The Grassrootz Adventures Dream Team 2023
Grassrootz Adventures
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- UTB, UCF & UCOTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,298 to $8,651 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Yann | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Dream Journey Through Rwanda and Uganda
In June 2024, my partner and I embarked on an unforgettable journey through Rwanda and Uganda, meticulously planned and executed by Grassrootz. The trip was seamlessly divided into two parts: a week in Rwanda followed by two weeks in Uganda.
Planning and Preparation
From the outset, Sander from Grassrootz proved to be an invaluable asset. He took the time to understand our preferences and crafted an itinerary that perfectly balanced authenticity and comfort. His recommendations for hotels and lodges were spot-on, each offering a unique blend of local charm and modern amenities. This attention to detail ensured that every night’s stay was as memorable as the day’s adventures.
Exceptional Guide and Unmatched Experiences
Our driver and guide, Barnice, was nothing short of exceptional. His expertise in spotting wildlife during game drives was remarkable—we were thrilled to see the Big 5 and countless other animals. Barnice’s deep knowledge of his country’s wildlife and culture added a rich layer of insight to our journey. His warm, friendly demeanor made us feel welcome and safe throughout the trip.
Highlights and Daily Adventures
Every day brought new wonders, but certain highlights stand out:
- Trek to Dian Fossey's Tomb: A poignant and inspiring experience, connecting us to the legacy of one of the most influential primatologists.
- Gorilla Family in Bwindi: An awe-inspiring encounter with a gorilla family, a moment of profound connection with nature.
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale: The thrill of tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat was exhilarating and unforgettable.
- Murchison Falls: The sheer power and beauty of the falls left us speechless.
Beyond these standout moments, each day was filled with new animals and stunning landscapes. We also cherished the cultural experiences, especially our visits to the Batwa and Karamajong villages. These interactions provided a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions of the region.
Safety and Comfort
Throughout the journey, we felt completely safe, thanks to the meticulous planning and the expertise of Barnice. The balance of adventure and comfort was perfectly maintained, making it a truly worry-free experience.
Conclusion
Grassrootz, with Sander’s expert planning and Barnice’s exceptional guidance, turned our dream into reality. This trip was truly the adventure of a lifetime, a tapestry of unforgettable moments and discoveries. We left Rwanda and Uganda with hearts full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a travel experience that combines authentic local experiences with unparalleled comfort and safety, Grassrootz is the agency to choose.
BG
Email Ognyan Todorov | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A unique experience
I want to share impressions of my stay in Uganda for the past 2 weeks. My trip was organized by Sander and was done with the help of a local gig named George. We visited several national parks - Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kabile, Bwindi and many others. I am a zoologist and thanks to our amazing guide I was able to see many interesting species - chimpanzees, gorillas, golden monkeys, eagles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras... the list goes on. The biodiversity is impressive. Local people are unique. Smiling, well-intentioned and very responsive. The program was prepared for us by Sander and gave us the opportunity to see everything. The timing and the organization, I think, could not have been. they are made better. Deep appreciation to George. This guy is truly unique. You can completely trust him for everything. It is really very pleasant and you feel safe with it. He knows absolutely everything about animals, customs... everything. His smile is contagious. :-) I have a lot of experience with this kind of trips and I can say that with these people you can really make an exciting and very memorable trip. If you have decided to travel to Uganda on safari - these are your people.
BG
Email Kalin Kanev | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Thrilling Safari Adventure in Uganda
Embarking on a safari in Uganda is a journey into the heart of untamed beauty, where the lush landscapes and diverse wildlife create an unforgettable experience. Our recent safari, guided by Bob, exceeded all expectations, blending the thrill of trekking with the awe-inspiring wonders of the Ugandan wilderness. From the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the lush greenery of Kibale Forest, Uganda's diverse landscapes left an indelible mark on us.
The overall service provided by Grassrootz was excellent and on a very high level. The communication with Sander was very smooth and easy. All the accommodation was perfect, as described in the itinerary and even better. The company is reliable and flexible with clients preferences- duration, places to visit, budget and etc. A very good value for money. We strongly recommend using their services, while travelling in Uganda.
We еspecially want to thank to our guide Bob, who was very friendly and always taking care of us. He was important part of this amazing journey.
From the heart-stopping moments of encountering wildlife in its natural habitat to the serene landscapes that define Uganda, this journey will forever hold a special place in our hearts, a life-changing experience, leaving us with memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
GN
Email Bernd | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing tour to Bwindi Gorilla area
communications were great, perfect summary of all parts of tour including contacts in advance,
good flights, perfect view to Lake Victoria, all pick ups on time, friendly and experienced driver,
excellent Buhoma Gorilla camp, great service , fantastic room, great food,
perfect Gorilla tracking
value the money!
BG
Email Ilian Shopov | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fabulous safari experience in Uganda - Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Mabamba Swamp!
I and my travel companion just came back from 12 days safari in Uganda with Grassrootz Adventures Safaris. I have not felt sorry even for a moment that I have chosen their offer out of eight quotes from various safari outfitters based in Uganda. In most cases we have to sacrifice the least expensive offer in favor of the best experience or vice versa, but with this safari the owner of Grassrootz Adventures - Sander van Zanten just nailed it from the very first email that I have received from him. I am quite experienced with African safaris person and a keen wildlife photographer and by no means I would consider myself an easy to satisfy customer. Sander did provide for every possible request of mine, including the type of vehicle that we used - safari Land Cruiser with two rows of seats behind the guide and side windows that we could open on both rows (except the pop-up roof, of course). Every other detail and aspect of the safari were discussed in details in a very professional manner.
Excellent communication with rapid response to every email that I have sent. I do plan my safaris very carefully, but Sander managed to further improve the overall experience by optimizing the schedule and offering a better accommodation for a lower price in Kidepo Valley National Park than the one that I had originally selected.
The guide Moses did his best to satisfy our needs and even added some extra activities. He can be flexible, when possible, just talk to him when you get new ideas during the trip.
We had one day and overnight in Entebbe, full day (just one day) transfer to Kidepo Valley NP, which was a long, but very interesting drive, followed by four nights at Savannah Lodge (it is actually an excellent tented camp), located on top of a hill some 50 meters from the "gate" of the park. There isn't a real gate, at least up to this moment, neither it is manned, so no need to wait in line or do any kind of paperwork before entering the park. Very comfortable large Meru style tents with a private flushing toilet and a real shower (hot water at any time). Batteries can be recharged at any time inside the tent or at the dining area. Stunning 360 degree views to the savannah and the surrounding mountains. Great food (four course dinner) and inexpensive drinks (cold Nile Special beer is less than 2 US dollars). The park itself is nothing short of spectacular. Although the number of visitors is increasing, it is still a very wild place with stunning scenery. We did hire park rangers for most of the game drives in Kidepo Valley, some drives we did with our guide only. We also did an optional night game drive with our vehicle (plus a park ranger) and a spot light rented from Savannah Lodge. Great luck with that - young adult male and female lions, lot of buffalo, porcupine, white tailed mongoose, grey duiker and other animals. During the day game drives we saw the largest buffalo herds that I have ever seen - perhaps over 2,000 heads, leopard in a tree, lioness with a kill (young buffalo), server cat, tons of oribis and defassa waterbuk, Rotchild's giraffes, Jackson's hartebeest. Quite a lot of birds, including a martial eagle.
The other park we visited was Murchison Falls NP. Fort Murchison was an excellent option just outside the park, about 10 minutes drive to Tangi Gate. Victoria Nile upstream (to the falls) and downstream (to the delta) boat safaris were included in the price. We did see the very rare Shoe billed stork and many other birds and animals from the boat (the Shoebill on the trip to the delta). The wildlife density in Murchison Falls NP is higher than in Kidepo Valley NP and although not as wild as Kidepo, there weren't as many visitors there as in Masai Mara or Serengeti. Sometimes we would drive for two-three hours without seeing any other vehicle.
I forgot to mention, that we did the Mabamba Swamp day tour while in Entebbe where we saw the Shoebill from a short distance. The swamp itself is a very beautiful place and there are many other water birds present. Do not forget to ask Sander to include this trip to your itinerary.
My personal advice to any prospective Uganda visitor would be not waste time, just contact Grassrootz Adventures and Sander will custom- build the best itinerary according to your requirements.
