The Matoke Tours Team
Matoke Tours
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, AUTO, SGR, UTB & UCF
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
HK
Email Robin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It simply couldn't be better!!
From the day I contacted Matoke Tours, they always replied me swiftly and with a very high level of professionalism. I am not used to book and pay on line so I really had to feel that Matoke was totally trustworthy. Matoke was able to answer all my questions in a very efficient way. The best was to come: the trip itself. We were lucky because I believe we had an exceptional driver (his name is Abdallah). He was always on time, drove safely, checked some roads beforehand to guarantee we would always be on time. Cherry on the cake, he is not only a very responsible and committed guide but he is also very interesting and entertaining. We managed to see a Leopard in QENP, we managed to see the Gorillas in Bwindi, actually see is not the right word...we were actually sitting two metres away enjoying an amazing moment. We explored Western Uganda to its fullest but in a very comfortable way. With Matoke Tours, it was simply all about enjoying the trip with no organisation hassle! We want to thank Matoke Tours for this trip of a lifetime. Webale nyo! Weraba!
Email Alex | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Matoke tours was exceptionally professional from start to finish. Ilse was amazing with all contact to answer many questions. We travelled Uganda and Congo with a personalised individual tour which exceeded our expectations daily and everything was perfectly organised and safe. Matoke tours gave us the fortunate opportunity to vist Congo and experience amazing adventures off the beaten track. We visited the volcano and both mountain and lowland gorillas in congo and could recommend all highly.
We were so lucky to have our tour guide Anatoli who gave a wealth a knowledege, was super friendly and made our trip more memorable.
All accommodation was fantastic and felt very spoilt.
Thank you so much for an amazing unforgettable adventure
NO
Email Eva | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable
The way Matoke handled the organization of our trip was very professional and they showed a flexibility that shows a true customer focus.
Our guide/driver Dunn was exeptional. He educated us about the history of the country, the wildlife and current developments. He made us feel completely safe and realized all of the small additional wishes.
I'd travell with Matoke again!
Eva
Marvellous introduction to Uganda
My family and I have just returned from a two week trip round southwestern Uganda (Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Mburo). Matoke proved to be brilliant at organising all aspects of this and were extremely quick in responding to requests for information, as well as very helpful in suggesting alternatives to our initial plans. Our driver/guide, Abdal, was a fount of knowledge, a superb driver and a real pleasure to be with for the whole of the trip. We have come back keen to visit other parts of Uganda in the future and would definitely go to Matoke again.
Email Elliot | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience. What a country! What a guide!
From the start of our booking Sven was very helpful in adapting their pre existing tours to fit what we wanted to do and also changing hotels between budget and more luxurious to fit what we wanted at each place! He was very helpful with answering lots of questions we had from locations of game drives to practical information of visas and money. Our flight was delayed by 24 hours but, between Sven and our guide (Mugabi), they managed to adapt our tour to make sure we didn't miss anything. Mugabi was fantastic from start to finish, we couldn't have asked for a better guide. He gave us political and cultural information as we drove through different towns; was incredibly knowledgable about all of the animals; was very adaptable when we wanted to stay in certain places longer or go looking for other things; knew the locations where certain animals were frequently seen which made for some incredible game viewing; found us other restaurants to eat when the restaurants attached to our hotels were 'less desirable' and ensured we were happy and safe at all times! We will certainly be keeping in touch with him. I would (and already have!) definitely recommend Uganda and Matoke Tours to everyone. The country is beautiful and so diverse. In our 10 day tour we got close to the chimps and followed them for around an hour in Kibale Forest. We saw about a hundred Elephants, a pride of Lions, Hyenas with babies, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob, Buffalo, Hippos, crocodile, Baboons, Monkeys, Flamingo, Warthog, 7 different types of Eagle, Vultures and so many other types of birds (including cranes, storks ,kingfishers) in Queen Elizabeth. Would definitely recommend the cruise along the Kazinga Channel and Simba Safari Lodge was incredible and so welcoming. The best lodge we stayed in on our trip, which was no small part down to James and his staff! We saw the tree climbing lions and Leopard in the Ishasha Sector. By the River Camp was in an incredible location but we had a few issues with water and a bats nest above our bed. We got so close to the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi which was the most incredible experience ever. We spent an hour and a half with them, watching them eat and play. Would recommend paying a bit more for your hotel here though as our stay at the cheaper place was not so enjoyable because of poor food and not feeling particularly welcome. We then saw Giraffe, Eland, zebra, Topi, Impala and Bush buck in huge numbers in Lake Mburo and would definitely recommend doing the morning walking safari as we were in amongst a herd of zebra on their way to the watering hole. Rwakobo Rock where we stopped here was absolutely beautiful. Incredible views, excellent facilities and very welcoming staff. We chose to just have the basic truck and not pay for the upgrade and with their only being 4 of us in a 7 seater it meant there was space for all of us to stand up through the lifted roof. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime trip that none of us will ever forget! Thank you Matoke, Thank you Sven, thank you Mugabi and thank you Uganda!!
Email Ann | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service is guaranteed even for various budgets.The staff have visited the places recommend
Excellent service and recommendations even when we changed our minds so many times there was always a ready alternative or positive suggestions. Highly recommended.
CA
Email Robyn | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience from start to finish!
Deciding where to go and what to do on your first safari can be an overwhelming experience. I began my research here on Safaribookings.com and tried to narrow down the options. I wanted to do a gorilla trek but also a more traditional safari. I kept coming across great reviews for Matoke tours and finally dropped them a line. Ilse very patiently answered my many questions and helped me design my perfect first trip to Africa. I won't lie - I was concerned about working with a tour operator who was so far away - what if something went wrong? What if it didn't live up to my expectations? I didn't need to worry. Every driver, every flight, every meal, every accommodation was perfect and well beyond my expectations. Connections were absolutely on time, service was outstanding and the one time I did have a small concern, I was able to contact Ilse directly who resolved this small issue right on the spot.
Do not hesitate to use Matoke tours if you are thinking of any of their destinations - they will help you design a trip that suits your needs perfectly. I really can think of no way I would have been any happier with their service. I am ever able to return to Africa, I would definitely ask for their help again!!
AR
Email Claudio Rivero | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great service, very reliable
When I first contact Matoke last september 2015, Lionel was very helpful and try to suit my requirements(budget accomodation, lazy camping, meet local people) and design a package full of fun and amazing experiences.Our driver/guide Big Sam ( Munene-Munene)was very helpful, knowledgeable and try to show us the best Uganda has to offer the traveller,great scenery, stunning game driving, unforgettable gorilla tracking.Thank you Matoke!! Gracias!!
Email lovethattravel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Responsive and reliable
Despite the good reviews, I was a little worried about using an operator that I found on the Internet to book my Fly-in Gorilla tour to Bwindi. This was my once in a lifetime opportunity to see the gorillas and I didn't want anything to go wrong. Matoke Tours proved to be everything I could wish for in a tour operator, and everything went perfectly. Lionel in the office was very responsive to all my emails, providing quick and helpful responses on all my issues, while Ronald the driver was always on time in a clean modern 4WD, was an safe driver on terrible roads and was friendly and informative. He was more than happy to wait patiently whenever I wanted to take photos, or while I was out on the gorilla trek and even when it looked like my plane back to Entebbe might not be able to land because of the strong winds. He even offered to give up his Sunday to drive me for 4 hours to another airstrip if necessary (which in the end, it wasn't, fortunately). Mutanda Lake Resort, while fairly rustic, has the most glorious view across the lake to the volcanos. Don't expect 5-star, but the staff are obliging, and the food is pretty good considering that everything except the vegetables has to be brought in. For birdwatchers, a sunset trip on a leaky boat to see the vast range of birds is a must. The gorilla trek itself at Nkuringo was a Bucket List experience. I would highly recommend it for people who are fairly fit, though even the less fit would probably be OK with the help of one or two of the wonderful porters. Overall, a great experience.
Email Jenny | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience from the first contact with Matoke to our final goodbyes at the airport
Like ‘lovethattravel’ I was a little worried about choosing a company that I found on the Internet but any concerns were baseless. The whole experience with Matoke Tours was professional, friendly and hassle-free. Lionel in the office was always prompt in responding to my many, many questions and was very helpful. Anatoli was not just our driver but our very knowledgeable guide who gave us some really interesting insight and history about both Uganda and Rwanda. If you are considering an African adventure then definitely contact Matoke Tours. You will not be disappointed.