Peter Amanya and our guide in the safari van
Buyaga Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- UTB & AUTO MEMBER
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $450 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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Reviews
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Email Guilherme Valles | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Perfect tour with the Perfect safari company
My trip to Uganda was an unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to the exceptional service provided by Buyaga Safari. From the initial planning stages, Peter, the owner, was incredibly responsive and helpful. He promptly answered all my questions, offering valuable suggestions that helped me craft the perfect itinerary. I booked the 3-day tour, which included the highly anticipated gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. Both experiences were absolutely incredible, especially the gorilla trekking – I was able to get remarkably close to these magnificent creatures, a truly awe-inspiring moment.
Buyaga Safaris not only delivers an outstanding experience but also offers very competitive pricing compared to other safari companies in Uganda. This made the trip even more appealing.
However, the highlight of my journey was undoubtedly my guide, Osman. He was more than just a guide; he quickly became a friend. Osman is a knowledgeable, caring, and genuinely good-humored person. He enriched my understanding of Uganda by sharing insights into its history and culture, and we enjoyed many engaging conversations about everything from our families to the local people. He also knew when to allow for quiet moments of reflection during our drives. Osman’s presence truly elevated my trip, and I know it wouldn't have been the same without him. I left Uganda with cherished memories and a lifelong friend. I wholeheartedly recommend Buyaga Safari, especially if you have the good fortune to be guided by Osman.
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Email Geoff O'Connor | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extraordinary safari experience!!
I recently returned from an extraordinary 15 day adventure in Uganda with Buyaga Safaris. What a fantastic experience. Peter, the owner, planned my trip perfectly. He listened to my wishlist and made it happen. He was very prompt and flexible in all our communications and was determined to make my trip the best it could be. I opted for the mid level accommodations and was extremely happy with all my stays. I experienced some of the best views and nicest people I’ve encountered in my life. I requested several quotes and Buyaga’s was the best value for the money by far.
Some of the activities on the trip included trekking chimpanzees in the Kibale National Forest, safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey trekking in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and safaris by land and lake in Lake Mburo National Park. We also did a variety of other amazing day hikes and activities along the way that made this one of the best experiences of my life.
I want to especially thank my exceptional guide and new close friend, Simpson. His experience, energy, great personality, driving skills, as well as seemingly knowing everyone where we traveled made Uganda feel like home and provided some special VIP treatment.
I highly recommend Buyaga Safaris!
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Email Zbigniew Kudas | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Attentive, flexible and thorough
Uganda gave us a unique, overwhelming experience. The country’s nature is very exotic and at the same time really diversified. People are very kind, with an easy smile. We did a 12 days tour round the country with BUYAGA Safaris and each day was different, from savanna, the Nile to waterfalls and tropical forests in the mountains. And visiting gorillas in the jungle was one in a lifetime experience.
We had the excellent guide, Azariah, who spent 20 years as a ranger in various national parks. Not only he had all the answers about the wildlife, animals and birds, but was able and willing to engage in conversations about the country itself, its people, customs, economy and culture. Azariah was really exceptional guide.
It was a private, mid-range tour and accommodation was generally good and very good, with one exception in the Kibale Forest National Park. Food was excellent everywhere.
We would strongly recommend BUYAGA as a tour operator!
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Email Katerina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable!
Our safari trip with Buyaga Safaris was absolutely amazing! From start to finish, every minute was filled with excitement. A huge thank you to our guide, Gavis, whose hospitality made this experience even more memorable. He kept us entertained during the long drives and always had snacks ready when we needed a little pick-me-up. He is such a kind soul and he treated us like queens.
We also want to express our gratitude to Peter, the organizer, who went above and beyond in assisting us. We had forgotten to apply for our visa at the last minute, but Peter stepped in and helped us sort it out so we could travel smoothly. Also his prompt responses to every inquiry were truly appreciated.
It’s rare to find such a dedicated team that truly cares about their guests, and Buyaga Safaris certainly delivered.
The gorilla and chimp trekking were absolutely out of this world! We got so lucky! getting up close with these incredible creatures was an experience we’ll never forget. We were able to capture some beautiful memories that will stay with us forever. It’s not every day you get to be that close to such rare and majestic animals! Definitely a highlight of our trip!
The lodges were just wow! Staying there was an experience in itself. You really feel like you’re immersed in the wild. At night, it was incredible to have animals come right up to your terrace to say hi. There’s something truly magical about watching the wildlife so close, yet from the comfort of your lodge. The whole setting made us feel like we were part of nature, not just observing it from a distance. It added such a unique and unforgettable touch to the trip.
Email Nick | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing tour experience!
We (couple) did a 9 day tour from Entebbe Airport, finishing in Kigali. I would highly recommend Buyaga Safaris as well as Uganda as a must visit country!
Anderson is a truly exceptional guide; hard working, knowledgeable and very friendly. One of the accommodation options did not meet our expectations (Kibale Forest Lodge), we told Anderson we were a little disappointed but it was ok for two nights. Without any prompting, he found an alternative option, told us the price difference and arranged for us to move hotels. He constantly checks in and worked hard to make sure we had a good time on our tour. We were interested to learn as much about the country as we could while we were there and Anderson was very knowledgeable about the history of his country, culture and almost as knowledgeable about all the animals as the local guides we used along the way.
Peter was very responsive and helpful arranging the tour and managing our booking.
The roads in Uganda are pretty good (except for getting to Bwindi) so the vans with the open top option is more than suitable for this tour. I dont think you need an operator that has the 4WD.
My only other tip is, for the Gorilla trek, to really insist that you only having similar levels of fitness in your group (I am not sure how much say you actually have with the rangers though). They will make sure everyone sees the gorillas, even if the person isnt really fit enough for the activity. One of the people in our group required an "african helicopter" (worth a google) to get out of the jungle and it probably meant we had to sit around for 2 hours as they cut down half the forest to carry this tourist out. We still had an amazing experience but it definitely wasnt ideal.
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Email Jason | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Solo Gorilla Safari
The company was very good with communications both before and during the trip! I was picked up promptly on time to begin the journey! My guide/driver, Osmund was a young and friendly guy that took care of everything I needed! The trip went exactly as the itinerary stated! The gorillas and chimpanzee and Queen Elizabeth safaris were incredible!
Note this tour is not backpacker friendly and you will be staying in fancy accommodation and proper meals! Perhaps the company can offer the tour doing things more local with local accommodations and food to enhance the experience and safe money.
Overall, a great experience and I am glad I did this once in a lifetime trip!
Thank you Peter for arranging and Osmund for guiding!
Email Tim Bishop | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb: helpful and excellent value
Peter at Buyaga provided us with a brilliant service. He put together the perfect 4 day tour which we will never forget. Leopards, elephants, chimps, gorillas, hippos, lions: beyond amazing.
The service was lieterally door to door. The flights to and from Entebbe were perfect and the lodges were exceptional. The food at Aardvark was out of this world. Our on the ground guide Derek was fantastic and we felt in extremely safe hands.
Above all, the cost was remarkably modest.
This is a great operator whom we will certainly use again and have already recommended to many in UK
An exusting adventure
We bee with Anderson, a men who has the capacity to make toy see the country with his own eyes; Uganda' eyes.
Our driver knew when to give us lessons about Uganda and when to keep quiet.
The only thing who keeps me on the 4/5 stars is the organisation, I had a solo trip but another person jointed (We didn't made a promise, but I been told about the new person on the starting day of the safari.. when u make what is lookin at
Email Zach Simpson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and organised tour operator that knows how to spoil its customers
Peter, the manager, was extremely communicative, even going so far as to help with the visa application process. His responses were always very prompt and helpful. Anderson, my guide, was very professional and friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. I felt completely spoilt from beginning to end and the value for money exceeded my expectations. All the food and accommodation was world class and the excursions were all incredible, including the gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth game drive, the channel boat tour and the Lake Bunyonyi boat tour. I would definitely recommend Buyaga to other travelers and will use them again if/when I get the chance to visit Uganda again.
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Email Alfred Soleder | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely reliable
It was easy to get a tailor-made tour containing 3 national parks. Peter always reacted very quickly to my emails. I was very surprised that I was the only one that had chosen those parks, but I enjoyed having my personal guide Eric. He did a great job, always reliable and helpful. He even had to go shopping with me, because my luggage had not come to Entebbe with me, I only got it after the tour.... Tracking the chimpanzees in Kibale forest, meeting the gorillas in Bwindi and seeing the wildlife in Queen Elisabeth national park, including a leopard, are unique experiences. I got good value for money. The only thing I didn't like were those long hours in the car driving from one park to the other, as most of the roads are incredibly bad. But that is not Buyaga's fault.
