Typical Ugandan operator by Richard Tusasibwe
Gatatu Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $65 to $710 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Barbara | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
14 Day Luxury Tour of Rwanda and Uganda - Gorillas, Chimps, and Birds
We just returned from the "14 Day Luxury Tour of Rwanda and Uganda -
Gorillas, Chimps, and Birds", offered by Gatatu Safaris, and I want to give
an honest review of our experience with this local Ugandan company. We are
seasoned travelers in our 70's and have traveled extensively with wildlife
companies all over the world. We decided to take a chance booking with
Gatatu Safaris instead of an American company because we really liked the
itinerary they offered since one of us is a wildlife photographer and the
other is an avid bird watcher. Not only was it a good fit for our interests,
it was less expensive for what it offered compared to the American companies
we considered. We were overall pleased with our experience although there
were a few short comings. For example, at the beginning of the tour, our driver did not
have the promised itinerary of daily activities and they were not occurring.
Calls back to the office resolved this situation to a degree.
Since it was advertised as a bird tour, we expected to have professional
bird guides at each of the parks where birding was mentioned as an activity.
This had not been arranged ahead of time, but was handled by our guide "on
the fly", and we were never sure if we would have a bird guide or not, nor
how knowledgeable he would be. Another surprise was the game drives
themselves. The itinerary on the website listed multiple game drives at the
national parks, and this was one of the main reasons we elected to go with
Gatatu Safaris. On our travels, we have always taken game drives in safari
vehicles with pop up tops allowing the occupants to stand up and see clearly
in all directions, but this was not the case with Gatatu. The game drives
were conducted with our driver, Stephen, in the same vehicle used for
transportation between parks, a 1999 vehicle with cramped seating that was
not air-conditioned nor was the fresh air vent working, so we endured many
long, hot drives on Uganda's very bumpy and dusty roads with the windows
open. Stephen was neither a naturalist nor a birder, but he did arrange to
hire bird guides in some of the parks after we got there, and he did arrange
to rent a pop up vehicle for one of the game drives.
One thing that Gatatu Safaris handled very well was changing our
accommodations for the gorilla trekking to a location where they felt like
we would be able to do the trek more easily since we are both in our 70's.
This took a number of phone calls and a talk with the park director, so we
were grateful that they arranged this for us. One thing that could have been
better were the briefings before each day and each activity - what to wear,
how long it would take, do we need water and a hiking stick, etc.
This was advertised as a luxury safari tour, and all of the accommodations
were excellent, the best available in each of the places where we stayed,
so we were pleased with that aspect of our trip.
My recommendation to prospective travelers considering going with Gatatu
Safaris is to agree on a detailed itinerary ahead of time with the company, print
it out, and bring it with you, and be aware that it is a small local Ugandan
company and may lack the polish you expect with a high-end American or
European safari company.
VN
Email Ngoc Nguyen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An experience that I won't forget
What an amazing experience I had in Uganda! The communication with Richard went smoothly. He answered patiently and promptly every question I asked. Steven was a very experienced driver. He always wanted to make sure that I enjoy the trip and that if everything is ok. He mastered the rocky roads like no other. The meeting with the gorillas was unforgettable too. I got to see the whole family of gorillas which was one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. The rangers were extremely helpful. They always made sure that I can get the best angle to make photos of the gorillas.
After the tour, Steven even took me to the border with Rwanda and organized for me a taxi to go to Kigali.
And I'm really glad to be the first Vietnamese to ever have booked a tour with Gatatu.
Richard, Steven and the tour itself had definitely made a good impression on Uganda and its people. That was ad adventure that I will never forget.
Email Sarah C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gatatu: gold star service
A tailor-made day trip to Lake Mburo in Nov '16 proved highly enjoyable - as always with Gatatu. Excellent planning + communication. We set off early from Kabale and reached Mbarara for breakfast at a well-chosen motel. The combination of local knowledge and intercultural skills guaranteed real insights into not just the flora + fauna of a lesser-known national park (beautiful landscape), but also into the Bugandan heritage. I just loved the Ankole cattle! This was my fifth trip with Gatatu and I took the best photographs to date. The zebras, especially, were stunning but I also got fab shots of Ugandan cranes for the first time. A 64 year old widow, I travel the world independently, but return again and again to Uganda because the experience is so authentic, moving and humbling.
IN
Email Dhruv | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent time with Gatatu
Richard was great through the booking process. Steven, our driver/guide was excellent. He was accommodating to all our requests and showed us a really good time. Overall a very good experience. Id recommend using Gatatu and supporting local safari tour operators.
US
Email Marva | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing 14 days in the Pearl of Africa
I was hesitant at first to sign up with this tour because Gatatu was unknown to me. But, this trip to Uganda was one of our most enjoyable trips. It was pure Africa, with bumpy, pot-holed roads, dust, town markets, seeing how Africans really live, and a touch of "whatever happens, happens" attitude. Before the trip Richard stayed in constant communication with us to allay our concerns. Stephan, our driver guide, was prompt, fun, knowledgeable, and networked perfectly throughout the country, speaking four languages as he did so. He provided every service we could have asked for and some that we never would have asked for, like cleaning my dirty shoes, socks, and pants after the gorilla trek! He even called me "Mama."
Accommodations were fun: each was different, from homey to stylish. Gorillas and chimps were breath-taking. The visit to the Batwa people was excellent, and the performance given by the school Richard operates was heart warming.
We absolutely love the company! We'll be back next year!
Email Sarah C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari adventure
A day trip from Kabale in SW Uganda to Queen Elizabeth Park exceeded my expectations! It was my fourth excursion with Gatatu but my very first 4x4 safari experience and it proved just so exciting to see in the Wild animals that all my life I've viewed in captivity. Above all, I was amazed by the number of elephants and captivated.
The planning was tailored to my needs and service excellent. The driver was outstanding - very careful. In the afternoon a two hour boat trip facilitated photography. A day to remember...
Good person.
I met Richard, the company owner, on my trip in Uganda. He is very committed to help people in need and make a difference for them.
The best Safari in Uganda
My name is Anna from USA together with my husband Collin have completed a 10 days primate tour safari with Gatatu Safaris,It has been a very nice safari with our guide George is the most guide we think he could provide with clients correct information, he took us through various national parks in Uganda and Queen Elizabeth together with Bwindi Impenetrable National park has been our best adventure where we saw gorilla’s and Game drive around Queen Elizabeth!
While around lake bunyonyi,we slept at birdnest and food production was the best however we visited the community around lake bunyonyi where we spent a day with Mwendo needy children and orphan project of which Gatatu Safaris support actually sponsored a child which has been our dream for his Education
With our good experience with Gatatu Safaris as a travel company in Uganda, we highly recommend them with their good experience they offer, we have booked another safari for our daughters with Gatatu,we are leaving Uganda soon but we hope to come back!
CA
Email Dragos Vuia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent organization from start to finish
My fiance and I did a 3-day trip in Uganda with Gatatu Safaris, which included a one day Gorilla tracking activity and a stay on an idyllic island on Lake Bunyonyi, coupled with a short trip to the Pygmy village. From the onset of the trip (we got picked up from our hotel in Rwanda) to its finish (at Kigali International Airport), everything went very smooth. Richard put together an impeccable itinerary for us and it did not disappoint. Our guide and driver - Steven, was always on time, was very professional and courteous and he spoke very good English. The accommodations picked for us by Richard were very good and both had a great selection of food. All in all, we would definitely recommend Gatatu to anyone thinking of touring Uganda and Rwanda, especially since they provide the best services for the lowest prices.
Reply from Gatatu Safaris
Posted on Oct 20, 2018Thank you, was great booking with us and was our pleasure to give you our best experience in Uganda, Looking forward to working with you and hosting you in Kenya or Tanzania soon.
Thank you again for sharing your good experience globally!
Richard
GR
Email Vanesa-Kostas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience and very professional
We went into an 8days Safari in Uganda with Gatatu Safaris. The expererience was amazing and overall even exceeded our expectations.
Lodging was amazing (imagine Elephants coming exactly out of your door in the lodge feeding and you are there to capture the moment)
Activities (They delivered exactly what they promised with all animals included and tried their best to achieve it)
Behaviour-Punctuality - Responsiveness, were up to European standards and extremely friendly and caring to our specific needs. Even when we had a medical emergency they were there to help and found immediate solution.
Our driver Stephen, was amazing, very skillfull driver and accomondating with a clear friendly and human approach.
Lastly the owner provides some of the money into real charity for children in need and we had the pleasure and honour to see it with our own eyes.
Prices are amazing and much lower than the competition.
So please, whenever you want to look for a Safari in Africa consider them as the best-by far option. We are looking forward for our next trip to Kenya and Tanzania with them.