I was in Africa Feb 2017 and used Churchill Safaris for my Uganda/Rwanda portion of the trip. I am planning to go again, a shorter version, with my granddaughter either next June, 2019 or 2020. Hopefully sooner than later I don't want to use Churchill again, a few issues came up that I would rather use another one.
The plan would be to be picked up in Entebbe, after an overnight there (we will have been in Kenya for a week prior) then two or three nights in QE park, and two nights in Bwindi and then taken to Kigali to fly back to Nairobi. The main focus is the gorilla hike, but want to do a bit of safari as well. Don't want to go to Murchison Falls, just QE and perhaps Kazinga channel is great. We don't need high end. Last time my friend and I stayed at Bush lodge in QE and Haven Lodge in Buhoma which we really liked and I would be happy with that again. I would love to do the gorillas in Rwanda instead of Uganda, but with the doubling of the price, which happened right after we did ours, it is out of our price range. I do feel that it was a better hike of the two though
I am really interested in a driver with a safe vehicle and pop up top for viewing. So I am asking for recommendations for a reasonably priced driver/guide that you have used and can recommend. Thanks so much for any help on this. If it is June 2019 I need to get on this right away. I booked 8 months in advance for my last trip and in the end still didn't get the gorilla hike area we asked for. (But I think that was the fault of the tour operator, which is one reason I want a different one )
Debbe.

Hi Debbe!! How wonderful and exciting!!! I did last Kenya safari with teenaged grandson, we both loved it!! You and granddaughter are lucky indeed!!
Can’t recall—did you go to Samburu last time ? If not, research it for Kenya portion of the trip. Lots of close-up ellies for granddaughter.

Off topic of your soecific question, but hoping still useful to clarify....Do you possibly
mean to fly back to Nairobi from Kihihi (in Uganda, about one hour—roads willing—from Buhoma) vs having to enter Rwanda and fly from Kigali?

What I am thinking is maybe just doing the gorilla trek only as we are doing safari in Kenya. I was thinking maybe flying and and out of Kigali and getting a transit to Bwindi and return. I am thinking either Insight Safari Africa or Gorilla Trek Africa. Ever heard of either of these? The flights to/from Entebbe to QE park are really expensive, cheaper to go through Rwanda I think. We did not go to Samburu last time. May just repeat what I did before but add in the Mara camp as it was all so perfect. Thinking of adding in the Ark for two nights to horseback ride and see the watering hole at night. Ever done that?

Hello there Debbie. Back to Uganda !! Wow & Wonderful and I'm green with envy. I don't know how I missed this thread earlier.
I could possibly share you,if you wish, the contact details of the person,who's services I used in Uganda.Though a very reliable individual,does not have much experience in handling clients.A one man show,knowledgeable,trustworthy and very resourceful. You'll probably have to stitch together your plan and get him to execute it ( which is what I did and saved a lot of $$$ in the bargain). He helped me with the gorilla permit(sent me a photo of the permit in my name) for which I wired the money in advance.For some of my accommodation I wired money directly to the lodges camps.In fact I paid him on arrival & the balance 'on the go' .
He just communicated a few days ago with a photo of the newly acquired vehicle. He's available on Whatsapp and that's a big plus.
You could look at Isasha NP ( tree climbing lions) as its close to Bwindi (Buhoma region).I did the drive from Entebbe to Buhoma,took us 12 hrs.
BTW I've updated my TR " An Uganda Urge...." with photos and all possible info.
I don't see the need for you to go to Kigali. Rwand Air from Entebbe transits Kigali enroute Nairobi.
Happy planning

Thank you I will take a look

live42day, I'm not sure I'd book directly with a guide and driver without some larger operation backing behind it and an agent you can call if things go tail up while you're there. I'd recommend talking to Bill Given's Wild Source or Africa Travel Resource. I've booked my next safari with Bill after many veteran safarigoers on Safaritalk had such good results with him. He does both packaged safaris as well as custom. I gave him a somewhat tight budget and two crazy requests for Kenya, and he managed to come in just under budget and I got exactly what I was looking for. I found him a dream to work with, by far my best booking experience of the 5 I've had so far! He also has opened a camp with Ping and Paul Kirui, who are considered the best guides in Kenya, in the Mara, so anyone who books with him can book there (other agents cannot). I'm taking advantage of that specifically when I go. The other plus to Bill is that he's very environmentally and conservation focused, so he always books from that perspective, which to me is important. ATR can book and combine just about any location in Africa and usually at good prices (their website is very transparent from that aspect). I've consulted with them on two safaris but ultimately did not go with them when they wouldn't book into two places I really wanted to go to (including Ngamba Island in Uganda). Their reviews often reflect when they don't really care for something and why they won't book it. They should be able to handle your straightforward itinerary. It helps that you already know where you want to go and what you want out of it. That's exactly how I presented my latest itinerary to everyone I consulted with.

Thanks Amy. I will look into that.

I just thought I would update what I have decided. I emailed a couple of tour operators and got the best response and communication from Nelson at Gorilla Trek Africa. He will have someone pick us up at the airport in Rwanda, Kigali, take us to Buhoma for two nights at Haven Lodge and the gorilla hike, then transfer back to Kigali to fly back to Nairobi The cost FYI for two of us is $1400USD incl gorilla permit. I have asked him to email me proof that we will be trekking in Buhoma as soon as he gets our money , next week. We leave next June 23, 2019, but will do a week safari in Kenya first then the gorillas July 2-4. We are very excited. I will report back afterwards to let you know how it went.

Wow, live42day that is a crazy price. Is that $1400 each or total? The permits alone are $600, no? In any event, you're you're all set now but for the waiting!

Each. Sorry for confusion. I meant each of the two of us, so $2800 total . Yes the permit is $600 each and then the cost of transfers, hotel and meals makes it $1400 each.
I need to re read my posts!
An update. Just went to pay and Buhoma is already sold out of July 3rd!!!! I have to adjust a day for the trek in Buhoma for the following day of July 4th. So if you want Buhoma you need to book at least a year in advance it seems. Glad I always do things in advance.

PHEW!!! I was worried there if it was $1400 total, either you got a really really good deal or it was a scam! LOL!

Yes, for things like this it really does pay to plan ahead, especially if you want a particular date or lodge/camp. Good for you!!