Typical Ugandan operator by Richard Tusasibwe
Gatatu Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $65 to $710 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Andy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
OK but lots of room for improvement
Value for money is only moderate. I found their tour preperation was not adequate, leading to a car break-down which cost us several hours. Not good when your time is limited. Some more time was wasted in a Police control, where it turned out that the car did not have proper insurance with some documentation missing. The driver was definitely striving to do his best, yet he was not qualified as a guide during our game drive. Fortunately and by chance we had a local helping out, otherwise we would have missed lots of interesting sights and information.
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Email Jose Antonio Nogales | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you are looking for a reasonably priced safari, Gatatu is definitely the company for you!!
We searched for the best deals on the web. Gatatu offered a very competitive price and will make sure you get the most for your money. It was the only company that offered them in our price range.
All accommodation was clean, good food, friendly staff.
The owner, Richard, was such a pleasure to work with and really he helped us personalize our trip.
The communication with him was phenomenal. Working with Gatatu was very professional.
Richard has a degree in social work and he started a school to help children.
He uses a portion of the profits from his company to help fund the school and support the children. So, you can feel really good about supporting this tour company. This is also why I believe you will find the best prices here.
Great Canoe Trekking Experience and amazing one day excursion on Lake Bunyonyi.
Our guide, Fred, grew up around that area and was very knowledgeable of the history and culture of the lake area and of Uganda as well.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced safari, Gatatu is definitely the company for you.
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Email Kacie McFarland | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Want a once in a lifetime trip that also helps a local primary school? Book Gatatu today!
We decided to go see the gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda for our honeymoon, best decision ever! My husband searched online ad nauseam for the best deals and we were so lucky/thankful we stumbled across Gatatu tours! The owner, Richard, was such a pleasure to work with. He always replied to the endless questions we had and really helped us personalize our trip. Per our request, we even got to meet the kids he helps support. We loved the questions the kiddos had for us and were very impressed with all the plans Richard has for the school (his passion and dedication to these kids is truly inspiring!). As for the main attraction, I can't talk up seeing the gorillas enough! It was such a humbling and amazing experience. I was thrilled to learn how gorilla tourism is not only helping the gorilla population slowly bounce back but the Rwandan & Ugandan governments are also giving portions of the money made from gorilla tourism back to local communities through infrastructure. So if you want to fill your half empty cup, help out the gorillas and local communities including Richard's primary school, warm your heart with a once in a lifetime experience PLUS take some unbelievable photos, then Gatatu safaris is the best option for you! As previous people have commented, they require a wire transfer to book the trip (this is not uncommon, we did the same for a prior trip to Tanzania). Richard is 100% trustworthy and I would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have about the process (or share some of my favorite gorilla pics with you!). Feel free to email me. Bottom line, my advice is to book Gatatu today and then prepare yourself for an unforgettable trip!!! Thanks again Gatatu Safari and keep up the amazing work!
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Email Thomas Mell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Luxurious Primate Experience
Gatatu Safari is a Ugandan based locally ran tour company. The communication with the owner (Richard) is phenomenal. Richard will answer all your questions and change anything and everything you like. He will work with you on customizing everything of preference from activities to lodging upgrades (tents, deluxe rooms, lodges, etc.) He answers most e-mails the same day. Also, the prices they offer can not be beat. We stayed in luxury lodges and Gatatu was the only company that offered them in our price range. The best part about the company is that the owner (Richard) has a degree in social work and he started a school to help children. He uses a portion of the profits from his company to help fund the school and support the children. So, you can feel really good about supporting this tour company as the money does not feed into some euro-based big business. This is also why I believe you will find the best prices here. Note that since the company is not a Euro-business, they do not accept credit card at this time. Payments are made via wire transfer, if this worries you please feel free to contact me or Gatatu can put you in contact with my facebook to confirm your money is safe (and also check out some tour photos)! Working with Gatatu was very professional. They picked us up where we requested right on time and we were dropped off to our exiting destination promptly. Vehicle, safari guide/driver, and bookings were all as promised. All-in-all we were very happy with our tour. We have many recommendations if needed about activities and lodges. I would say your best bet for Primates is through Gatatu as many other companies have a significant mark-up. Gatatu will make sure you get the most for your money.
Email Kat | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant experience, lovely staff, all perfect - please book with them too!
Had a lovely driver called Dao - very kind guy, excellent driver for our safari trips! All accommodation was as expected for a budget tour; very clean, good food, friendly staff. A stay at Entisi in Lake Bunyonyi is a must!! The tour was expertly organised with one activity after another - never a dull moment! Well worth every penny as this tour company is small with a friendly approach. We were very well looked after and free for stops anytime during the long journeys - a major advantage of private travel versus pupils matatus! Please book with Gatatu Safaris, you will have an excellent trip!
Email Immy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience with Gatatu Safaris
We had an absolutely brilliant week-long safari with Gatatu Safaris. They tailored the trip to our wishes and offered a very competitive price. Our guide, Dao, was one of the friendliest and most accommodating people we met. He went out of his way to make sure my friend and I had a brilliant experience.
The safari was all-inclusive and we went for the budget option. This did not mean, however, that Gatatu were tight with the services they provided. We ate at a number of very nice hotels and stayed in a stunning guest lodge for our last three nights. I can't imagine the treatment you would get if you went for the luxury option!
The whole tour ran extremely smoothly and we were never left waiting. It was a jam-packed tour with two game drives, gorilla trekking, chimp trekking, a boat trip and a canoe trip. We really did get value for our money and felt we did and saw so much in the week we were with Gatatu Safaris.
I highly recommend Gatatu Safaris for a memorable, personal experience in Uganda and Rwanda.
Thank you to Dao and Richard for a truly memorable experience.
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Email Kent | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Canoe Trekking Experience
Gatatu Safaris took our group an amazing one day excursion on Lake Bunyonyi. Everything they said they would do they delivered with excellence and on time as well. The met with us the day before our safari and told us what to expect and what we needed to bring and wear. Our guide, Fred, grew up around that area and was very knowledgeable of the history and culture of the lake area and of Uganda as well. The views are spectacular and the lunch at the end of the trek was delicious. If you are looking for a great safari experience call the folks at Gatatu Safaris.
Canoe trekking experience
If you are looking for a great, easy to plan, and reasonably priced safari, Gatatu is definitely the a company for you. We only had one day to plan a trip on, so we took the canoe trekking tour on Lake Bunyoni. It was the most beautiful, enjoyable experience of my life. Fred, our tour guide, grew up in the area and was very knowledgeable about the place and its surroundings. It was a great hike, with some cool stops along the way. We traveled the lake in dug out canoes. Lunch was provided, and it was very good. An entire days trip, for a very good price. If I do a trip like this again, I'll definitely go Gatatu!
Email Rick Wiley | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the truly great life experiences
Gatatu Safaris are one of the best tour operators I have ever experienced in Africa. The owner Richard Tusasibwe provided comprehensive information prior to the trip and provided his driver to meet us at the airport on arrival in Entebbe to take us to our accommodation in Kampala prior to the tour commencing. Stephen, our driver and Uganda ambassador was great company over the next 6 days taking us to all the places that make Uganda such a rich experience. The access they have to specific guides in each of the parks added to our understanding and experience of the wildlife parks. The accommodation was very comfortable and the overall cost extremely reasonable. There is no doubt the gorilla trek is the highlight but close behind is meeting the children of a very special school in Kabale supported by Gatatu Safaris. Book a tour. You won't be disappointed.
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Email Marva | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing 14 days in the Pearl of Africa
I was hesitant at first to sign up with this tour because Gatatu was unknown to me. But, this trip to Uganda was one of our most enjoyable trips. It was pure Africa, with bumpy, pot-holed roads, dust, town markets, seeing how Africans really live, and a touch of "whatever happens, happens" attitude. Before the trip Richard stayed in constant communication with us to allay our concerns. Stephan, our driver guide, was prompt, fun, knowledgeable, and networked perfectly throughout the country, speaking four languages as he did so. He provided every service we could have asked for and some that we never would have asked for, like cleaning my dirty shoes, socks, and pants after the gorilla trek! He even called me "Mama."
Accommodations were fun: each was different, from homey to stylish. Gorillas and chimps were breath-taking. The visit to the Batwa people was excellent, and the performance given by the school Richard operates was heart warming.
We absolutely love the company! We'll be back next year!