

35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A very professional and serious organisation
In September 2014 we made the most amazing trip to Eest Africa. Our journey started in Rwanda, where we met our guide Frank. He would take us our first part of the adventure, visiting the Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda.
We have done our share of travelling, but never we have met a guide with the social skills, way to solve a problem with a great sense of humor and making you feel at ease as Frank can.
He showed us some amazing scenery along the way. Although our main goal were the Gorillas,he managed to make time to visit a market, let us walk through a village or a nice part of nature.
And all the photo stops of scenery, birds and monkey's....
The 3 Gorilla Trackings were well organized, and Frank made sure we visited a good group. Stayed with us untill he was sure we were taken care of and was there when we came back.
We had beautiful sighings, every tracking was different. So, a big compliment to Matoke; it was very interesting to see the Gorillas in different habitats.
After this first part we went to Dar es Salaam for the Safari in the South of Tanzania.
Adrian was our guide who would take us through Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
A big and comfortabel safari truck provided us with lots of space and possibility to photograph and observe.
Although the amount of animals is probably not as abundant as in the north, the scenery in the south is spectacular. And when you find wildlife which is rare, threatened of just not easy to see, you feel the luckiest person alive!
Matoke made a very good program for us. They understood our wishes and made an itererary which was alternate. And it did not only work on paper, the actual trip was everything they said it would be.
They recommend excellent lodges and campsites, with experienced staff. The most beautifull locations, which you don't want to leave...
So, very good contacts before and good experience during the trip. Also a good follow up afterwards from Matoke, to find out if all went as expected.
In my opinion; a very professional and serious organisation.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect trip
From the first contact to the last - 'It Started in Africa' proved to be a fantastic company. Dixon - the guide was fantastic and our 6 day safari was nothing short of spectacular.
I can't imagine the trip being any better......
Customer service is amazing: before, during and after our trip...
Thank you to all involved.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised, helpful and friendly.
I contacted Matoke Tours who very quickly helped me organise a week of touring parts of Uganda. It was a wonderful experience. I feel that I had made full use of the time available. Our driver was extremely helpful and considerate and indeed good company. All in all, a great experience - thank you.
Scenic and Serene Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park, one of the SAN parks is best for the scenic beauty, wildlife, birds and should not be missed if you are in South Africa. It is easily reachable. Food, accommodation and other traveler requirements are available at the nearby town Thabazimbi. You can spend 2+ days inside the park to fully enjoy the beauty of this park. The accommodation inside the park is very good and one should stay and enjoy the nature and wildlife. It is having rough roads that would test your driving skills as well. Wild lifes that are spotted during the visit include Giraffe, Rhinoceros, Impalas, Zebras, Ostriches, Vultures etc., The memorable scenic places include the drive on Mbidi road and the site of the valley, while driving down from the top Lenong Viewing point.

65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
I had a perfect safari through Tarangire National Park, everything was well prepared. Two very friendly and helpful guides, made that trip perfect. I had been deep impressed. Weather had been fantastic, the guides tried to show as much animals as possible and I often think back to that trip
Review about Queen Elizabeth National Park by Kent MacElwee
We drove through Queen Elizabeth between National Parks and really could not believe the wildlife. I wish we had more time there. We met people who camped there, who really loved their experience.
Review about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by Kent MacElwee
Amazing hike, through volcano terrain, to try and locate the very rare Golden Monkeys. We found them, in amidst the bamboo forest.. really amazing..! Also, a must see, for fans or rare primates, volcano hikes, beautiful terrain.
Review about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by Kent MacElwee
The hardest hike I have ever done-- beating through thorns and dense bush, it took us 4 hours to find the gorillas -- wow, it was worth it. Incredible to see them lounging and foraging and eating and sleeping. A mother and tiny baby, a silverback, a few females, another competing male. So docile, in general.. Really incredible.
Chimpanzee trekking
My wife and I did an all-day Chimp trek. So fascinating. You spend a day with them, as they travel through the forest, you share their daily routine. You see them making choices, resting, eating, drumming on trees (!), interacting. The trek itself is flat, you cover a good area, but not too hard (MUCH easier than Gorilla trekking, which I also recommend). Chimpanzees are our closest relative.. see them in the wild, in their natural habitat, up close.
Life-changing, life-affirming!
Foremost, the individualized attention that I received was incredible - from personal pick-up and transportation to the orientation and assisted itinerary. It was almost fate to be taken to a local restaurant - the Ogopogo - how terrific to explain to the owner that origin of this word (my son lives in Kelowna) AND to be able, post-trip, to send him a T-shirt from the Okanagon with "Ogopogo" on it to hang in his bar!
My guide solicited my input to chose my desired itinerary so that I was able to visit the Genocide Memorial - a "must see" plus a drive-about tour and a stop at a local market. The drive to the Mountain Gorilla Lodge through amazing scenery was particularly enjoyable with frequents stops to capture it on film.
The service at the Gorilla Lodge was wonderful with great cuisine, lovely service and great company. Entertainment included dancers of every age from a local school. Staff were concerned with comfort and the fire in the lodge was appreciated in the cooler mountain climate.
Just when you think that it couldn't get better, time to go to Volcanoes National park and trek! A short orientation at the site and additional entertainment from the local dancers, the somewhat strenuous trek...eased with assistance from the guides!...was beyond worth it when the gorilla troop was encountered. There was every age group in the troop and we were particularly fortunate to visit the troop that had surviving twins and witnessed them in their mother's attentive arms. Words are insufficient to describe the experience! - I will tell you that it touches your very soul. When you make eye contact with these close relatives, I do not know who was studying who....I DO know that I was gifted with their trust and tolerance to be allowed to observe them for an hour which went by TOO QUICKLY.
Returning from the site, there is an internal quietness from the contact with these forgiving animals - they hold no malice for the wrongs we have committed. The experience is life-changing.