A fraction of our Team.
Big Apes Africa
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- USAGA, UTB & UWA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,469 to $17,345 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
AE
Email Eman Ersheid | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good
I had a good experience with Big Apes Company. Even though I chose the budget options for hotels, they turned out to be very good, and their restaurants were excellent. The only thing that I didn't like was, the Company didn't give any cash money to my tour guide/driver, every time we stopped for fuel or food, we had to wait for at least 45 minutes till the Company sends money in order for the guide to pay, which was really a big waste of time and I was really frustrated.
I really recommend you to book with them, as their price comparing to the others was the best, however, please make sure that this scenario doesn't happen to you as well, otherwise, it could really affect your trip.
BE
Email Thomas Vanderschaeghe | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great gorilla experience
We booked a gorilla trek in Bwindi forest with Big Apes. The transport to and from the starting point of the trek was very good, and the person picking us up did a very good job. Only point was that I asked my point of contact in the back office several times for information about hour and location to pick us up and asked several times to send out the final invoice and the permits, but did not receive that information until the evening before the trek (causing stress). In the end we did the payment settlement after the tour in a hotel where we had wifi. In the end the tour worked out very well, but communication can be improved.
Email Harry | under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very helpful, honest and punctual.
We had a brilliant time. The accommodation was all good and our guide made every effort to make our time enjoyable.
Gorillas were amazing.
PH
Email Karla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I recommend Big Apes Africa!
I did my first ever Gorilla tracking with Big Apes Africa at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Adams really made the whole day trip memorable. My guide was very fun, relaxed, and knowledgeable about mountain gorillas at the same time and everything was amazing, nice trek, beautiful weather overall. I definitely recommend them. Peter helped me with my travel around Uganda as well. They would be a great choice!
Thanks and Godspeed :D
BE
Email Ritah | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
My trip with Big Apes Africa is definitely one that will stay on my mind. This trip was organised on short notice with the help of one of the Safari experts at their office in Kampala and within just two weeks, everything was sorted.
Our guide Peter is only knowledgeable but the friendliest I have met.
Without a doubt, this company gave me value for money and more!!!
BE
Email Andreas V | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing trip with an excellent tour guide, but disappointing back-office support
This trip was amazing. Ben was lovely and helped us out very well. Nevertheless, the vehicle that was addressed to us was below expectations, and frankly not safe. The seatbelts weren't working, the dashboard was broken (no speed and gas indicator) and the engine broke down. As a result we were stranded multiple times for several hours. Ben, our guide, tried to make the best of the situation and the vehicle he was given (thank you Ben!), but back-office support was very disappointing. Peter, the manager, ignored us, didn't contact us to provide more info and neither did he apologise. A manager should take responsibility for the shortcomings of its company, instead of hiding behind an employee.
DE
Email Livia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The company still needs to refine a few things.
Communication was uncomplicated. The service from our driver was practically nonexistent. We're not even 20 anymore and would have appreciated more courtesy and assistance (ages 65 and 72). And planning for cash was a disaster. We were repeatedly told we didn't need cash, but everyone wanted tips in the hotels. The dollar bills weren't valid, and so we lost time constantly having to deal with such things. The car was incredibly dirty, both inside and out, which we found very unpleasant.
The tour was the usual one always offered in Uganda. The Nile tours are very beautiful. And the highlight, of course, are the gorillas, in a very well-organized park.
Email Piero | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A few Issues and an Inexperienced Guide
Unfortunately, our trip did not meet the 5-star expectations that led us to book this experience. From the outset, there were a number of concerns that impacted our overall enjoyment.
On the first day, we were left waiting outside the Genocide Memorial for over 45 minutes. Our guide dropped us off at the entrance and said he would park the car and return, but he never reappeared. We tried looking for him around the area and the vehicle, but he was nowhere to be found. We never received an explanation for what happened during that time.
The driving throughout Kigali felt unsafe and erratic. The guide frequently seemed unsure of the directions, and on multiple occasions, we had to assist using Google Maps. It was evident that he lacked confidence driving in Rwanda and was unfamiliar with many of the destinations on our itinerary.
Communication was another major challenge. Instructions and updates were often unclear and lacked the level of professionalism we expected. While it was clear that our guide meant well and was trying to do a good job, we strongly feel he needs further training and more experience to meet the standards promised.
Additionally, prior to the start of the trip, we attempted several times to pay the remaining balance ahead but did not receive the invoice until the final day of the trip. We were then told we couldn’t leave the lodge until payment was made — despite unreliable Wi-Fi and power outages that made it nearly impossible to complete the transaction promptly. This situation made us feel as if we were being held hostage, which was stressful and unnecessary.
That said, we do want to acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the support we received from the company during the trip, especially when we had to cancel the Golden Monkey trek due to a health issue with my partner. The understanding and flexibility shown during that situation were truly appreciated and made a difficult moment easier to manage.
While there were some highlights — notably the incredible gorilla trekking and a few lovely accommodations — these moments were overshadowed by the logistical issues and lack of professionalism throughout the rest of the experience.
Average
Final review of our 9 day tour with Big Apes Africa Safaris and I'd be lying if I said there weren't issues. Basically we had a quote from Peter at Big Apes last year and after reviewing the Itinerary and accommodation, we decided to go with Big Apes, and made our final payment in December 2023 for the tour to start in 31 Jan 2024, funds were taken out of my account a couple of days after payment
.
The first issue was the accommodation stated in the Itinerary was way out of date (see below) from day 1. Peter's response to this was "it's in the clients best interest", I'd say lame response as keeping the client informed of any changes would be in our best interest. Talking to staff at the replacement accommodation and Big Apes have been staying there for some time so the list may not have been accurate from the start.
Itinerary accommodation Actual Accommodation
Entebbe - Airport Guest House Green Valley Guest House
Murchison Falls - Parkside Safari Lodge Parkside Safari Lodge
Kibale National Park - Rweteera Safari Park Kibale Forest Camp (tent)
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Engiri Game Pumba Safari Cottages
Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Mucha Bweza Lodge - Rushaga Bwindi
Riverside Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge
Kyahugye Island
Our Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge was changed from Day 6 to the morning of Day 7 resulting in missing out looking for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector and heading straight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as we now didn't have the time. I think the issue here was payment of the Chimp Trekking permits had not been made by Big Apes Safari on time.
Our guide Gerald for the tour was great went out of his way to ensure we saw the "Big 5" and dealt with the issues as best as he could.
The choice to use this company is yours alone, I emailed some to the people leaving positive reviews before and during the tour, but not one person responded to my email....no idea why. Feel free to email me about our tour as I can't comment on anything other than that.
Happy Travels and walk your own path.
IT
Email Loredana Setti | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Just adequate. Not up to the description on the web. Just adeguate
The company contacted us by email before departure, but then they never contacted us again. The driver/guide was very good, but he was a freelancer, not a member of the company.
The hotels were very mediocre (except in Bwindi), especially the lodge in the Queen Elizabeth, with inadequate staff and terrible food.