Mega Wild Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $570 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Laura Miller | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Easy to book, comfortable accommodation, and saw lots of wildlife
It was easy to book the safari online. The guides arrived on schedule and we had many wildlife sightings at Akagera National Park.
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Email Victoria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lovely Tour with an Excellent Company
I booked a tour with Mega Wild Safaris knowing I was traveling as a single woman by myself to Uganda. Anne at Mega Wild answered all my questions before booking and made me feel really safe to take the 12 day tour. Upon arrival, my guide Onan picked was waiting for me right outside the airport to get my bag and to assist with getting a SIM card and changing money to local currency. He had a huge smile and made me feel at ease and welcome right away.
The tour had a similar itinerary as other companies that operated in the area, but it is truly the people that make the difference. My guide, Onan, answered all my questions and looked up any he didn't know. He had a true passion for his work and showcased how great the people of Uganda are as well as its wildlife. A few times I was treated to his singing and playing a musical instrument. I had some flexibility at some parts of the tour to add extra activities and chose the style of restaurant I wanted to visit. I highly recommend doing a community walk and touring a traditional village.
The transport van was comfortable and included a mobile hotspot with WIFI. Water was always available in the van and there was always the option to stop if I wanted to purchase a soda or some snacks along the way. Along the tour we would stop to pick up some local produce to snack on which was always fresh and yummy. I opted for mid-range lodging which meant a room to myself with a flush toliet, bed, mosquito net, shower (hot water), electricity and the ability to charge my phone/camera. All the lodges selected by Mega Wild were comfortable with very attentive staff. I had better service (hospitality and serving of meals) at the lodges in Uganda than I have at any US hotel. Lodges had WIFI in the central but not in the rooms. This didn't matter since by the end of the day I just wanted to sleep anyways.
If you a looking for a tour company that makes you feel cared for and a staff that LOVE what they do - choose Mega Wild Safari. In the tourism business, the people make all the difference and that is what sets Mega Wild apart. The staff is top notch and they have a great relationship with lodges and operators of difference excursions along the way.
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Email Jerry Hsieh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience with a top notch Safari operator
It''s a difficult time for all the travel operators around the world. We booked a 7 days private luxury gorilla and chimpanzee tour with Mega Wild Safaris in mid January. The trip was due to start in Mid March. In late Feb, Covid-19 hit the world, we were worried that we may not be able to start our trip in Mid March. Fortunately, we were able to get in before lock down. We were one of the few guests to see this beautiful countries before everything shut down. Initially, there was a small mixed-up with itinerary, but it did not affect the trip much. Overall, the trip was well organized and the tour guide was very experienced. The tour had exceed our expectation. We loved everything and we were really happy with our choice. I have dealt with other African safari companies before and I can tell you this is a very honest company which is very important when we are under Covid-19 pandemic. At moment, the last thing you want to worry is a dishonest tour operator. If you are planing to come to Uganda or East Africa, I will highly recommend you to use their service.
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Email Kim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
COVID19 Cancelled our trip and this company took advantage of the pandemic
I do not recommend booking with this company. Anne was very friendly, but the savings of a few hundred dollars turned out costing us thousands. We had a safari scheduled for early June 2020, which we chose to cancel due to COVID19. We cancelled 3 months in advance. We chose not to wait it out because we feared losing all of our money if this safari company decided that COVID19 was not a good reason to cancel and to be honest it turned out that they didn't feel a pandemic was a good enough excuse to cancel anyway. Their policy of a 75% refund less the gorilla permits was better than losing the total $6600 I spent.
However the upsetting part was that I emailed Anne asking how they planned on dealing with COVID19. I was nicely told they would give full refund less the Gorilla permit that they tell you aren't refundable (which is not true by the way.). Needless the say when I took her up on her kind offer of giving full refund.... well, there was radio silence for over a day. So I emailed again and then she finally replied telling me... Oh sorry that full refund I mentioned we could do, well we can't because i talked to people who told me I can't give it. IT IS HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DO THAT. Also their website states that they give 90% refunds if canceled more than 60 days in advance but their written policy doesn't say that. Also, please check out this link and never use a tour company like I did to book your Gorilla permits- Uganda Wildlife Authority does give refunds. It's just another way for these tour companies to SCAM you. https://www.bwindiimpenetrablenationalpark.com/gorilla-permits/cancellation/
After arguing with Anne over email that it was not okay to tell a customer full refund and then change your mind. I finally accepted the refund they would give and filed a dispute with my credit card company. The crappy part is my credit card company is so bogged down right now with other travelers. Anne failed to mention to them that she had told me full refund and then took it back. She also failed to mention, I never signed a contract. She failed to mention that the Uganda and Kenya are closed right now due to COVID19. Failed to mention that it's not possible to go on a trip right now.
Overall, my experience is I got scammed. When I didn't want to rebook my trip and took her up on her offer I think she freaked out and then said, oh no... By the way, rebooking the trip would have cost me more money. Why you ask? Because the Gorilla permits cost more next year and there is a fee to reschedule. And don't forget they aren't refundable. They are refundable, just not to you if you book with this company or one like it.
So the moral of this story is, I'm totally bummed I had to cancel my trip. Yet, there are better companies out there to work with. These guys are not fully honest. The policy stated on their website versus the one given to you are different. They can decide when they feel like it if they don't want to honor something they tell you.
I will likely not win my dispute for the other half of my refund, but I have not given up. One thing I've learned in all my travel is that you need to fight for your refunds. I travel a lot. I'm a digital nomad. I'm writing this review in hopes to save another person from this experience.
COVID19 or not... I would not trust this company. They have some good reviews and it's why I went with them, but don't be fooled. You could have a great trip with them or you could get total ripped off and scammed just like me. The choice is yours. I wish you all well.
Reply from Mega Wild Safaris
Posted on May 11, 2020Dear Kim,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry that we failed to meet your expectations. Please kindly note that Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA), the only body responsible for issuing gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, does not offer refunds for unused gorilla permits and Chimpanzee permits but rather offers reschedules incase a customer is not able to track on their comfirmed dates. As such, the company was unable to offer you the refund for the already purchased permits because Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) did not offer us a refund for the permits we had already purchased for your tracking. Please understand that the Company issued you a refund in accordance with the refund and cancellation policy that was clearly stated on your invoice and agreed to by yourself prior to you sending the payment for the trip. We are however sorry that your experience did not match your expectations and we'll strive to do better.
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Email Walter Spalding | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our guide made this experience unforgetable.
Working with Anne Bright to confirm our reservation and working with Onan, our guide, made this trip easy to customize to our needs and to have the best experience. Not only did we see all of the signficant animals during our safari, which few do, but we were able to visit four sponsored children during our stay. It was obvious that Mega Wild Safaris empahasize customer service and adapt their normal safari distinations to accomodate our needs. Being from the United States we had to adapt to the Uganda enviornment and the reduced public services but this was made easy by such a rewarding experience.
I contacted a number of safari companies and by far Mega Wild was the most responsive and affordable. There is no question that the next time we visit this part of Africa we will do it again with them.
HR
Email Anica (IG: thismorningiwokeupin) | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service, a looot of hippos :D
My friend and me did 3 days tour to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. I was a bit scared to go as 2 girls alone, because of different stories i read, but i never ever felt endanger.
Our tour guide was Onan. I have to say that Onan, beside his great personality, has excellent driving skills. One time it was so stormy and foggy, we were going up the hill on muddy cliff road, i was so scared, but Onan drove all the way up and down without problem. Eh, if you have experience of traveling in Africa, you will know why i am mentioning driving skills. Trust me, it is very important.
We had spacious 4x4 land cruiser.
We saw all big 5. However, we saw only 2 tree climbing lions, but it can happen that you see many or none... who knows, maybe you will see more :). I am also glad that we saw leopard from a super close distance. Onan was never making pressure on us to hurry up, he let us stay anywhere as long as we wanted. He would spend a whole day driving around safari and he has great knowledge. We saw so many hippos, birds and elephants. And hippos were animals which i wanted to see so badly... hehe, now i can tell i saw 100s of them (when we did a boat ride on Kazinga channel)... Oh, and to not forget! We saw a crocodile literally one meter from us!!
Also, since his family lived nearby, we asked him if we could visit his village/city and if they could prepare for us traditional food. He accepted :)), that made us happyyyy... the best fish i ate in Uganda!! Please, if he is your tour guide, let him bring you there... or maybe a suggestion for Mega Wild Safaris, include visit to his fisherman village to the tour :)... even there you can see some elephants or buffalos (one was maybe 30 to 50 meters from us when we were walking :D)...
Before safari, i communicated with Anne. She is clear, fast and efficient. Great management skills!
About the accommodation, we decided to organize our own... i was familiar with accommodation in the region so it was fine, but if you are not, then better let them organize it for you.
I would definitely take a tour with them again! Maybe next time Gorilla tour, since they are also doing that one :))
Thanks for everything, you are great! :)
BE
Email Martine Verbeke | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Communicative - helpfull - friendly
Perfect.
Administriation and communication before the trip were excellent.
The guide realy helpfull for our friend with difficulties.
Love How they respect environment and animals of the park.
Email Andy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Wonderful Experience with a very professional company
This is our second safari in East Africa. On the first, which was organised via an Australian company I realised that all the organisation and work was done by the locals on the ground. So on our return I wanted to organise the safari directly with an East African company. From my very first interactions with Mega Wild I knew that they were a dedicated and professional company. Anne was just delightful to deal with. She patiently guided me through the planning process and helped me design the safari we were after. On arrival in Uganda we found ourselves in the care of our guide Dalson and that’s when the fun really began. He was fabulous company, gave us great guidance and was an excellent driver on the challenging roads. We always felt safe and well cared for and had an absolute ball in the process. In Rwanda, our guide James also looked after us with care and professionalism and showed us his country with great pride. Our time in Uganda and Rwanda was simply amazing. Friendly people everywhere, extraordinary landscapes and of course - the animals. Our gorilla trek and chimpanzee trek were once in a lifetime experiences we’ll never forget. It was as great pleasure working and travelling with Anne and her team. Mega Wild is terrific family company based in Kampala. I cannot recommend them more highly.
MX
Email Gerardo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic! They proveed to be 5-star and so much more
Went to Kenya and Uganda for an 11 day safari. Since day one their attention was great. They structured a nice safari to diferent national parks, each one better than the previous and ending with the AMAZING Masai Mara. Hotels were great and guides knew quite well about each park and the animals we could spot on each. We ended seeing all the animals we were looking for, so we were quite happy about it. Overall, i would definetly rate them 5 stars. Since day one (before doing any payment) the communication with the staff was impressive, which at the end gave us the confidence to book with them. Would definetly do it again! As for our gorilla trekking trip, we saw rhem around 30min into the trekking, which was fantastic. Overall, really happy with the trip we had.
IT
Email Carlos | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional, with a very good value for money.
The tour was absolutely fantastic!
Anne helped me to organize exactly what I wanted.
Dalson was an excellent guide and driver.
Everything was better than expected, even the lodges were good, clean and comfortable.