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 $710 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Jakob | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spontaneous safari
We came to Uganda a bit unprepared so that we booked it (8 days through Uganda, 1999 US$) only fife days before the tour started.
All in all it worked out pretty well. We had the most amazing experiences visiting the Gorillas and having all the other experiences.
The accommodations and the food that was provided three times a day were very good. Being two university students we most likely would have booked less comfortable lodges and hotels and eaten less often and in less expensive restaurants.
The transport was mostly good. We had a very kind and caring driver who even picked us up from Jinja which was an extra two hour drive for him. Unfortunately, the car broke down twice within the eight days which caused some irritation and made us wonder about the State of our car .
Even though they handled both breakdowns pretty good we would have enjoyed a better communication about how it might affect our plans for the day.
In addition to that we would recommend to read the program carefully. At two occasions the guides forgot about smaller activities mentioned on the program.
The payment has been quite stressful for us as we did not bring that much cash to Uganda an the ATMs wouldn’t let us withdraw more than two million a day (of course this a problem that occurred due to our spontaneous booking). Nevertheless, we would have enjoyed to be able to pay with either credit card or by money transfer.
All in all it was a good experience and we would mostly recommend it.
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.
DE
Email Angela and Volker | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience in Rwanda and Uganda with Gatatu Safaris
We went to Rwanda and Uganda for a private two people Safari (12 days). The communication with the company during the initial inquiry and ongoing preparation of our tailor-made tour war always quick and pleasant. All the luxury suggested accomodations were well managed, clean and breath taking. The driver (Steven) was very friendly, careful and always available when needed. We can highly recommend Richard and his team .
ES
Email Jose Antonio Nogales | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you are looking for a reasonably priced safari, Gatatu is definitely the company for you!!
We searched for the best deals on the web. Gatatu offered a very competitive price and will make sure you get the most for your money. It was the only company that offered them in our price range.
All accommodation was clean, good food, friendly staff.
The owner, Richard, was such a pleasure to work with and really he helped us personalize our trip.
The communication with him was phenomenal. Working with Gatatu was very professional.
Richard has a degree in social work and he started a school to help children.
He uses a portion of the profits from his company to help fund the school and support the children. So, you can feel really good about supporting this tour company. This is also why I believe you will find the best prices here.
Great Canoe Trekking Experience and amazing one day excursion on Lake Bunyonyi.
Our guide, Fred, grew up around that area and was very knowledgeable of the history and culture of the lake area and of Uganda as well.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced safari, Gatatu is definitely the company for you.
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.
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!
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!