Peter Amanya and our guide in the safari van
Buyaga Safaris
- Office 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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for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
BE
Email Simon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unnecessary fear in advance
I did some research on the different tour operators for a safari in Uganda and noticed the amount of 5 star ratings Buyaga received. I was suspicious, did they buy those, or were they genuine?
It turns out that they are genuine, at least what our experience has proven. Like I read before, Peter the owner, is very quick with responding on emails and keeping track of what has been requested (before). When we made changes to the initial 10 day Uganda safari and wanted to add Rwanda to the tour and extending it with a couple of days, as I wanted to cycle there, we got a new itinerary within hours. Unfortunately, the hotel on the second day in Rwanda turned out to be below the requested quality, but this was resolved within a few hours and a new itinerary was created where we could avoid the second night in that hotel.
Then our guide Derrick. When we booked this trip, our first time we took a guide for such a period, we were afraid that being together with a stranger for 2 weeks would become uneasy and overwhelming. After 2 weeks we didn't have that feeling at all. Derrick has been the whole journey polite and positive towards us.
He was always on time and knew exactly at what time we would arrive somewhere.
He is not intrusive and does not impose himself. He felt when to keep a distance from us.
He's also been flexible, just like you, when we were not happy with the lodge in Gisenyi. Flexibility has also been shown yesterday when leaving Kigali and we wanted to visit the Rwanda Art museum first.
He's a good, safe driver. We never felt afraid, despite sometimes the high speed feeling you get in this giant Toyota Landcruiser.
PT
Email MARIA GAMEIRO | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a wonderfull, amazing, safe and warm experience in Uganda.
Unforgettable experience, with attentive, professional and warm staff and high quality services. highly recommendable and reasonably priced.
We are very grateful to Peter and Onam for their hospitality and sympath.
we will recommend this company to my friends.
We want to return to Uganda and we are going again to Buyaga Safary help.
HU
Email ZSOLT BANYAI | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best guide/driver ever!
I booked a trip to Uganda with Buyaga Safaris. We started talking about the itinerary way back in October 2020, 5 month prior to the trip. Peter, the owner of the company was super helpful and patient while we managed to come up with an itinerary that was both feasible and appealing to me. Then we agreed to wait until Jan, since I knew that flights can change very easily during this crazy COVID times. In Jan, 2021 Peter helped me get my Uganda visa (well, I requested it electronically, but somehow it needed a bit of local nudging to get a response back) after I booked my flight, and he was also very flexible with the deposit, I paid only about 30% of the total price.
Once in Uganda, my driver was Jazz, how was amazing. Attentive, communicative and very conscientious. He made sure I had fun in Kibale NP, Queen Elizabeth NP and Bwindi NP, and that my COVID tests (needed for the KLM flights) were all in order. The way I could talk with him was almost like talking with any of my buddies at home - he was open, and interested in almost any topics. Great company!
All in all, I can easily recommend Buyaga, since they have really done a great job!
CA
Email Scott and Kerry Hemstad | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Buyaga tour was excellent from beginning to the end.
We did the 10 days holiday with gorillas, chimps and wildlife safari. It was amazing from begining to the end. Peter (the ownver/operator) was quick to respond to all our questions before and after booking. The trip was exactly as described. The accomodations were comforatble and in some cases amazing. Each lodge has a different feel and comfort level. The best accomodation was the Murchison Falls Lodge. Be prepared for no AC or fans, spotty wifi and electricity in most of the lodges. We didn't mind, it added to the adventure! Every lodge offers washing services at a fee per item. Each part of the tour had new scenery, animals, and experiences. We were surprized how the landscape changed throughout. (savanah, hills, mountains, forest, farmland) We got to see the Big five and got extremely close to the chimps and gorillas. The guides all communicate with each other while in the national parks, so you have a better chance at seeing the lions/leopards. The chimps and gorillas were the highlight! Both my husband and I were grabbed by juvenile gorillas!!!! Don't worry it was safe. Be prepared for a possible 90 minute hike through dense at times steep forest to see the gorillas. The park rangers use machetes to cut the trail along the way. The chimp trek was a much easier trek.
The vehicle was an older land cruiser, comforatble but not luxurious. Water bottles were supplied along the way. It had working ac, but we drove with windows open instead all 10 days. Don't expect high end. Bring binoculars, as the guide only has 1 pair.
The food in the restaurants in the lodges was just okay. Unfortuantely, the lodges have americanized their menus. Each lodge allows you to choose between 2-3 items for breakfast, lunch and supper. Each lodge had bar and at addional cost you could enjoy most types of alcohol. Don't expect ice.
Our guide (Derek) was outstanding! We highly recommend requesting Derek as your guide. He is a young, knowledgeable, punctual and hardworking guide. He had a good sense of humour and tried his best to meet our needs/requests along the way. He has been a guide for 6 years and knows each area very well. Derek could spot the animals meters away hidden in the tall grass. Derek was a very careful driver, we felt very safe along the busy, occasionally bumpy, narrow roads.
Go to Uganda, do this tour. You won't be disappointed!
