A short drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge, we entered Queen Elizabeth National Park. We made our way down a bumpy dirt road to the check in center for visitors to the Kazinga Channel.
While we took a quick bathroom break, we had a chance to see warthogs wandering around the grounds, stopping to munch as they walked! (I had NO idea the warthogs knelt down with their front legs in order to eat!) We also saw a family of banded mongoose scurrying about!
Queen Elizabeth National Park - meeting some warthogs! (Erin Correia)
After checking in, we hopped back into the car and drove down to the boat docks. This is where the Volcanoes Safaris difference really comes into play. As we approached the dock, we saw the big double-decker tourist boat lined up. Travelers were being packed into it to begin their cruise of the channel - with many travelers stuck in upper deck, central seats, nowhere near the water. Our guide led us away from this boat, and on to our own private little luxury boat where every leather seat was close to the water, the wine was flowing freely, and the snacks were plentiful!
Kazinga Channel Cruise - the wine was ever-flowing and the snacks were delicious! (Erin Correia)
Thanks to our small size, we were able to cruise right along the coast as we made our way down the channel. The bird lovers were in paradise as we spotted and photographed so many beautiful (and often tiny) species of birds.
Kazinga Channel Cruise - enjoying the buffalo and crane (Erin Correia)
The mammal lovers were thrilled by the up-close encounters with buffalo and hippos in the water.
Along the shoreline, we also delighted in seeing crocodiles, elephants, warthogs, water bucks, monitor lizards and vervet monkeys as they enjoyed their beautiful evening by the river.
I was thankful for Volcanoes Safaris and how they operate this visit, which allowed us to have up close and personal experiences with these amazing creatures!
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
