My Experience with Africa Adventure Safaris
This company seems to have a couple of different names, so that can be confusing. I dealt with Africa Adventure Safaris, but their email also indicates they have sister companies called Gorilla Trek Africa and Rwanda Gorillas Safari. I talked with a Bill, based in California, and also Nicolas who was the main guy, based in Kampala.
Overall, their service was reliable and outstanding. I was wary of sending them a lot of money upfront, so I put down a deposit and and paid the rest in cash when I actually met the driver who was bringing me to the Bwindi forest. As much as I didn't like carrying that cash around, paying online or by credit card meant additional fees, so I took my chances. That's a personal decision. In my case, I was picked up at the airport by my hotel (the Boma in Entebbe, also recommended) and kept the money in a safe in my room, so in my case it worked out fine.
I found Nicolas & co. to be extremely supportive and trustworthy before, during and after my gorilla excursion. They looked after me and had a genuine interest in my well being and getting the most out of the experience. They kept every promise; there were no disappointments.
Bear in mind this is Uganda, so you'll travel through a lot of poverty and drive on roads sufficiently broken up and bumpy as to require a four-wheeled-drive vehicle. But I also found amazing and surprising luxury at the end those roads.
I went to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in western Uganda, and stayed in the "deluxe" accommodations, which cost a little more than the basic package. The Gorilla Mist Camp was beautiful, serene and I had a great, expansive view of the mountains of southern Uganda from the terrace of my little hut. It was not "camping." The energy is solar. The hot water was plenty hot. There's also "luxury" accommodations; I can't imagine what that entails.
I kept in touch with Nicolas through much of my trip, even after they dropped me off after the gorilla trek. It didn't seem to matter they had already fulfilled the promise of the gorilla tour. Nicolas always responded and kept working with me. In the end, Bernard, who drove me to the gorillas from Entebbe, picked me up in Kampala and took me to the airport. Bernard and I had a nice dinner on Lake Victoria, and I was quite sad to leave that country hours later. Hi Bernard! Bill
