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)
Reviews
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Email Giulia Mirossi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda: once-in-a-lifetime experience!
An absolutely highly recommended safari experience in Uganda! Our guide, Ossman, was driving us through a safari across the country's main national parks, sharing insights into local culture and ensuring each day was perfectly organized. The accommodations included in the itinerary were very comfortable and high-quality, ensuring maximum comfort after a day of driving in the safari vehicle. We saw the major animals of the African savanna, including leopards and lions perched in euphorbia trees. The scenery along the Nile River and at Murchison Falls was also captivating. The trip included unforgettable experiences: gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park and tracking chimpanzees up close in Kibale Forest. We also asked our guide if it was possible to visit a Batwa Pygmy community—hunter-gatherers native to the African Great Lakes region. Our request was granted, and the opportunity to connect with the local culture was fantastic. The company offers excellent value for money.
Email dorina cavalieri | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A paid service was not provided and the acknowledged refund is still outstanding
I am a European tour operator and engaged Buyaga Safaris as a local supplier for clients travelling in Uganda. I entrusted my clients to this company in good faith and paid separately for a professional Italian-speaking guide/interpreter.
The person provided did not speak Italian at all and was therefore completely unable to perform the service for which I had paid. I reported the problem immediately and repeatedly requested that she be removed from the tour. My requests were initially ignored, and only after several days and a formal intervention on my part was she finally made to leave the vehicle.
The clients may have enjoyed other aspects of their journey, but that is an entirely separate matter. Satisfaction with the driver, itinerary, wildlife or gorilla experience cannot compensate for a specific service that was contracted and paid for but never provided.
Buyaga Safaris subsequently acknowledged my refund request in writing. The correct refund amount was established at USD 1,100, and I was told that it would be processed after receiving guidance from the company’s lawyers. The clients returned approximately two months ago, and I have already refunded them from my own funds. Nevertheless, I have still received neither the money nor a definite payment date. Buyaga Safaris has not even requested my banking details.
Their latest response was simply that my refund was “not an emergency” and that I should continue to be patient. After weeks of delays and repeated assurances without any concrete action, I consider this handling extremely unprofessional and unacceptable.
As of the date of this review, the acknowledged USD 1,100 refund remains unpaid. I will update this review if and when Buyaga Safaris finally honours its written commitment.
Reply from Buyaga Safaris
Posted on Oct 20, 2026Dear Dorina,
We're sorry your clients weren't happy with their Italian-speaking guide, and we'd like to share our side.
As agreed, we provided a driver guide and a second guide who speaks Italian. Soon after arrival, one of the clients, who speaks English, started talking with the team in English, and from then on the trip ran mostly in English with our driver guide.
When you raised the issue, we looked into it straight away. The guide has worked with other safari companies and has good reviews. As we do with all our guides, we had paid her in full for the 13 days before the trip started. She left the trip after five days, at your request.
We have refunded you $600 and explained in writing how we reached that figure. We've enjoyed working with you and we're still happy to talk this through directly.
Peter, Buyaga Safaris
AR
Email Rosario | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
My experience in Uganda was absolutely incredible and definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Africa.
The gorilla trekking was completely crazy in the best possible way. Being so close to the gorillas, seeing them in their natural habitat, and especially being able to see a silverback was an unforgettable experience. It is difficult to put into words how special that moment was.
The chimpanzee trekking was also amazing. Walking through the forest looking for them and then being able to observe them in their natural environment was such a unique experience.
I also want to give a special mention to my guide, Eric. He was always attentive to every little detail and made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire trip. From making sure I had time to stop and use the bathroom when needed to even washing my muddy shoes after the trekking, he was always looking after me and making sure I had everything I needed.
Everything was very well organized, and as a solo traveler I always felt safe, comfortable, and well taken care of.
Uganda was truly an unforgettable experience, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves wildlife and wants to experience these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
Email Jack Williams | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Osman our guide was amazing! I would highly recommend going with Buyaga safaris and make sure you ask for Osman! He was super friendly and easy to get on with. He knew all the good spots on the safaris and was always super helpful in getting you whatever you need! He was a really safe driver which isn’t easy on some of the roads.
MX
Email Socorro Gonzalez | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They make everything smooth and simple
Everything was just and a perfect experience, I will thank you so much to my driver Simpson for his attention and professionalism I feel safe and with attention all
The time highly recommend!
Email Paige Crane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour, with very friendly services
This was a bucket list trip for my partner and I, we went in August. Buyaga Safaris exceeded all expectations. Peter was so easy to communicate with, responding within minutes each time. The whole itinerary was exciting and each day just got better and better. Apton our guide made our holiday, he was so knowledgeable on all the animals and activities we were doing. We formed a lovely friendship with him and are still in contact with him to this day. I will be recommending Apton for future tours to my friends and family. We booked a private tour for 12 days and for the price we paid we can't fault it. Buyaga Safaris also organised a birthday cake for my partners 30th birthday which was such a nice gesture. highly recommend this tour service.
AT
Email Harald | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience and excellent Reliable Service
We were 3 people and went on a 9 day tour in which we saw all the big 5, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. It was a fantastic experience.
Communication with the company was outstanding, we usually received an answer to our messages and questions within minutes.
Our guide was great too. Besides being friendly, explaining well, and trying his best to accomodate our wishes he even took us on an extra game drive, to see zebras, and he helped us look for a camera battery. The vehicle had air conditioning, was very comfortable and enough water was always provided.
The lodges were great too and provided vegan / vegetarian food options, although it was almost always vegetables with some sort of carbs (rice, potatoes, matoke, etc.). More variety would have been appreciated. Also, the introductory briefings in the lodges were often unnecessarily long, especially after having had a long drive or day you just want to know the basic things. Not in all places it was possible to move outside the lodges freely, mostly because of wild animals. For someone that enjoys running that was not ideal, but it total I could go 3 times.
Value for money is excellent. Gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits are very expensive, subtracting that, the prize per person was excellent.
All in all we can really recommend the experience.
ES
Email Julia Vallespi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A perfect safari in Uganda from start to finish — thank you, Peter and Anderson!
Everything was excellent from the very first moment. I contacted several agencies before deciding, and Peter was without a doubt the best of them all: he put together the most optimised route, with the best hotels and at the best price. You can tell he knows exactly what he’s doing. Always attentive, friendly and helpful, answering everything with endless patience.
One thing I especially want to highlight: because of the Ebola situation we had to cancel the trip initially. Peter gave us all the options, including postponing it to 2027, and once the country was declared Ebola-free we were able to pick the safari back up straight away. He made everything as easy as possible for us and gave us all the information we needed at every step. We didn’t have to worry about a thing.
And our guide, Anderson, was fantastic. We were delighted with him throughout the whole trip. Everything was so easy, so well organised, and an unforgettable experience. I recommend Buyaga Safaris one hundred percent.
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Email Michela Valsecchi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A dream come true in a 11 days tour in Uganda
We organized an 11-day tour of Uganda with Buyaga Safaris, allowing us to visit this wonderful country from north to south. Our driver/guide, Braiton, was excellent, always punctual, available, and ready to answer any of our questions and accommodate our needs as best as possible. Furthermore, despite the difficult Ugandan roads, especially those accessing the various parks, and the long drive, he proved to be an excellent driver (again, it was a great pleasure). The hotels we booked were excellent, some even exceeding our expectations. The only downside (if there was one) is that the chimpanzee tour was scheduled for the morning, but we went in the afternoon and only learned about it the night before. So, a tip is to indicate in the program that the chimpanzee trek can be done either in the morning or afternoon. Overall, the overall price—even compared to those offered by other companies—seemed very fair. We are happy with this trip and hope to return to Uganda soon!
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Email Sfiligoj Cristina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable experience…
Twelve truly beautifull days, impeccably organized. Every detail was managed with great precision and care, which allowed us to experience the trip with complete peace of mind. A special thanks goes to Osman, who accompanied us throughout this experience. A very friendly, kind, polite, always professional, punctual, helpful guy, and deeply attentive to ensuring we experienced this wonderful country in the best possible way. He does this job with immense passion.
Definitely consider coming to Uganda because it is a truly unmissable experience!