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
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Email Bart en Lizette | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
From the moment we changed our trip from Madagaskar to Uganda, Coen from Matoke contacted with us. He made a excellent 16 days trip for us.
Also our guide Richard was TOP
CH
Email Astrid & Jürg | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic tour and perfectly organised in these troubled times
We picked Uganda as a substitute for a trip we had to cancel. I believe we even had a better holiday than what the original one would have been. Uganda is not a substitute, it is a Nr.1 destination! Pleunie was competent, friendly and quick to respond. We changed a standard itinerary to fit our wishes, she made some very smart alterations to my plan, which turned out to be brillant. We had to change it 2 more times (blame Covid-19). No problem for Matoke. Once in Uganda all went well, our driver Anatoli was great fun to be with, and a never ending source of information. With friends everywhere he always got us the best rangers and spots on the tours. We have traveled extensively in Africa and Uganda is the most beautiful country I have visited. The wildlife viewing may be a bit better in RSA and Botswana but you have to come see this stunning country for yourself! It is amazing and very safe !
US
Email Jennifer Goldman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You will never regret booking a tour in Uganda with Matoke Tours!
I don't even know where to begin, so I'll start with GO VISIT UGANDA and do it now! I just got home to Los Angeles, California USA, a week ago, after visiting Uganda for 13 days and all I do is cry! I miss it so much! It was the absolute highlight of my life! I am a 42-year old single woman, and this was my first solo travel adventure. Uganda is truly a special gem and I have visited 6 other countries in southern and eastern Africa. I can tell you, there is no country like this. Uganda stole my heart and I am in love with it! It has stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, the most delicious fresh food directly from the farms, warm friendly people, and the most special chimps and mountain gorillas in the beautiful forests (and big game too)! I have been on several safaris before, so my focus in Uganda were the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the chimps in Kibale National Park. Everyone HAS to do this at least once in their life.
I first reached out to 6-7 tour companies and began my research. I first started researching in 2019. I had not heard of Matoke Tours before and found them online through my various searches. I contacted some of of the mainstream larger adventure companies and was not impressed. I have to say I was so pleased with the response time and care from my travel advisor Pleunie van Uden. I am very detailed oriented and have high expectations when it comes to customer service. Pleunie was on it! She impressed me with her professionalism, care, and had a great business skills set too, which is comforting when you are spending so much money for an adventure with such high and life changing expectations. Example, no typos in her email correspondences. It's silly, but that comforted me. She always returned emails within a business day accounting for a 10-hour time difference. The other companies were not as professional and response time was too slow and I felt "lost in the shuffle." I corresponded via email with Pleunie and let her know what I was looking for, how many chimp and gorilla trackings I wanted, my desire for high end lodges and accommodations, that photography was my hobby and I was coming with all my camera equipment, and that safety was a priority as a solo female traveler. She designed a program for me within a very quick turnaround and pretty much had it on the first try, she nailed it. The process was as smooth as can be and felt too good to be true! Then Covid happened. Pleunie was great in assuring me everything would carry over to whenever we could all travel again and once the world was ready again. I stayed in touch with her throughout 2020 and she kept me posted on the status of the country, tourism, and the gorillas. She even let me know when a baby gorilla was born which I was happy to hear. She felt like a friend, even though she was all business. That's how you know you are working with a stellar tour advisor. Then came 2021, dates were re-booked and adjusted a bit to work with my schedule, Covid vaccines rolled in and things were looking good! Just when I would worry everything would get shut down again, Pleunie remained positive and assured me things were looking promising. With each month that passed by getting me closer to September, I felt like I needed to pinch myself, like was I really going to Uganda, finally? With all the Covid protocol and PCR tests needed throughout my trip, Pleunie remained positive, informative, assuring, and was truly excited for me. As stated, I was concerned about safety as a solo traveler, and she really comforted me and made me feel taken care of. Pleunie put together a magnificent program including Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Northern and Southern sections of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Add on top of that road tripping with my driver guide to each location, which allowed for more sight seeing, interacting with the community, driving through the villages and really getting a feel for the country (well the west and southern side of the country -- I must return to see the North and East). Pleunie was always available while I was in Uganda as well, in case I had any emergencies, she was just a WhatsApp call or text away. She was FANTASTIC. I am already referring Matoke and Pleunie (and my guide Geoffrey, see below) to everyone back home and can't stop speaking praises. Thank you Pleunie for creating the most fulfilling adventure, it changed my life! You nailed it. Incredible job.
Now let's shift the focus to my driver guide Geoffrey Katende. It was like fate that he was my guide. Geoffrey was the absolute best! I tear up just thinking about the journey he guided me through. From the airport pick-up in Entebbe to the final goodbye 13 days later, Geoffrey will be a friend for life. He is a special man. He was very seasoned, so knowledgeable... knew just about everything -- all kinds of facts about Uganda, animals, birding, you name it. I felt like I was in such great hands. Geoffrey is a natural. Hospitality, care, guiding is who he is. I felt so safe and cared for, and we had some great laughs too! As a solo traveler, he was like my travel buddy and always remained professional. He interacted with the locals often through our road trips, we had some great photo shoots and photo exchanges, we made friends along the way with lodge staff and rangers, everyone knew him and I just felt so lucky he was my assigned guide! Geoffrey understood me and adapted quickly, as I can imagine the range of personalities guides have to manage. He has such a good heart and just wants you to truly enjoy your time and fall in love with Uganda, which is absolutely what I did! An example, of his good character: we were driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park and I had stopped to take a photo of the landscape. As we started to drive away, he stopped the car, went in reverse and then stopped the car again, got out of the car and picked up a nail he saw in the street. He didn't want another driver to drive over the nail and pop their tire. That's a good person. I am sure there are other wonderful guides at Matoke but I won the lottery with Geoffrey. I can't wait to come back again! I am so grateful for his guidance, care, and professionalism, all while having so much fun! It was hard to say goodbye, because he took such good care of me. Many tears, many tears. Thank you Geoffrey Katende for being the wonderful man that you are, and Matoke is so lucky to have you! Any guest is lucky to have you as their guide. Oh, and one more thing, he is an excellent driver! He dealt with my need for air conditioning (I can be demanding with that), car sickness from the anti-malaria medication, and driving the bumpy roads at times in the rain -- he was a champion at it and always assured me everything was ok. He sent me home with a delicious avocado he picked out and memories and photos that I will cherish the rest of this lifetime. See you soon hopefully Katende!
Also, a special shout out (mention) to my second guide Jacob, who was fantastic as well. Unfortunately, we only had a day together, as it was the end of my trip and I was only in Entebbe for the night to get my PCR test and await results. He was lovely though in the short time we had together. Funny, outgoing, and personable. He was great help to me at the airport and took me as far as he was allowed to go, with all my heavy luggage (4 bags), in the hot heat! We didn't have much time together, but I can tell he would be loads of fun to have as a guide.
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Email Maarten and Teske | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great trip in Uganda with Matoke
We had a great 3.5 weeks trip in Uganda! We (Maarten and Teske, both 28 years old) already decided more than a year ago that we wanted to go to Uganda. We were first doubting whether to arrange the whole trip ourselves or to reach out to a tour company, but eventually decided to book our trip with Matoke tours. We never regretted this decision! Our contact with Matoke (Pleunie) was really good. She replied quickly to all our e-mails and kept us up to date about the Corona regulations. She designed a great program for us, that contained all the parks we wanted to visit and included an 8-day trekking in the Rwenzori mountains (something we specifically asked for us). It was also no problem to make some small changes to the program, according to our desires.
When we arrived in Uganda, there was already a man waiting for us, almost directly after we left the plane, that guided us through all the border controls. It was great that we did not have to figure this out ourselves! Outside the airport, we met our guide Dunn. He was a fantastic guide! He was not only a good chauffeur and a lot of fun to talk to, he knew a lot of different facts and he was amazing at spotting animals for us (during the safari's). He was always happy and friendly and he helped to make it a great trip!
In Uganda we visited Murchison falls, Kibale forest (Chimpanzee tracking), Rwenzori mountains, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mutanda (gorilla tracking in Bwindi), and lake Mburo. This was a really nice and variable program. All the safari parks were alternated with jungle/mountains, so we never got bored of too many game drives after each other (although I doubt whether that it's even possible). We especially liked our stay in Mutanda Lake Resort, which offers stunning views and a really atmospheric restaurant. It was the most expensive lodge of our trip, but we were really glad we stayed here for four nights. The drives between the parks were also really beautiful and never too long. Everything on our holiday just went smoothly, we even never got stuck with our car or got a flat tyre.
Too conclude, we can really recommend to go to Uganda and book your trip with Matoke!
DE
Email Chris & Eveline | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible tour, better than we could have possibly imagined
From the very first contact with Matoke it was clear that as well as being a very well run locally based company with great communication, they also had excellent knowledge, experience and contacts. Organising the 13day Ugandan trip was done quickly fitting in all the itinerary requirements we had and they were always available for questions making excellent suggestions and adjustments as required. They definitely work for the customer and only want the best for your trip compared to some companies that can be inflexible on changes. On arrival we met Anatoli our driver/guide/friend for the trip and we cant recommend him highly enough with his expertise and knowledge about everything Ugandan helping make the trip even more special. The itinerary went exactly as planned visiting Murchison Falls, Kibale, QENP and Bwindi. Even after we left some belongings in Entebbe, Matoke were excellent in helping get them back to us going above and beyond. Thanks to Matoke we left Uganda having had the experience and honeymoon we could have only dreamed of and we will be returning to travel with them again as soon as we can and in the meantime have recommended them to friends and family. Uganda should be at the top of everyone's travel list especially when going with Matoke Tours.
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Email Elise, Jonathan and Wim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Matoke tours exceeded our expectations! Well done! We absolutely enjoyed the trip through Uganda!
From the first contact we had with Matoke tours Uganda we were convinced we made the right choice to book our safari trip in Uganda with Matoke.
Everything was so well arranged.
We had a small schedule and budget but Matoke helped us to make this trip unforgettable.
Whenever there was a problem with the planning they supplied a solution.
The trip was absolutely great. The lodges they suggested were excellent: so nice, neat, clean, great service, very friendly and helpful staff and the locations were beautifull!
But what made our trip really exceed the expectations was our guide Richard Tumusiime!!!
What a great guy, the best guide ever.
With 24 years of experience as wildlife guide, ranger and trainer (for wildlife guides) he knew so much to say about all the beautiful things we saw during our trip. He is the best, safest driver I ever experienced. Traffic in Uganda can be scaring but we always felt safe.
Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries we have visited!
We hope to go to Uganda again soon and will absolutely have no doubt about which tour operator to choose: Matoke tours Uganda!!!!
Matoke tours Uganda: Thank you for making our trip one of the most beautiful, memorable trips we ever made!!
SE
Email Peter and Britt-Marie Bergfalk | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, responsive and verry dedicated to the clients and mission
We took a 8 days tour with two resting days at ViaVia Guesthouse in Entebbe one i the beginning and one in the end.
this was our first trip to East Africa and our experience of Ugandas nature and wildlife was fantastic, especially the nature in Biwindi was something extraordinary. Pleunie at Matoke Tours answered all our question before the trip and the comunication was so good. Even during the tour she was in contact with us and asked if everything was ok. She solved every question we had before we travelled so we where in a good mood when it started.
In Uganda we meet our driver/guide John a verry experient guide with 29 years in guiding. We also had a trainee Doris as his assistant.
Johns knowledge and his way to guide us about the nature and animals was so interesting and educating. He was always on time and had a verry good comunication with us. we are so happy that we got him as our main guide. We where also verry lucky to have Doris as a trainee on the trip as talked and teach us a lot about the culture and ordinary life in Uganda. She was also verry thoughtful and also always looking after us as clients. This combination of guides made the trip even more memorable.
During the trip we lived in different lodges and guesthouse. ViaVia Guesthouse beautiful garden a laidback atmosphere with a nice staff. The restaurant had good varity of different food. Next stop was Kibale Forest Camp. Verry nice accomondation but we had preferd more to chose from in the dinner menu and not just a 3 dishes menu. But we where offered hot sandwiches insteadso it worked out well. Also a beautiful garden. After that we lived at Bush Lodge. this was a i little more budget variant of living in a self contend tent with a shared bathroom some meters away. In the night we needed escort to walk due to the Hippos wandering around the tent. But it was totaly safe for us and had a beautifull view from the tent. Next stop was a verry nice lodge Enjojo. This place had it all. Good nature and a fantastic staff and verry nice restaurant and we could combine our own dinner menu. The manager always looked after the guests. Finaly we enden in Lake Matunda resort. another great enviroment and Lake Mutanda was nice to take a bath in.The cottage we lived in was verry nice, but the service was a little bit more confused due to verry young personel. We had no chance to to choose dinner other then the set menu and we should like to have more options.
Now to the exursions. All of them met and was beyond our expectations much due to John and Doris guiding. We see Leopards, Lions, hippos and Chimpanzees. The last tour was in Biwindi forrest to track the Gorillas and this was just amazing. We can higly recomend to book with Matoke Tours from start to end it was a perfect experience with a fantastic focus on the clients and Matoke is the obvious choise for us if we return to Uganda or another of there destinations.
Email Lilo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Matoke Tours is the most professional, customer-oriented, value-for-money tour operator, I have met
I had my friend from Germany coming to Uganda with her 2 teenage daughters and I booked a 7-days tour with Matoke Tours for us, based on the Value-for-money Tour advertised on the Website. As the girls are under 15 years of age, we couldn't do the gorilla tracking, but Pleunie was excellent in offering tailor-made alternatives. Her recommended options for accommodation were also superb. We went to Kibale Forest for chimp tracking, Queen Elisabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. It has been a wonderful trip and even though I have visited Uganda's National Parks many times before, self-organised and self-driving, this trip has been the most wonderful experience, due to such professional service and excellent choice of accommodation by Pleunie (we had asked for mid-range and they turned out to be exactly what we wished for at a price we could afford).
I am sure that Pleunie did a lot more behind the scenes, but what I would like to thank her most for, is for giving us Jacob as our guide, driver, councillor, scientist, entertainer, ….
He is the best guide I have ever experienced. He advocated for us at the lodges and UWA, he managed so well to deal with teenage, sometimes stubborn girls, being able to balance our interest in an exclusive wildlife experience with the interests of two 12 and 14 years old girls.
Jacob has a wealth of experience and knowledge about wildlife and conservation, if he doesn’t know he says so and asks others, and most of all, I have never felt as safe with a driver, as I have felt with him.
He has certainly made this safari the most enjoyable and rewarding trip, especially for me, as I know differently. But also my visitors loved him and valued him so so much.
All in all, I can recommend Matoke Tours highly, for their Professionalism and Skill in matching people with what suits them best.
NL
Email Jeroen Schmohl & Renée Keesman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, creative planning, reliable, very informative and knowledgable
Because we were invited for a wedding in Moyo Uganda, we were looking for a local touroperator and found Matoke. We got in contact with Pleunie and after a few short emails Matoke came up with a super nice creative itinerary. Even Matoke had to be inventive because Moyo is way out of touristic range. Everything went smooth. From pick up at the airport by master guide Musa, extremely friendly, smart, funny and well informed about nature, culture and safety. And birds! All information provided by Matoke was very accurate, chosen lodges were very good inclusive fine dining which we did not expect at all before our trip. Did a few nice additional things like hiking and making coffee in Sipi with the very funny guide Moses and a Kamaradjong visit with the lovely Maria. We saw leopards, lions, elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo's and hundreds of stunning birds in Murchison Falls and Kidepo national parks. The landcruiser was fine especially in combination with the super skilled driver Musa who had his very first vist in Moyo too after being a guide for several decades. In one word excellent. Thank you Pleunie and thank you Musa!!!
Highly recommended. Pleunie and Musa for president!
Email Gary | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just brilliant - thanks to Pleunie and Edwin,
Originally trip was organised for my wife and I in April 2020 with a UK Operator who went into liquidation as a result of Covid-19.
I identified Matoke as an alternative through Tripadvisor - I was looking for a local based company and the reviews of Matoke were excellent. I was not disappointed
