DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Best of Botswana
At the end of a 5 week trip to Namibia and Botswana we booked an 8 day mobile safari with Kalahari Skies of Maun, Botswana.
We visited Nxai, Moremi and Khwai and travelled at a very leisurely pace.
Guide Gideon and chefs/camp assistants Mateo and Baeti made this a memorable trip.
We were amazed at what could be cooked on a camp fire – moussakas, pizza, the best vegetarian curry ever tasted, bread – to name just a few. The service was efficient, friendly and attentive.
Gideon appears to have “binocular eyes”, he spotted birds and animals that we had to use our binoculars for. His tracking is excellent and he is calm and unhurried on game drives and very knowledgeable about fauna and flora. He accommodated our interest in birds and landscapes and would do his best to find the most suitable position for photography.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the bush with this wonderful team.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenneth, a real find, responded quickly to each communication and quickly understood our desires.
Massai Mara and Nairobi Adventure
Excellent visit tailor made by Kenneth. Massai Mara with hard working Chris, guide/driver, produced leopard, lion, 5 cheeta brothers,a black rhino, elephants, giraffes, antelope relatives, beautiful birds. Interesting cultural visit with Massai people. In Nairobi visit to HIV+ women producing income for themselves through craft production and to sound studio for disadvantaged youth to record their music and launch into music world. Also excellent Art Gallery at National Museum and Karen Blixen home. Kenneth was completely responsive in planning all aspects. He listened, suggested and found what we wanted to see. Highly recommended. Met all expectations.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A friend for life
I travelled to Uganda last september in order to supervise the construction of a school in a rural area and decided to take advantage of my stay in the country to go on a couple of safaris with my boyfriend. I am a very organized person, so, even though I didn't know the country at all, I decided to design my own safaris from home in Spain. First, I had to choose the company I would hire. Of course, I wanted a local company, so I checked some Ugandan websites and read some good reviews about Mamaland and Tony (he owns the company with his wife Anna). Without hesitation, I got in contact with them and they organized two safaris, just for the two of us, exactly the way I wanted, even though I was super specific about the fact that they should drop us in some rural village in the middle of nowhere.
Our first guide was Tony, "the bird-lover", who can always spot a lion sleeping on the grass, no matter how far he is. He's super patient and basically knows everything about both animals (particularly, birds) and Uganda by heart (although he also organizes safaris in other countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania or Congo). He's also the nicest person ever and really funny (or, at least, that's what he thinks [take that, Tony!]). Oh, and he has the best taste in music. So, if you travel with him, you'll surely have a great time. Besides, he's a really good guy. After our first safari, I had a slight problem. Going back to Kampala from the rural village where Tony had dropped us, the matatu (a minibus for around 14 people) driver decided to stop the vehicle somewhere in the city, tell us to get off and drive away with our suitcase. Don't suffer for us, my boyfriend immediately jumped on a boda-boda (motorbike-taxi) Tom-Cruise style and chased him until he got it back ("Oh, I hadn't realized, sorry!" OF COURSE NOT...). The thing is that we had no idea where we where or how to get back to Jinja, our final destination. So... WE WENT TO TONY'S HOUSE. Really, we just took another boda-boda and appeared at Tony's door like... "Hello, Tony. Um... WE NEED HELP". And he helped us. He took us to the centre of Kampala and showed us the way. So... I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR THAT.
Our second guide was Richard, "serenity man". Tony got sick on our first safari during our visit to the gorillas and has actually stayed sick for a really long time afterwards (sorry for that!), so he couldn't accompany us on our second safari. However, Richard did, and he was also great. Richard is sooo knowledgeable and sooo calm; he really makes you feel there is nothing in this world he doesn't know or have completely under control (even when flocks of tse-tse flies try to eat you alive). Also, if you travel with Richard, you will have the most amazing conversations, besides an amazing time.
That said, Tony has for sure become a friend who I know will be there for life, so... travel with Mamaland and enjoy The Pearl of Africa to the fullest! And if you want an additional reason, take this one: supporting Ugandan local businesses supports Uganda.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari Experience to Murchison Falls National Park
Very uncomplicated communication via WhatsApp. Great service. Good accomodation and food. The Safari itself was a blast. We've seen a lion family with 4 lion babys, a leopard, elephants, buffalos, lots of giraffes ... all from close distance. Joseph was a great driver and guide.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, most helpful and patient tour operator
From the very first minute, the booking process through to the end of the safari, especially Peter and Jackson they were amazing. They catered for our every need since our safari was customised to our liking. They were very patient during the game drives Jackson our guide was most patient and took time to explain and went out of his way to show us.
If I were to go again I would not hesitate to book with Bestday Safaris and would recommend them to anyone.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life changing experience
The focus is indeed set on a very good path. I did a one day Safari and the experience was just incredible. It was my very first one and Nelson did a beautiful job with the organisation. There were just two days from the idea of going until jumping into the landcruiser but everything went smooth and turned out awesome. Quick and easy but I also felt treated very respectfully and honestly. Food, Lodge, Driver everything was perfect and I have nothing to complain.
The Lionsgate Hostel, from where it all started, is a place which opens and connects worlds. Volunteers, travellers, tourists and locals all come together and create a unique experience. Places like this and people like Nelson make you look into the future with a wide smile. It was definitly not my last Safari with Focus in Africa and I can recommend it with all my heart.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
I would like to say Thank you to Kerry. She did an excellent job in organizing to my our trip a lifetime experience.
Did not have any problem with our trip to Africa. If you are looking for a travel agent I would highly recommend Kerry. She quickly to answer all our questions. We had an amazing time. Most especially interaction with the elephants is so far the BEST.
Crusty and Kate could not have been helpful and they arranged a first class trip
The trip more than lived up to our expectations.
Compass Odyssey arranged everything for us and what we received was first class at an affordable price.
The providers that they used for accommodation and safari's were excellent and certainly knew their stuff.
They were readily available and most helpful.
In summing up a great holiday that was stress free from ours as a customer point of view.
US
Amazing experience and was able to see the Big 5.
The tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable about the bush and the animals.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
GORILLAS - Great Value & Service
Wild Jungle Trails exceeded our expectations for a three day gorilla trekking tour to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda. We selected Wild Jungle Trails for our trip based on their value pricing and trip flexibility to accommodate our itinerary. We began communicating with Teresa of Wild Jungle Trails over six months in advance of our trip. She always responded promptly to our emails, even though there was a 9 hour time difference between our countries. Every item on our agreed to itinerary was accomplished within the schedules that they provided to us.
Our driver, Fred, met us promptly at our hotel for our 9 hour drive from Entebbe, Uganda to Bwindi. Fred was very flexible with our schedules and accommodated anything we wished to do along the way. Fred was always at our beckoned call for the three day adventure with transportation service when we needed it. He is an experienced 15 year veteran of guiding these types of trips and made our long drive very enjoyable. We even continue to maintain contact with Fred since we have returned home.
Gorilla trekking is a once in lifetime experience that most people will never have the opportunity to enjoy. We initially wondered if the cost for permits, at $600 USD per person for a one hour visit with the gorillas, was worth the cost. It is amazing to be face to face with a 450 pound silverback, where you are so close that you can smell his musky aroma! He even stood up and pounded his chest for us a couple of times. Natural animal encounters don't get any better than that - it's worth twice the price or more!
You don't expect friendships to evolve with travel agency staff, but the personalized and friendly service that we received from Teresa and Fred of Wild Jungle Trails made for a lasting relationship that we would recommend to any traveler wishing to experience the wonders of Uganda.