Bella Africa safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators, uganda wildlife association & licensed guide by uganda tourist board
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $40 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IE
Email Barbara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - THEY WILL ROB YOU!
Do not use Bella Africa Safaris as Bella basically took our money and left us hanging high and dry.
We found this out the day after our arrival in Kigali when it turned out that nothing was paid for: no car, no permits, no activities. We did have phone calls with Bella herself who told us that she had financial problems, but all would be solved within 3 days and we just needed to advance $2000 for the first 3 days so that she could sort herself out. She would meet us in person back in Kigali, apologize and ensure us we will have a fantastic trip. Needless to say that never happened. We had no choice but to pay for everything all over again it was that or taking the next flight home. We were lucky to still be able to get gorilla permits and I wont mention the financial impact of having to pay for this trip of a life time twice.
We sent the deposit back in February to ensure all permits would be bought well in advance but nothing was done. So this was not a last minute problem with cash flow as one of the versions of the story we were provided with
I repeat DO NOT use this company they are a sham. Rwanda is amazing but our trip was spoilt by Bella’s dishonesty and greed. We went to Rwanda and have been back for 3 weeks and the last thing we heard she was going to ask for a loan and reimburse us every penny. This was 2 weeks ago. We will never see our money again don't waste yours as well, find another company.
Email Vanessa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DO NOT USE SHE STEALS YOUR MONEY
We visited Uganda in June on the celebration of my 50th Birthday. All started well until we got to see the gorillas and same as last review no permits paid for and we had two days to pay for and had to pay twice. Again as last review we paid her in January. Then went to see Chimps in Kibale and were staying in a lovely hotel close to chimps but had to move as this was not paid for either! The driver was not being paid and was hassling us for money too which we had no choice but to give him or be left stranded. Bella did come and meet us and gave us same story. We did consider going to the police but trusted her that she would refund us. To date we have received nothing! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
Bella is the best
Bella is the most loyal, friendly and funny tourguide in Africa. She really takes al her effort to give you a nice trip. She also has lots of knowledge about Africa and is willing to share this with you. Book her with her driver Bashir and you will nog regret it. She is the best!
NL
Email Hilde | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari with lovely tourguide and driver!
It has been five months since I'm back in Holland and I am still dreaming about Uganda and our trip with Bella Africa Safaris. Bella, the tourguide and Bashir, the driver, have been really good to us. We absolutely loved every single minute with them. Bella is a pro in organizing safaritrips. In advance, we spoke about our budget and what we wanted to see in a short period of time. Bella booked lovely luxury lodges with really good food, nice safaritents, beautiful scenery and really nice hikes within our budget.
Bella knows a lot about the Ugandan wildlife, the birds, the species, the landscape. Bashir is a great driver and a really nice guy. We felt totally save with them. Because of Bella's years of experiences with safaris she knows a lot of people within the tourist circle. She can arrange almost everything you want. She knows what Dutch tourists like on their holiday and that's her aim.
I can write for hours about Bella Africa Safaris but believe me: you will not regret it. Bella Africa Safaris is unique and nothing like you ever experienced before. Trust me on that!
US
Email Roger | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Absolute Worst
AVOID. HIDE. RUN. My 11 day solo Uganda tour blew up after 5 days – money issues. I found out (too late) that Bella had financial difficulties. I paid in full before the tour but they kept asking me for money during the tour. Beware of her and guide Robin coming back into the business under a different company name.
Internet: “www.bellaafricasafaris.com Mailscanner has detected fraud in the website at docs.google.com. Do not trust this website”. www.inspirock.com Bella ... # 78 of 102 in Wildlife in Kampala “www.tourhq.com ... Bella ... ranked # 39 of 47 tour groups in Kampala”
Before the Tour: My repeated emails were typically returned days late. I had to ask for receipts after monies were paid. A “must have” list never came. I emailed the lodges on the tour itinerary a week before it started. Only one lodge said they had a reservation under my name or Bella’s. I emailed Bella, and guide Robin responded that"all reservations are confirmed" (liar).
The Tour: Substitutions were made for all of the lodges listed on the itinerary. I was picked up late every morning at my lodge, once 3 hours late. Guide Robin said that the van had repairs done that day, but the driver told me in the afternoon that Robin spent the morning trying to get money. They asked me for money on the second day … difficulties in Bella getting money to Robin (lie). We spent an entire morning trying to get into Murchison NP - Robin with Bella on the phone tried to talk the person at the gate into letting us in. Finally I paid (and was never reimbursed). A joke. The van was given gasoline 6 gallons at a time – never filled. Bottled water was purchased one bottle at a time. The tour blew apart on day 5 in Kibale NP. Bella never paid for my Chimp Habitation permit (surprise!) – she asked me to pay the 200 USD fee. Nope. The game warden said I could go on the habitation if Bella got the money to him before I returned at the end of the day. I went on the habitation but no money came. When Guide Robin arrived to pick me up (I was the last person to be picked up out of 25 people) they kept him, fortunately letting me go back to the lodge with the driver. The warden kept Robin in jail for the night because of lack of payment. He was let out the next day. I heard later that they were thinking of keeping me in jail, too! The driver got disgusted with everything and drove his van home – he had never been paid anything by Bella and had been using some of his own money to buy gas. I stayed on one more day – the wonderful lodge manager got me a ride back to Entebbe (200 USD) and I stayed in Entebbe until my plane left 5 days later. Believe it or not Bella came out to Kibale NP and apologized – too little too late. She said I would be completely reimbursed for the tour (I’m still waiting on the money that won’t come !). Bella and Robin wanted me to continue the tour! I was genuinely concerned about my safety as well as being outraged with the tour. When I got back to Entebbe the lodge people and other guides told me about Bella and her money problems. They were angry with her for giving Uganda tourism a bad name. I could tell more. DO NOT GO NEAR!
The bottom line is that Bella let me fly 19 hours in the air to Uganda (and back home), pay 1500 USD roundtrip air, and pay her about 5000 USD in full for a trip that she knew that she could not pull off. As low as you can get. Would have liked to give zero stars. Amazingly, she still has her website online and on Safari Bookings.
NL
Email Michel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bella knows exactly how to best enjoy your holiday!
I believe Bella was born for tourism. She knows a lot about the country, the people, the landscape, the history etc. She is superfriendly, very helpfull and knows what real service is. Paying attention not only to you as a person but also having a close eye to the way the group enjoys the holiday. She is open minded, interested in other cultures, behaviors and people. She knows exactly what real customer service is. If you are looking for an excellent safari and someone who offers much more than other safari companies do, I strongly recommend Bella. She really makes the difference!
Amazing experience
Bella africa were amazing throughout the entire experience from the planning to the actual trip. The team was flexible and I had no communication problems (Thanks to Juliet who helped me plan the trip!). We had a complicated itinerary for three people but everything was organised perfectly for us and everything went so smoothly. A special thank you to our guide Micheal Lutembe and Ritah. They were excellent, funny and great company. The guide was also very knowledgeable and made sure everything was perfect for us at every point of the trip making the trip stress free.
Bella has done a great job starting this company and supporting women in this field. Hope Bella goes on to employ more female guides to enter the field and to grow the company further.
Uganda is a beautiful country! Can't wait to come back one day. Would definitely recommend Bella Africa Safaris to anyone wanting to visit Uganda!
AT
Email Johann | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Tour with Bella Safari Africa
We had an 8-day trip (Bwindi, QEP, Kibale, Lake Mburo). The trip was perfectly organized and our Guide Bella - she is also the owner of the company - made the whole trip to an unforgettable and amazing experience. Bella worked for a huge Safari company for years and started her own business last year.
Even though some drives were long (we wanted to see as many things as possible in 8 days), they didnt feel that long, because Bella told us all about the History and the Culture of this beautiful Country. Since Bella is the only female Guide in Uganda, everyone in the safari business knows her, wich makes travelling with her a lot of fun.
Uganda itself has so many different landscapes, so its hard to choose a favourite, but of course, seeing the gorillas in Bwindi is something you wont forget your whole life. Bella will send you a List of things you will need for the Gorilla tracking after you confirm the booking and be advised to take all this stuff with you, because you will go through some serious Ugandan Jungle.
If you want to taste some traditional Ugandan food, tell Bella, she knows some really great Places. Rolex and Matoke are delicious!
The next time I go to Uganda - and there will be a next time - i most definately go with Bella Safari Africa again. I can only recommend this company to anyone, who want´s to experience Uganda in all its amazing parts an details.
Email kenneth odeke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent,massive, enjoying, lovely, adventurous,teaching,gorgeous,great,interesting,fun,generously.
I recommend anyone to book with Bella Africa Safaris because of the hospitality it has for it's clients. I'm from England and the first first time I booked with Bella Africa Safaris I enjoyed it from the start up to the end of my trip, it is more fun, welcoming, excellent and caring comparing to other tour companies have been with I got to see everything I wanted like the valleys, lakes, massive Gorillas, birds, chimpanzees and all the cultural heritage and its tribes. I'm looking forward to visit Africa again through using Bella Africa Safaris and I recommend every one to use Bella Africa Safaris for gorgeous adventure do not miss this God bless.
BE
Email Tine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!
No doubt that Bella is the best person to arrange your trip to Uganda. She is superfriendly, very helpfull and will do everything to make you feel comfortable as a guest.
It was my first time to Uganda and i am sure i will book again with Bella Africa Safaris.
She is a very correct and honest. I can recommand her to everybody who wants an amazing experience in Uganda!