One Week in Mozambique

We were in a big tour group of 21 tourists from USA. Three safari vehicles from Arrive Africa picked us up from the border of Rwanda & Uganda.

Our guides Arshley Brian, Simon Gary, and Eddie waited for us for 5 hours at the border! They welcomed us with big smiles and open arms!
I was in the car driven by Arshley Brian, our tour guide. He's only in his mid-20s but he conducted himself with such professionalism and he shared with us his vast knowledge about his beautiful country and about its wildlife.

He would spot every animal along the road and he would point them to us as he would give us information about those animals. He would recognize all bird sounds he could hear and identify what kind of bird they were just by their sounds.
We were learning a lot from him! He kept our journey fun and entertaining as he was opening our eyes to the beauty of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa!

We are just back from 5 days trip to see the Mountain Gorillas in the Impenetrabile foresta. One of the most incredible experience in our life. Our trekking to meet the gorillas was quite hard but once you reach the place you are repaid for every effort made because the spectacle is just indescribable. And gorillas have been just a small part of our safari. From queen Elisabeth national Park where we saw lions and a Leopard to the chimpanzees treeking to the boat cruise on Kazinga channel. Any minute was a new surprise and we discovered a wonderful country. Great accomodations and good food. A special thanks to our driver Antony for his constant support and professionalism!

Warmly Back to the States but with my heart beat way back in Africa, we took on a group tour from South Africa,visited the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe,Flew in from Rwanda and we were picked from the Uganda Rwanda Border by our Three guides Simon,Eddie and Arshley Brian who was our guide for the whole time., We sat in Arshley's Jeep and right from the start he proved knowledgeable and so caring beyond his age, He was able to answer and well explain all questions asked without hesitation and at some point he surprised us when he kept on saying we should ask him as many questions as we can because if we didn't ask then he would fall sick,He went on to spice the trip by finding us all the animals we wisher for especially the Leopard he spotted while driving ,Mimicking different birds that would respond back to him, Arshley has a wide knowledge on trees and was able to identity them by their Latin names, We could not ask for any thing more than what we got from Arshley thanks to Arrive Africa for finding us the best of the best guide. The accommodations were all superb and the Ugandan people are all friendly. The trip was generally a life time memory and I hope one day I can return for more longer days.

Right from my first contact with Jessica by email, we were treated exceptionally well. Jessica responded promptly and in detail to all my information requests, as well as offering a very reasonably priced 8 day safari. And importantly, through the company they support an orphanage for Kony victims in Kampala. This ethical philosophy of supporting and giving to others at community level is very strong within the company and a massive drawcard for us. Martin was a fantastic guide throughout our time. From picking us up at the airport to the final goodbye we cannot fault his professionalism, knowledge, caring nature and patience to find us the best experience. And through his guidance we saw everything and more that we wanted to see - from lions in the trees and elephants at the gate, to mongoose under the van and leopards at the window, just amazing. I have dreamed of this since a young boy and can only say my dream has been realised. Uganda is a beautiful place and was not voted by the BBC as the friendliest country in Africa for nothing. Every day was like being somewhere different - from grassland savannah to lakes to rainforest jungle. We stayed in mid-range accommodation and were blessed with exceptional service and wonderful food. I have to mention Agnes at the Simba Safari Camp and all the people at the Buhoma Community Rest Camp , the stunning views at the Acacia Lodge looking down onto Lake Bunyonyi (http://www.arcadialodges.com/lake-bunyonyi.html - think I would love to retire there!!) and the impala herd outside our window at the Acacia Cottages at Lake Mburo. We did two gorilla treks in Bwindi and I would have to recommend doing two rather than one. Each was unique and gave us plenty of time to pick up and put down the cameras, to look through the lens or just sit and absorb where we were. When you go make sure you take some school supplies for St Matthews School while doing the Community Walk in Bwindi. This school and its staff are doing an incredible
job with dirt floors, 60 kids to a class, so few resources but a spirit that lifts your heart. They also have a number of orphans and Batwa children who would benefit from your support. We'll be back again to do what we can - and also to experience Rwanda with our friends at Arrive Africa Safaris. I utterly recommend Arrive Africa Safaris and Uganda - people, places and smiles you will never forget.

It was a wonderful trip. we were picked up at the airport by our guide and driver in a comfortable Toyota Land Cruiser and taken on a tour of Kigali. Transferred to our lodge for three nights. The accommodations (Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge) were clean and comfortable, the food was very good. the lodge staff was excellent. The nights were cold and the in room fireplace and hot water bottles in your bed were a welcome surprise. The treks were fantastic seeing the gorillas and the golden monkeys was special. The Arrive Africa staff was also excellent from the planning, getting the permits and the field staff that took excellent care of us. It was a well planned and executed.

I booked a 6 day safari with Arrive Africa safaris. I was Impressed! I planned my trip on short notice about 2 weeks prior. Edith at Arrive Africa was extremely helpful in pulling things together efficiently and with great flexibility. Seeing the gorillas was my key objective but, as I did more research and found other things that interested me such
as chimp trekking, Edith was able to arrange the itinerary to my specific needs. I found the pricing for Arrive Africa to be better than many other tours offered. I personally requested budget accommodations, which may not be for everyone, but I was very satisfied with secure tents on platforms that had private bathrooms. Higher end accommodation was also an option. My driver and guide Martin was also excellent. He was good company throughout my trip and I felt in very safe hands with him.