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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Kampala to Kigali?
The direct drive from Kampala to Kigali is 318 mi (511 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 34 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Kampala to Kigali, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with top places to visit like Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary on lake victoria and Social Innovation Museum, or the ever-popular Reptile village in Entebbe.
The top stops along the way from Kampala to Kigali (with short detours) are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Curatic Botanic Gardens, and Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. Other popular stops include Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary on lake victoria, Bwindi forest National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Awesome experience. I highly recommend bringing your children along for an awesome day at the reptile Village.
Hasina Shain Daya — Google review
It is a small sanctuary owned by the local community. They have different kinds of snakes rescued from various locations. They also had nile aligators and chamelions. The tour guide was a friendly lady and very informative. The ticket price was $8 for foreigners.
Fabiha Hasan — Google review
This is a place where you will find rescued Reptiles from Ugandan communities.
These include; various venomous Snakes, Chameleons, Crocs, Tortoise, turtles, etc.
Julie is there to welcome you and take you around
The money that you at the entrance help the organisation to buy food for the animals.
Therefore, reserve time and visit Reptiles Village.
Miiro David — Google review
Place is not so big and number of animals/reptiles are not so big either, but Im glad they are working on saving, recovering and releasing animals in the wild
Maja Petrovic — Google review
The team on group 5 so professional. JULIET AND LAWRENCE. Keep the great work of serving for your country.
Moses Ocen — Google review
Very nice experience, the guide was so sweet and he had 7 years experience with reptiles😁. I held a Chamaeleon and a tortoise. It was very fun, and I would recommend it to anyone. It lasts like 1 hour, and the price was 10.000 UGX for Ugandans, and 15.000 for non Ugandans.
Ruth Ashely — Google review
For all the years that I've been going to this place. I still can't believe it keeps dropping in standard.
Please don't make me hate my favourite relaxing place.
Place take care renovate leave the nature face but just polish it a bit please.
I love Julie she's a beautiful soul. Please do not lose her. 🥰🥰🥰
Alex Ruth — Google review
It was a good education setup
The reptiles are healthy and it's good though it needs support.
I think the Ministry of Tourism needs to come inn.
Bruno Kato — Google review
There are so many misconceptions about snakes, as a Ophidiophilic individual, visiting reptile village came in timely to help me convey the desired message to enhance its conservation. I highly recommend it for persons who would love to overcome their phobias for reptiles.
Ismail Hassan — Google review
The Reptile Village in Entebbe offers an exciting experience for all ages. Get up close and personal with snakes, lizards, and turtles while learning fascinating facts about these creatures. It's a must-visit destination for anyone curious about reptiles and their habitats.
Siya Lakhani — Google review
If you have the chance you must go, incredible what they are doing with little resources. The guide gave us lots of information about how it is managed, the reason to do it, and of course, plenty of interesting stuff about the reptiles in there. You are not going to see tons of animals because is not intended for that, paying the entrance will make you understand how dedicated the people working in there are with Uganda's wildlife. Great job!
Alberto Galende Rodriguez — Google review
Unique experience, highly recommend this place! The guide is well educated on the animals and gives good explanations and demonstrates what the animals can do. This organization rescues and releases reptiles back into the wild. We got to see many types of snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and turtles, monitor lizards, and chameleons. Consider donating towards food for the animals so they can rescue and save more animals!
Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary, situated on a lush island in Lake Victoria, offers a haven for numerous rescued chimpanzees. This idyllic forested retreat is an ideal destination for all nature enthusiasts, particularly those with a fondness for these intelligent primates. The sanctuary stands out due to its unique feature of naming each chimpanzee under its care. Visitors can partake in various engaging activities during their stay, including chimp feeding and fishing excursions.
One of the place that everyone must visit if you are in Entebbe. From the reception until the end it was fabulous. The guide was knowledgeable and amazing. The Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is well preserved and managed.
Birhanu Mesele — Google review
Awesome place to visit and see rescued chimpanzees
geoffrey bisanda — Google review
This is a very good place for every one but especially the chimpanzee lovers. It has a number of chimpanzees of that are managed at the sanctuary. There is one interesting thing about them is that all the chimpanzees have names. While at the island there are number of activities that one can participate in like feeding of the chimps, fishing🎣 and many others.
Brenda Namata — Google review
One of the best islands I have visited is Ngamba
The Chimpanzee sanctuary
I loved everything starting from the people I met
The chimps where more like friendly and guess what
I found two new born babies of which one is called Bolly 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
So beautiful
LUKEBOY THE GUIDE — Google review
NGAMBA CHIMP ISLAND is located 23km from entebbe Zoo,transport is btmy water means, usual people visit for study en tourists,donors, pretty amazing to check out
rizz LOVE — Google review
We had a debate about how the chimpanzees got to the island. Theories of rafts of reeds were dispelled when we were told, by our expert guide, that the chimps are all rescues...although...you can find out the rest as this is a must visit place.
Robert Mckay — Google review
The sanctuary is a beautiful place to spend a day in service. For those more inclined, learn about human and animal health interactions.
Definitely worth a visit; do look out for feeding Eazy!
Brian Ssennoga — Google review
Enjoyed the reception on arrival. Thw guides narration is super and off course the feeding sessions where one can take endless pictures both from the first floor and the top. Thank you Ngamba for that tea/coffee session as well. Keep up thw good work
Victoria Namusisi — Google review
Fabulous boat ride. We got to see lots of chimpanzees and we’re very impressed with the care of the animals
Carol Gaughran — Google review
I have heard from many people that it is great place for chimpanzees tour, who knows rates for Ugandans? The rates on their website are quite expensive for many Ugandans and
I want to visit too.
The Social Innovation Museum is highly innovative, informative, and exceptional. It stimulates deep thinking and emphasizes environmental conservation. The museum showcases original products from the SINA community and its people are hospitable and kind-hearted. It's an ideal place to visit if you're looking for a memorable experience. The guides share the inspiring story of how the Social Innovation Academy began, displaying numerous pictures of past activities and projects that have spread across Africa.
Moslem based
SSUUNA ABUBAKER — Google review
This is a great way to learn about the importance of local initiatives and communities, their amazing projects and the stories behind it (for example houses built out of plastic bottles, a sustainable charcoal production or an initiative against sexual harassment and many more social and sustainable businesses). The people at SINA are the friendliest and the tour gave great insights into the founding story as well.
Ronja Kötzer — Google review
Inspiring and thought provoking!
Etienne Salborn — Google review
The Social Innovation Museum is a part of the Social Innovation Academy (SINA) in Mpigi, Uganda. SINA is a community of young scholars and entrepreneurs, and the museum is showcasing the different innovative businesses they started to address the needs of disadvantaged communities. Absolutely worth the trip to Mpigi, but call ahead to book a tour.
Michael Moscherosch — Google review
Amazing place... If you are interested in social innovation inspiring youth and sustainability. Then this is the place to come and see what is happening here.
Get a driver and head up!
This might have been the best bit of my Journey to Uganda.
Scott Seivwright — Google review
I love how the guides share the inspirational story of how Social Innovation Academy started, showing lots of pictures of what activities have happened over the years and what projects have emerged that are now spread in different parts of Africa.
Micah Nkalubo — Google review
Waohhh this Museaum experience is just world class
Aloysious Kisitu Musanyusa — Google review
Very innovative informative and out standing...makes you think alot and above all environmental conservative by nature ...Bravo SINA.... refreshing and skilling ...The products form there are original ....The people are hospitable and kind ....no better place to visit ....Visit SINA Village ...an unforgatable experience is assured .
Ruth Faith — Google review
It's really nice place to chilling up with innovative entrepreneurs with in SINA community, observing new innovation, refreshing your mind as well as relaxing in a calm environment.
Babirye Angella — Google review
Super inspiring! Amazing place with amazing people!
Anne Quednau — Google review
Really Amazing place engulfing Innovation and Inspiration.
Niwamanya Edson — Google review
4.7
(12)
•
5.0
(28)
Located at SINA, between Nsamizi Institute, and the UPDF barracks, Mpigi Town, Uganda
Victoria Mall Entebbe, the first shopping centre in Entebbe, offers a luxurious retail experience. With its diverse mix of tenants encompassing fashion, dining, leisure, and entertainment, shoppers can expect nothing but the best. Notably, this mall stands out as the largest in East and Central Africa situated closest to a body of water. It serves as an ideal destination for both shopping enthusiasts and gastronomes alike.
Great experience of quality service and a relaxing ambience.
The cool breeze from the lake is so chilling.
I appreciate the customer care that start right at the gate.
Kakinda Denis — Google review
Victoria Mall is lovable for simple pleasures and shopping. It's not all the big fancy shopping malls brag about but a small happy place for a small town. 2 nice restaurants and a hotel, a cinema, a gadgets shop and a bank, and and forex shop. It's got a clothing shop and a Carrefour supermarket. I like the gardens where I sit for a couple of minutes uninterrupted and access to the mall is easy.
Bert Baguma — Google review
Victoria mall.... One of best mall in the town... Dont expect high... But its a plce of your all shopping... CJ's, KFC, salon, ATM, Forex, multiplex, Carrefour, Sports wear, bata shoes, etc... Food and all. Must visit in victoria mall while in Entebbe😀
Vandana Patidar — Google review
Nice mall with essentials, pharmacy and large grocery store. A very nice coffee shop too. Good security and parking.
Angela Kavallieratos — Google review
has a lot of American food to buy at reasonable prices
Charles Cook — Google review
Victoria Mall Entebbe is a shopping and entertainment center located in Entebbe, Uganda. The mall is strategically situated on Entebbe's main road, just a few minutes away from the Entebbe International Airport, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists. This review will take a closer look at the mall, its facilities, and services.
Facilities and Services
Victoria Mall Entebbe is a modern shopping center that offers a wide range of facilities and services to shoppers. The mall features a diverse array of stores, including fashion boutiques, electronics stores, supermarkets, and food outlets. Some of the popular stores in the mall include Carrefore, Millennium Infosys, Café Javas and Middle East Restaurant. Shoppers can find a range of products, from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and groceries.
Security
One of the most critical factors to consider when visiting any shopping center is security. Victoria Mall Entebbe has an excellent security system in place to ensure that shoppers and their property are safe at all times. The mall has CCTV cameras strategically placed throughout the premises, and security personnel patrol the mall 24/7. Additionally, there are metal detectors at the entrance to the mall, and shoppers' bags are scanned before entry. The mall's security system is robust and reassuring, giving shoppers peace of mind while they shop.
Parking
Victoria Mall Entebbe has a large parking lot that can accommodate over 700 vehicles, making it easy for shoppers to park their cars. The parking lot is well-lit and secured, and there are parking attendants on duty to guide drivers to available spaces. The parking fees are affordable, and shoppers can park for free for up to 30 minutes.
Customer Service
The customer service at Victoria Mall Entebbe is exceptional. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to assist shoppers with any queries they may have. The mall also has a customer service desk where shoppers can go for assistance or to make inquiries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Victoria Mall Entebbe is a modern shopping and entertainment center that offers a wide range of facilities and services to shoppers. The mall is conveniently located and easily accessible, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The mall's security system is robust, and shoppers can park their cars safely in the mall's parking lot. The customer service at the mall is excellent, and shoppers can find a range of products in the mall's stores. Overall, Victoria Mall Entebbe is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a fun and convenient shopping experience.
Shameer Chagani — Google review
Good assortment of businesses with high end and specialty products. It's got places to eat, a supermarket, pharmacy, boutiques, electronics store, and more. Clean, good security and plenty of parking.
Isaac Wootton — Google review
I loved the environment, coming to Uganda after a flight or going out for smooth weekend outing i recommend the mall, has banking services, forex, super market equipped with all needs, nice restaurants, movie shows and a lot more
Ssekanjako Robert — Google review
Cool and large halls and good reception
Aine Williams — Google review
Victoria Mall a place in New update for spots to shop, view, watch movies and places for rent
Enjoy the neighborhood shopping experience and the manifestation of the view in Entebbe Uganda
Looking for more affordable shopping options so here is the place to visit
Restaurants and Bars, cinema and markets are all here
As A Good Time for shoppers and tourists to enjoy, all pleasures of Shopping
I recommend Visiting the Mall
As well the best view for the place
When u have money. Pliz don’t forget your wallets as u will hv no chance not to spend it. Yes The mall gives more options where to spend money and experience each expenditure
Jov Crist — Google review
Great place
Nice environment and architecture
As a foreigner in entebe that's your go-to place for almost everything.
john chika — Google review
A place to find your best options of meals; foods and drinks, variety of restaurants and other services.
Located a few meters from the airport so can drop by on the way to or from the airport for some bites before you hit the road or the space.
John Paul Muvunyi — Google review
Good place to get a quick bite from KFC, or Javas or Middle Eastern restaurant
Kenneth Obua — Google review
A mall in Entebbe, Uganda with all kinds of shops under one roof. Easily accessible from the airport and located at a beautiful site. All kinds of wearing stuff, entertainment, refreshment, and historical local gifts are available. A wide parking lot is also available and it is also a safe place.
Curatic Botanic Gardens, a stunning destination for leisurely exploration, provides a serene environment to unwind and appreciate nature's grandeur. Prior to indulging in a delectable meal and departing for their respective destinations, visitors can relish a brief stroll around the premises. This idyllic sanctuary boasts an expansive expanse adorned with extraordinary towering trees that captivate one's attention.
This place is historical with trees that have hundreds of years. For those who are interested in Botany, this is the place to visit in uganda, you can spot some birds also
Bankunda Alex — Google review
Marked on map as entrance but it was closed on January 2024 .. guard sent us to another entrance 10 minutes further
Lisa Petrtýlová — Google review
Beautiful place to spend some time. Had a quick walk before going out for diner and flying home. Perfect ending to my time in Uganda!
Annerie van as — Google review
Chill place. Large area with crazy tall and massive trees. Possible to see vervet monkeys. Nice areas by the beach to relax.
Linn Williams — Google review
Very nice location. Highly recommend the guided walking tour!
NateS — Google review
it's great place 4 camping wiz friends n family bse of it's view
super wills — Google review
Definitely worth the visit. Spent an amazing day over there.
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre is a well-maintained animal sanctuary that offers a variety of rides and play areas for children. The habitat provides a safe and natural environment for animals such as giraffes, eagles, crocodiles, rhinos, gazelles and lions to roam freely. Visitors can explore the area on their own with the help of informative signage placed throughout. This makes it an ideal destination for families looking for an educational outing over the weekend.
A short distance from Kampala, easy to reach because of the Expressway, this wildlife centre is a BEAUTIFUL place to spend time in: the animals in natural environment, lovely green enclosures, very relaxed and contented-looking, and a great bar/restaurant at the edge of the vast lake. It's a MUST-DO trip. The staff very helpful and obviously committed to the care of the animals.
Naomi Pitkeathly — Google review
It was more than just a visit. My friends and I decided we should have a short safari retreat after many months of not traveling. We were missing the fun.
Our behind the scene experience was conducted by a joyful woman by names of Rachel. She was such a darling when it came to sharing amazing stories about wildlife and how to handle the animals at the zoo. Thank you very much Rachel.
My highlight was feeding the giraffes, touching the rhino and being in a close contact with the king of the jungle. Can't believe how scaring it is. Will indeed come back for behind the scene experience.
kakembo edrisa — Google review
Great place to see some animals! They have a large selection and you can see elephants, tigers, leopards, zebra etc. You can also see snakes and other animals, there is also a boat ride that you can book, not sure of its timings though. They also have giraffes, monkeys and rhinos too.
Great place to bring kids and groups, you can also get food and drinks here whilst overlooking lake Victoria.
Great place to spend the day, see the animals, grab a bite to eat and something to drink and enjoy the views!
Kabir Patel — Google review
Very big and interesting Zoo. Lot of animals (cheetah - leopard - tiger - lion - éléphant - girafes - chimpanzees - rhino etc). You have possibility to do "behind the scene" visit and go closer to few animals and feed them (rhino - giraffe and chimpanzees).
No expensive and you don’t need a give, there are signs to help you to find animals case
Bousso Kane — Google review
As the golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the savannah, I found myself standing in awe amidst the vastness of Uganda's wilderness. Surrounded by towering acacia trees and the distant calls of unseen creatures, I felt a deep connection to nature unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
As I embarked on a guided safari through the heart of the Murchison Falls National Park, every moment seemed to unfold like a scene from a documentary. We encountered a majestic herd of elephants, their gentle giants lumbering gracefully across the plains, while a family of giraffes elegantly stretched their necks to reach the tender leaves of the trees.
But it was when we stumbled upon a pride of lions, basking lazily in the afternoon sun, that the true essence of Uganda's wildlife conservation efforts became apparent. Our guide shared stories of how these magnificent creatures had once teetered on the brink of extinction, hunted relentlessly for their prized pelts and bones. Yet, through dedicated conservation initiatives and the tireless efforts of park rangers, their populations had begun to rebound, offering a glimmer of hope for their future survival.
As I watched the lions interact with one another, playfully wrestling and grooming, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to witness such raw beauty firsthand. In that moment, I realized the profound impact that responsible tourism and conservation efforts can have on preserving our planet's most precious ecosystems for generations to come.
Leaving the wilderness behind, I carried with me not only memories of Uganda's breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife but also a renewed commitment to advocating for the protection of our natural world. For in the end, it is only through our collective efforts that we can ensure the survival of all creatures great and small.
Tawe — Google review
Well maintained conversation centre and the animals looks like their happy in this habitat. There's good amount of signage for you to explore this place on your own. You get to see good range of animals from Giraffes, camels, gazelles. eagle, crocs, rhinos and lions.
It's good place to go out with kids and family and to have a good outing over the weekend. Overall had a good experience as I had visited this place with friends and got to see all the animals I wanted to in Uganda
Boy On The Saddle Alfred — Google review
Very nice place to visit if you love animals and wild life. There is also a boat trip you can do along Lake Victoria. Definitely visit when you are in Kampala or Entebbe. Go a bit early, around 10 or 11 am before the crowds of people arrive in the afternoon. It will be more enjoyable. The entrance fee for non-African citizens is 15 USD.
Yara — Google review
My family and I had an amazing day out here. There's a good range of animals to see and also plenty of kids' activities (small playground, rides, water activities etc). There’s a restaurant on site, but we didn't use it. Overall, it's worth a visit.
Ask Ask — Google review
In comparison to the past years, i loved seeing the white tiger. Am a Ugandan, but each time I visit it, I learn more about the animals and plants that are there. It's good for tourists & also educational for the locals.
Medrine Campbell K Kinsman — Google review
Very very beautiful zoo including all animals I love where you can find giraffe,lion,leopard,tiger,monkeys, cats,zebra,elephants and snakes so it is very nice and big plus it has a nice and beautiful beach with big Cafateria including sitting on the beach and eating and drinking and you can relax and shopping from it
Mohamed Kilany — Google review
Myself and five others today had the chance to do the behind the scenes tour and I believe it’s one of the best things I’ve done in Uganda. It’s hundreds of dollars cheaper than a safari and you get close up encounters with 3 of the big 5 animals of Africa, and also rare birds, cheetahs, and giraffes.
Our tour guides name was Thompson and he wasn’t only a great guide but he was also very passionate and the conversation work and had nothing but love and respect for the animals. We got to encounter each Big 5 animal of Africa. You get up close encounters with the giraffes, lions, and rhinos. You are also able to help the zoo keeper/tour guide feed the chimpanzees, rhinos, giraffes, and a visit in the enclosure of the very rare and very beautiful shoe bill stork.
I cannot praise this place more on how well they treat their guests but also their ethics in which they treat their animals.
Garrett Renner — Google review
Lovely, small zoo. Just don't expect quick service and the restaurant. We waited more than an hour for our food (in their defense, they were quite busy, but they could've alerted us that there was a long wait!) All in all the restaurant took up 2 hours of our time, which I felt was excessive. The animals are kept in spacious enclosures and seem to be taken care off quite well. We even saw a shoebill!
Brenda Grobler — Google review
World class availability of animals. More exciting is the Mr. Lion as you watch him with the wife resting in their cubicle. The sleeping anaconda like snakes, the giant crocodiles not forgetting the beautiful elegant crested cranes etc
Niwarimpa Nelson — Google review
Amazing experience. So much to see although, one will have a better experience in the morning. I had the tour in the afternoon and it's not easy to see lots of the animals up close when they are feeding. I absolutely love what they've done with the place though! My highlight was the Chimpanzees! They sure know how to entertain!
Lyndah Katusiime — Google review
Beautiful and exciting...they have done a great job pimping this up, though the animals need more space, especially the elephants
Nabakooza Elizabeth — Google review
Ugandas biggest conservation Centre with lots of animals ranging from giraffes 🦒,Lions , chimpanzees, tigers 🐅, snakes 🐍 bird species, rhinos, buffaloes and lots of other animal species. A good children’s park with bouncing castles, swimming pool, restaurants, boat rides and it’s ideal for kids birthday parties. The down side is that you pay 10k for Ugandans and 2k for parking and another 2300ugx for bank charges. Why on earth do u have to charge Ugandans bank charges to enter a zoo. This is a turn off cz the fee would have been included in the entry fare.
Brigawa SBK — Google review
A best conservation center in Uganda. Very knowledgeable and informative guides. I learned a lot from this conservation and I saw lots of animals ranging from giraffes 🦒,Lions , chimpanzees , tigers 🐅, snakes 🐍 bird species, rhinos 🦏, buffaloes 🐃and lots of other animal species. Very interesting and recommended if you are in Uganda.
Birhanu Mesele — Google review
A wonderful place to not only look but also learn so much about animals. I didn't give 5 stars because it's still under reconstruction.
Albert Ireeta — Google review
If you have the chance you must go, incredible what they are doing with little resources. Great job!
It is home to giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, leopards, chimpanzees, baboons, ostriches, Visiting the Entebbe Zoo hyenas, zebras, lions, donkeys, the Uganda Kob, camels, waterbucks, egrets, the famous Shoebill Stork, snakes, pythons and tortoises.
Krishan charan singh ranawat — Google review
Though the place was under renovation, great sights to behold, the diversity of Uganda's wildlife. The kids park is a great place for your kids with activities like zip lines, quad biking, swimming, swinging and riding a mini electric train plus other fun activities.
Enock Musoke — Google review
Staff are generally friendly, animals are mostly very old. No signs of birthing and caged so lonely. Definitely most feel cruelly held coz of space. But yes kind of variety. Facility needs uplifting and expansion
Emmanuel Odongo — Google review
Had a lovely time with my family. Unfortunately, there is lots of work going on to improve the Zoo at the moment. Nevertheless, we still managed to see all the animals, even those temporarily moved.
Derrick Ssente (Dero) — Google review
Upon entering the center, you're greeted by a variety of indigenous wildlife species, including lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, and a vast array of birdlife. The educational exhibits and informative guided tours provide a deeper understanding of Uganda's natural heritage and the importance of wildlife conservation.
mutabazi james — Google review
Basically what you would expect.
Descent parking space.
Very good road access.
Security for my timid mind is an issue, few attendants or security guards not sure if it's like that or I visited on an average day. Imagine losing a child or an animal escaping and you don't see anyone with knowledge of the premises to help.
No wifi, hopefully that's not just me.
Takes payers currency is definitely going somewhere else
Budget Uganda Gorilla Booking; Great Adventure Safaris
Tour operator
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Great adventure safaris have been really professional in dealing with so many changes to safaris schedules, gorilla tracking permits and lodge information during this difficult times of COVID19 pandemic.
I would highly recommend this company any tour operator willing to sell trips in Uganda and Rwanda to use Great adventure safaris
Sam who is the safari manager of the company is quick with responses which really made my communications with my clients very easier and convenient and professional.
We look forward to resume our safaris and tours again with Great Adventure Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
PATRICK, AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST — Google review
Go with Great Adventures! I booked a 2 week custom itinerary with gorilla & chimpanzee trekking, and Murchison Falls game drive in Uganda, as well as time in the Maasai Mara of Kenya. All the accommodations they booked were comfortable, beautiful, and with great food and staff.
Samuel, the planner, arranged everything and was helpful and communicative. Joseph was our guide in Uganda, and he was the best! He was knowledgeable about animals & culture, accommodating, and fun. There were a couple setbacks with our itinerary (some due to us, some due to vendors that Great Adventures worked with), but they did everything they could to put us at ease and pivot to a suitable alternative.
I’m so glad I booked this unforgettable trip of a lifetime with this company! Go with them instead of a big US or EU-based tour company — you’ll be supporting local jobs in Uganda, and these guys are great. Thank you so much for making this an incredible experience!
Celia Ma — Google review
Horrible customer service. Contact person had an awful attitude and would not answer my questions and instead gave me the run around about prices. Taking my money to another company
Nina Belluci — Google review
Samuel and Joseph planned a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my wife and me. Our private 2-week tour covered mostly Uganda and a bit of Kenya. We were able to see so many amazing things. This included beautiful landscapes, the wonderful people of Africa, and of course, some amazing animals. All of the places we stayed at were nice and comfortable. The food was lovely and the hospitality was perfect. Everybody was so nice and made sure we were comfortable the entire time. Any sign of a small problem was fixed immediately by Joseph and Samuel.
Joseph was an amazing guide to have with us for our time in Uganda. He really knows Uganda very well and comes from a family of tour guides. You will really get the best and most authentic experience possible with this group.
The safaris and up-close experiences with the gorillas and chimps were really amazing and moving.
Along our trip we also go to see Lions, Giraffes, Rhinos, Fowls, Hyenas, Buffalo, Crocodiles, Monkeys, Babboons, and so many birds.
If you are thinking of going to Africa, just do it. It will change your life. Make sure you book with Great Adventures. By doing so, you will support the local people there.
Phil Orr — Google review
We had such an amazing guide named Vicent, super professional warm and welcoming. Very informative and is able to help you with anything that you need. He made the trip special and made sure we were comfortable. He also went above and beyond many times to make sure that we had an amazing time. Amazing guide, amazing tour and something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Aarif Senthil — Google review
Great company. They delivered as promised. Had a great gorilla trekking experience in the Uganda mountains. They customized my trip to suit my requirements and at a good price. Highly recommend this company
Poul Bech — Google review
Vicent was a solid guide, incredibly patient and knowledgable. There were a few moments of miscommunication and concerns, as we did not receive an email itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances but we were relieved to see Vicent waiting patiently at the airport even after an hour delay! thank you so much for such an incredible journey through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and teaching us so much about Rwanda and Uganda. We will not forget the experience.
Sharon Sa — Google review
Didn’t show up when we wanted to book permits for chimp trekking. Required us to do a lot of last minute hustling. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Dennis van Iersel — Google review
Wooooooooooow! The day we began our tour with Great Adventures Safari I realised it was going to be a great experience, these guys were proffesional, caring, down to earth and concerned about our happiness, they gave up the best experience that we have never had before and mostly all the information that we wanted was provided by the best tour guides from Great Adventure Safaris. Thank you alot to the management for making our tour to the murchison national park from the game drive where we saw different kinds of wild animals and their inhabitants,we had to trek up hill to the top of the falls where the roaring waters enchanted us.we then proceeded to the boat cruise down to the mighty River Nile,this place was full of romantic experience and the sweet sounds of the waters. Indeed, we had a great experience from touring with the " Great Adventure Safaris "
ritah powers — Google review
Had a memorable 12 days trip safari in Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and kibale national parks Uganda. Thanks alot to Tolbert for making our trip successful. Indeed Great Adventures Safaris ublive up-to your name.
A simply stunning experience from start to finish. What started as a spur of the moment idea to visit the mountain gorillas turned into an extraordinary and continually delightful tour in a truly beautiful country, guided by the most genuine, and inimitable tour guide - Richard Toko. Although seemingly more common than expected ( having bumped into many self-driving couples / friends ), we had reservations around arranging transport and managing the logistics ourselves, so we opted to book the visit through a tour company which turned out to be a wise decision. Following a brief google search it was clear a fleeting visit to see the Gorillas was not going to be enough as Uganda has so much to offer. We settled on a 10 day trip, regretfully omitting the northern sector featuring Murchison falls, but including the popular spots of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi impenetrable forest and Lake Bunyoni. We contacted several companies to obtain quotations for the trip and eventually got connected with Ivan from Gorillas & Wildlife Safaris. At the outset Ivan was friendly, clearly knowledgeable & experienced in providing Ugandan wide tours; offering off the shelf packages, but was also very accommodating, providing a fully customised trip giving logical reasons as to why our suggestions may or may not work. This was great for us as we wanted to work in a couple of days without travel during the trip, something that other agencies were reluctant to discuss giving the impression that inflating their sale price with activities was more of a priority. After several conversations with Ivan we settled on an agenda, and he was continually communicative. He was also flexible with the payment options, again, an area where other agencies were not as accommodating. Our trip consisted of 5 different lodges and ahead of time we were given the option to pick from budget, mid range or luxury accommodation. Apart from the higher end “Birdsnest Resort” in Lake Bunyoni we opted for budget accommodation which were anything but. All the lodges were excellently well kept, all in stunning locations, featuring comfy beds ( with mosquito nets where needed ), a well-stocked bar, very decent 3 course menus and always friendly staff. It was hard to find fault, all lodges having their own charms. Gorillas & Wildlife Safaris were exemplary in every aspect, the highlight being Richard Toko who was purely a joy to be around and who demonstrated incredible knowledge of Ugandan wildlife and conversation in general. It was truly a privilege to be shown this beautiful country by a seasoned and inspiring gentleman.
Samuel Thwaites — Google review
Just got back from a short trip to see the Gorillas at Bwindi and the Golden Monkeys.
Huge shoutout to Ivan who helped us plan and customised our trip based on the limited time we had in Uganda. Ivan was super quick and responsive to any questions we had.
Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without our guide, Eric who was always prompt to pick ups/drop offs and ensured we got to each activity/destination safely. Eric provided great suggestions and advice and nothing was ever too difficult for him.
We highly recommend Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris to anyone looking for a tailor-made experience.
Annie P — Google review
Outstanding.. the safari was incredible, Gorillas, Chimps, and other Wildlife.
Richard, my guide, was a font of knowledge, and went over and above to make my trip a memorable experience. The lodges we stayed at were top class.
I originally booked the trip for 2020, but Covid happened, and obviously my plans got derailed. I finally made it in March 22, after a couple of false starts in rebooking.
Ivan was amazing the whole time, nothing was too much trouble. His communication really put me at ease.
5 stars all-round
Scott L — Google review
We did a 7 night, 8 day gorilla and Safari tour. It was fantastic - we had such a great time. Ivan was quick to respond to all of our questions and Eric, our guide, was excellent. He’s a fantastic driver and incredibly knowledgable about Uganda and the surrounding wildlife. Eric also made sure we got to see everything we wanted to see - in our case a leopard. We couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Thank you to both Eric and Ivan.
Marissa Wiseman — Google review
We had a great week traveling from Kigali to Kampala with our guide Frances. He was very knowledgeable and a great tour guide. He was always on time and knew a lot about the environment. He is also a good tracker and spotted a leopard and hyena during our safari! We can very much recommend him as a guide.
Ivan in the office also seems friendly, but can often be slow to respond to emails. At one point he didn't respond to our emails for 2 weeks. Thats the only reason why this isn't a 5 star review.
Pieter Groenendijk — Google review
Our safari started with a hiccup but ended up being an amazing adventure. Our driver, Noah, was an excellent driver and guide. His knowledge of the country and the wildlife was second to none. From spending time in Kibale National Park with the chimps to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with the gorillas it was a trip of a lifetime. Along with the Chimps and gorillas, we had 3 other game drives giving us the opportunity to see the Big 5!! We also found the people of Uganda very friendly and welcoming, especially the kids. Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris is a top notch company and I highly recommend them. Thank you again Noah for the great job you did!!
TheVinster42 — Google review
With GORILLAS AND WILDLIFE SAFARIS we did an eight-day expedition in Uganda. We arranged the program in advance from the Czech Republic and already at that time Ivan recommended and helped us to arrange interesting places for photographers. When we found out at the airport that we were not issued visas in time and would not be allowed to board the plane, we called Ivan and he helped us to sort everything out and hurried the Ugandan officials and within a few tens of minutes we received our visas in the mail and could leave. They are one of the few companies that offer flights within Uganda so we had booked flights from Entebbe to Semliki and back from Kihihi to Entebbe with Aerolink. Waiting for us in Semliki was our guide Kassim, who accompanied us the whole time in his Toyota Land Cruiser, which, although of an older date of manufacture, looked the best among all the offroads. Kassim was very kind and helpful, stopping us himself at interesting places and places perfect for photographing wildlife and landscapes, and helpfully explaining local customs to people and animals. He even provided us with small snacks in the form of bunches of bananas during the crossings :-). The whole trip was well arranged, we did not encounter the slightest problem anywhere, and if something came up (e.g. the need to have a PCT test before departure to Rwanda (even for transit at the airport)), Kassim promptly solved everything over the phone or on the spot. We enjoyed the trip with him very much and we enjoyed everything perfectly. We will be happy to come back and use your services again.
Lukáš Zeman — Google review
I did a 3 day gorilla tracking safari with Richard and I had the time of my life. The gorilla tracking was amazing, and the whole 3 days were just an amazing experience, all thanks to Richard. Richard is a friendly, knowledgeable and awesome guy who just made the whole experience fantastic. He even gave me a little gift after our 3 day tour, which was very kind and heartwarming.
I highly recommend going with Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris!!
Tom Broenink — Google review
Thanks to Ivan for organising our trip through Uganda - we had a great time! He was very responsive and accommodating, finally putting together a comprehensive program for us. We enjoyed spending our time with our guide Francis, who is professional, knowledgable and a good driver. The lodges chosen were great (apart of point 1 below), with the food being one of the highlights - all of it very delicious! Thanks also to Francis for showing us local food on the drives between National Parks. Our SUV “Black Hawk” was in great condition and clean. We did not encounter any issues with permits and reservations (unlike fellow travellers we met on the trip with other companies) and everything was handled to the highest service standards.
We can recommend Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris - very professional and reliable!
Two areas of improvement from our side:
(1) While you are able to choose between different levels of accommodation with examples of lodges, this does not include information on which kind of room/tent you ultimately get (lodges offer different kinds of rooms/tents). We ended up with shared bathrooms in some of them, which we would have upgraded if known before for sure. We made Ivan aware of this already and he promised to provide more infos in the future.
(2) Sometimes the game drives felt a bit rushed. This might have been partially caused by a tight schedule, but we still had plenty of time left on some days and would have appreciated to spend more time with the magnificent animals.
David S — Google review
Best tour company in Africa! Request Noah as a guide. Magnificent trip
Tamra Thein — Google review
DO NOT USE!
I am blown away by the difference I had with Ivan and the online reviews.
The trip was plagued with non stop issues. Ivan’s communication was terrible the moment after the down deposit was paid. I paid in installments with the final two being during the trip because I thought I had booked with a fake company after the communication stopped. So I told Ivan I would finish my last payments when I get picked up at the airports and am sure there is a person on the other side waiting. The tour company Ivan used in Tanzania forgot to buy the guides entry ticket for the safari…. That cost us over 3 hours (About 25%) of our safari time while he worked that out. The guide informed us that his company just made a mistake and he apologized. Ivan on the other hand tried to blame me paying in installments rather than the company making a mistake. (You can book these same tours the same day so clearly my payment timing wasn’t the cause). We ended up having only three hours in a park instead of a full day as a result. The time in Tanzania was filled with gaps because of poor planning from Ivan, including a fully wasted day because of a poorly timed short flight. Ivan had the wrong location of the air balloon ride which caused more timing issues through the few short safari days. He was in charge of purchasing one airline ticket during the tour and told us that it was leaving 40 minutes later than it was, we had to run to make the flight as boarding was ending and luckily made it only because we are the people that want to be at the airport early. Then when we got to Uganda the car they had wasn’t maintained and had issues in the first day with a belt going bad. The driver left us at lunch without telling us with all our luggage and although he was back in 45 minutes there was no communication so we had no idea what was going on or when we would get going. Ivan would constantly ignore my requests for confirmations or when I would ask for more information that would have prevented a lot of the issues. Including never telling us we had a flight on the last day (itinerary said we were driving and would see a lot of places on the route) so we ended up wasting another 6 hours at the airport because we didn’t have time to plan an activity that afternoon. When I brought the problems to Ivan’s attention he ignored the problems. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have used a different tour company and would recommend everyone to look elsewhere themselves.
Our trip was 12 days total. With one full day wasted and over 25% of our safari time wasted. I’m not sure if Ivan’s response is regarding another couples honeymoon because we didn’t have a 17 day trip. We also provided the amount Ivan indicated was needed in advance to lock in our trip and get confirmations. The majority of the trip could be booked the same day, so timing of payments was never the issue.
Amazing experience, just being there and seeing the water experiment first hand was really enlightening. Being at the centre of the world and seeing the forces that be from one side of the equator to the other North and South. The water flows one way north or the equator and then flows the opposite way south of the equator literally feet away from each other. Stand in the middle and the water stops still, this is a must see phenomena.
Food was good, just pizza and chips before having a good look around and all the memorabilia, loads of amazing Art and crafts, you can definitely get something nice to take home with you. I’m sure it’s one must see place in Uganda, you won’t forget it.
Only takes a few hours from Kampala, straight road very easy to find. Roads very good and lovely green views of the land scape along the way. Highly recommend a visit.
Lee Taylor — Google review
It is where the imaginary line of equator passes through. One should go and see the place. There are few craft shops and cafes around for shopping and quick bites.
Krishna Priya — Google review
Visiting the Uganda Equator was an absolute highlight of our trip! Located along the highway between Kampala and Masaka, this iconic landmark offers an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking a unique adventure.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff who warmly welcomed us and provided fascinating insights into the geographical significance of the Equator. The Equator is marked by a colorful monument, making it easy to capture memorable photos and commemorate our visit.
One of the most thrilling aspects of our experience was witnessing the fascinating phenomenon of water swirling in opposite directions on either side of the Equator line—a captivating demonstration of the Coriolis Effect. Our guide skillfully explained the science behind this phenomenon, adding depth to our visit and sparking our curiosity.
In addition to the educational aspect, the Uganda Equator also offers a variety of souvenir shops where visitors can purchase unique gifts and mementos to remember their trip by. From locally crafted artwork to traditional textiles and handmade jewelry, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
We also had the opportunity to indulge in delicious local cuisine at the nearby restaurants, savoring authentic flavors while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
What truly sets the Uganda Equator apart is the sense of wonder and awe it inspires. Standing at this significant geographical marker, we couldn't help but marvel at the Earth's natural wonders and the interconnectedness of our planet.
Whether you're a science enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a memorable stop along your journey, the Uganda Equator is a must-visit destination. Immerse yourself in the magic of this unique location and create memories that will last a lifetime. We highly recommend adding it to your travel itinerary!
VINOTH S — Google review
This was beautiful experience, it was very educational. Something for every one to learn in the world.
Standing in the Northern, southern hemisphere and centre 0°latitude at the same time was very magical
A place to go to.
Kembabazi Gloria — Google review
This has been my best experience so far. I was literally at the center of the world. The tutor Mr. Muwonge was very good he took us through the water experiment which shows how forces act in the different hemispheres. In the south the water moves in an anticlockwise direction in the North the water moves in a clockwise direction.The place also had many craft shops for those looking for souvenirs and a nice little restaurant for those looking for a quick bite. Hygiene was also great with great customer care. Am looking forward to visiting again.
Naddamba Ronah — Google review
Standing at this point gives such a good feeling/vibe with a chance to experience the division of the northern and southern hemisphere. Quite interesting that you will be standing at 0’ latitude 😂 you must love it. To take pictures you might have to be patient for there’s usually many tourists posing 😂
Faith The Bushgirl — Google review
A must-visit for travellers in Uganda, the Equator Line Visitor Centre offers a unique opportunity to stand in both hemispheres at once. The informative displays provide insight into the geographical significance of the location. Friendly staff, great photo opportunities, and a selection of souvenirs make it a memorable stop. A simple yet educational experience that adds to any Uganda itinerary.
Yusuf K — Google review
Very good place to have lunch from and good area to know the countries where equator passes and of which period of the year, not only that one only very good place for Suviniers, African art than anywhere in the country, it's an area where you can either have good lunch while going for your trip to the Gorillas or coming out from your tour from south western Uganda, easy to reach and convenient , Note :do not hesitate stopping at Flamingo Restaurant at Equator so welcoming restaurant, the staff are excellent in customer care services, they don't only serve food but also all kind of drinks of your choice both alcoholic and non alcoholic, juice of all types not only that but also Crafts of all kind, what an excellent place , when you miss anything from there check the neighborhood handcraft shops you can't miss anything to go with while coming from equator area.
Saul Ampeire — Google review
1. An exiting place to be
2. All kinds of traditional clothing and items can be got here.
3. A lovely stop over along Mbarara road for a lunch break and photo shoots.
4. It is a fun place
alema joseph — Google review
We hired a driver set up by our hotel, the drive was long from Kampala, but so worth it. The egg experiment was great, but just being at the center of the world is awesome. There is local shopping authentic African food, which I highly enjoyed.
catherine oliver — Google review
Location approx 90 km from kampala. This place is a must visit if u r in uganda. Earths center line is really wonderful place. With small fee of 20000 ugx a guide will show u how water behaves in south north and zero latitude also you will get a certificate that u visited this place. It will take 10 mins to visit this place on main road and you can proceed for you journey.
Fit n Fine CVD — Google review
Drove out of the city yesterday to visit the Uganda Equator site. Was a lot of fun to take photos and the area has a variety of craft shops with lots of interesting items. Craft shop owners are friendly, but as is usually the case at the tourist sites, a bit pushy. I think if they just learn to not push sales so much and leave people to browse in peace, they'll sell more. The area is really clean and we had a late lunch at the restaurant right next to the equator sign. Food was good, toilets nice and clean, and the service was friendly.
Brenda Grobler — Google review
The thought of going to the equator is exciting but that soon fades when one is actually at the real place. It feels as though something is missing. To bring out the ecstatic feeling of the first time visitor, I would recommend a little more development to be done. The current outlook of the place and what it represents seem to have a mismatch. I don’t know if other visitors feel the same. I could be wrong.
Ikonyat Festus — Google review
Beautiful place to make memories, take pictures with friends and family and also buy to a souvenir for yourself and your loved ones.
While at it, don't forget to try out the many experiments to prove this indeed is the center of earth.
Tayebwa keith — Google review
It was our charity day for the Group (Give love Give Hope) all philanthropists heading to masaka and we couldn't pass the center of the earth without taking some great shots with the group. It was fun, 5 minutes shot with great people and real cute smiles all over faces at the center (Equator) just don't miss out if you really come across it
Jabal Ar-ràhmah — Google review
It was nice to have stood on a landmark, but it was even better that we got a great explanation and a certificate to prove that we visited.
There was quite a number of interesting food items, pricy, but varied.
T. Whyte — Google review
The Uganda equator is a really cool spot where you can see where the equator line crosses Uganda. It’s a fun spot for tourists to take pictures and see demonstrations of how water spins in each hemisphere.
Siya Lakhani — Google review
The Uganda Equator is a famous landmark located in Uganda, dividing the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres. Visit this site to experience unique demonstrations of the Earth's gravitational forces and learn about the geographical significance of being at the equator. Also can take part in activities like watching water demonstrations, balancing eggs on nails, and learning about the peculiarities related to the equator's location. The site usually offers souvenirs and has various markers and signs to signify the equator line.
Dintu George — Google review
Interesting to see the experiment with the water. How it changes direction while it drains. There are some shops and restaurant in the area. I was stopping here on the way to Entebbe from lake Bunyonyi.
The best island in Uganda with many tourists sites
BUKENYA FAROUK — Google review
It's a good destination for your holidays and vacation. It is filled with breathtaking sceneries plus a lot of activities. The white sand beaches, forest walks, palm plantations, boat cruises, caves and of course fresh fish - these and more awaits you. There's plenty of accommodation at relatively affordable prices though during busy season (October to December and march to may) you have to book in advance. Food is relatively cheap as most local restaurants range between Ugx6,000 and UGX10,000 whereas the hotels charge an average of ugx30,000.
ssensalire rajab — Google review
Three hr ferry ride from EBB, great experience!!! Beautiful beaches & forests. Victoria Forest Resort has excellent ambience & is calming.
EAC CASSOA — Google review
Although Uganda is a land-locked country, Lake Victoria is large enough to give the feel of a sea, with storms brewing, beautiful sunsets and fishing settlements. Bugala Island is a good-time holiday island, with beaches, bars and a slow pace of life. It's a great place for a few days R'n'R before flying home.
Edward Alexander — Google review
Lakeview hotel kalangala was welcoming with good customer care and hospitality
kabeya 143 — Google review
Pay a visit and experience nature.
WABOMBA JOEL — Google review
It has natural fresh air from natural Forrest around the island and from the waters of victoria
ssewante mosea — Google review
was a really fascinating experience to set my maiden foot on the great shores of lake Victoria..totally an unforgettable experience
John Serojo — Google review
4.3
(110)
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4.5
(35)
Uganda
I'll never travel to Kigali without this trip planner again
There is no place I rather be...
Very brilliant and welcoming staff,good hygiene.
What you order is what you get, I can go there over and over again.
This is a good experience, excellent services.
Ndagire Betty — Google review
I just had a great experience at the country cinema mbarara...I just wish they could still show the post credits scenes😁
Joan Praise — Google review
Very nice place to chill out stress with ultra HD giant screens , you hate movies? they will make you fall in love with them. Located in mbarara city Uganda at 2miles Kampala road
nasasira Dizoh — Google review
I enjoyed watching Super Mario Bros here. Awesome service.
Kinyi Hellen — Google review
I can go back anytime anyday. My experience was amazing. The picture quality for the movies at country cinema is excellent. The customer care is 💯.
Daphine Mushabe — Google review
Best Movie Theatre you can watch the best 2D ,3D movies with your loved one 🥰and friends . This was an amazing experience it's so perfect I love it coming back soon 🥰❤️🥰😍country cinema mbarara.
aisha nakimuli09 — Google review
so nice place in mbarara
Dr Ashutosh Sharma — Google review
Fantastic time 😎
Romaric Fotsing — Google review
They have many movies and movies on demand. You will like the experience here even in 3D. Nice seat setting and accommodates a big numbers of people. It was fun that evening after traveling.
clovis williams — Google review
Its good place. Only Cinema in mbarara. But sometimes hard to get a movie you would love to watch. Not friendly for the lame since its located at the top floor of the building. They have good social media presence (facebook) to let you know what they are showing.
The Greek — Google review
4.2
(204)
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5.0
(8)
Plot 28, Kampala Road, Mbarara Top floor of the building housing Centenary Bank, Next to Agip Motel, Mbarara, Uganda
Mmmh! Well Kitagata is a mystery! It gave me a mixed feeling! Alot of people come here for the bathing both men and women, young and old deeping into the pool. It is like a jacuzzi for the public. The place is manned by locals and charge a car getting in UGx20k.
Bathing in the spring is believe to heal desease, bring wealth and prosperity.
The place is not the best to hangout out, there is a stale smell, the pool is dirty.
And the spring is not soo hot, it didn't boil the eggs after plunging them for 15minutes.
Brian Mnangat — Google review
The place is not as expected we were very disappointed for sure I can’t recommend anyone to go there I only enjoyed viewing hills and mountains as you see In my pictures
rashidah musa — Google review
It is a community place that is not well developed as far as infrastructure is concerned. If you are a local of the area, entrance is free. But if you are new, you pay 1000 Uganda Shillings per person. There is an open space that cars use as parking.
Kitagata which means "Hot" in the local dialect of Rukiga is always full of people. Many believe that the hot springs have healing properties. Therefore it is not uncommon to see people with various skin conditions and those experiencing issues in their bones also sitting in the water.
The last time I visited we were close to 300 people in the hotspring.
A warning though: if it is your first time to sit in the spring, it will make you weak, dizzy and hungry. You need to carry lots of cold fluids and edibles. You should also carry your own cup or water container if you want to drink some of the hotspring water. Incase you don't carry edibles or a container, you be given a plastic cup of tea leaves and sugar at a cost of 500 Uganda shillings. You can also buy local porridge (bushera) and donuts in the only makeshift canteen located within the hotspring area.
Ritah Mwagale — Google review
Quite uninteresting apart form the actual sight of the near boiling water springing from beneath the volcanic rock formations on the ground.
So many locals plunging into the water due to the belief of the health benefits, and most almost doing so naked. The water is so dirty but not sure what is causing this.
A lot of papyrus plants dot the area with a few Velvet monkeys scavenging around.
On the whole, the location can be better managed and great tourism value packaged there.
Reginald Bassey — Google review
People here believe this water heals the body so , they swim , sit in this warm water
Mark Francis s — Google review
Nice place but be warned of corruption. The gate men are corrupt and thieves, and racist. They charge people not from the immediate area double, and sometimes times more. Entrance is no more than 5k per person for foreigner. And 1k for locals. Water is hot, smells of sulphur, black ash. Also some monkeys in the area, bring bananas.
d_taddei2 — Google review
Very cool place we had a meal of matooke(raw bananas) and boiled eggs which were prepared using the hot water! We accompanied the meal with raw salt and sodas it was a great experience! The team at the reception was so welcoming thanks to our guide Timothy
Kiwanuka Mercie — Google review
The reality was disappointing. Expected much better. Water now stagnated with a foul smell and a heavy atmosphere of witchcraft around the place.
Worth the visit to this beautiful falls. Going up the trail can be slippery when wet. Wear proper shoes if you wish to hike further up. They serve self lunch and drinks as well. Coffee is local and delicious
Krishna Sookrit — Google review
Its amazingly an exquisite and adventurous place one must include on there bucket list. With a good access road having great views of hills, farms/gardens, houses, forests, and streams of water is Kisiizi falls, with a scary but educative cultural background of how the falls where used in the ancient traditions years and how it was transformed into a tourist attraction area to support the community and the hospital that was formed as a sign of hope from the terror it had caused in the previous years. Approaching Kisiizi town is a very calm and sweet sound from the water falls, and the people are so welcoming. There are number of activities done including SkyTrail which includes climbing the hill in order to get a great view of the dalls.. its is an interesting and fun activity climbing the hills at great heights, the activity is done with company from the tour guides of Kisiizi visitors Centre and on top of that your given ENKONI (stick) to help you in climbing or sloping down the hill. Among others is a zip lining which got three stages and the last stage you get to view the falls because u almost pass on top of them. At the falls is a monument that shows what exactly took place at the falls and there is also a cave... Back to the falls they are breathe taking.. and make you appreciate nature more... during the sky trail you get to see the falls from different views.. there is also a bridge where u get a full view of the falls.. Another thing interesting about the falls is they change volume and I witnessed that myself after i was told the day before the water volume was so small and they even showed me a picture and this was because when in the dry season the community uses the water for irrigation and other things so the water volume is less..But since it had rained that day i went to visit the falls water volume was so much.....Well its a must visit place😊
Babirye Zahara — Google review
Beautiful place to stop and have a break. Very sad story behind such a spectacular sight.
Victor Polaccov — Google review
Very nice place between hills, with good accommodation across the road, very good health facility (Kisiizi hospital) around.
Bankunda Alex — Google review
It is a really beautiful and people place to walk about. The natural scenery aside, I learned a lot about tradition and women in Uganda. The violent history of Kisiizi meets with its now development and serenity. It is great space to come and be calm but aware in. Bring your camera because there is so much to capture!
N Damany — Google review
Good example of the wonders of nature in uganda here
NTEGE CHARLES — Google review
Good one
Yoga Murugudu — Google review
I loved the hospitality at the visitor's centre, I was warmly welcomed and was able to tour most of their attractions like; the waterfalls, the Monument and a Cave and a 3-staged zip line was also an experience for me. So I would recommend everyone to become a witness to him/herself.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a famous national park in East Africa, known for its mountainous and densely forested terrain that provides a habitat for an estimated 340 mountain gorillas. The park, covering over 331 sq km of steep mountain rainforest, is a World Heritage site and attracts many tourists to view these rare animals. Additionally, Uganda offers other attractions such as tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and whitewater rafting adventures on the Nile River.
If you are looking for a place to dive into nature. It’s truly an impenetrable national forest. Very virgin!!
You have an encounter one on one with the gorillas.
Prepare your hike boots, gloves rain jackets and any water proof just in case the forest blesses you with some showered .
Faith The Bushgirl — Google review
Well known for the mountain Gorillas but this is the most beautiful place to be in Uganda. The temperatures in this forest are so cool and looking at the canopy of the forest itself is eye catching. Surely the impenetrable bit is only seen when you decide to go within the forest as you will have to have something like a panga to clear your own way. Ask those who have carried out the Gorilla trekking activities. A visit is the worthy to it especially for the bird watchers.
BRIAN BAISWIKE — Google review
Bwindi is the epitome of diversity for botany, bird life and wildlife. Absolutely beautiful! Well deserved world heritage site!
Mukama Rwakamani — Google review
Lovely place, best for Gorillas visit, groups are very small and you are coming close to Silverback and others. The guides are professional and polite, this is the best we have seen in Uganda.
Stan Boykov — Google review
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres
Ahmed Alali — Google review
La visita a los gorilas es de las cosas más emocionantes que he hecho en mi vida. La marcha fue muy dura por la subida y sobre todo la bajada, tuvimos mala suerte con el grupo que nos asignaron. El encuentro fue pura magia y emoción. No hay palabras para describirlo. Los rangers te acercan a los gorilas y la sensación es irreal. Los animales te miran pero siguen a lo suyo con naturalidad. Tu no te puedes acercar, pero ellos si ...y lo saben.
Merece la pena totalmente
(Translated by Google)
Visiting the gorillas is one of the most exciting things I've ever done. The march was very hard due to the ascent and especially the descent, we had bad luck with the group that was assigned to us. The meeting was pure magic and emotion. There are no words to describe it. The rangers bring you closer to the gorillas and the feeling is unreal. The animals look at you but follow their business naturally. You can't get close, but they can... and they know it.
totally worth it
Juan Ramon Amoros — Google review
This was the most challenging, but the most remarkable experience in my life. This forest is really Impenetrable. We had 8 hours gorilla 🦍 tracking with sliding into the wood and climbing again to find mountain gorillas. But when you find them, all the tiredness will disappear 🫠. You need to be in a good shape for this experience.
Serhii Shulha — Google review
An amazing forest where you can see gorillas, other primates, chameleons, and if you are lucky even mountain elephants. The trail to the swamp is perfect for birdwatching, but avoid going there if you don't like sweating. The hill you have to climb on the way back is pretty steep.
As in any other forest, you need insect repellent and long clothes.
Laura Gotti — Google review
A simply awesome and will orchestrated Gorilla Trek led by a most leader and most attentive porters to help you traverse the steep, muddy slopes.
James Campbell — Google review
Hard to find the words - a spectacular experience. Guides, guards, porters could not have done more than they did. 5 to 7 meters away from a fully grown Silver Back Gorilla and his family.
ARC — Google review
What an incredible place, forest covered mountains plunging 1000's of feet to the valley floor. Wonderful bird life and of course one of the main habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Margaret Norah — Google review
Home to two endangered species of the world's "Great Apes",a beautiful waterfall and a variety of wildlife species Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a true definition of a magnificent biodiversity as declared by UNESCO
Words can't describe this place but only a visit into this vibrant jungle will
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a famous national park in East Africa, known for its mountainous and densely forested terrain that provides a habitat for an estimated 340 mountain gorillas. The park, covering over 331 sq km of steep mountain rainforest, is a World Heritage site and attracts many tourists to view these rare animals. Additionally, Uganda offers other attractions such as tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and whitewater rafting adventures on the Nile River.
If you are looking for a place to dive into nature. It’s truly an impenetrable national forest. Very virgin!!
You have an encounter one on one with the gorillas.
Prepare your hike boots, gloves rain jackets and any water proof just in case the forest blesses you with some showered .
Faith The Bushgirl — Google review
Well known for the mountain Gorillas but this is the most beautiful place to be in Uganda. The temperatures in this forest are so cool and looking at the canopy of the forest itself is eye catching. Surely the impenetrable bit is only seen when you decide to go within the forest as you will have to have something like a panga to clear your own way. Ask those who have carried out the Gorilla trekking activities. A visit is the worthy to it especially for the bird watchers.
BRIAN BAISWIKE — Google review
Bwindi is the epitome of diversity for botany, bird life and wildlife. Absolutely beautiful! Well deserved world heritage site!
Mukama Rwakamani — Google review
Lovely place, best for Gorillas visit, groups are very small and you are coming close to Silverback and others. The guides are professional and polite, this is the best we have seen in Uganda.
Stan Boykov — Google review
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres
Ahmed Alali — Google review
La visita a los gorilas es de las cosas más emocionantes que he hecho en mi vida. La marcha fue muy dura por la subida y sobre todo la bajada, tuvimos mala suerte con el grupo que nos asignaron. El encuentro fue pura magia y emoción. No hay palabras para describirlo. Los rangers te acercan a los gorilas y la sensación es irreal. Los animales te miran pero siguen a lo suyo con naturalidad. Tu no te puedes acercar, pero ellos si ...y lo saben.
Merece la pena totalmente
(Translated by Google)
Visiting the gorillas is one of the most exciting things I've ever done. The march was very hard due to the ascent and especially the descent, we had bad luck with the group that was assigned to us. The meeting was pure magic and emotion. There are no words to describe it. The rangers bring you closer to the gorillas and the feeling is unreal. The animals look at you but follow their business naturally. You can't get close, but they can... and they know it.
totally worth it
Juan Ramon Amoros — Google review
This was the most challenging, but the most remarkable experience in my life. This forest is really Impenetrable. We had 8 hours gorilla 🦍 tracking with sliding into the wood and climbing again to find mountain gorillas. But when you find them, all the tiredness will disappear 🫠. You need to be in a good shape for this experience.
Serhii Shulha — Google review
An amazing forest where you can see gorillas, other primates, chameleons, and if you are lucky even mountain elephants. The trail to the swamp is perfect for birdwatching, but avoid going there if you don't like sweating. The hill you have to climb on the way back is pretty steep.
As in any other forest, you need insect repellent and long clothes.
Laura Gotti — Google review
A simply awesome and will orchestrated Gorilla Trek led by a most leader and most attentive porters to help you traverse the steep, muddy slopes.
James Campbell — Google review
Hard to find the words - a spectacular experience. Guides, guards, porters could not have done more than they did. 5 to 7 meters away from a fully grown Silver Back Gorilla and his family.
ARC — Google review
What an incredible place, forest covered mountains plunging 1000's of feet to the valley floor. Wonderful bird life and of course one of the main habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Margaret Norah — Google review
Home to two endangered species of the world's "Great Apes",a beautiful waterfall and a variety of wildlife species Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a true definition of a magnificent biodiversity as declared by UNESCO
Words can't describe this place but only a visit into this vibrant jungle will
Scenic, freshwater lake in the foothills featuring several islands, canoeing & a variety of birds.
It was good experience. Nice view and cool breeze.
The only problem are the roads that lead there.
You can't risk your shocks going there in a small car.
You need those big stick shift vehicles and trusted 4wheels.
I really felt the bumps at heart.
Joshua Sserwadda — Google review
Have lately discovered that Lake Mutanda is one of the less visited yet the most diverse lake in Uganda. With colorful birds like the Ross's Turaco, with the Giant Kingfisher, Malachite, pygmy, and Pied Kingfishers, with a resident Bat colony that's preyed on by the resident African Fish Eagle, Palmnut vulture and the Black kite, from the high altitude plants such as the Giant Lobelia, a 2 hour boat trip on Lake Mutanda must be on your bucket list. To crown the tour, visit the caves to see the remains of people who lived 700 years ago! Visit spectacular islands including the historic Gahiza Island Retreat, formerly a punishment Island! You will be fascinated.
David Bakeine — Google review
FAIZO TOURS AND CAR RENTALS UGANDA, we do all car rental services at the cheap price.
We have 4x4 cars good for all types of the road in Uganda like:- Land cruisers, Toyota Super Custom, Rav4 e.t.c.
For bookings, please WhatsApp:- +256783687261 or +256760176150(call)
KIMULI FAIZO — Google review
Such a beautiful scenery.... Esp for honeymooners
Apollo Kwesiga Kamugisha — Google review
Spectacular lava-dammed lake located in Kisoro district. Perfect location for canoeing after trekking the gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga parks
Edison Ndayambaje — Google review
The view is to die for especially from Chameleon Hill Lodge.
pearl aliza — Google review
Lake Mutanda is a secret Gem, it requires aggressive marketing to make it a top must visit attraction in the east african region
Rogers Katusiime — Google review
One of the Volcaninic Lakes that is Bilharzia free and the 3rd deepest lake in Uganda, it is found in Kisoro Districk 13 kl away from Town, it has got some fish like Mad fish, Tilpia Cat fish and Lang fish, with 15 islands and only one that inhabites people.
The word Mutanda simple means amatanda the local plants that are around the lake. Most of the peole around the round originated from one of the Islands called Kamakoma, but due to population increase at the island people decided to move to the main land that is around the lake.
Gerald Lad Nestori — Google review
4.6
(54)
•
4.5
(10)
Uganda
19
Experience Kigezi
Tour operator
Tours
Walking Tours
Bike Tours
Cultural Tours
I can't say enough good things about this place. The excursions offered are affordable, fun and informative and help support the local community. I did the mountain biking and it ended up being one of my most memorable experiences in Africa! They went out of their way to help me, from exchanging money at a good rate and even with taking local transport to Rwanda. I rarely leave reviews but had to take a moment to leave this one because they truly go above and beyond to ensure you have a good experience.
Spread across 3 extinct volcanoes, this national park contains a population of mountain gorillas.
I cannot recommend this place enough; it's truly one of the best destinations I've experienced in Uganda. The staff's friendliness and warm welcome were exceptional. They prioritize your safety to the highest degree, and the team of guides is impeccably trained. At no point did I feel unsafe; their professionalism ensures worry-free enjoyment as long as you follow their instructions. The national park's beauty is awe-inspiring, ranging from bamboo forests to exotic trees, plants, and flowers reminiscent of scenes from the Avatar movie. The variety of stunning locations to explore around here is remarkable. Opting to climb Mount Sabyinyo or visit the gorillas guarantees an incredible experience. The park boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, silverback gorillas, and golden monkeys, among others.
For those eager to see the gorillas, the $700 fee feels like an absolute bargain. The gorillas are expertly tracked by a professional team, ensuring their location is known at all times, making it a breeze to find them. Personally, I chose to hike Mount Sabyinyo this time, foregoing the gorilla encounter. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend staying for a week in Kisoro; it's an extraordinary location that allows you to explore all the finest attractions – a truly worthwhile experience. In my opinion, this place deserves a perfect 5-star rating for its astonishing natural beauty and exceptional offerings.
Lee Taylor — Google review
We did a guided Gorilla Tour today and IT
was amazing! A family of 8 Gorillas, 3 silverbacks, a baby and several others relaxed after breakfast. All very close and friendly. Very good Guides and Rangers! Absolutely unforgettable. Highly recommended
Christina Mitropoulos-Bott — Google review
Awesome , I hiked mountain Muhabura. I loved all the beautiful flowers, luckily we met the Gorillas along the way. 3 silverbacks , very huge and humble Rukudo,Ndugutse and Mark. I can only relate it to life because it wasn't easy ,but you just have to keep the zeal that you will get there . On my way to Kisoro , there was one perfect corner with a Lake Bunyonyi View. Spetacular indeed . I loved every bit of the western Ugandan.
Hannah Mary Nakawunde — Google review
Médium to hard trek depending on your fitness but well worth the 2 hour uphill hike. We started at 2346m and climbed to 2720m to reach the bamboo forest which is the golden monkey habit and 80% of their diet is bamboo shoots. These beautiful creatures are unique and only found in the Mgahinga Gorilla NP. We were very privileged to be allowed to watch them. The ones which we saw belonged to a troupe of 80-120 which took 10 years to habituate to human presence.
Margaret Norah — Google review
Incredible hike through the forest to the Golden Monkeys. The guides were attentive and friendly, ensuring we were able to make the most of our hour admiring the monkeys in their nature habitat. Before our briefing for the hike, we were shown traditional dance and music from the local community which was beautiful.
Lauren Pinney — Google review
It's is really lovely. The scenery was so beautiful. Went up to the peak. Entire round trek took up 17km and 7 hours. However, it rained for most of the trek which made climbing hard but descend even harder. Was a worthwhile experience though
Rogers Ssentongo — Google review
I did Mt. Sabinyo Hike and it was a wonderful experience. It was great to stand at the shared boarder by Uganda, DRC and Rwanda
MUHANGUZI CLINTON — Google review
A unique experience hiking up Mt. Sabinyo & tracking Golden Monkeys
Krim — Google review
The gorilla national park left me in awe. The immersive experience of observing these magnificent creatures and the different avian species in their natural habitat is unparalleled. The park's commitment to conservation efforts is commendable, and the knowledgeable guides enhanced the educational aspect of the visit. The lush surroundings and diverse wildlife contribute to a truly enriching adventure. While the trek can be challenging, the reward of encountering gorillas in their habitat makes it an unforgettable journey. For the true lovers of flora and fauna, you'll definitely find your trips worth here.Solid five stars for the remarkable conservation and captivating wildlife experience.
Oscar Mugabi — Google review
Volcanoes National Park is an absolute marvel, 🦍 The opportunity to witness the majestic mountain gorillas up close is an experience like no other. The park's breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity make it a haven for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts. The knowledgeable guides ensure a safe and informative trek, adding to the overall adventure. Don't miss the chance to embark on this unforgettable journey! 🦍🌿 #GorillaEncounters #VolcanoesNationalPark
Malvin Photography — Google review
Don't miss the magic how with mountain gorilla, Golden monkeys and also batwa trail also the park is good for birding. Mgahinga national Park is said to also have buffalo
Akandwanaho Primah — Google review
The guards, guides and porters were all top notch. It took us 2.5 hours to find the gorillas, but the guides were willing to rest a lot, and explain everything along the way.
Anthony Gerads — Google review
Was indeed an exceptional experience! Guide & trackers are doing a great job!'Hopefully they protect the area as it is with one group a day. No need to give as much permits as Rwanda does.
Doris Gloor — Google review
We had the most incredible experience Gorilla trekking here. It was a beautiful walk to the gorillas, it wasn’t difficult trekking at all and the mountain scenery around us was stunning.
We then had 9 gorillas around us and they were really easy to see. There were 3 giant Silverbacks in the pack and a baby.
They played and ate near us and the baby played everywhere.
We were also so lucky to just have two of us in the group. Our tour guide was exceptional and taught us so much about the gorillas and the land.
This was an unforgettable experience and we can highly recommend this park. It also had one of the largest gorillas in the world there.
If we could give 6 stars we would.
Spread across 3 extinct volcanoes, this national park contains a population of mountain gorillas.
I cannot recommend this place enough; it's truly one of the best destinations I've experienced in Uganda. The staff's friendliness and warm welcome were exceptional. They prioritize your safety to the highest degree, and the team of guides is impeccably trained. At no point did I feel unsafe; their professionalism ensures worry-free enjoyment as long as you follow their instructions. The national park's beauty is awe-inspiring, ranging from bamboo forests to exotic trees, plants, and flowers reminiscent of scenes from the Avatar movie. The variety of stunning locations to explore around here is remarkable. Opting to climb Mount Sabyinyo or visit the gorillas guarantees an incredible experience. The park boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, silverback gorillas, and golden monkeys, among others.
For those eager to see the gorillas, the $700 fee feels like an absolute bargain. The gorillas are expertly tracked by a professional team, ensuring their location is known at all times, making it a breeze to find them. Personally, I chose to hike Mount Sabyinyo this time, foregoing the gorilla encounter. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend staying for a week in Kisoro; it's an extraordinary location that allows you to explore all the finest attractions – a truly worthwhile experience. In my opinion, this place deserves a perfect 5-star rating for its astonishing natural beauty and exceptional offerings.
Lee Taylor — Google review
We did a guided Gorilla Tour today and IT
was amazing! A family of 8 Gorillas, 3 silverbacks, a baby and several others relaxed after breakfast. All very close and friendly. Very good Guides and Rangers! Absolutely unforgettable. Highly recommended
Christina Mitropoulos-Bott — Google review
Awesome , I hiked mountain Muhabura. I loved all the beautiful flowers, luckily we met the Gorillas along the way. 3 silverbacks , very huge and humble Rukudo,Ndugutse and Mark. I can only relate it to life because it wasn't easy ,but you just have to keep the zeal that you will get there . On my way to Kisoro , there was one perfect corner with a Lake Bunyonyi View. Spetacular indeed . I loved every bit of the western Ugandan.
Hannah Mary Nakawunde — Google review
Médium to hard trek depending on your fitness but well worth the 2 hour uphill hike. We started at 2346m and climbed to 2720m to reach the bamboo forest which is the golden monkey habit and 80% of their diet is bamboo shoots. These beautiful creatures are unique and only found in the Mgahinga Gorilla NP. We were very privileged to be allowed to watch them. The ones which we saw belonged to a troupe of 80-120 which took 10 years to habituate to human presence.
Margaret Norah — Google review
Incredible hike through the forest to the Golden Monkeys. The guides were attentive and friendly, ensuring we were able to make the most of our hour admiring the monkeys in their nature habitat. Before our briefing for the hike, we were shown traditional dance and music from the local community which was beautiful.
Lauren Pinney — Google review
It's is really lovely. The scenery was so beautiful. Went up to the peak. Entire round trek took up 17km and 7 hours. However, it rained for most of the trek which made climbing hard but descend even harder. Was a worthwhile experience though
Rogers Ssentongo — Google review
I did Mt. Sabinyo Hike and it was a wonderful experience. It was great to stand at the shared boarder by Uganda, DRC and Rwanda
MUHANGUZI CLINTON — Google review
A unique experience hiking up Mt. Sabinyo & tracking Golden Monkeys
Krim — Google review
The gorilla national park left me in awe. The immersive experience of observing these magnificent creatures and the different avian species in their natural habitat is unparalleled. The park's commitment to conservation efforts is commendable, and the knowledgeable guides enhanced the educational aspect of the visit. The lush surroundings and diverse wildlife contribute to a truly enriching adventure. While the trek can be challenging, the reward of encountering gorillas in their habitat makes it an unforgettable journey. For the true lovers of flora and fauna, you'll definitely find your trips worth here.Solid five stars for the remarkable conservation and captivating wildlife experience.
Oscar Mugabi — Google review
Volcanoes National Park is an absolute marvel, 🦍 The opportunity to witness the majestic mountain gorillas up close is an experience like no other. The park's breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity make it a haven for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts. The knowledgeable guides ensure a safe and informative trek, adding to the overall adventure. Don't miss the chance to embark on this unforgettable journey! 🦍🌿 #GorillaEncounters #VolcanoesNationalPark
Malvin Photography — Google review
Don't miss the magic how with mountain gorilla, Golden monkeys and also batwa trail also the park is good for birding. Mgahinga national Park is said to also have buffalo
Akandwanaho Primah — Google review
The guards, guides and porters were all top notch. It took us 2.5 hours to find the gorillas, but the guides were willing to rest a lot, and explain everything along the way.
Anthony Gerads — Google review
Was indeed an exceptional experience! Guide & trackers are doing a great job!'Hopefully they protect the area as it is with one group a day. No need to give as much permits as Rwanda does.
Doris Gloor — Google review
We had the most incredible experience Gorilla trekking here. It was a beautiful walk to the gorillas, it wasn’t difficult trekking at all and the mountain scenery around us was stunning.
We then had 9 gorillas around us and they were really easy to see. There were 3 giant Silverbacks in the pack and a baby.
They played and ate near us and the baby played everywhere.
We were also so lucky to just have two of us in the group. Our tour guide was exceptional and taught us so much about the gorillas and the land.
This was an unforgettable experience and we can highly recommend this park. It also had one of the largest gorillas in the world there.
If we could give 6 stars we would.
Lake Ruhondo is a body of water located near the border of Uganda, renowned for its breathtaking views, boat tours, and bird-watching opportunities. In the Musanze area, visitors can also explore the Twin Lakes - Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo - which are separated by hills but offer stunning scenery nonetheless.
Very beautiful place. We stayed at My Hill Eco lodge during the summer . It’s pretty cold out there, so come prepared! 10/10
DELPHIN MUTANGANA — Google review
Beautiful view of the volcano. Calm place out of town
Federico Marodin — Google review
When you’re a range of volcano mountains, you wake up, choose to show off and that’s perfectly fine 😎 Happy New Year from Lake Ruhondo! #VisitRwanda 🇷🇼
Malvin Photography — Google review
Twin lake is real
Uwamahoro Evelyne — Google review
Very beautiful lake in the northwest of Rwanda. Great for some hiking trips around the shore. Please note, that the area is a very remote place. There is no infrastructure like shops etc. You have to get that before from Musanze town. Then you get a taxi car from Musanze town to the power plant at the shore of lake Ruhondo. I don't recommend taking a motorcycle taxi for that route because of the bumpy road and the fast and dangerous driving of the motorcycle drivers. At the power plant you can take a boat ride to a destination around the lake. Make sure that you have hired a boat ahead of time because usually, there wouldn't be waiting one for you, there. Before you do any swimming in the lake you should research about bilharzia parasites. There could be a possibility of getting such a disease by having contact with the lake water (some sources say there are parasites in the lake, some say there aren't). If you risk it nevertheless, then do it away from the shoreline because the parasite is usually located near the shores of lakes.
Steffen Wohlfarth — Google review
Lake Ruhondo is a lava dammed lake and twin to Burera lake. They are called Twin lakes. Located in northern province. Beautiful place.
So many hotels and campsites are being developed as well as other infrastructures.
Please visit.
Check this agent on IG : FRAMA NATURE ADVENTURES (KING OF THE TWIN LAKES)
WHATSP: +250783270762
Fraterne MANISHIMWE — Google review
It is similar to other lakes in Rwanda and Southern Uganda in its landscape. Disadvantage is that it is more likely to get bilharzia in Ruhondo, compared to Kivu or Bunyonyi, where it is very unlikely.
For the adventurers it's nice, because it is not touristic.
Martin Weber — Google review
Very wonderful weather at the gates of the National Volcanoes Park.
Richard MUDAHINDWA — Google review
4.5
(43)
•
4.5
(6)
Rwanda
23
Africa Rising Cycling Center
Bed & breakfast
Classes & Workshops
The Africa Rising Cycling Center in Musanze is a splendid destination that offers an ideal retreat for those seeking relaxation and enjoyment. This remarkable establishment boasts a variety of captivating attractions in its surroundings. The center is renowned for its exceptional staff who are helpful, kind, friendly, and welcoming to all visitors. Led by the coordinator Blaise, they provide outstanding service and ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. It serves as the primary hub for young cyclists' training, preparing them for competitions within Rwanda and abroad.
Fun to visit a national training centre and everyone was so friendly and interesting!
Russ K — Google review
It is beautiful place, excellent service & friendly staff.
MUNIR GAGNANI — Google review
I stayed here for two nights and shared a house. Facilities are good, secure but basic. Needed clothes hanging space or shelves.
Plenty of hot water for showers. Slept well. Nice gardens. Friendly dogs.
I don’t know if you can normally order meals here.
Good location on main road from Musanze to Kinigi.
Charlotte Beauvoisin (Diary of a Muzungu) — Google review
This is an awesome place for the professional cyclists and every nice for everyone interested in knowing everything about the bike riding!
Norbert Adventures (Travel Advisor) — Google review
If you are in Rwanda or wish to visit Rwanda, this is the best place to visit; meanwhile, their rooms/services are pretty affordable (from $25 to less than $70 per night) in contrast to the hotel rooms prices in the Musanze. Another great thing that interested me too much is how good they offer bikes and guides to help you ride along the climatic volcanoes zone. Through your journey you will see people admire your visit with smiling face, and experience the view of the movement of citizens there in various jobs.
Clement Official — Google review
Fantastic place I have ever been to. It is the ideal place for the retreat while enjoying various features around Musanze. I have had remarkable experience there from helpful, kind, friendly and welcoming staff especially Blaise, the coordinator of the place.
It is the home of cycling where they train all young cyclists who are being prepared for competitions in Rwanda and outside. At this place they offer different services including, city tour, compound tour, ride hiring, and accommodation.
At this place, you can drink water from any tap you can met even in washroom as all water system is purified before being supplied in pipes. It is environment friendly, healthy and efficient in terms of money. I wish I could stay there for more days.
Habumugisha Jean Remy — Google review
One for the enthusiasts. The home of team Rwanda and a must visit for keen cyclists. Reasonable accommodation for adventurers with a little canteen. Stunning location near the volcanoes
Alec James — Google review
When you need best accomodations in Musanze, here is where you have to be
TOUSSAINT 3 — Google review
Excellent mountain bike tour to Lake Bulera ! Our guide Rafiki is very professional and friendly. I would strongly recommend his service.
Aurélien Pillet — Google review
A very good place for cycling tourists. There is affordable accommodation, bikes and they offer bike tours.
The Karisoke Research Center is a scientific facility in Rwanda that conducts research on gorillas. It was established by Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, in 1967. The institute's primary focus is on studying the behavior, ecology, and conservation of mountain gorillas. Located in the Volcanoes National Park, Karisoke utilizes various methodologies such as direct observation and remote sensing to gather data on these endangered primates.
It is a well organized and more information store for all you want to know about gorillas.
Habumugisha Jean Remy — Google review
The place seems to be closed
Barak Talker — Google review
The visit to Karisoke Research centre was a wonderful visit ever🤗 I got to know more about species of Gorillas and how to differentiate them, they share the story of this legend Dian fossey the American primatologist and conservationist who known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups from 1966 until her 1985 murder.
Mutoni peace — Google review
Nice
Dushimimana Jean de Dieu — Google review
Dieudonne Nkurunziza — Google review
The research center has a small museum that is open to the public. The exhibits are well done and offer insights into the biology, conservation, and social interactions of mountain gorillas. Artifacts from Dian Fossey's life and research are also on display. It is worth your time to stop, and all donations go toward conservation efforts.
David Harwell — Google review
Small yet insightful "museum" space... really gives you a background on the primates you might be in search of if you're heading to Volcanoes national park - good coffee house next door as well (Crema)
Tataum Jackson — Google review
Karisoke is an amazing place. Want to know more about the famous Mountain Gorillas... This is the right place to go to. The people are very welcoming too.
Pamella Kyomugisha — Google review
Researchers for mountainous gorillas, positioned in Musanze town, easy to access ( all facilities available)
Bya-zaire Kitoko Adrien — Google review
It's museum. Also comparison between two apes, man and mountain gorilla. Lots of information.
ssempewa ronald — Google review
It facilitates research about human being life compared to gorillas
Umuzabibu Mwiza - Handspun Hope is an exceptional boutique that boasts an incredible tour guide named Jackie. During a recent visit, my spouse and I were thoroughly impressed by the sustainable employment of over 200 women through the utilization of yarn. Witnessing this organization's ability to create organic yarn and witness their handmade products was truly awe-inspiring.
We did the Gorilla Trek and saw the Golden Monkeys, but my favorite part of my visit to Musanze was the tour of Handspun Hope. Learning how this group of women work together to make handspun/naturally dyed yarn and needle-felted animals was fascinating and inspiring. I highly recommend this experience!
Janet Avila — Google review
You can’t access it by car from RN8 as google tells you. You can get there by car from RN4, The Ruhengeri-Gisenyi road. Maybe call first to ensure someone is there to give information and open the shop. Do try the door in the gate if it looks closed, we were able to walk in.
Kirsten Jewett — Google review
Tour on side was very interesting and good made. We directly got offers the tour around the campus and it's bigger then we expected. The day after the tour I booked a knitting cours for an amazing cozy hat with one of the women to teach me how to do it. After that I went to the sheep farm. Instead of 2h it was just an hour (excluded driving) but I was the only tourist and it was still very nice.
Alex W — Google review
Real Rwandan made products in a natural way!!
onesmus byaruhanga — Google review
Visiting the Handspun Hope center was an incredible experience! This organization is not just about crafting beautiful items; it's about empowering women and creating a sustainable impact through artistry and nature. The process, from shearing wool to transforming it into vibrant yarns using flowers, leaves, and other natural materials, was both fascinating and enlightening. It's a testament to the creativity and resilience of the women involved, making the experience not just visually appealing but deeply inspiring.
Zach Potts — Google review
This organization is truly remarkable! A heartfelt thank you to Confiance for the enlightening tour and for educating my family and me about the noble mission behind Umuzabibu Mwiza-Handspun Hope. Their dedication to empowering disadvantaged and disenfranchised women is truly commendable. By providing a space for these women to socialize, work, and build a sense of community, Umuzabibu Mwiza-Handspun Hope is making a significant impact. Additionally, ensuring access to medically necessary treatments is a vital step toward improving their well-being. And let's not forget the incredible talent and the exquisite finished products that these women create on a daily basis. Their work is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community support. If you are in the area of Ruhengeri and Musanze, stop by and visit to support this great cause.
Tiffany Traynum — Google review
First of all ask for Jackie she is an amazing tour guide! When my husband and I visited Handspun Hope a week ago we were simply awestruck and impressed. Seeing an organization sustainably employ over 200 women through the medium of yarn was truly inspiring 🩵. We were educated on the process of making organic yarn and then welcomed in the shop where we saw the completion of the handmade yarn and felt products. Omg if you are like me you will seriously fall in love with the organization, the ladies, and the one of a kind handmade products 🥰
Laura Bhattacharjee — Google review
I've lived in Rwanda for 5 years and this is my favorite tourist experience (and souvenir shop) in Musanze. Go check it out!
OPENING HRS: It's open Mon-Sat 9a-4p...CLOSED ON SUNDAYS!
DESCRIPTION: An awesome co-op creating livelihoods for 170 women, and awesome Merino wool products. Clothing and souvenirs. Come see the full process (excl. the sheep farm which can be visited separately), and support these awesome Rwandan women.
Just went here with my girlfriend and it was a fabulous visit. We stayed for about 1.5 hours but you can easily do it in 45 mins if you're pressed for time.
Process goes from cleaning, picking, dying, cutting, spinning, poking / shaping, etc! You see them making the little gorillas and animal / other figurines. Very cool stuff.
FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS: See my photos for detailed directions from the main road. It took us a bit of back and forth phone calling and asking around but we made it. With my directions, you should be able to make it without calling anyone. Once you get to the dirt roads, you can wander a bit according to my map, or just ask a moto driver or anyone walking where is the cooperative... Ask by name "Umuzabibu Mwiza" or phonetically ask for where is the sheep's cooperative ("koh-peh-rah-teev een-hah-mah ee-ree hay-hay").
Enjoy! (I personally bought a small nativity set, and a couple headbands for winter time. And prices are about 30% discount from their online prices.)
COST: Tour of the facilities and process is $15 (15,000 rwf) per person, and well worth it. Pictures and video allowed / encouraged.
Katarina Muller — Google review
Don't miss an incredible experience to see first hand how organic wool and cotton products are made by women in Rwanda. Tours start at $15 and it is well worth the price! Also a great shop to buy some of the hand-crafted items like felted animals, knitwear, and handspun yarn.
Tyler Johnson — Google review
Visiting the center was wonderful, the ladies were so warm and friendly, and had a chance to learn about natural dye-ing! The bunnies were adorable, and they had the best store for gifts for home in Musanze. Hope to come back to see the ladies and their work, including the new road being built to them!
Great place to stay! The employees are very friendly and the place is so special. You can book activities with them. We did a introduction in how they are doing the banana beer - it was so much fun. Red Rocks supports many social projects form the area. Would recommend it to everyone
vincivinc — Google review
Could be so much better. The price is not appropriate for the facilities. Camping 10,000pppn. Beer expensive and real price over road. Just go there. The showers were terrible with pretty much no water pressure. Something easily fixed with a tank and pump. We had to use a room as the main shower block wasn't hot water although none of the water was hot. Barely enough pressure to fill a 1 litre bowl in 30 seconds anywhere. No bins around so nowhere to put our trash. We've gone somewhere else as it was just not worth the price. It's not hard, flat space, dishwashing place, trash cans, toilet with paper, functional shower. It is the minimum and they are 3 out of 6. And it's 20,000 for two. Horrific.
Neill Bird — Google review
Went there as a group for camping for 2 nights. There are lots of activities available and the staff may arrange them on the spot. While most of the activities are straight forward with pricing and arrangement, there seems to be conflicting information on the Gorilla museum and grave. Some of us wanted to do that but the staff cannot provide sufficient information on the price (eg whether there will be extra charge once we reach the premises) & itinerary, so we ended up not committing 🥲 such a pity. The campground facility is basic and there’s no water during most of our stay…. Quiet neighbourhood and not too far from the town. Staff may arrange taxi or motor taxi at a reasonable price.
JY — Google review
Lovely chilled and friendly cultural experience. We had banana beer, lemon grass tea and a traditional vegetarian cooking lesson - which we shared with the ladies who cooked with us. They were very sweet and kind and interacted so nicely with us and our young child, even though we couldn't communicate very well. :)
Jane Fraser — Google review
Great job you’re doing guys.
Very captivated with the initiative of the community support. More to it skilling you people. The One tree planted got my heart melting even more. Not forgetting the volunteers space if you are a conservationist and would love volunteer please contact them.
Faith The Bushgirl — Google review
It can be difficult to truly connect to a people and a place. Especially Ruanda. I have been many times and failed.
Somehow, for the first time, I had some beautiful moments with the genuine staff at Red Rocks that I will never forget.
Duncan Smarteng — Google review
Amazing and charming place full of colors . Staff was charming and food excellent !! Very nice place full of energy and goods vibes ! I recommend it !
anne marie detter — Google review
An incredible, Unforgettable natural experience
Culture heritage site
Camping site
Birdwatching experience
Great walking trails
Interactive staff who are welcoming and hospitable.
Waceke Muiga — Google review
A beautiful Guesthouse and Campsite, within a spacious green property where you can relax and soak in Rwandese culture. Rooms and food are reasonably priced and the staff is exceptionally warm and welcoming. Being linked to the Red Rocks Arts Centre, their whole facilities are decorated with paintings and Kitenge. Also it's definitely backpacker friendly and you'll meet some interesting people along the way. If you have some more time on hand, talk to them about the opportunity to volunteer and they'll make you part of their family quickly!
Red Rocks is working hard to make Rwanda known for not only the gorillas but for the beautiful rich and colorful culture they are trying to preserve. This was the first place in East Africa for me, where being demonstrated their traditions didn't feel like me being an intruder or like they put on a show for me. You can see the fun in the womens faces and that they’re genuinely interested in teaching you their culture and knowledge. They focus on supporting women, that are organzied in 3 cooperatives and share profits from selling their crafts and cultural demonstrations. The place seems to have high acceptance within the local community and is also a destination for urban Rwandans who want to engage in their own culture more. They serve local food “Gakondo” only, which is mainly vegetarian, nutritious and of course delicious. The cooks Phostine and Joseph will feed you well and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to taste the best fresh sugar cane juice.
Definitely go and don't forget to check out their Arts Centre too!
Jule Claussen — Google review
Phenomenal community based centre which focuses on giving back to the community and by empowering women in the villages. Accommodation is basic, but the experience of camping or glamping in a authentic, African campsite is truly unique.
Nadia do Carmo — Google review
Red Rocks Tours is a lovely place,secure for the guests, and has a lot to offer. Thanks for the quality services offered to us during our stay.