UTB Certified Operator USTOA Member ATTA Member Google 4.4★ Rated Canada Registered Since 2015

Gorilla Trekking — Uganda

Volcanoes & Gorillas — Rwanda

Big Five — Kenya

Serengeti — Tanzania

East Africa — Fully Custom Safaris

The safari you've dreamed of — with someone who actually lives there.

We are a Canada-based tour operator with boots-on-the-ground expertise across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Fully custom. No group tours. Every detail handled — from your first email to the edge of the wild.

Find My Perfect Safari → Browse Itineraries

1,200+Safaris Completed

5Countries Covered

10+Years Experience

4.4★Google Rating

Where would you like to go?

Uganda 9 Itineraries

Rwanda 9 Itineraries

Kenya 13 Itineraries

Tanzania 8 Itineraries

We Understand

Planning a safari from North America feels overwhelming.

Three years of documentaries. Seventeen browser tabs. A dozen tour operator websites that all say the same thing. And still you're not sure — which destination? Which company? Is it actually safe? Will it be worth it? We hear this every single week. And we're going to answer every single one of those questions, right here.

Where do I even start?

Uganda and Rwanda and Kenya and Tanzania. Gorillas and Big Five. Permits that sell out months ahead. Accommodation tiers. Dry seasons and wet seasons. The planning complexity alone stops most people before they begin. We simplify all of it.

Is it actually safe?

This is always the first question — and it deserves a direct, honest answer. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania are stable, welcoming destinations visited by hundreds of thousands of North Americans annually. We'll give you the complete safety picture, not a marketing reassurance.

Is it worth $5,000–$15,000?

This is not a small purchase. It shouldn't be taken lightly. We believe the only way to answer that question honestly is to be completely transparent about what it costs, what you get, and why the price is what it is. Which is exactly what we do.

★★★★☆ Based on Verified Google Reviews

10+ Years Operating Since 2015

UTB USTOA ATTA

Industry Certified & Audited

Free 2-Minute Quiz

Not sure where to start? Let us find your match.

Planning a safari is deeply personal. Your dream might be standing 10 feet from a mountain gorilla in Bwindi's ancient forest. Or watching the Great Migration pour across the Mara River at dawn. Or a family journey where your children see an elephant for the first time and their world changes.

Our quiz takes 6 questions and 2 minutes. It matches you to the right experience, the right destination, and the right trip profile — then sends you a free personalized recommendation and our 20-page Safari Planning Guide.

✓ Personalized recommendation based on your specific answers
✓ 5 safari profiles — only one is right for you
✓ Free 20-page Safari Planning Guide delivered to your inbox
✓ No commitment. No credit card. Just clarity.

Takes less than 2 minutes · Completely free · Results sent immediately

Find Your Safari Match

6 questions · Some allow multiple answers · 2 minutes

Question 1 of 6

Your Perfect Match: ████ ████ Safari

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Unlock your personalized recommendation below

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Enter your name and email to unlock your result. You'll also receive our free 20-page Safari Planning Guide — everything North American travellers need to know before booking their first East Africa safari.

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"The moment you're imagining right now..."

...is exactly the moment we spend every day making possible.

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Verified Reviews

What our travellers actually say

Google · TripAdvisor · Safari Bookings — all verified

★★★★★

"Standing 10 feet from a mountain gorilla changed something in me permanently. Bashem made it look effortless — every permit, every lodge, every detail was handled before we even thought to ask."

Sarah M. Toronto, Canada Uganda Gorilla Trek

★★★★★

"We had no idea where to start. The quiz pointed us to exactly the right itinerary. We booked within a week. Best two weeks of our entire lives — and we travel extensively."

James & Carol T. Atlanta, USA Kenya & Tanzania Classic

★★★★★

"The local knowledge is something no international operator can replicate. Our guide knew every ranger by name, every trail by heart. We felt like insiders, not tourists."

Robert K. London, UK Rwanda Gorillas & Culture

★★★★★

"Our teenagers were skeptical. By day two they were begging to stay longer. The guides adapted everything for our family. Two years later it's still the trip they mention most."

Michelle D. Vancouver, Canada Uganda Family Safari

★★★★★

"When our flight was delayed they reorganized everything overnight without us knowing there was a problem until it was already solved. That's what genuine professionalism looks like."

Thomas W. New York, USA Tanzania Serengeti

★★★★★

"I travel solo and usually feel like an afterthought with large operators. Bashem treated my single trip with the same care as a group of ten. My guide became a genuine friend."

Jennifer L. Calgary, Canada Rwanda Solo Safari

Why Choose Bashem

What makes us genuinely different

Six things that separate a transformative safari from a disappointing one

🌍

Born Here, Not Just Been Here

Our guides grew up in these parks. They know every ranger by name, every trail by heart, every hidden viewpoint that doesn't appear in any guidebook. This is community knowledge — not the generic knowledge of someone who visited twice.

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Canada-Based Operations

Registered in Ottawa, Ontario. Your timezone. Your language. Your consumer protection laws. We understand exactly what North American travellers need and fear — because we live here too.

🗺️

Five Countries, One Trusted Operator

Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania. We don't hand you off to local agents. We don't use middlemen. One company, one team, one standard of care — from your first email to your final transfer.

✏️

Fully Custom — Every Single Time

Zero group tours. Zero fixed packages. Every itinerary is built from scratch around your group's specific size, ages, interests, fitness level, and budget. Your trip is yours.

🌱

Conservation Is Our Core

Every booking directly supports the people protecting the places we visit. The Batwa communities of Bwindi. Anti-poaching rangers. Community schools. Genuine conservation, not a marketing line.

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UTB + USTOA + ATTA Certified

Three major industry certifications, each requiring annual financial audits and professional conduct standards. They exist specifically to protect you from the many operators who are simply booking agents. We are not.

"We believe true travel goes beyond sightseeing."

— Bashem Safaris, on every trip for 10 years.

Featured Itineraries

Start with a proven journey

Three of our most loved trips — each fully customisable for your group

Plan with confidence

We believe you deserve honest numbers. Every trip is custom — these are real starting points, not teaser prices.

Entry Experience

From $2,400 USD/person

3–5 day focused itinerary

3–5 day focused itinerary
Comfortable accommodation
Local expert guide
All park entry fees
Airport transfers
Welcome briefing & planning call

Book a Free Consultation

Three steps to the adventure of your life

01 Step 01

Take the Free Quiz

Answer 6 questions about your destination dreams, travel style, timing, and budget. Takes 2 minutes. We'll match you to the right experience and send your personalized recommendation immediately.

02 Step 02

Free 20-Min Consultation

One call. Zero pressure. We'll design your custom itinerary together, answer every question you have — safety, costs, fitness requirements, gorilla permit timing, what to pack, what to expect. You leave the call with complete clarity.

03 Step 03

Experience the World

Arrive. Be present. Come home changed. We handle every permit, every lodge, every transfer, every meal arrangement. Your only job is to show up and experience it.

Important

Gorilla permits are genuinely scarce.

Only 8 people are allowed per gorilla family group per day. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has multiple family groups, but during peak season — June through September, and December through February — available permits sell out 4–6 months in advance.

This is not a marketing tactic. It's the reality of a protected species with limited access.

If you're planning to trek gorillas in 2026 or early 2027, the time to secure permits is now. We can check availability for your preferred dates in our first conversation.

Only 8 people per gorilla group per day

4–6 months typical permit lead time in peak season

$800 USD per person, Uganda

$1,500 USD per person, Rwanda

Check Your Dates →

Your Questions

Everything you need to know before you book

Honest answers. No marketing language.

Yes — Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania are stable, welcoming destinations visited by hundreds of thousands of North Americans and Europeans annually. We monitor all Canadian, US, and UK travel advisories in real time, conduct thorough pre-trip safety briefings, and have operated safely since 2015. Our guides are local community members who know the terrain, the people, and the conditions intimately. Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs rates Uganda and Rwanda as "Exercise Normal Security Precautions" — the same advisory as most of continental Europe.

The earlier the better — especially if you have specific dates in mind. During peak season (June–September and December–February), gorilla permits in Bwindi sell out 4–6 months ahead. For non-gorilla safaris, 4–8 weeks is usually sufficient outside of peak periods. We always recommend having your dates in mind before reaching out so we can check permit availability immediately.

A genuine safari starts around $2,400 per person for a 3–5 day experience and ranges to $15,000+ for extended luxury multi-country journeys. The biggest variables are lodge quality, trip duration, and whether gorilla permits are included. Gorilla permits are $800/person in Uganda and $1,500/person in Rwanda — they're a significant cost, but most people consider them the most valuable part of the trip. We are completely transparent about all costs from your first conversation.

Gorilla trekking involves hiking 1–8 hours through mountain forest that can be steep and muddy. Guides set the pace for your comfort level, and porters are available to carry bags and provide physical support on difficult sections. We have helped clients in their 70s successfully complete gorilla treks. The honest answer: most people with average everyday fitness can complete it. We'll give you an honest personal assessment on your consultation call — not a reassuring answer, an accurate one.

All packages include: accommodation, meals as specified in your itinerary, park entry fees, a dedicated local guide, and airport/hotel transfers throughout. Not included: international and regional flights, travel insurance (required), gorilla/chimpanzee permit fees, visa fees, gratuities, and personal spending. We provide a complete itemized cost breakdown in your proposal document — no surprises.

This is our specialty. We don't offer fixed packages — every itinerary is built from scratch around your group's specific size, ages, fitness levels, interests, dietary requirements, and budget. We've designed everything from solo expeditions to 12-person multi-generational family safaris spanning four countries over 21 days. No two trips we build are the same.

We are certified by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), a member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), and a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). Each certification requires annual financial audits and professional conduct standards. They are designed specifically to protect travellers from unaccountable operators — which is why we hold all three.

Our Impact

A decade of purposeful travel

1,200+ Safaris completed since 2015

9 million Acres of wildlife territory our work supports

5 Countries under one trusted operator

"Every safari booking supports the communities, rangers, and conservation programs protecting the places you'll visit. Travel that gives back isn't a marketing line — it's how we operate."

Ready to start planning? Let's talk.

Book a free 20-minute consultation. A safari advisor who has personally visited the destinations we're discussing will design your trip with you. No pressure. No obligation.

Book Your Free Consultation →

✓ Free 20-minute call — no commitment
✓ Speak with someone who has actually been there
✓ Custom proposal within 48 hours if you want it
✓ Gorilla permit availability checked immediately
✓ Honest pricing from the first conversation

One More Thing

If you've read this far, you're ready.

Most people who reach this section of our page have been thinking about an East Africa safari for months, sometimes years. They've done the research. They've watched the documentaries. They have a mental image of the moment they want to experience.

What's holding them back is rarely money. It's usually the fear of starting — making the first move with a tour operator they don't know yet. Our free quiz takes 2 minutes. It costs nothing. It doesn't obligate you to anything. And it gives you a personalized recommendation you can use whether you book with us or not.

Take the Free Safari Quiz → Or send us a message

Take the Free Safari Quiz →

🌎 Plan your dream safari
Free personalised quote in 24hrs

Take the Quiz →

The safari you've dreamed of — with someone who actually lives there.

Planning a safari from North America feels overwhelming.

Not sure where to start? Let us find your match.

Your safari match is ready

"The moment you're imagining right now..."

What our travellers actually say

What makes us genuinely different

Start with a proven journey

Plan with confidence

Three steps to the adventure of your life

Gorilla permits are genuinely scarce.

Everything you need to know before you book

A decade of purposeful travel

Ready to start planning? Let's talk.

If you've read this far, you're ready.

Get the free Safari Planning Guide

Get the free Safari Planning Guide

Ready to Plan Your Dream Safari?