65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Gorilla trekking - an unforgettable experience and worth the hard work
When researching Uganda, we investigated about 6 or 7 operators, and chose Matoke for a number of reasons. The European connections and bonding arrangements were valuable. We found them very flexible in advising on itineraries and then finally in booking our tour. They were very price competitive for the ground arrangements and lodge quality which we selected (not quite the cheapest, but some others who were less helpful were very much dearer). Some insisted that we fitted in with their pre-arranged itineraries and dates - Matoke custom built exactly to our requirements. Generally the booking process was efficient although it was slightly off-putting to end up dealing with 3 different people. The continuity of one person handing the whole booking might have given us a little more confidence. The tour itself went very well, much of this due to our driver/guide Jacob, who was excellent. His English was impeccable, his humour infectious, and his knowledge about Uganda, its history and culture were most informative. When there was a hitch in our travel arrangements, he worked hard to ensure that it was rectified. The lodges were of variable quality, and generally less good than those we have found on other African safaris. Primate Lodge at Kibale had many shortcomings, especially for the price they charged. Service and facilities both left much to be desired. Katara Lodge was beautifully designed, excellent rooms and service, but the drive back from QE Park on such a bad road became a bit of a bind. Mahogany Springs excelled in the quality of staff and food, but for a reasonably new lodge the state of repair was not brilliant. But these criticisms are probably general to Uganda. For the prices charged, the country is still some way behind others on the safari circuit. Nevertheless it was a fascinating country, with very friendly people, some beautiful scenery, offering unique safari opportunities. And the almost faultless organisation of Matoke Tours helped to make this an unforgettable experience.
Excellent / great value
Transtrek fulfilled a lifelong dream for me by being totally affordable. We were looked after from the moment we landed until we left and everything in between. The hotels / lodges we stayed at were fantastic we felt like we were living in the lap of luxury seeing some of the most spectacular wildlife during the day and night. Sitting in the bar at Kilaguni with a gin and tonic in my hand overlooking a waterhole seeing the most wonderful wildlife made me feel like a king. Being taken around in comfortable vehicles around the parks was just amazing. I couldn't recommend them enough.
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
i had a good tour package with yebo tours to murchison falls and quuen elizabeth.
Yemen Boniface is the best tour guide i have got.
best safari
I booked a 4 days safari with Open Africa Safaris company and had a wonderful time!! Our tour guide, Anthony, made always sure that we have everything we need. The hotel was clean and confortable with a very beautiful view on the park ;the staff was always helpful and polite and the food was very good. The game drives were amazing! We saw a lot of wildlife and beautiful scenery. Our tour guide knew the park so well, he always knew were to take a turn and amaze us with yet another beautiful view! To sum up, this was one of the best holidays i have ever experienced!! Thank you again Anthony for the great time we spent together on this safari!
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
my experiennce with inclusive was just awesome and as per my expectation
Communication, service was excellent they new my expectations and they made my travel great. Thanks to all the crew and inclusive.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Private Family Safari Review
It will remain one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and probably all five of our lives.
The Best company for Safari in Tanzania ever!!!!
We went with Nodven Safaris (f.k.a. Parota Safaris) and had a great time...! They have a good operation so they support the local people and wildlife...this is why I chose them and I am glad I did. I went on the game drive, but they have walks and village cultural stuff also. . A couple of times I felt sorry for the people locked in their jeep with poor visibility. I can strong recommend them For southern safaris contact them
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
good safari with the family
For booking very attentive and client friendly treatment. during the trip a reliable and safe car, with a driver who was driving proper and carefull. during safary a very experienced driver with lots of knowledge about the park and the animals. Driver was next to that good in checking program, cross checking interest of the group. All in all a good time of fun with the family
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime, lets do it again!
From our very first communications, the initial itinerary for our safari vacation, we had a good feeling about Earthlife Expeditions. Now that we have returned from the trip, we feel even better about choosing them!
One of our reasons for choosing Earthlife was we wanted the services of a local Tanzanian company who would know the area, support the local people and economy. So like many others seem to have done, we went with our "gut feeling" and chose a small company with few reviews but seemingly good references. This paid off in spades.
Deo and Catherine are professional, warm, and very accommodating. The details of our trip were planned perfectly, applying both our requests and Deo's terrific suggestions. Each and every place we stayed I wished we could stay longer. The tented camps are the place to be!
Our guide was outstanding. I am still amazed at his ability to navigate the "roads" in the parks, have a conversation about food, and spot an animal in a far off shadow all at the same time! He was incredibly knowledgable about both the wildlife, and the area. There is nothing we didn't see, and we learned quite a lot.
It was surprising how disappointing we felt when we had to leave him as we went on to Zanzibar. Upon our return to the mainland on our last day, we were then ridiculously excited when he ended up being the one to pick us up at the airport an on to our last days events.
Everyone at Earthlife works very hard to make their clients trip the trip of a lifetime. There service is nothing short of outstanding. Now I hope to make that once in a lifetime trip, a second time! Maybe someday.
Without reservations, I highly recommend this company for anyone going on a safari adventure.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary
Communications were excellent. We were staying with friends in suburbs outside Dar and they were able to communicate with our friends and pick us up at his home.
Service? There is no way to describe it. By example is better. My daughter became very sick with fever the first day. Our friend is a doctor and at end of the day he contacted us and told us to get penicillin. Our guide told us it would be easy to get and that he would do so and return to our room later. Some time passed and I assumed he was unable to get it. Much later he knocked on the door with the medication. The pharmacy was closed. He then inquired with the park rangers and they tracked down the pharmacist. They picked up the pharmacist and he reopened the store. They then drove him home and returned to us with the medication for my daughter. Enough said.
The safari tour was just as incredible. We were lucky to see animals doing what they do rather than just lying around and this was clearly do to the experience of our guide Sahid. He was a delight. We laughed most of the day as we were mesmerized by the animals and his stories.
The camp was a level 3 facility and the staff was wonderful. Waking up at 5 a.m. to the growls of the lions was exciting. They seemed to be only a few yards away from our room. We dared not walk outside without the guard of our Massai Michael. We felt absolutely safe in his company.
Mikumi Park is a gem. We were almost alone and would go back. I intend to return and see the northern parks that hold so much of the romance of Hollywood and adventure books but there is a great advantage to the southern parks. There were six people at our camp facility on other tours. The park was ours!
I suspect that when I return, I will not travel with anyone else and certainly not without Sahid. Enjoy!!!!!!!