Some of the staff at Yala Safaris Uganda Office
Yala Safaris Uganda
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- UTB & UWA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
BR
Email Nathalia Lima | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Murchisson Falls Tour!
The tour was amazing and the guides were really nice. The accommodation was great and the meals were pretty good too. I would recommend to anyone!
Keen to help
Although I did not travel with Yala Safaris they were very helpful and provided me with all the information I needed and were always quick to reply.
SA
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Guide, Terrible Accomodations
This review is to be a negative one.
I hope they take this feedback and try improve their communication and their services.
My family (my wife and my 2 daughters) experience, in terms of activities were good.
We owe that to our guide. He is an excellent guide and very safe driver.
There was one other person. I didn't know what the other guy did till the last day.
There were discrepancies in the itineraries. What we were promised was different what was delivered.
We never did the early morning and the evening game drive.
Time gap between the departure time from Masindi Courtview hotel and the actual Rhino walk was more then 6 hours. Nothing to do for 6 hours. We just sat around did nothing.
From the very first night, accommodations were substandard, despite much better accommodation availability nearby properties. They communicated and promised to us that our accommodation in Ziwa Sanctuary would not be a budget accommodation.
We spent the entire night awake with mouse and rats running around us. There were literally hundreds of live bugs and mouse droppings on the sheets.
We are still so upset about this which I am considering in taking further actions.
Food options, well there were no food options at Parkside lodge. We ate whatever they made. One main course. That's it.
To be fair, Courtview and Ziwa had food options.
We've paid a premium price expecting premium service. Our guide/driver was outstanding. Other than that it was terrible.
After I've learned what the charges were in the hotels and permits and entrance fees, the profit margin was significant. They basically put us in the cheapest and dirtiest places to make that profit.
Our bad experience with accommodations and food would not take away the joy and pleasure we had by learning about Ugandan people and culture. Kindest people we've ever met during our travels.
Reply from Yala Safaris Uganda
Posted on Jan 7, 2017Thanks John for openly letting us know how you felt during your safari to Uganda. I would first of all honor your appreciation and witness of the kindness, love and hospitality of Ugandan people plus the accreditation of our driver guide quoting " He is an excellent guide and very safe driver"
On the issue of accommodation facilities, Yala safari Uganda humbly apologizes on the behalf of the Safari Lodges for their unfulfilled daily obligations of offering clean and safe facilities to our client! We pledge to deliver this review to respective lodges to were you slept so that they can routinely comply with safety standards in order to do way with such bad experiences.
Though Yalasafaris Uganda is one of the safari companies offering budget affordable midrange and luxury Safaris, we care about safety in rooms and compliance with standards .
The other person you talked about whose purpose you did not know throughout the safari is our tour escort as well and I remember we briefed you about him on the start.
Then on the issue of cuisines, kindly note that most mid range and budget lodges operate on a fixed menu other than giving a menu from which you can choose though we always try to ask our clients whether they have dietary complications so that we communicate to the lodges which Yala Safaris did. Otherwise we once again apologize for that.
For the case of the profit margin you assumed we could have made as you stated that you paid premium price, please be with me on this that this was a BUDGET SAFARI REQUEST for which you signed a contract of terms and conditions for 810 USD per person for 4 pax, for 6 days 5 nights. Yala safaris is surely rated as one of the most affordable tour companies in Uganda that can organise budget safaris to discerning travellers around the world at a low cost. In this regards, we had to put maximum efforts to make sure you tour Murchison falls national park, track chimpanzees and Rhinos including game drives, boat trips, accommodations, meals drinking water WiFi on transit that we delivered
For the discrepancies in the itinerary, you opted for a community and culture walk which changed only the evening short drive of the original travel plan however, credit goes to our guide who made it possible for you to go for Rhino tracking since they are best Tracked in the Morning or in the evening because in the afternoon or during hot hours they are normally resting under shades which makes the activity boring. In this regard, you tracked them in the evening and the our guide testified that you enjoyed the activity.
On the issue of communication, kindly note that we communicated earlier to you that this was a budget safari for which you even signed the sheet terms and conditions. Secondly we made the Itinerary clear and therefore it is only the earlier mentioned community walk that changed it a little bit. Our driver guide was a keen listener to your grievances as well, and lastly when you called the management, the response was also good.
A bout the Morning game drive, our guide confirms that he witnessed that you did an early game drive and boat trip on your Day two (2) as the plan was, kindly give us that credit
We honestly appreciate your neutral review and promise not in any way to take it personal as it is aimed at the betterment of the future travellers
Thanks
Yalasafaris Uganda
Email Solomon | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One thing i loved most about Yala Safaris Uganda is the crew were so support they put us first befor
the communication was excellent the crew were so supportive, they knew what we were looking for.
JP
Email Yamamoto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go with this company!!!!!!!
I had an amazing safari tour with this company. They are well organized and pick me up at the airport. The stuff are very friendly,comfortable drive and the tour was absolutely wonderful!! I highly recommended this company if you ever travel in Uganda.
was not Impressed
Nothing to say much but it was very unfortunate experience
Reply from Yala Safaris Uganda
Posted on Jan 2, 2017Good to hear from you Mr Kasim it's very unfortunate to hear this after putting in all the efforts and hadled your safari in less than 24hrs notice during Christmas days acording to your driver guide Mike the safari was very successfull .We humbly apologise for what dint go right please don't hestate to contact us on [email protected] to let us know more about what did go right as that will help us to improve.
with kind regards
Godwin
Owner of yalasafarisuganda
Email Malcolm ILES | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent tour, beautiful visits, great company, comfortable, very well catered for and looked after
The tour of Entebbe, Kirimbika, Kabale and Bunyonyi was a great success. Excellent tour to beautiful areas of central and south-western Uganda. The company and the craic were great. The accommodation was comfortable, we were very well catered for and looked after. Even when one of the party was sick, no expense was spared in getting medical assistance and sorting things out. The arrangements throughout worked like clockwork and involved very little waiting. All objectives achieved.
A special feature of the safari was the return journey between Mbarara and Kampala when we needed an emergency driver. Fortunately another driver was found and proved to be an excellent replacement. Thank you Yala Safaris.
Good cars, experienced tour guides, lovely and enjoyable tour.
Yala Safaris has got very experienced and friendly tour guides, clean and well maintained vehicles and their services are up to expected standard. The accommodation was good and the food was delicious. It was an enjoyable and educative experience. Well done Yala .
I would use Yala over and over again.
DE
Email Christina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very pleasant and easy-going Trip
I went on a tour around the Fort Portal and Queen Elizabeth area, including chimp trekking in Kibale and a short gamedrive. The whole experience was very pleasant and our guides were happy to adjust the itinery according to our needs (stop at the Equator anyone?). Overall, I can definitely recommend Yala for first-timers and seasoned Safari goers alike!
US
Email Alina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Accommodating, flexible and fun! Fantastic experience with Yala Safaris
I had the pleasure of working with Stanley and Godwin! They were very prompt and accommodating. I went with them to Fort Portal and Queen Elizabeth and on the drive to Queen Elizabeth they made sure to point out all of the animals we saw on our drive. Any request we had they made sure to accommodate. Such a pleasant experience with Yala Safaris. They were really flexible and made for a fantastic first safari experience! Highly recommend.