"The best food we've ever eaten in a tented camp!"

Dear Virgo,
We are back home now.
We'd like to thank you for accepting our booking at the last minute and for being very reactive to our mails.

The trip was amazing and everything has been perfect during these 5 days.
Among other things we just want to tell you that Francis has been perfect during the trip, always paying attention to our welfare. Then the food was so delicious in Kibale forest camp (the best food we've ever eaten in a tented camp !). Congratulations to the cookers !
If we plan another trip in that region we would certainly choose Gorilla Tours again.

Best regards
Fabien and Leïla

Travelled 10th to 14th September 2011

We are finally home from our "dream come true" trip to Africa and we wanted to tell you how very pleased we are with the fabulous memories we took with us.  I can't even begin to tell you how much we loved being with Freddy for a week and learning endless facts from him about your country, it's people, and the amazing wildlife. He truly is a walking Uganda encyclopedia!  He is one of the most amazing, honorable, brilliant men I've ever met and we were so fortunate to have had him drive us and be the most incredible guide we have ever known.  We have already told countless friends about him and how he made our week in Uganda more memorable and exciting than we could have ever imagined.  We felt so comfortable with him and he truly became a family member.  Needless to say, we miss him very much and hope we can stay connected with him forever. As soon as we sort out and edit our 4000+ photos, we will make a disc and send it to him.  Plus, I will be sending him some movies about Africa that contributed greatly to my dream of going there.  Needless to say, my experience of Uganda far exceeded my lifelong expectations.  I had no idea how lush, green and mountainous it is.  The scenery he showed us is forever etched into my mind. The people are all so friendly and ready to help in any way.  Freddy taught us so many things in that week we got to spend with him.  But mainly he taught us that people are basically the same, no matter where you go.  Decent, caring, family-minded, ready to love and be loved and interested in others, no matter where they come from or what they look like.  We are forever in your debt for making our fantasy vacation a reality.  And for sharing Freddy with us.  We can't wait until the day when we meet up again.  
 
Much appreciation and gratitude and a big hug and kiss for Freddy!
We will stay in touch.  
Always-
Frannie and Gabe

Travelled 25th-31st March 2011

Neil & I are back in Canada and Ben in London and would like to thank Gorilla Tours and Musa for making our trip successful.  Everything went as planned, Musa a fine representative of your company with his knowledge of Uganda and his safe driving.  If we can be of any help in recommending your company please give my email address to any prospective customer.  I have already extolled you on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forums http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2056033

Best wishes for the future

Regards
Mike Joss

Travelled 8th-10th May 2011

"Would we use them again? A resounding YES!"

We travelled with two friends to Uganda and Rwanda using arrangements by Gorilla Tours Ltd. Would we use them again? A resounding YES!

Virgo was capable, attentive and effective in going beyond what was required. The trip was great. The guide was effective, pleasant and helpful. Virgo arranged for us to meet with a young student financially assisted by a friend in a school many miles away. This took much of Virgo's time, and she was persistent. This really was going the extra mile for her.

Seeing the gorillas and being with them for two days, one in Bwindi (Uganda), and one in Parc des Volcans (Rwanda), was a thrill. South African Air lost our bag for a week, but Virgo at Gorilla Tours followed it closely, and got it to us in time for the gorilla treks.

Gorilla Tours is a good outfit. They certainly pleased us.

GORDON AND PAT WOOD
DELAWARE, USA
[gordonwoodus@yahoo.com]

"Seeing the gorillas up close and personal was the most thrilling encounter I ever had"

I cannot say enough good things about Gorilla Tours.  The itineraries that Virgo prepared were the best I received out of at least 20 different tour companies I e-mailed (even the prices were more affordable).  She started with a 10 day tour and then wrote a 20 day tour.  I chose the 20 day tour as it included Uganda and Rwanda.
 
Seeing the gorillas up close and personal was the most thrilling encounter I ever had.  I had a large silverback run right next to me. 
 
We visited Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro, and Lake Mburo in Uganda.  All the parks in Uganda were all different from one another and each had their own special charm and range of animals.
 
We tracked gorillas also in Rwanda.  We also visited Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park in Rwanda.   The parks in Rwanda were very different from one another and had their own special charm and range of animals.
 
I am the kind of person who likes to camp out at the Hyatt so I very much surprised myself that my favorite accommodations were the tented camps (Nile Safari Camp and Ishasha Wilderness Camp).  I felt like one with nature staying at these camps.
 
And finally, which to me is a very very important point;  I just loved the Uganda and Rwanda people.  You can smile at them and have a nice conversation (something we do not do here in Chicago).
 
If you would like anymore information please e-mail me at lfinnegan@sbcglobal.net

"Very highly recommended"

Gorilla permits in Rwanda are EXTREMELY difficult to get hold of without a tour company. We started trying over 3 months in advance and really struggled for the specific dates we needed. We ended up using Gorilla Tours Ltd

Not wanting to do one of the big expensive all-inclusive tours we found this company who were a low-budget ($900 for 8 days per person) personalised tour company. Their guides are all local Ugandans who know both Rwanda and Uganda extremely well and are fantastic fun to travel with. We were taken exactly where we wanted to go in Rwanda and dropped over the border in Uganda exactly as we requested. The best thing was that it was just us and the tour-guide for the entire trip. Very highly recommended. And their newly opened Airport Guesthouse in Entebbe is also fantastic.

Marc Hempling and Rachael Smith, Oct 05
[rach_smith73@yahoo.com.au]

"I can definitely recommend Gorilla Tours"

My trip to Uganda was a fabulous experience. Since I had limited time available and fixed dates, I enjoyed making my arrangements "à la carte". Bart and Virgo helped me to organize a one week independent visit to Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Kigali (Rwanda) and Murchison Falls. Being close to a gorilla family was very moving. In Lake Mburo I even got to see a leopard. Traveling around Uganda with Ronald was delightful. He is an entertaining traveling companion and a wonderful source of information. I can definitely recommend Gorilla Tours to other travellers headed to Uganda.

Roberto Cordon
Trade Promotion Officer
International Trade Center WTO/UNCTA
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

E-Mail: cordon@intracen.org
Phone: +41-22-7300200

"A life experience you will always remember as your best"

When you go to the gorillas always take a porter, one per person – not because you think you need one, but because you support their families. Always a great way to support Africa and its people. It is only 5$ to take a porter, however any extra money you would like to tip them would be greatly appreciated. It is also a nice gesture to bring extra sandwiches for your porter. Bring also lots of water. Every day or every time you trek it will be a different experience. Please make sure you are fit and plan for the most activity. Some treks can be fairly short (4-6 hours total), others can be a lot harder and longer but always worth it and a life experience you will always remember as your best.

Diane is an experienced trekker and has come back to Uganda for the 3rd time, trekking twice every time she comes.

Diane Zanuzoski, 27th May – 3rd June 2006
[ziyankan@hotmail.com]

"The organisation was perfect"

Hi Virgo, Bart and Mohamed,

Some time ago I booked a tour with your company which started 4th of January 2006, and lasted 17 days. I really want to say it was a fantastic tour!!!

The organisation was perfect, as well as the tent and the van. And, of course, we had one of the best guides I ever had: Mohamed. We had the idea that he was more of a friend, than just the guide. So, lots of compliments to your company and the staff. I'll recommend you to every-one I know that is interested inUganda.

Would you please also pass my compliments to Mohamed?

Thanks again for a great trip!

Maarten and Jo
Maastricht
Holland