AT
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Except for the government run accommodations, a successful and recommendable trip
The booking with Mansoor Mohamed was smooth and absolutely professional. Thank you very much!!!
We were assigned a driver with the name "Zakaria"
He was an absolute stroke of luck. He is integer, educated and a good helpful driver.
Mikumi NP: There was no soap, towel or toilet paper in the bungalow. The mosquito net only covered half of the bed. Therefore it was absolutely unusable. The outside doors had a 2 cm. gap at the bottom. As soon as light was turned on, a number of insects and bugs came into the room, attracted by the light.
Ruha National Park: In the bungalow there was toilet paper, but no linen in the bed, no soap and the window was only up to the half with an insect screen.
For the price I paid, I did not expect anything great, but such minimalism surprised me. Because that is not a question of cost, but of basic service.
The food in both cases was, to put it kindly, functional.
As an intermediary, I strongly recommend contacting both Park Headquarters to remedy the situation.
I am convinced that these shortcomings are only disinterest and laziness.
Please advise clients before booking that this are government run accommodations. These are often worse- worldwide.
Mloka Safari Lodge: You immediately notice the difference between accommodations provided by the government and privately run.
Here everything was just right. Nice clean bungalow, with towel, soap and toilet paper. The room was hosed down before going to sleep. Good service, good food. Highly recommended. The boat tour could have been spared, especially since we started half an hour later, as a guide had to be found first.
Summary:
Booking: Very good
Driver: Excellent
Accommodation in the NP: Unsatisfactory
Safari: Very Good
Overall rating: Good
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience
We had one of the best times of our life in Uganda.
We met mountain gorillas and chimpanzee face to face and saw all the other animals on land and in water.
The perfect experience is not only due to the magnificient nature and wildlife. The Matoke team planned and organised just a perfect tour for us and our driver and guide Antoli from Matoke Tours is an outstanding man. He is very competent, friendly and customer oriented. A big thank you to Anatoli and the Matoke team.
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Wild experience
Josephine who owns Lilac Roller Safaris made an absolutely fantastic 10 day trip for me. I managed both safari, Nairobi and to climb Africa's 2 highest mountain Mount Kenya. Every aspect of the trip was under control, and Josephine was always in touch if there were any problems. But luckily it didn't. I managed to see all the wild animals you can dream of and to stand on top of Mount Kenya.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible, especially as a first time visitor to Africa!
2.5 weeks prior to my visit to Africa, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, or what I wanted to do. Over a Google search, I came across Africa as a destination, specifically Tanzania. Within an hour, I did a little research on some camps and reached out to Go2Africa in the process. Their response was fast and within 4 days, communicating only via e-mail, I had everything booked in exceptional camps (Nomad Serengeti Safari and Lamai), including all transfer flights, within the budget I was targeting. The process was completely seamless and given a number of unknowns for a first-time visitor to Africa, Lauren from Go2Africa made everything so simple.
A little about the camps I stayed at... My first camp was Nomad's Serengeti Safari which I was staying at for the Migration season. I actually had never camped before either and Nomad's camp was so easy to adjust to. The accommodations were nice, staff was friendly, the other guests were fantastic, and the food was incredible! Most of all, Ian showed me a great time on my game drives, ensuring I was able to make the most of my time there to see all the animals! My second camp was in the north at Lamai Serengeti. As soon as I arrived, I was shocked at just how beautiful the place really was. The pictures online simply don't do it justice. Overlooking the plains, Lamai has probably the best location for miles around with some of the most luxuriously rooms. The management team and staff were really friendly, and it was always a treat to catch up with them after a long day. My guide was Laz who was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. When I landed, I told Laz I really wanted to see a Rhino to complete my big 5 and he was determined to show me one, which he delivered! Overall, a fantastic experience which I highly recommend to anyone!
GQ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It has been an amazing experience!
It was all a dream! I am really happy that I could bring my kids to live such an experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was wonderful and we enjoyed every bit of it.i.e from animals,food and accommodation.
Everything was well explained,we had a very well trained guide who was friendly and knowledgeable.Everything was done to our expectations.Alfred is a professional tour operator.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Gorilla trekking - an unforgettable experience and worth the hard work
When researching Uganda, we investigated about 6 or 7 operators, and chose Matoke for a number of reasons. The European connections and bonding arrangements were valuable. We found them very flexible in advising on itineraries and then finally in booking our tour. They were very price competitive for the ground arrangements and lodge quality which we selected (not quite the cheapest, but some others who were less helpful were very much dearer). Some insisted that we fitted in with their pre-arranged itineraries and dates - Matoke custom built exactly to our requirements. Generally the booking process was efficient although it was slightly off-putting to end up dealing with 3 different people. The continuity of one person handing the whole booking might have given us a little more confidence. The tour itself went very well, much of this due to our driver/guide Jacob, who was excellent. His English was impeccable, his humour infectious, and his knowledge about Uganda, its history and culture were most informative. When there was a hitch in our travel arrangements, he worked hard to ensure that it was rectified. The lodges were of variable quality, and generally less good than those we have found on other African safaris. Primate Lodge at Kibale had many shortcomings, especially for the price they charged. Service and facilities both left much to be desired. Katara Lodge was beautifully designed, excellent rooms and service, but the drive back from QE Park on such a bad road became a bit of a bind. Mahogany Springs excelled in the quality of staff and food, but for a reasonably new lodge the state of repair was not brilliant. But these criticisms are probably general to Uganda. For the prices charged, the country is still some way behind others on the safari circuit. Nevertheless it was a fascinating country, with very friendly people, some beautiful scenery, offering unique safari opportunities. And the almost faultless organisation of Matoke Tours helped to make this an unforgettable experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I love South Africa
We contacted Indigo Safaris via Safari Bookings. We had spotted a 3 night, reasonably priced stay at Thakadu River Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve. An easy process and a spectacular stay at Thakadu Lodge. Highly recommend the lodge, the tour company and the booking site.
Excellent / great value
Transtrek fulfilled a lifelong dream for me by being totally affordable. We were looked after from the moment we landed until we left and everything in between. The hotels / lodges we stayed at were fantastic we felt like we were living in the lap of luxury seeing some of the most spectacular wildlife during the day and night. Sitting in the bar at Kilaguni with a gin and tonic in my hand overlooking a waterhole seeing the most wonderful wildlife made me feel like a king. Being taken around in comfortable vehicles around the parks was just amazing. I couldn't recommend them enough.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wildlife wonderland that will not disappoint.
A truly wonderful once in a lifetime experience. If you can visit during the migration season it will leave you breathless as waves of wildebeest and zebras make their journey to Tanzania. Our tour operator Pollman deserve the credit for their amazing staff and organisation. The standard of accomodation at the Sarova Hotels in the National Park were first class. The Kenyan people are some of the most delightful and friendly people you will ever meet. The changing landscapes travelling from Hells Gate National park to Shaba National park and onto Lions Hill and Masai Mara are breathtaking. If you pick the right season and tour operator you will not be disappointed.
