This is a page for your chronicles about your time on Safari with Kimbla-Mantana. Here you may share the highlights of your Safari, as well as showcase your best photos.
Please email us with your highlights and your photo(s), and we'll display them here for you. Our description will provide your first names, city, and date of visit.
Hi Justina!Thank you so much! We had such a great trip. Our time in Uganda was great and Gabriel (guide) was really good. We have a lot of really great pictures. I am going to get them onto a CD and then I will email you a few of them because I have really good gorilla ones... just in case you want any for the web site or anything. We are back in Calgary now and promoting Uganda and Kimbla-Mantana. The lodge being built in BWINDI looks great…we might have to go back sometime to see it. The staff at all three camps was fantastic; we really enjoyed our time at each camp. The food was also really good. This was very different than the trips that we normally go on (backpacking), so we soaked it all in. Thanks again for all of your help!
Sarah and Scott , Calgary, September 2007
I can not even find words to describe how amazing my trip was. East Africa has changed my life forever and for the better. I was missing it before we even left and could have stayed for at least another 2 weeks! For me, the weather was really not that bad and honestly only added to the experience. As well, we were reminded frequently of the skills of our drivers and the high quality of Kimbla-Mantana. I never once was worried about getting stuck or injured. We always received the best service and care. Thank you so much for that! I know that this was merely my first time to East Africa and I am already thinking of ways to save money to plan the next adventure! The only misfortune for me was not being able to see all of Kilimanjaro, but that means I will HAVE to come back. Thank you again for all your hard work.
Kaarin, Sigonella, Italy, December 2006
We just returned from our safari yesterday and wow, what an amazing experience. I can truly say it was the most amazing vacation I have ever been on. While it was wetter and cooler than we expected, it was an outstanding trip. I am very pleased with Kimbla-Mantana and our driver guides.
We started in Kenya with Dedan, Jacob and Walter and they were fantastic. I was in the Landcruiser with Dedan and I learned so much about the parks and the animals, more than I ever could have imagined. He was truly an outstanding guide, extremely knowledgeable and made sure we got up close and personal with everything (: We did spend a lot of time pulling other vehicles out of the mud in the Masai Mara. All I can say is thank you Kimbla-Mantana for having 4 wheel drive vehicles.
We then moved on to Tanzania and there also had a good safari. While Dedan's shoes were very hard to fill, Good Luck did a fine job. I was so amazed at the beauty of both countries, much greener than I imagined. The people everywhere we went were so friendly.
People keep asking me what we saw and I tell them everything, there isn't one thing I can think of that we didn't see that I hoped to see. We even saw 3 of the 5 "small five." I didn't even know there was a small five until Dedan told us about them.
I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work putting this together for us. It was a very busy and fast paced vacation but well worth every penny. I will definitely be taking another safari and will contact you to help.
Thanks again Justina, I look forward to working with you on my next safari.
Amy, Sigonella, Italy, December 2006
Got back from Uganda Saturday night. Very long trip, but worth every minute of travel time. The gorillas had us totally enthralled. The experience is one that I'll never forget.
We found all the animals we wanted to except the leopard, but not because Gabriel and the guides didn't try. We did get to see three lionesses hunt a waterbuck and drove past the male lion on our way out. It was exceptional. The lions used our Landrover as cover to sneak up on the waterbuck and we radioed another group so they could watch. Other than that one other group we called we didn't see any other tourists that day and that was exactly the kind of safari I was hoping for.
The last day at Lake Mburo was so magical I could never convey it in words properly. I got up to watch the sunrise and found zebra were sleeping all around my tent.
I loved the people in Uganda. Everyone was so friendly, especially the children! Loved the children!
Thanks again for everything, it was better than expected.
Laura, Seattle, September 2006
My first trip to Africa was an incredible experience!!!!! Chimp trekking, gorilla trekking, the bat caves, and ALL of the game drives were definite highlights for me.
ALL of Kimbla-Mantana's staff in both Uganda and Kenya made me feel most welcome with their famous smiles. Both of our guides - Moses in Uganda and Walter in Kenya - made me feel safe with their skillful driving, not to mention the fact that they are extremely kind and are expert guides!!!
Thank you all for the most wonderful memories I will ALWAYS carry with me!!!
Jeanne, Washington, DC, April 2006
We are all back safely after a "WONDERFUL" time in Uganda. Thanks to you all for your extremely professional and friendly service.
The safari was very well organized, very comfortable, and very professional. Gabriel, our driver/guide was particularly good -- very professional, very concerned for our welfare and our interests, and a great birder! Our stays at the tented camps were very nice. We saw an incredible amount of wildlife -- I think we got very lucky. We saw a leopard -- twice! And the tree-climbing lions. And elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park. And nine or 10 different types of primates in Kibale. And tons of birds. And the chimps and gorillas, of course! It was really fantastic.
We had a very special, incredible trip to Uganda. We definitely look forward to going back there. And will definitely recommend Kimbla-Mantana highly to our friends and family traveling in East Africa.
The PK Family, Denver, February 2006
Our Tanzania safari with Tanzania based Classic Safari Tours, coordinated by Kimbla-Mantana, was much more than we expected or had hoped for. Not only did we see all the animals we had hoped for, but some of our encounters were really amazing. Our highlight was a full-blown lion fight right in front us! Other highlights were wonderful sunrises at the start of a day of safariing, the wonderful serengeti scenery, and the microcosm, density, and variety of animals in Ngorongoro Crater. A special treat of a Maasai Cultural show at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on New Years Eve was very special. Excellent guiding and help from our guide Naiman Kimuto will have him and Classic Safari Tours/Kimbla-Mantana doing the same for myself and our friends and relatives in the future.
We safaried in Kruger National Park in South Africa after Tanzania and while that was also a memorable experience I will point future Africa adventurers towards Tanzania and Kimbla-Mantana. Justina Lambert at Kimbla-Mantana went above and beyond the call of duty in answering our millions of questions as we prepared for the trip. Justina says I'm now an Africaholic and I sincerely agree with her!
Tom and Patty, Seattle, January 2006
Their ad says "Uganda, Gifted by Nature." What an understatement. Uganda blew our minds with its spectacular wildlife and its friendly people. Our expectations were exceeded at every turn. The highlights were undoubtedly trekking for the wild chimps in Kibale and trekking for the rare mountain gorillas for two days in Bwindi National Park. In between we managed to get some great shots of birds, hippos and just about everything else you could imagine. All up close (sometimes too close!) and personal.
We were really pleased with our gorilla pictures. Even though the photo taking was difficult at times and we sweat gallons trekking up mountain sides to get to them, it was all worth it in the end. Check out what else Uganda had to offer and visit our photo journal (Click Here), or check out the detailed written accounts (Click Here).
Thanks to Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris and all their staff. The trip you pulled together for us has been a thrill of a lifetime.
The McKinney Family, Calgary, January 2006
My safari was wonderful...from the moment I stepped off the plane in Entebbe and met Gerald until I returned home, everything was great.
I was able to see gorillas on both days I trekked. The first day we walked for over 4 and 1/2 hours before we found the gorillas. The second day we trekked for only 2 hours and found them. They are beautiful and magnificent animals. And although it was early on in my trip, it was the highlight. That is not to say, however, that everything after that was a letdown. Indeed, it was not. I enjoyed immensely both Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo.
The people and the facilities (The Boma, the tented safari camps) were great. The food was excellent. My time spent in Uganda memorable.
So now I'm looking ahead to my next trip. Thank you very much for planning such an unforgettable trip for me.
Isaiah, Sicily, December 2005
My Kenyan trip - it was the Best EVER, thanks to you and your patience, your insight and kindness. The safari was perfect! Personally I was worried if I would like going on a safari by myself, but Jacob was the best. He was patient, allowing me the time to view what I enjoyed, he never gave up the search for more animals. He was amazing - professional, a gentleman - everything!!!
My evening with Lis and Tony - another memorable evening!!! They are such beautiful people and were so kind to invite me for dinner!
Thanks again for everything you did to make my trip such a success, Justina! As I have explained to numerous people - I woke up in the morning with the first thought being "I'm so happy"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of you made it possible!
Becky, Alexandria, Virginia, December 2005
I can't thank Kimbla-Mantana enough for such a wonderful experience. Uganda is such a special place indeed, with the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffe and all the other amazing animals. The people of Uganda were so beautiful and friendly. The accommodations were spectacular. The staff and amazing chefs made us feel like royalty.
We were honored to help build a mud hut for a family in the Batwa pygmy village, as well as being entertained with singing and dancing by the Bwindi Orphans Group. The mountain gorillas were too incredible for words. Walking with young orphaned chimps was a once in a lifetime experience. Kimbla-Mantana shows you Africa as it was meant to be seen - on the ground - not from a bus.
Susan, Washington, DC, September 2005
We got home today exhausted, but very happy. Our safari was absolutely wonderful!
Simply astounding!!! Kenya and Tanzania will definitely be seeing me again and again and again. The lodges were superb. Simon and Manuel were fantastic. We're convinced they have eagle eyes. How on earth they see the things they do baffles me. The service at the Serena hotels were top class!! I have never had service like that anywhere in the world. We bargained like merchants with the locals. Bought tons of souvenirs. Took millions of pictures.
Took deep breaths of fresh wild air. Saw so many animals that I don't think I'll ever visit a zoo again. Some of the highlights include running for our lives and dying with laughter at the Serengeti Serena after a resident buffalo decided to take a drink from its garden pool. We were on our way to dinner one night when one of the waitresses, holding a flashlight, told us to "get back to our room." Being curious I took a closer look, then saw the huge creature.
At the Masai Mara, we saw four cheetahs walking along the road, and watched for two days as two male lions ate a hippo's head. By the third day a pack of hyenas dispatched the remains to the bone. We visited a Masai village in Amboseli and danced with the villagers. We had camel and ostrich at the Carnivore restaurant. Delicious! Lake Nakuru took our breath away. The boat ride on Lake Victoria was tranquility.
The Ngorongoro Crater is an act of God. Its vast herds of gnu and zebra and a pride of eight lions on the hunt that Manuel spotted was sensational. Being surrounded by a herd of elephants in the forest of Lake Manyara was unforgettable. Feeding giraffe at the Giraffe Center slowed time and freed laughter. Having dozens of children greet us and hold our hands at a village in Lake Victoria touched our soul.
Thank you for helping to make our safari an experience of a lifetime. My heart ached when I left.
Gilbert, Los Angeles, June 2005
We had an absolutely fabulous time and hopefully can come back soon.
Heather and Albert, Toronto, February 2005
Thank you to all of the staff at Kimbla-Mantana for making me feel at home in your camps while on safari in Uganda and Kenya. Everything was incredible - from the scenery, to the camps, to the food - and James and Gabriel were wonderful guides!
Trekking the gorillas in Uganda was absolutely amazing. I was in awe at how close we were
able to come to these beautiful and gentle souls. Migration in Masai Mara was so phenomenal. The amount of wildlife was staggering - watching the river crossings of wildebeest and zebra was really inspiring!
The whole safari felt like heaven on earth. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. I can't wait to be back with Kimbla-Mantana again!
