Great Lakes Safaris Limited is a tour company that specializes in organizing and facilitating wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking, bird watching, cultural tours, and other adventure activities in Uganda and East Africa.
The company was founded in 2001 and has since established itself as one of the leading tour operators in the region.
Great Lakes Safaris operates a fleet of well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicles, and employs knowledgeable and experienced guides who are familiar with the local flora and fauna, as well as the cultural heritage of the area.
The company also owns and operates several safari lodges and campsites, providing comfortable accommodation for its clients during their tours.
Great Lakes Safaris owner
Amos Wekesa, a businessman, entrepreneur and corporate executive is the founder and managing director of Great Lakes Safaris Limited.
From 1997 until 2001, he worked in four different tour operating companies as a lowly-paid office employee.
In 2001, with $200 in savings, without a motor vehicle and with his office underneath a staircase, in Kampala, Wekesa founded Great Lakes Safaris.
His other investments include Uganda Lodges Limited, a collection of four unique eco-friendly safari facilities.
Wekesa is married to Susan Amy Wekesa and together are the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter.
Great Lakes Safaris lodges
Uganda Lodges is a collection of authentic African style safari lodges, located in Uganda’s most popular national parks.
The lodges are immersed in nature and brought to life by community, offering guests an unforgettable stay and meaningful connection with the natural world.
Under Uganda Lodges, Great Lake Safari had five lodges, namely;
- Elephant Plains lodge.
- Primate Lodge Kibale.
- Budongo Eco lodge.
- Simba Safari Camp.
- MV Kazinga.
1. Elephant Plains lodge
Elephant Plains is a luxury lodge located on the most spectacular viewpoint in the whole of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Perched 941 metres above sea level, high upon the western escarpment of the Albertine rift in the northeast of the park, the lodge offers panoramic views stretching for miles over the huge open grasslands to lake George.
Guest accommodation is across 6 cottages and 2 family cottages well-spaced for privacy all with exceptional views across the national park.
Each spacious cottage has a large ensuite bathroom with shower and bath, comfortable large beds, and generous verandas with snug seating.
Other lodge amenities include a spacious dining terrace, a well-stocked bar, a secluded lounge area, an evening campfire and large swimming pool with a view.
Set in 80 acres of pristine wilderness, a short drive to the park gate, nowhere else here can you sleep closer to the equator.
Set above lake Kikorongo from where the open plains merge into the crystal waters where Elephants come to drink from the water.
The Kasenyi plains has fantastic game viewing, a huge number of grassland birds and is a major breeding ground for the Ugandan Kob which attracts lions and other big cats to the area.
Activities
- Game drives in the Kasenyi Plains
- Wildlife viewing at Mweya Peninsula
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
- Exploration of the Crater Lakes
- Chimp tracking in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
- Forest Walks in Maramagambo Forest
- Finding tree climbing lions in Ishasha
- Cross the Equator
2. Primate Lodge Kibale
Primate Lodge is located in the heart of Kibale rainforest National Park, Uganda’s primates’ paradise and home to over 13 different species of primates and numerous other mammals, butterflies and birds.
The lodge is tucked deep in the forest and right next to the starting point for Chimpanzee tracking excursion as well as the incredible Chimpanzee Habituation, really, two of the most genuinely breath-taking wildlife experiences on the planet.
It boasts nine spacious and en-suite Luxury Cottages, each secluded deep in the forest for maximum privacy and a natural ‘living in nature’ feel, come complete with 2x Double size Bed or 1x King Size Bed, a sitting area with two comfortable arm chairs, a reading table and an adjoining large veranda with excellent views to the forest.
They also have a honeymoon cottage as a double occupancy, it is very popular with honeymooners, anniversaries and the hopeless romantics who can also enjoy private lounging and dining at the extensive cottage and a private veranda that seems to go right into the forest.
Other lodge amenities include a massage parlor, spacious dining terrace, a well-stocked bar, complimentary room service, a secluded lounge area with a small library, an evening campfire, free laundry service and free Wi-Fi in the public areas.
Activities
- Chimp Tracking
- Chimp Habituation Experience
- Forest Walk
- Birding
- Nocturnal Walk
- Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Bigodi Village Walk
- Exploration of the Crater Lakes
- Sebitole Forest
- Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail
- Hike at the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains
- Visit to the tea estates
3. Budongo Eco lodge
Nestled in the heart of Budongo Central Forest Reserve, within the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Eco Lodge is one of the undiscovered pearls of Uganda.
Being the habitat of more than 600 chimpanzees and 8 other species of primates, Budongo Forest has one of the largest communities of chimps in the country.
It is also home to rare forest bird species, such as the Puvel’s Illadopses, which is endemic to this region.
Moreover, Budongo Reserve is the largest remaining Mahogany forest in East Africa, with impressive trees growing up to 80 meters.
The Kaniyo Pabidi Eco-tourism site, which was first managed by the Jane Goodall Institute, was taken over in August 2009 and changed its name to Budongo Eco Lodge under the management of Uganda Lodges.
Together with the National Forest Authority (NFA) we have made it our task to develop this relatively unknown tourism site and to protect the forest reserve with its unique species of primates, birds and plants.
Budongo Eco Lodge consists of comfortable eco-cabins with private veranda, four spacious dorm rooms, a visitor’s centre and restaurant.
In addition, the lodge offers many different activities in the direct surroundings, including chimp tracking, chimpanzee habituation, forest walks and bird watching.
The combination of this eco-tourism facility with superb safari accommodation and a wide choice of forest activities provides a wonderful mix of relaxation and adventure, set against the unique backdrop of the untouched African nature.
Activities
- Chimp Tracking
- Chimp Habituation Experience
- Birding
- Forest Walks
- Wildlife Safaris
4. Simba Safari Camp
Simba Safari Camp, renowned for excellent hospitality, is nestled atop a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo on the edge of Uganda’s most popular Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The lodge boasts a panoramic views across the park’s extensive savannah plains teeming with wildlife as well as Lakes George and the famed Kazinga Channel.
It is the closest accommodation to QE’s Kasenyi plains on the edge of Lake George, the famed mating grounds for the Uganda Kobs and thus the most preferred area for game viewing drives.
It is also closest to the other areas of northern Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the Mweya Peninsula and the Kazinga Channel; well known for launch cruises, close range game-viewing as well as bird-viewing.
There is also an opportunity to go for guided chimpanzees tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
In December 2008 Simba Safari Camp opened her doors in one of the most frequently visited parks in Uganda.
The comfortable and low budget safari accommodation is located right on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park and only two kilometers from the Equator.
One part is overlooking the scenic crater lakes and plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, while on the other side the high peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains stand out against the horizon.
Simba Safari Camp has a total capacity of 70 beds including family cottages, twin rooms and dormitories. A variety of meals and drinks are served in the restaurant with an adjacent bar and sitting area.
Activities
- Game drives in the Kasenyi Plains
- Wildlife viewing at Mweya Peninsula
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
- Exploration of the Crater Lakes
- Chimp tracking in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
- Forest Walks in Maramagambo Forest
- Finding tree climbing lions in Ishasha
- Cross the Equator
5. MV Kazinga
MV Kazinga provides comfortable seating with tables and large viewing windows as well as a top standing deck for seeing the channels prolific wildlife.
The luxury cruise welcomes all ages of the family, providing drinks and snacks whilst tour guests observe the incredible wildlife along the banks and in the waters of the channel.
The cruise guide presents Kazinga animal and birdlife sharing their knowledge and passion with guests for an unforgettable experience.
Cruises leave Mweya Peninsula three times a day:
- Morning 8:30 – 10:30 am
- Afternoon 2:00 – 4:00 pm
- Special sunset cruise 4:30 – 6.30 pm (sundowner includes a drink and snacks on board)
Great Lakes Safaris safari experiences
1. Uganda Safaris
(a) Ultimate Uganda 20th Anniversary Special Safari (21 days)
This magnificent 20-night safari takes you to five remarkable National Parks, including Murchison Falls where you’ll get a chance to see the big 5 plus see the falls in person.
Kibale Forest is where you’ll set off to trek for chimpanzees with the chance to see all 13 primates in this area.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to tree-climbing lions and wildlife galore, before you set off to Bwindi to trek for the majestic Mountain Gorillas.
End your safari at Jinja where you can wind down with some water adventure or lakeside relaxation.
(b) Uganda Classic Safari (15 days)
On the first day, you will be welcomed by a representative of Great Lakes Safaris who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala.
Depending on the time of arrival, a guide will take you on a city tour for an exciting introduction with the capital.
Visit some interesting and historical sites, including the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the Uganda Museum and of course the African Craft Village.
On the second day, you will depart for Murchison Falls National Park where you will enjoy a lunch stop in Masindi before entering the park.
You will visit the magnificent falls where you will enjoy and marvel at the mighty Nile. The famous waterfall is being forced into a seven meter crevice, to thunder 45 meters below in a serie of cascades.
This spectacular scenery can be viewed from different points up at the baler’s summit. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.
On the last day, you will go for a nature walk guided by a ranger. Lake Mburo is the only national park where you can experience a safari on foot.
After breakfast you will travel to Kampala with a stop at the equator for photos or shopping. Arrival late in the afternoon in Kampala followed by an overnight at Orchidea Guesthouse.
(c) Uganda Discovery Safari (7 days)
This 6-night safari takes you to five remarkable National Parks, including Kibale Forest where you’ll set off to trek for chimpanzees with the chance to see all 13 primates in this area.
A brief morning in Queen Elizabeth National Park will be where you can look out for treeclimbing lions and wildlife galore, before you set off to Bwindi to trek for the majestic Mountain Gorillas.
End your safari at Lake Mburo where you can wind down your safari with some night-drives and lakeside relaxation.
2. Rwanda Safaris
(a) Rwanda Gorilla Safari (4 days)
On the first day, you can enjoy a guided city tour and visit some interesting, historical sites, including the Kigali Memorial Centre.
You will have lunch in the capital city before we proceed to the most beautiful national park of the country; Volcanoes National Park.
It is the area with rich montaine ecosystems, from bamboo forest to open grassland and swamps.
You will end the safari with a relaxed breakfast and enjoy the beautiful scenery one more time as you travel back to Kigali with packed lunch. Depending on the time of your international flight you will be dropped at Kigali International Airport.
(b) Rwanda Discovery Safari (11 days)
You will travel from the capital city of Kigali to the wilderness in Akagera.
Enjoy a true jungle experience in Nyungwe Forest where you can track the chimpanzees, unwind at the shores of the beautiful Lake Kivu.
Your safari ends with the ultimate highlight: a meeting with Africa’s mountain gorillas.
(c) Volcanoes & lakes of Rwanda (5 days)
Start your safari with a unique city tour by foot, followed by a traditional lunch.
Explore the thousands of hills, come eye to eye with the impressive mountain gorillas and finally unwind at the lovely beaches at Lake Kivu.
Great Lakes Safaris contacts
Website: www.greatlakessafaris.com
Tel: +256 772426368
