The Matoke Tours Team
Matoke Tours
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, AUTO, SGR, UTB & UCF
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email SaraD | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jackson - The guide that can find the Dodo bird
We just got back from a 9 day safari followed by 3 days in Zanzibar. We had a group of four, two couples in our 30’s. We worked through Matoka Tours. I found them online. They had the best reviews by far. Most importantly everyone raved about their guides. This was a huge sell for me. Connecting with you guide can make or break your trip.
I started out with emailing Ilse van Agtmaal, Sales Manager for Tanzania. I was worried at first but let me tell you….IIse has to be the most patient person there is. She put up with a least 75 emails from me (our group went back and forth on time of year and locations). Every email was answered with grace and kindness. By the time we paid for the trip I had zero worries about sending money.
When we got to Arusha we were greeting by one of the kindest people I have ever meet. Jackson H. (or action Jackson). He has two beautiful children, his baby was born SIX days before our tour. And is basically a walking animal/bird encyclopedia.
He/they took care of everything, all lodges/camps were always happily awaiting us. We never had to do anything in regards to park registration/fees. He even found me clean and tidy restrooms whenever I needed, except the Serengeti, which is too beautiful to pollute with structures and buildings. (Hey! This is a big deal for a lady).
On the second day it became very apparently that Jackson was truly listening to everything we said. He knew all the special things we each wanted to see and was very determined to find them for us. He saw stuff that other guides drove past without noticing, and knew how to position us so we always got our own private viewings. Like the morning he found us an entire pride of Lions in the Serengeti. There were 12 of them, from babies to full grown males. We watch them lay and play, then we followed them as slowly got up, one by one and drifted back into the trees and fog like a dream.
We ended up seeing over 50 lions, the Big 5? No Problem, we saw 4 in one day. I am fascinated by little cats in the wild....he found me a Serval at Sunset! We have movies of baby elephants playing in mud puddles, and a Cheetah teaching her cubs how to hunt. We sat near a leopard in a tree for what had to be 30 mins...time stood still as I gazed upon it and sketched its spots. I saw a baby wildebeest take its first drink of milk, followed by its first steps. Our grouped dubbed him as….”Jackson, the guide that can find the Dodo bird”.
Since this is getting to be such a long review i’ll sum it up and say:
Every meal was amazing, I never imaged we would eat as well as we did. I had planned on dropping a few pounds on the trip...nope! I gained some.
We always had hot showers, the cleanest of rooms and the best service. We had booked a comfort tour, but it was a luxuries and extravagant to us.
So many clean bathrooms..Everywhere!
The vehicle was always in perfect condition. We saw some people with a broken jeep in the Serengeti. Not us, we rode in style.
Clean water was never an issue
Travel sickness - One of the gentlemen in our group fell very sick. One night he couldn’t make it down for dinner, Jackson had the lodge cook him a special meal of tomato soup, rice and bread. He had them take it to his room/hut/tent and wouldn’t leave until he tried to eat. (now that's caring for your fellow human)
Zanzibar - not so much for me. Not to be a silly America, but oh my goodness hot in summer. We should have sprung for a lodge with A/C. Personally I felt more at home in the Serengeti. I connected with the park people better. Zanzibar felt a bit icy.
To conclude, I am so blessed to have taken this trip. I thank Makote Tours for making it the trip of our lives. (well, actually….we might go back, it was too good to stay away). And for always making us feel safe and comfortable, for treating us as good friends, not just clients.
LU
Email Irmi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
Our first trip to Uganda turned out to be a wonderful experience thanks to the very good organisation through Matoke Tours. We saw them all, Shoebill, lions, leopards, buffalos, mountain gorillas, chimps, and, and, and. Our driver Richard was, beside being a very skilful and experienced driver, a walking dictionary when it came to questions about fauna and flora, about history, politics and culture regarding this wonderful country. He knew it all. A good choice of lodges and a very professional planning and organisation makes us looking forward to going back to Uganda for another exciting trip. Still lots to discover !
Email Robert | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
8 day luxury safari
A safari which will live long in the memory. Chimps at Kibale were great - suggest you pay extra for habituation walk. need to start early at Swamp Walk (9a.m.) if you are to get to QENP for game drive. Saw tree climbing lions at Ishsha and gorillas at Bwindi were wonderful with one even visiting us at our verandah in Bwindi Lodge!. Over 70 bird species seen in total. Accommodation first class. Driver could have been a bit more enthusiastic but he was very careful and safe on the roads and 4WD vehicle very comfortable for two. Expensive but worth it!
US
Email Rick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lions and Gorillas
We booked the "comfort" tour with Matoke anti was great. This was the 5 day package with 2 nights in QE park and 2 at Lake Mutanda for the Gorillas. We lucked out by seeing lions, elephants, and even a leopard at QE and the gorilla trekking was excellent (except for all the selfie's taken.) Our driver David J was superb. He helped us spot 50 species of bird and handled the amazingly bad roads with confidence and comfort. The travel between sites was long and tiring (even just riding). My advice is to schedule 7 days, stay an extra night in QE Park and another one at Lake Mutanda which is exceptionally beautiful. It would make the travel in between that much more valuable. Also, go for the upgrade to the 4 land cruiser.
All in all, though seeing Uganda at bit is very much part of the interest. Matoke was professional and confident.
Email Paul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari, very well organised
Very professional in communications prior to safari and competitively priced.
Safari itself well organised and guide very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
CH
Email Christian & Dominique | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly organized 8-day trip through Uganda
We were able to enjoy our 8 day trip through Uganda completely and could relax, since everything was perfectly organized. All accommodations were great. Our driver fulfilled all our wishes and convinced by safe and comfortable driving. Thanks to very friendly and informative communication with the office in advance of our tour, we could arrange our perfect trip. We never had any problems and could enjoy the wonderful country Uganda, the Chimpanzees and Gorillas.
BE
Email Marijke | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
I just have a lot of praise for Matoke Tours.
A very smooth and friendly treatment of my questions.
Once in Africa it has surpassed all my expectations.
I've had the trip of my dreams. Short, but perfect.
All credit goes to Caleb, my guide. He was an incredibly good guide and perfectly managed to show me everything that was possible.
I am a very satisfied customer and I'll definitely be back.
Best regards and thank you for the realization of my dream.
NL
Email Joost Bijl | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Friendly people which do what they promised
The safari in Kidepo was a great experience, tremendous vast scenery, absolutely no mass tourism
Email Vicki | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stress free travel
Motoke tours took care of all the details of our trip which made it a surprise for me too (since normally I organise the trips). Little things that were organised which you would not know to do yourself (dinner under the stars) made it truly special. When I sent my itinerary requests to other companies they couldn't do them but Motoke tours managed to. Our driver (Alfred) went above and beyond and was lovely to have on our trip with us.
I highly recommend this company.
MY
Email MARK | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just amazing!
DidExcellent customer service and very well organized. Great team, from booking to debriefing. Special commend to driver/guide to Ronald (Uganda /Rwanda) and Adriano (Tanzania).