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
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
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.
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!
US
Email Alina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic and Comfortable Safari Experience
Yala Safaris was a great first safari experience. They picked us up promptly on time so we made it to Murchison Falls early enough to relax before heading out for the night game drive. The accommodations and meals were some of the best we've had in the entire time we stayed in Uganda! Very professional experience and Stanley and Michael were great to have as tour guides around Murchison. They knew a lot about the animals we saw and their positivity and enthusiasm made the entire experience much more fun! Thanks for being so accommodating. I had a thoroughly lovely experience!
KR
Email MJ | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Murchison falls national park - 4 days
Everything is perfect. I was really impressed with Godwin who is our guide. He has always made a effort to make good experience for us.
Also, The staff of park side lodge were very kind, and food service was awesome. There were nothing to complain. I have so much enjoyed my trip with many animals, because od Godwin and your company.
Email Maureen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Interesting tour guides
It's quite amazing and since it was my first time am hoping to be served again by Yala safaris Uganda.
US
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trip and Great Experience
Yala Safaris is no doubt one of the best safari companies in Uganda. I was met at the airport by the owner of the company, Mr. Godwin, who made all the pre-planning a stress-free experience. He immediate made me feel at ease and looking forward to the trip ahead. I traveled with my guide, Eddy for a week in January and had an outstanding experience. I have lived and have traveled in Africa on several occasions, and in my experience, no other company can even come close to matching the level of service that Yala Safaris provides. Eddy’s extensive knowledge of the flora, fauna, natural history, Ugandan culture, and geography of the region is unrivaled. The company operates with exceptional professionalism and organization. They will tailor a trip to the client's needs and desires, and they are very flexible. I highly recommend Yala Safaris for a Ugandan Safari experience and trip of a lifetime!
SE
Email Liza Kardos | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely awesome!
We had an awesome experience with this company my husband and I . They really made a tailor-made trip according our budget and we were surprised what they managed to do. The guides ate genuine and work hard for you to have good eoexperience as possible! I highly recommend this company. You will not be disappointed.
DE
Email Vialey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extra-ordinary experience with Yala Safaris Uganda
I went home for a short holiday for Christmas and this time I aimed at being a tourist. Therefore I had red the services of Yala Safaris Uganda together with 3 of my friends.
We were picked up and taken to a mid-range hotel. We stayed there for the night and next day we relaxed and spent sometime with our families privately. On the 3rd day early in the morning we were picked up from the hotel and driven to Masindi where we were to do our Safari. They provided us with water, fruits and a stop mid way to buy some street food which is a boom. The Safari was well organized and we enjoyed activities such as fame drive, boat cruise and Chimp tracking.
I must recommend the services of Yala Safaris Uganda as their driver was alway very nice to us often asking if we were feeling well and whether everything was fine or even for our ideas to make the trip better.
I surely recommend Yala Safaris Uganda to anyone out there. Can't wait for my next trip in a couple of months.
Email Imma | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
100% satisfied
l have been on 14 days safari with my friend s under this compony service everything went my way
This safari was booked full board hotel were very good activities were well arranged our guide
Extremely worked had he was well skilled
We had a nice boat cruse chimps tracking tracking gorilla tracking nice food
I highly recommend yalasafaris Uganda
Thanks sternely I will visit again