We are trying to plan a tour to Rwanda and Uganda and would like some advice.

We are interested in definitely doing a gorilla tour as well as some other trips in the area to see other primates and wild life.

We have seen one tour company called Baobab Expeditions, that is associated with Gorilla Fund International. They look good but we would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for other companies that are reliable and give back to the community and support wildlife programs.

Thank you for your help.

Volcanoes Safaris. Several people on this forum have used them for their trips, including myself. In my case, the service was superb and professional, and the focus is on employing people from local communities and doign things to give back to the local communities. They have lodges in both Rwanda and Uganda; we stayed at three of them and the level of service at each was exceptional.

Chris

I did not come across Baobab in my recent search. I ended up with Volcanoes for August in both Rwanda and Uganda, though I'll only do gorillas in Rwanda. I previously went with Primate Safaris in only Rwanda and with Manatana in only and would go with either of them again.

Since I stayed at Buhoma lodge and Ngamba Island, I travelled with the crew from Wild Frontiers.. great guides, super vehicles and comfortable lodgings, ecologically sensitive and well run.

Their guides were what impressed me the most, great knowledge and very interested ...

The new Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in Uganda and the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (not the cheapest lodging by far) in Rwanda are both reported to be the first lodges in their respective countries to have community ownership by the local people, and were built in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation through the International Gorilla Conservation Programme. The locals at Clouds also own full rights to 6 gorilla permits a day, it seems to be a great set up for conservation and to get direct benefits to the local community.

We used R&N Xplorer in September and thought they were fantastic. I was a little nervous because you have to wire the money to them, but we saved about $7000 booking direct with them vs. a travel agent. We stayed at the Gorillas Nest Lodge, which some people have given poor reviews on Fodor's but we thought it was great.

Gorilla's Nest was great with a fine flock or resident crowned crane.

$7000 THAT IS MASSIVE... which agent was charging you so much more?

It was a local travel agent here in Edmonton, Alberta. We usually don't use the services of a travel agent, but we thought for comparison we'd get a quote. Needless to say, we didn't book with them!

I used accessrwanda. Ossy is an owner and he was my guide and driver throughout the entire country. I was there for 12 nights. I still communicate with him regularly. He was such a dear person, as was his partner. I was well taken care of. I plan to use him for a trip for Uganda. I feel like I had a very personalized trip. Highly recommend him.