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
DK
Email Henrik & Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
8 day Uganda tour - To perfection
We did the 8 day safari (Budget lodging) in Uganda covering Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth NP, lake Bunyoni and Bwindi impenetrable NP - And all the magic in between!
It was an amazing experience right from the start to the very end.
We were supposed to start on Entebbe, but since we were already in Kampala visiting some friends we asked Matoke tours if we could get picked up there instead, and it was no problem at all, the company is flexible and overall service in regards to planning and organizing was superb and fast.
We thought we would be stowed in a vehicle with 6+ otger people, but instead we were the only ones in the vehicle for the whole trip, which made it that much more intimate - But if you are traveling alone and want a safari in order to meet fellow travelers you should make sure that you ask matoke for that preference, I am sure they will be able to help out there too!
Our trip went from amazing to perfect because of our guide 'Mike' who was also our driver, mechanic, zoologist, food connoisseur and culture specialist on our trip, this guy really made our trip an unforgettable experience - If you book your tour you should ask to get Mike as your driver if possible, you won't regret it :-D
On the way back from Bwindi we asked if we could make a stop at Lake Mburu NP (For the zebras there), Mike just said sure thing and got us to where the zebras were even without entering the actual park (Thus saving us the money for the permits!), again very chill and flexible like the whole journey.
As to what we saw in the parks, the nature in between, and to seeing the gorillas... I don't want to write how it was because I want you to see it for yourself - Just go already, it's worth all the money times two, plus a good chunk of the permit price really goes to the small communities just outside the parks, by buying a permit and by visiting Uganda you actually help not only to feedthe families but also prevent poaching and help secure the animals.
Book a trip, you won't regret it, and you will want to go back!
10/10 stars for Matoke Tours!
AE
Email Ruth & Mark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The most amazing 20 day tour of Uganda with an outstanding guide
We chose to go to Uganda to see the gorillas and the shoebills but discovered so much more. We approached several companies via emails and was impressed with Harriet at Matoke Tours response - she took time to read our emails and answer our questions and tailor the proposed custom itinerary to meet our needs. Everything went according to plan but the whole experience was enhanced by our exceptional Ugandan guide, Geoffrey Katende whose knowledge of wildlife, culture and history plus exceptional driving skills, along with just being such a great guy to spend 20 days with, will never be forgotten. We had a humbling experience spending time with the Karamojong people in the North East, and enjoyed the many wildlife encounters including 3 leopards in Murchison Falls and the tree lions in Ishasha. We did indeed find the shoebill, and the gorilla encounter at Nkuringo in Bwindi will be forever a highlight of life experiences - even the effort of the hike in and out seemed to add to the experience (although at the time we had serious concerns that we could actually make it out ... it was tough for two nearly 60 year olds!) The stay at Lake Mutanda Lodge and Turaco Treetops was exceptional but all accommodations were clean and comfortable. If you are looking for a great Ugandan experience we would highly recommend arranging it through Matoke Tours
Email JH | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar amazing memorable trip!
From my initial tentative enquiry to the day of departure Harriet at Matoke was always there quickly answering my many questions. She promptly dealt with adjustments to our itinerary and gave advice and reassurance when needed.
Her exprience and knowledge helped us to put together an amazing trip taking in Gorillas in Uganda, countryside and history in Rwanda, multiple safari drives in Tanzania (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater - where we saw the Big 5 and much much more) and a final few relaxing days on the beaches of beautiful Zanzibar.
Our drivers/guides along the way were outstanding - so knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble and we felt like they became part of our family group, we were sorry to say goodbye. We have learnt so much, thanks, Ronald and Stefan we miss you!
All of our chosen accommodation was exactly as described in advance and in several cases far exceeded our expectations. Warm welcomes (including dancing and singing) comfortable beds/rooms and so much delicious food!
We have memories that will stay with us forever together with thousands of photos.
Thanks Matoke - hope to come back to use you again soon.
US
Email Julie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very responsive and professional
From the beginning of setting up the tour until the end, Harriet was always very responsive and helpful. Everything worked on time and well (with one car breakdown that was immediately fixed with another car/driver). The gorillas, of course, were amazing, but I really appreciated how well everything was coordinated and taken care of. My recommendation is to ask about other potential tours you can do (we went to the lakes on our drive back and really enjoyed that - but arranged that on our own), because the gorillas and monkeys only take up the first half of the day, so there is plenty of time to do other things.
CA
Email Venta Kabzems | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Marvellous experience!
Our custom tour was well organized with great accommodations, prompt responses to any queries and notification, plus a refund for any changes. Aside from being able to see the gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys so close up, our experience was definitely enhanced with the quality of our guide/driver. He was exceptional! He was knowledgeable about Uganda - wildlife, farming practices, history, governance and global events for example, which made for excellent discussion during some of the long drives. He was also curious about our home country and asked many thoughtful questions. Our guide/driver was calm, consistently positive and an extraordinarily good driver, no matter the road conditions.
US
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great tour company!
I have used Matoke tours a total of 4 times for trips to Uganda(I go to Africa almost yearly!) and have always found them to be exceptional in all aspects. The accommodations are first rate, the guides are knowledgeable and professional.
I have to make all arrangements from the USA before I go and I find them to be very reasonably priced, good to work with AND they give good advice about the appropriateness of my requests and give good suggestions for activities.
I have been totally satisfied. If I am touring East Africa they are the tour company I will use!
AE
Email Georgiana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience
Our Uganda trip was beyond our highest expectations. Thank you to Ilse for organising and to our guide/driver/now friend Bob for being the best guide we could have hoped for.
Bob was the perfect guide. He was so incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and advised us on how to make the very most out of our itinerary at every stage. He was friendly, good natured and an excellent driver. He told us a lot about Uganda and its people. Not once did we feel unsafe the whole trip. His recommendations really made our trip.
He advised us on the best way to see chimps in Kibale and the experience was so much better than we had anticipated. When we went to Queen Elizabeth National Park to find tree-climbing lions, Bob found out that they were climbing in a different area than usual and using his local contacts, we ended up being the only car in the vicinity when three lionesses were in a tree. When we went to the place the lions usually climb the next day, we didn’t see anything. But thanks to Bob, that didn’t matter. We also saw a leopard one morning in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We expressed an interest in eating more local food and he spoke to the hotels to accommodate us.
On the last day, we arrived at the airstrip early and Bob managed to get us on the earlier flight from Kihihi to Entebbe, but via Kasese, which meant we flew over Queen Elizabeth National Park. The pilot flew low and we saw swimming elephants, hippos, crocodiles. It was madness. And all thanks to Bob.
We didn’t really know what to expect visiting Uganda, but it was one of the best trips we have done. While we had a structured itinerary, we were prepared to be flexible to take into account tips from Bob, and it really paid off.
Thank you Ilse and Bob and Matoke Tours.
US
Email Sara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
amazing gorilla trekking
The communication was clear and prompt, we couldn't decide on our itinerary based on work etc... and Harriet was really flexible and worked with us. We flew to Kisoro from Kampala and stayed at Mutanda lake resort and gorilla trekked in Bwindi from there. The resort was amazing, with great views and awesome food. Our driver Emmanuel made our 4 day stint fun and safe.
We decided kind of last minute to do one of the strenuous hike on one of the Virunga volcano mountains, Matoke and Mutanda lake resort accomodated us and made it work.
We loved everything about our trip. Matoke tours took care of it all for us!
BE
Email Johan Torfs | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A splendid 100% satisfying experience giving us everyday of our journey a warm and wonderful feeling
We travelled with our family through this beautiful country. Matoke arranged the best hotels and lodges, located on extremely attractive places all over the country. Our tour was perfectly organised and we all had the time of our live. The program matched with our expectations much more than we might have dreamt of ! Our driver was a surplus. He was a passionated birdwatcher and could give us extra information by informing us about the birdlife in Uganda...We would like to thank the Matoke-team for the perfect organisation. We had the time of our life !
CH
Email Reto, Birgit and Pascal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect Safari for family of three with Massai Guides and plenty of animals to see
We had booked our safari with Ilse from Matoke Tours and were very pleased with the whole booking process. Ilse provided valuable advice and helped us to compose our individual trip out of several of the standard Matoke offerings with multiple adjustments for us.
Everything worked out as planned - Nairobi, the safari at Masai Mara, Dar es salaam, whale sharks on Mafia Island.
We really enjoyed the safari at the very lovely Masai Mara Eden Camp - surprisingly with a private car with a driver and a guide (real Masai warriors ;-) only for us - we had not expected to get a private car. So everything was very flexible as we could decide anytime when to leave and return from our game drives - our 10y old son seemed to get never tired of driving around and hunting for new sightings, so we had very long days ;-) Maria Eden camp was a perfect fit for us - everything we needed but not to posh. The view onto the river with hippos und crocs was gorgeous, right from our tent.
Mafia Island was great. We snorkelled with 5 or 6 whale sharks. The change of lodging from Kiti Kiblu to Meremeta lodge was also very good as there is not much more to do than the whalesharks on the Kilidoni sido of the island and Kiti Kiblu was - as expected - really quite basic, good enough for 1 or 2 nights, but nothing for a week… Meremeta was a very good fit for us, we liked having dinner together with all the other guests on one long table. For a next time we would also consider staying at https://www.mafialodge.com/ as it is directly on the beach and had a nice buffet with good seafood, but might also be a different price range... Snorkelling in the Chole Bay was also very good - the corals are very healthy and there is lots of colorful fish.
The dayroom in Dar at the slipway hotel on our last day we appreciated a lot - we certainly would not have enjoyed spending 8 hours at DAR airport, and traffic in Dar was much better than expected.