Bella Africa safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators, uganda wildlife association & licensed guide by uganda tourist board
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $40 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
JO
Email Samar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BEST SAFARI EXPERIENCE WITH BELLA....
Despite the pandemic, as countries are slowly opening up, I took a solo trip to uganda to try and relax despite the chaos in the world, so I needed a safari company that works with women in particular, a friend of mine recommended Bella Africa Safaris, so I checked them out and I was kinda put off by some of the negative reviews, either way I decided to contact them and right from the start our back and forth email exchange with Bella herself was really great and efficient, I decided to book with her though I was abit skeptical at first but she really out did herself. She gave me value for my money, my 15 days in Uganda were really the best, we visited the great murchison falls, amazing magnificent falls, Queen Elizabeth park, Kidepo park, lake mburo and above all the highlight was the Gorillas for me... maintaining the guidelines for covid was key right from the airport, Uganda is really beautiful with very friendly happy people and am glad to have ticked it off my bucket list. Thank you Bella Africa Safaris for making my trip a memorable one, I sure will come back with you next time. It's an amazing experience being driven and guided by a woman. I recommend you to all female travelers. Thank you again Bella!!
AE
Email Bj | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most exciting fun filled family trip with the best guide ever.
We are an Arab family from Uea(Dubai) and we where so hesitant to travel to Africa (uganda) at first but when someone recommended Bella to us, and we saw our package and the way Bella drafted it out to suit and involve all of us for the activities, it was wow.Our three children didn't miss any of the activities..
We saw various animals all the big fives in mfnp.our favorites where the beautiful giraffes and elephants.
The waterfalls is so amazing.
Bella is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job, she kept on checking if we where comfortable and where having fun and if where enjoying the meals too.
She bought for us fresh fruits like bananas and really sweet pineapples.
The whole trip was so memorable.
Thank you so much Bella.
Bj
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Email Roger | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Absolute Worst
AVOID. HIDE. RUN. My 11 day solo Uganda tour blew up after 5 days – money issues. I found out (too late) that Bella had financial difficulties. I paid in full before the tour but they kept asking me for money during the tour. Beware of her and guide Robin coming back into the business under a different company name.
Internet: “www.bellaafricasafaris.com Mailscanner has detected fraud in the website at docs.google.com. Do not trust this website”. www.inspirock.com Bella ... # 78 of 102 in Wildlife in Kampala “www.tourhq.com ... Bella ... ranked # 39 of 47 tour groups in Kampala”
Before the Tour: My repeated emails were typically returned days late. I had to ask for receipts after monies were paid. A “must have” list never came. I emailed the lodges on the tour itinerary a week before it started. Only one lodge said they had a reservation under my name or Bella’s. I emailed Bella, and guide Robin responded that"all reservations are confirmed" (liar).
The Tour: Substitutions were made for all of the lodges listed on the itinerary. I was picked up late every morning at my lodge, once 3 hours late. Guide Robin said that the van had repairs done that day, but the driver told me in the afternoon that Robin spent the morning trying to get money. They asked me for money on the second day … difficulties in Bella getting money to Robin (lie). We spent an entire morning trying to get into Murchison NP - Robin with Bella on the phone tried to talk the person at the gate into letting us in. Finally I paid (and was never reimbursed). A joke. The van was given gasoline 6 gallons at a time – never filled. Bottled water was purchased one bottle at a time. The tour blew apart on day 5 in Kibale NP. Bella never paid for my Chimp Habitation permit (surprise!) – she asked me to pay the 200 USD fee. Nope. The game warden said I could go on the habitation if Bella got the money to him before I returned at the end of the day. I went on the habitation but no money came. When Guide Robin arrived to pick me up (I was the last person to be picked up out of 25 people) they kept him, fortunately letting me go back to the lodge with the driver. The warden kept Robin in jail for the night because of lack of payment. He was let out the next day. I heard later that they were thinking of keeping me in jail, too! The driver got disgusted with everything and drove his van home – he had never been paid anything by Bella and had been using some of his own money to buy gas. I stayed on one more day – the wonderful lodge manager got me a ride back to Entebbe (200 USD) and I stayed in Entebbe until my plane left 5 days later. Believe it or not Bella came out to Kibale NP and apologized – too little too late. She said I would be completely reimbursed for the tour (I’m still waiting on the money that won’t come !). Bella and Robin wanted me to continue the tour! I was genuinely concerned about my safety as well as being outraged with the tour. When I got back to Entebbe the lodge people and other guides told me about Bella and her money problems. They were angry with her for giving Uganda tourism a bad name. I could tell more. DO NOT GO NEAR!
The bottom line is that Bella let me fly 19 hours in the air to Uganda (and back home), pay 1500 USD roundtrip air, and pay her about 5000 USD in full for a trip that she knew that she could not pull off. As low as you can get. Would have liked to give zero stars. Amazingly, she still has her website online and on Safari Bookings.
Email Vanessa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DO NOT USE SHE STEALS YOUR MONEY
We visited Uganda in June on the celebration of my 50th Birthday. All started well until we got to see the gorillas and same as last review no permits paid for and we had two days to pay for and had to pay twice. Again as last review we paid her in January. Then went to see Chimps in Kibale and were staying in a lovely hotel close to chimps but had to move as this was not paid for either! The driver was not being paid and was hassling us for money too which we had no choice but to give him or be left stranded. Bella did come and meet us and gave us same story. We did consider going to the police but trusted her that she would refund us. To date we have received nothing! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
IE
Email Barbara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - THEY WILL ROB YOU!
Do not use Bella Africa Safaris as Bella basically took our money and left us hanging high and dry.
We found this out the day after our arrival in Kigali when it turned out that nothing was paid for: no car, no permits, no activities. We did have phone calls with Bella herself who told us that she had financial problems, but all would be solved within 3 days and we just needed to advance $2000 for the first 3 days so that she could sort herself out. She would meet us in person back in Kigali, apologize and ensure us we will have a fantastic trip. Needless to say that never happened. We had no choice but to pay for everything all over again it was that or taking the next flight home. We were lucky to still be able to get gorilla permits and I wont mention the financial impact of having to pay for this trip of a life time twice.
We sent the deposit back in February to ensure all permits would be bought well in advance but nothing was done. So this was not a last minute problem with cash flow as one of the versions of the story we were provided with
I repeat DO NOT use this company they are a sham. Rwanda is amazing but our trip was spoilt by Bella’s dishonesty and greed. We went to Rwanda and have been back for 3 weeks and the last thing we heard she was going to ask for a loan and reimburse us every penny. This was 2 weeks ago. We will never see our money again don't waste yours as well, find another company.
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Email Lara Vimercati | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing way to visit Uganda
My sister and I travelled through Uganda for 13 days with Bella Africa Safaris. We had an amazing time with our guide Ronnie. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, fun and always making sure we had a great time. The team was very helpful in organizing a tailor-made safari for us.
We loved the country and the overall experience with the cmpany. The only thing we would have liked different was that the tour program given beforehand was more detailed and accurate. Sometimes it was not entirely reflecting of what was happening or included in each day.
Overall we definitely recommend to visit Uganda with Bella Africa Safaris.
FR
Email Mathilde | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing discovering of The Pearl of Africa with Bella Africa Safari, a passionate and funny team
Bella Africa Safari provides a perfect and tailor-made service
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Email Rob and Wendy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bella Safari exceeded all expectations; it was the trip of a life time!
From the moment we selected Bella Safari we were pleased. We were immediately greeted and welcomed by the team on both email and WhatsApp. Our and worries were set aside. We put 110% trust in Bella and her team and were not disappointed.
We honestly did not know what to expect however, from the start our loving driver and guide Donah put us under her wing and made sure that we were comfortable and cared for. I cannot imagine a better experience. The sights were amazing and the accommodations perfect. We were awed and inspired by the beautiful country and people.
This was going to be our one and only trip to Uganda. We are now talking to family and friends about a repeat.
The smiles and memories that we carry with us are without a doubt due to this experience. We would choose Bella Safari and Donah over and over and over.
Email Vicky | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip of a lifetime with expert guide
We visited Uganda last summer and from the first email Bella and the team were really friendly and informative but not pushy. We did an 11 day safari including a magical Gorilla trek and so many amazing animal viewing opportunities. Ben our guide was AWESOME. Maybe we got lucky but he was so knowledgeable and went out of his way to find us some amazing animals, including a beautiful leopard trotting across the grasslands in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a white rhino mother and calf at the Rhino sanctuary (wild living) and a couple of sleepy lionesses dozing away in a Candelabra tree, among so many more. He was also passionate about the animals and their conservation which we feel strongly about, but unfortunately not all wildlife tour companies do.
The accommodation was impressive for our budget - the tented camps are brilliant and give you a 'luxury' tent feel whilst being really close to the wild - don't forget your headtorch! Staying in Kibale Forest camp and Rwakobo Rock were some of our favourites. The food was excellent in most places and the chefs were happy to make adjustments for vegetarian needs (give advance notice if you can!).
We had some great adventures with Ben and the 4x4 minivan (don't be put off by these vehicles, ours was the most comfortable of our month long trip and you can be in it for hours driving the bumpy murram roads) and as well as teaching us so much, we felt like we had made a friend by the end of the trip and were even more sad to leave!
We are trying to plan a way to go back to wonderful Uganda as there is still so much to see, and would definitely contact Bella and Ben for a guaranteed amazing trip! What are you waiting for?! :)
Email Simone | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Adventure...Visiting with the magnificent Mountain Gorillas....my dream come true!!!
I am a single female traveller. I had the most wonderful trip. Bella and Justine were very prompt in replying to my communications, any adjustments that i wanted to make... I wanted to trek with the Mountain Gorillas twice....these additions to the itinerary were not a problem. The accommodations were so lovely and the food, I am gluten free, was delicious. I couldn't have asked for better guides than Amanda & Moses, they were magnificent! The safari was like 3 friends travelling together.....I had the most wonderful time. I am planning my next trip to the "Pearl of Africa". I can hardly wait to revisit with the magnificent Mountain Gorillas. Amazing Amazing Amazing! Thank you Bella Africa Safaris.