Water experiment at the Equator -Uganda
Katona Tours & Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- AUTO - Association Of Uganda Tour Operators, UWA - Uganda Wild life Authority & UTB - Uganda Tourism Board
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $70 to $700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Arnold M | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Katona Tours delivered as promised, on time and in a professional manner.
They were easy to deal with. Responded to questions in a timely manner. Flexible----No problems whatsoever.
FI
Email Paavo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic tour company for your Ugandan safari
We arranged a 6-day safari with Katona to cover (some of) the highlights of Uganda: Bwindi for gorillas, Queen Elizabeth for lions and Kibale for chimpanzees. We couldn't have been happier with choosing Jackie and her guides as the trip exceeded even our quite high expectations.
Jackie was very helpful and super responsive in setting up the itinerary. She had perfect recommendations for where to stay (I would go back to any of the lodges in a heart beat) as well as what to do. Deposit and final payments were done as a bank transfer, which is common, and there were no problems.
Our guide, Richard, must be the most positive man on the planet! He's super friendly, nice to talk with, always making sure everything is well for us and - on top of that and perhaps most importantly - he was superb guide both in terms of explaining what we are seeing as well as arranging things you wouldn't expect to be possible. You know, like seeing a leopard in Queen Elizabeth from 10 meters for 15 minutes ("patience, it will come out of the bush and we are at the ringside").
I have only good things to say about Katona Tours and Travel. Highly recommended!
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Email Katheryn | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic trip!!
My friend and I (2 single females) booked a 7 day gorilla trekking trip with Katona in December 2015. Our guide was Jack and I cannot say enough great things about him! He has worked all over Uganda so everywhere you go, he will know the people working there as he once worked there himself (including Queen Elizabeth, chimp tracking and gorilla trekking). So we were basically extremely well cared for:) On safari in Queen Elizabeth, he was in constant communication with people working there to know where all the lions were hanging out each day. He went above and beyond in making sure we had a great time, felt safe at all times, and were 110% satisfied. I would have no hesitation at all sending anyone to hang out with Jack for a week:)
Jackie was also phenomenal. I've never experienced having emails answered so promptly, she really must be at her computer at all hours of the day! She also called during our week of traveling to make sure that everything was going well with our tour.
The deposit has to be wire transferred, which is a bit different than how companies operate in the U.S. but it is just how things are done in Uganda. Everything was completely on the up and up, Jackie emailed me when she received the funds, and even provided a scanned copy of our gorilla trekking permits as soon as they were processed (the deposit is used primarily to immediately ensure you have permits for the day you are trekking).
In summary, Katona is a really really great company and allowed us to have a phenomenal experience in Uganda!!
NL
Email Karen + Godert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent organization to experience a great safari/trip in beautiful Uganda!
We experienced a great trip with Katona end december 2015 to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Our friendly and reliable driver/guide Richard picked us up at Entebbe airport for a day of relaxation in Cassia Lodge in Kampala (great view).
From the Katona office Jackie is a super liaison officer, with her we organised our trip via internet/E-mail, her communication skills are outstanding, also during the trip.
We visited Bwindi and encountered the mountain gorilla's and Richard aligned us with a children's orphanage near the Trekkers Tavern, a basic and wonderful place to stay. In QE Nat Park we stayed in Twin Lake Lodge, very recommendable due to its nice setting. The boat trip in QE has been one of the highlights of the trip.
Overall we'll recommend Katona Tours & Travel, and particularly the services from Jackie and Richard!
PT
Email Nuno Alves and Margarida Campinas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An experience of a lifetime
Uganda is a fantastic country with exceptional and genuine landscapes and wildlife and Katona Tours made our days in Uganda an experience that we will never forget. Jackie was always very efficient in back office, very quick with replies, trying hard to clarify and please us. During the safari she phoned every day to check if everything was going ok. Jack, our guide, was local, very friendly and truly learned in animals and local habits and he did his best to give us the best of time.
Although we opted for the budget accommodations, we loved all the places we have stayed since they all had a very special atmosphere. They prepared us excellent cooks and we dine under the stars (fantastic sky) and close to the fire. Yes, it was cold in equator…and also hot…could you imagine it?
The gorilla safari day was a hard walk, and we had the greatest heavy rain of our life, but it was very well rewarding to be so close to those humbling and awe-inspiring animals. But Uganda has much, much to offer and to pick a favorite moment it is very difficult… we also loved the chimpanzee safari, all Queen Elizabeth safaris and the close-up with the tree climbing lions. Thanks Katona Tours!!! We will treasure our Uganda trip, always!
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Email Anna | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our Rwanda experience with Katona Tours & Travel was the BEST!
After researching and finding out that Rwanda was the “easier” destination to see the Mountain Gorillas, we sent out requests for quotes from five different tour companies. Jackie at Katona Tours and Travel was the quickest to respond with a full recommended itinerary and reasonable prices. We massaged the itinerary until it completely fitted our needs. The four of us did a 5 Day, 4 night trip which included two Gorilla treks and a Golden Monkey trek. Baker, our driver and guide, picked us up from Step Town Motel in Kigali (great place recommended by Jackie). We stayed at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (excellent!) for three nights during our treks. Baker was nice, very professional, and knew the routes like the back of his hands. He seemed to know everyone, including the people at the Kinigi Ranger Station, where the many groups were assigned to specific gorilla families. He took us on a Rwanda city tour, walked us through the Musanze Marketplace, and shopping at the local arts and craft market. This was an unforgettable trip and we would recommend it to anyone. Katona Tours and Travel made it all possible with its great service and price. At the end of our tour, Jackie spoke with us over the phone to make sure everything went well. Oh, one more thing – it seems that she never sleeps. Jackie answered all our emails almost instantly no matter what time it was.
CA
Email Neva | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!
Jackie was great, she answered all my questions quickly and efficiently. She is kind and she will do her best to make your adventure one to remember. I went on a 8 day tour, trekking for Gorilla's, game safari, trekked for Chimpanzee's. The treks were hard for me but the end result makes it all worth it! The accommodations we chose were budget but honestly they were amazing. The service was great, everyone made sure we had everthing we needed and more. Our guide Richard was the best! He went above and beyond for us. We told him we loved avacado, he stops along the road and gets a bag of them for us. He made sure I had the best adventure trekking for gorilla's. He made sure I had a porter and that the guide kept and eye out for me, and Sara did, I will never forget this adventure. Thanks Katona for making my first trip to Uganda an memorable one. I will defiantly be back.
Jackie was responsive and helpful with logistics and arrangements - Richard was a fantastic guide!
We did a 5 day trip with Katona from Kampala to Bwindi for a gorilla trek, followed by a visit to Queen Elizabelth Park. Arranging everything with Jackie was easy and very smooth and our experience certainly lived up to and exceeded expectations. This was in large part due to our excellent guide Richard. He was extremely professional and attended to our needs and did the best he could to make our trip the best that he possibly could. He was also a very good driver and knowledgeable guide which facilitated our understanding and enjoyment of the trip. Highly recommended!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
8 days of Heaven !!!
We were in Uganda for 8 days and had booked Katona Tours to organize our trip. Jackie was fantastic !! She was very quick to respond to our our emails and answer any questions we may have had. She was excellent at suggesting time lines and was very flexible when we wanted to make changes. The price was very competitive. We booked all budget accommodations and they were perfect. We wanted something very rustic and close to nature and we got exactly what we wanted. The food was fantastic !!
Richard our driver was amazing. He was always on time and organized. He kept us on track and ensured we had an amazing experience. He had many suggestions for us and customized our trip to make sure we were well taken care of. He was a fantastic driver and we always felt very safe.
Overall I would highly recommend this tour company and we would definitely use them again
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Book through Katona!
I really appreciated the open lines of communication with Katona tours both during and after the booking process. Jackie's replies were always quick and it was nice that she called to check in on us during our travels. Richard our driver was very knowledgeable, friendly, and was a highlight of the journey. I think we got very good value for our money. Thank you!