Tubale Safaris

Avoid Tubale Safari

First of all, this review is not meant to discourage anyone from visiting Uganda. It is a beautiful country with incredible nature and, above all, wonderful people.
However, this review is specifically about our experience with Tubale Safari and Anette.
At the beginning of the planning process, the company appeared professional and trustworthy. They had good reviews on TripAdvisor, SafariBookings, and were listed with the Uganda Tourism Board. For that reason, we felt confident booking with them.
Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the experience did not match what had been promised.
A few days before our trip, I reached out after seeing a negative review online. Anette reassured me that everything was in order. However, upon arrival in Uganda, I received a message asking us to pay for the first two hotels, lodges, and initial tours (including Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, and the river cruise) due to “bank issues.” With little choice, we paid, as we were told the situation would be resolved within a few days. It was not.
Throughout the trip, we ended up paying for nearly all lodges (except one), most tours (including Golden Monkey Tracking), as well as fuel and vehicle-related costs. At one point, the vehicle was locked remotely twice by its owner because payments had not been made by Tubale Safari. Although our guide managed to resolve the situation, we missed a scheduled early morning game drive because of it.
During the entire trip, we were repeatedly given different explanations and excuses. Despite having already paid for the full package in advance, we had to cover many costs again.
In total, we incurred additional expenses of approximately 7,500 USD for accommodation, tours, transportation, food, and missed activities.
On the last day of the trip, Anette met us in person and promised to reimburse the money by March 5, 2026. As of today, we have received only 100 USD.
Based on this experience, I cannot recommend or trust this company. While it is possible that future trips may go smoothly, there is no certainty, and there are many more reliable alternatives available.
If you have already booked with Tubale Safari, I strongly advise you to:
• Contact all lodges directly to confirm your reservations
• Be cautious with advance payments
• Be prepared to pay costs on-site
This situation created constant uncertainty throughout our trip. We never knew if bookings were valid or if activities would take place. This significantly impacted our overall experience and prevented us from fully enjoying the journey.
On a positive note, our guide was excellent, and the local guides during excursions were professional and knowledgeable. We also met many kind and welcoming people in Uganda.
So yes – visit Uganda, it is absolutely worth it. But based on our experience, I would strongly recommend choosing a different tour operator.
If anyone has questions, I am happy to share more details, including communication and screenshots.