In January 2016 we experienced the 5 Days gorilla safari in Rwanda & Uganda with Rwanda Gorilla Tours and we tailored this trip with our travel consultant, Jackie and she was so much knowledgeable about the safari. We tailored this safari via the Internet and from the good communication we had with her and her good advises we found no fear in sending money to Africa to buy our gorilla permits and book our lodges in Rwanda and Uganda. I was so doubtable before but as she was always advising us to send money for only permits we picked trust and we sent most of the money as we were not welling to travel with much money on the plane, after sending the money i request her to let me know whether the money is received and what she did was to send us a payment receipt and after securing permits she sent us the scanned copies of them. At any time i used to write to her she always responded to my email inquiries and this put my mind at ease.

This company only asked for a deposit for the amount to cover the purchase of the 4 gorilla permits. Upon request I received notification that they are waiting for me prior to leaving Australia. I was met at my hotel by Moses and my guide Emma at the agreed time and we then paid to Moses the balance. In my opinion this is a very satisfactory method of managing the payments for this trip. The gorilla safari was also adjusted to suit our circumstances so it commenced and concluded in the cities I requested (starting in Kigali and ended in Kampala) on the dates I requested. That was so amazing for me and my travel partners.

As a first travelers to Africa, we wanted to feel safe and comfortable and this was certainly achieved. Our guide Emma became a friend and we felt protected wherever we went. One day we went for a walk in a town called Ruhengeri and Emma offered to come with us and we did good jogging from our lodge and back to the lodge. we don’t believe there would be any risk but with Emma we felt we could go anywhere with safety!!

The gorilla trek in Uganda was difficult with the steepness of the terrain and I would advise anyone doing this to do some preparation to improve fitness as this will enhance your experience. But the adventure was a once in a lifetime experience in the wilds of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and will live with me as a cherished adventure for the rest of my life, all the while being kept safe by the guides. The experience with the gorillas, and closeness they came, was awesome. They are the most majestic creatures on this planet, incredibly strong but gentle. I was very tired from this trek and when, two days later, we got to the departure point in Ruhengeri for the trek in Rwanda; Emma spoke to the guides and was able to get us on a trek that was not so physically demanding. The guides in Rwanda were also terrific people and made those of us on the trek to feel at ease.

During the 5-day safari Emma always identified points of interest and was only too willing to stop and show us these interesting points. The drive was a fascinating insight into the people and culture of these two beautiful countries. To put this into context we undertook a safari in Tanzania after this one and would rate the overall experience of the gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda as 10 out of 10 and the Tanzania safari as 7 out of 10.

So here’s my advice to those with some adventure pulsing through your veins – do a mountain gorilla trek in Uganda and Rwanda. To make this experience a truly memorable one engages this company and asks for Emma to be your guide – and I’m sure he will also become your friend. You will not be disappointed.