: Request Jack as soon as you possibly can.

This tour was absolutely amazing! - This tour was absolutely amazing! I am a senior lady and was traveling solo. Papa Patrick took care of me like I was a VIP. He made sure that I was safe and had the best of everything. He went above and beyond by getting up early in order to do and see all the things that I wanted to experience. Pappa is now like family.