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
CH
Email Frederic L | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience in Uganda
Gatatu Safaris organized a 7-day safari in Western and Southern Uganda, with visits of the Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the lake Bunyonyi. The tour was super well organized with a crescendo of experiences and wonders. First, a close contact with chimpanzees, then sightings of great mammals (elephants, lions, buffalos, hippos, water kobs, gazelles) and birds, and finally an encounter with mountain gorillas, the highlight of our tour. To relax a bit, we spent a day at lake Bunyonyi, visiting a local school and a pygmee village. Our guide Jasper was exceptional, knowing many people and always finding the right place to be. During the trip, he always had interesting insights into the places we were driving through and also gave us insights into Uganda life, politic and economy. The organization of all permits, hotels and other logistic was done masterfully and we, as tourists, never felt that things were improvised. Bravo to Richard of Gatatu and Jasper, our guide. We can only recommend Gatatu for anyone who wishes to visit Uganda and experience the wonders of this welcoming and safe country.
DE
Email Isabell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with friendly driver, always feeling safe&comfortable
We had a really great time in Uganda - definitely worth visiting! Our 6 day tour was great: we visited Queen Elizabeth NP, saw chimps and gorillas and went on a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi. Another highlight was visiting a local school financed by Gatatu - the kids were really great!
Gatatu Safari is a very good company - reliable, flexible and with very friendly people!
Email Liz Walton | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A superb safari led by an expert guide determined to meet all the various needs of our small group.
We booked our three day safari to Queen Elizabeth Park at the Gatatu office in Kabale, explaining to the Director, Richard, that each of us had different priorities, ranging from serious wildlife photography to extending knowledge of birds gained on many previous safaris to a botanist's interest in plants and a first encounter with African wildlife and birds. Quite a challenge we set them! Our guide, Shindishi George Mugabe, met the challenge beyond our expectations.
The vehicle was spacious and ideal for game viewing as we had 360 degree vision. Shindishi has the eyes of a hawk and spotted animals and birds which we would never have seen ourselves, including leopard on two occasions. He showed immense patience and courtesy throughout the trip and we had wonderful views of lions, elephants, hippos, buffalos, Ugandan kobs, waterbucks and warthogs. Our friend who had never done any bird watching in Africa totalled up over 70 birds she would now recognise.
We took the excellent boat trip on the Kasinga Channel from Mweya Lodge where we had adequate budget accommodation in the nearby hostel and very good meals in the main lodge. We thought this excellent value for money.
We would certainly recommend this company to anyone wishing to book a tailor made safari.
US
Email Greg | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trek to Lake Bunyonyi
We really enjoyed a combination trekking (hiking) and canoeing on beautiful lake Bunyonyi. The views as you hike up the surrounding hills are amazing! Our guide was very good and gave us lots of information and local people, history and customs. The meal at the end of the day was very good too.
DE
Email Andy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
OK but lots of room for improvement
Value for money is only moderate. I found their tour preperation was not adequate, leading to a car break-down which cost us several hours. Not good when your time is limited. Some more time was wasted in a Police control, where it turned out that the car did not have proper insurance with some documentation missing. The driver was definitely striving to do his best, yet he was not qualified as a guide during our game drive. Fortunately and by chance we had a local helping out, otherwise we would have missed lots of interesting sights and information.
Email Rick Wiley | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the truly great life experiences
Gatatu Safaris are one of the best tour operators I have ever experienced in Africa. The owner Richard Tusasibwe provided comprehensive information prior to the trip and provided his driver to meet us at the airport on arrival in Entebbe to take us to our accommodation in Kampala prior to the tour commencing. Stephen, our driver and Uganda ambassador was great company over the next 6 days taking us to all the places that make Uganda such a rich experience. The access they have to specific guides in each of the parks added to our understanding and experience of the wildlife parks. The accommodation was very comfortable and the overall cost extremely reasonable. There is no doubt the gorilla trek is the highlight but close behind is meeting the children of a very special school in Kabale supported by Gatatu Safaris. Book a tour. You won't be disappointed.
Perfect. Efficient, reliable, punctual and friendly!
I booked a permit to see the mountain gorillas at Mgahinga N.P. with Gatatu Safaris and everything was sorted out for me with real professionalism and the staff demonstrated experience and understanding of clients' requirements. Richard, the tour operator, was patient with my requests for a safe, reliable driver and of course a gorilla tracking permit which was obtained at short notice. Stephen, the driver, was punctual and friendly, getting me to and from the park safely. Most impressive of all was the attention Gatatu paid to the client. I met with both Richard and Stephen several times before the trip to ensure everything was planned to perfection. I'd recommend Gatatu to anyone wanting to see the incredible gorillas in Uganda.
Email Stephen Boyle | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great value tour of Uganda's highlights, perfect gorilla experience and blissful Lake Bunyonyi .
This is a Ugandan led tour and its USP is the connection you get with the country through the planned itinerary and the links to local communities that Gatatu offers as part of your experience. This is a budget option that offers real value for money. The accommodation we had was very decent quality, particularly at QE National Park and the Entusi Lodge at Lake Bunyonyi which is as near to an earthly paradise as I've ever encountered. You rough it a little up in the mountains visiting a local community but the rooms there are clean and comfortable and the climate is cool and sleeping is easy. We were well fed and had no problems at all with stomach upsets! Gatatu's foresight in that department was much appreciated. Our driver Stefan was brilliant. His driving was excellent, safe and thoughtful, he was a great guide and a really enjoyable companion. Always willing to answer questions about the wildlife and all aspects of Ugandan life, especially music which is a big passion of mine ( I now have 8GB of Ugandan and other African sounds which I'm gradually working my through). The pace of the tour and its variety were spot on. Not too much but lots to keep you fascinated and delighted. The highlights for me were the cruise along the Kizenga Channel, with a dazzling variety of animals and birds, and above all an amazing encounter with the gorillas in Bwindi INP. We were exceptionally fortunate in meeting them, just the 2 of us, after only 30 minutes trekking. It was a remarkable and deeply moving experience for which I am truly grateful to Richard and his colleagues. The big surprise of the tour for me was Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and which I intend to revisit soon. Finally its important to remember that Gatatu is a Ugandan business. Your money benefits local workers and businesses and helps Richard and his colleagues to support a school for poor families in in his local town of Kabale. If you want a really Ugandan experience of the wildlife and landscapes of this beautiful country Gatatu is a great choice.
Email Malcolm | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla Trip
For those that follow and may be looking for an operator to take them to the gorillas.
Toured with Gatatu Safari Tours who are 100 metres down the end of the road from Kabale Backpackers. Low Season permit was $350, $100 for transport and $50 to stay near the park for one night. Left Kabale at 4pm and arrived at the Wild Olives guesthouse at 6.00pm. Basic but clean and comfortable and perfect for the one night. Meals included. Left for the park at 7.20am for 8.30am briefing. Only 2 people on the trek so I think getting a permit at short notice is not an issue right now. I arranged on the Thursday for a Saturday trek. Trek was pretty tough on the legs but well worth it and got very close to the gorillas. An hour with the gorillas and 3.5 hours all up. Very safe driver and happy to stop for photos along the way. These guys were a lot cheaper than another well known operator in town and are a very good choice for your trek. Definitely recommend that you check them out. They even thru in a return trip to the lake for petrol money which was a very nice touch.
DK
Email Jens M | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It was a nice tour, even there was some small problems/misunderstanding with the accommodation. There was also problems with the walk in the forrest, or actually problems with the road. So do not go for a walk in the forrest in the rain seaso!! The national park even charge you before you going for the forrest, even you cant go to! But all in all it was a great tour & a nice driver/guide...
Reply from Gatatu Safaris
Posted on Dec 14, 2015Thanks for the review, I think we agreed that you will be staying in bush lodge which i believe you did, I am so sorry that you really missed forest walk because of the poor roads leading to the forest, this is good in dry season to have a walk. Please see you again!