under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serah was extremely kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable, and went above and beyond in every aspect!
I traveled with Cisne Tours for my study abroad trip and they made the experience one I’ll never forget! They were so nice, welcoming, and knowledgeable, and they went above and beyond for us to make sure we had a smooth and enjoyable trip! Thank you Cisne Tours - more specifically Serah, Joseph, and Stanley! You guys were the best!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great day Safari!
Tman was an excellent guide! He made a good attempt for us to see as many animals as possible and was very informative.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
EAJS was responsive, well-organized, and safe.
If you are in Uganda, you MUST go gorilla trekking!! This is such a unique opportunity specific to this region and you cannot see mountain gorillas in captivity. It was an absolutely amazing and humbling experience! It feels so surreal to see the gorillas and you get SO CLOSE to them. I sat 6 ft from the silverback. It does not feel scary, they are used to humans and truly majestic, gentle beings. I felt very fortunate to visit them in their habitat. My guide, Eddie, was a great companion who made me feel safe as a solo female traveler. I was picked up from my hotel in Kampala and dropped off there as well. Eddie was happy to stop wherever I wanted along the drive to Bwindi. We stopped for lunch at Flamingoz Restaurant and Bar right across the street from the Equator Monument. We did our Equator visit on the way home on Sunday. The last 1.5 hours of the drive are absolutely stunning from a cliffside road overlooking the valleys and lush green mountains. Eddie was happy to stop and allow me to get out of the van to take pictures along the way. I stayed at Gorilla Mist Lodge (mid-tier option) with a standalone room that had a porch overlooking the jungle. There was no light pollution and the stars were beautiful. The lodge will provide you with a packed lunch for the trek. The WiFi was pretty reliable and I also got service there with my international phone plan. I got lucky and there were no other tourists who happened to be on my trekking day so I felt like I got the VIP treatment from my trekking team. Highly recommend hiring a porter to carry your bag and help you along the hike, it supports local workers and costs $15-20. They will give you this option after the morning welcome performance by a local dance group (my group was the Bugarama Cultural Dancers Group). I recommend wearing gaiters and good hiking boots or waterproof boots with a good grip. Parts of the hike are through jungle bush without a path at all. You could wear gardening gloves but I honestly only wore these for a brief part of the hike. They will give you a walking stick. After my trek, we headed to Lake Bunyonyi which is a unique aspect of this tour company and part of why I chose it! I stayed at Keije Resort and I went for a 2-hour kayak ride on the lake which did not cost extra. Keije is directly on the lake with a beautiful common space. I did not get service or WiFi there. Be sure to bring multiple types of small bills for tipping the various people involved in making your trip great! There are typically two rangers/trackers who go ahead of your trekking group to locate the gorillas, two gunman (front and back of group to scare off jungle elephants if needed), a head ranger guide, porter, and sometimes a student ranger. There is also typically at least two staffers at each lodge that you will interact with (someone who carries your bags into your room and the host). Regarding payment, you will pay 50% up front (they will walk you through the options and steps, it was painless) and 50% the morning you are picked up. If you plan to pay by card the morning of pick-up, I would contact them two weeks in advance to confirm this. This was the only hiccup I had with the company but was quickly resolved and they created a link for me to pay securely online. They were very responsive to emails and made a WhatsApp group for communication the night before my trek. Would definitely recommend EAJS! I also went to Murchison falls with the same guide, Eddie, the following weekend for a 2-day safari that included a trip to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary which was a unique addition from other tour companies.
Murchison Falls Tour review
I also had a great experience with EAJS for my two-day Murchison falls tour! I chose this company because they included the hike to the top of the falls, the Nile boat cruise, a brief sunset game drive on the way to our accommodations, and an early morning game drive, and a visit to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. I feel like other similar itineraries did not also include the trip to the sanctuary which I really enjoyed! I had the same driver, Eddie, for both weekends which was comforting. He was always happy to tell me more information about Uganda, Luganda phrases, and the animals I was seeing. I chose the budget option and stayed at Parkside Safari Lodge which is just outside the park and had some of my favorite food of the trip so far! I had a standalone room and I was able to get good service with my international plan. The first activity was visiting the top of the falls which is about a 1 hour easy-level hike. You will get very wet close to the falls! I wore quick dry clothes and was completely dry by the time I got back to the car. We immediately went from the falls to the Nile boat cruise (we were slightly behind so did not grab lunch, though this is part of the itinerary, per my choice as I had snacks with me and we stopped for a brief coffee/snack on the way to Murchison). I think the timing of the boat cruise around 2 pm is ideal for seeing more wildlife as this is the ideal window for when they seek out water. I saw hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, giraffes, elephants, warthogs, and many different types of birds! After the ~3 hour cruise, we went on a sunset game drive through the park to reach Parkside lodge and saw baboons, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, oribi, elephants, and other animals along the way. On the early morning game drive I saw many giraffes, vultures, Cape buffalo, monkeys, etc. I did not catch any predators like lions or leopards unfortunately but friends I met on the tour did see a leopard! We then had lunch a Ziwa rhino sanctuary and I completed an easy trek on flat terrain to the rhinos. I was fortunate to see five zebras along the way as well! I saw seven rhinos and I was within about 10 ft of a grazing rhino at one point! It was an awesome experience and my guide Martine was a great storyteller who provided interesting backstory about the rhinos and the sanctuary’s history. I would absolutely recommend spending time in Murchison Falls and EAJS. Don’t forget to bring money to tip the boat tour guides, the rhino sanctuary guide, your host at your accommodations, etc. I would recommend trying to add a night time game drive to your trip, if possible, to increase your chances of seeing lions and leopards!
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My tour guide was Tmal and he was great! Very knowledgeable and fun!
This trip is reliable and good value for money. You also get a delicious lunch halfway through alongside experienced tour guides
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very efficient company.
We went to Karongwe with Safari Link. The shuttle was great and all the processes too.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good overall experience, responsive and timeous to questions raised.
Namibia2Go impressed us from the outset. Service was smooth and efficient throughout, and the Toyota Fortuner proved both comfortable and reliable. One small frustration was the Garmin device repeatedly detaching on the bumpy roads. We appreciate the challenge of securing these units in such conditions, but perhaps a more robust solution could be considered.
Due to scheduling constraints, we completed the self-drive route in reverse order to the standard itinerary. Unfortunately, the travel directions had not been adjusted accordingly and still followed the sequence intended for travellers starting at Sossusvlei and ending at Etosha, whereas our route began at Okapuka, continued to Etosha, and concluded with Sossusvlei and Windhoek. While we were able to navigate successfully using our cellphone GPS, it would have been helpful had the route notes been reversed and tailored to our itinerary.
Our first overnight stay was at Okapuka, which made for an excellent introduction to Namibia. However, the GPS coordinates supplied for the lodge are incorrect, directing travellers past the correct turn-off, onto an incorrect road, and eventually towards a non-existent slip road. The coordinates appear to be off by approximately 10km. Staff at Okapuka confirmed that this is an ongoing issue caused by outdated mapping information. We would recommend either notifying Google so the correction can be made, or at the very least flagging the issue clearly within the Viato travel directions.
Okapuka itself was a wonderful first stop - lush, comfortable, and welcoming, with friendly staff, a quirky resident ostrich, a lovely pool area, and excellent food and service.
Safarihoek was our second destination and delivered an experience of truly epic proportions. It was easy to find, and we received a warm welcome from the moment we arrived, including from the friendly gate guard. Check-in was seamless, complete with welcome drinks and refreshing towels. Our room was quiet, beautifully appointed, and featured a spacious ensuite bathroom, outdoor shower, and spectacular views over the watering hole.
Our safari guide, Richard, was excellent, and the game viewing exceeded all expectations. We also had the privilege of meeting co-owner Yörckel and his wife Monica, and joining them on a game drive. During that drive we encountered a herd of 36 elephants moving through the reserve so closely that it felt almost surreal. We also enjoyed multiple close lion sightings and even witnessed an attempted hunt at the watering hole. The only disappointment during our stay was the breakfast eggs, which were unfortunately consistently overcooked and poorly fried.
Ondjamba Hills was our next stop. We thoroughly enjoyed the accommodation, which was comfortable and offered beautiful views. We stayed close to the dining area, making access to coffee convenient. Given the remote nature of the property, we understand the limitations around in-room refrigeration and coffee facilities. Service throughout was attentive and friendly.
Our guide, Unity, went to great lengths to track down elephant sightings for us, despite the challenge posed by the lush post-rain vegetation. The riverbed lunch experience was superb, and we particularly enjoyed the pool and the stunning sunrises. Overall, it was a memorable stay with very good food.
Spitzkoppen was another highlight of the journey. The accommodation was excellent, the breakfast offering the best of our entire trip, and the sundowner views were exceptional. The quirky pool added to the charm. Staff made a special effort to accommodate my breakfast-for-dinner request, and we once again had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the owner, Elsa/Elsabe. Poolside service (for drinks) is something they could include.
Our only disappointment was the experience at the famous Spitzkoppen rock arch. By late afternoon it became overcrowded with busloads of tourists competing for photographs, which detracted greatly from the experience. Some form of managed access or timed system would greatly improve this attraction.
In Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, our stay at Fancy Fritz was top-class. The guesthouse is beautifully curated, with warm and attentive personal service. David and the hostess went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. Our suite and en-suite bathroom were beautifully appointed.
Swakopmund itself was delightful, and we would strongly recommend that Viato include Guden Fang in Walvis Bay, Gabrielle’s Pizza Restaurant, and Slowtown Coffee as recommended dining/coffee stops. In contrast, we found The Tug rather overrated. The seafood was underwhelming, with overcooked fish, and the restaurant appeared to accommodate too many seatings per evening, resulting in a rushed and overcrowded atmosphere compounded by slow service. We did, however, appreciate the effort made with a birthday-themed dessert.
Our Sandwich Harbour excursion with Mola Mola Tours was superb.
The accommodation highlight of our trip was undoubtedly Hoodia Lodge near Sossusvlei. This is an exceptional property - beautifully curated, highly personal, and warm in its hospitality. The sunset picnic was unforgettable and provided the perfect setting for Gavin to propose. We suspect this may become a milestone anniversary destination for us in years to come.
Owner Thomas Becker is a true visionary who personally ensured every guest felt valued and welcome. The balloon flight over Sossusvlei and Deadvlei was impeccably organised, expertly piloted, and genuinely once-in-a-lifetime. The experience concluded with an outstanding al fresco breakfast that catered thoughtfully to vegans and guests with dietary requirements.
One broader recommendation for lodges and operators would be to consider the increasing number of travellers who either cannot or choose not to consume alcohol, and to expand the availability of quality non-alcoholic alternatives. Overall, however, the experience was exceptional.
Little Forest Garden Retreat was unfortunately the only accommodation during our Namibian adventure that disappointed us outright from the beginning. While Maria, the onsite hostess, was friendly and helpful throughout our stay, we would personally recommend either removing this property from the Viato portfolio or strongly encouraging the owners to significantly improve and elevate the offering. Perhaps a ‘mystery guest’ visit is required by yourselves in order to obtain an objective first-hand evaluation from a guest’s perspective?
Although the house itself has potential, it currently feels more like a large family home that has either been hastily vacated, gradually stripped back over time, or only half-heartedly converted into guest accommodation. At every other property on our journey, one could sense the care, oversight, and involvement of the owners or management. Here, unfortunately, the opposite was true.
First impressions are poor. Broken slate steps lead guests past a children’s play area with garish, brightly coloured plastic slides set against a barren patch of sand. Near the entrance, a persistent pool of water created by a leaking geyser overflow further detracts from the arrival experience.
The décor is sparse, and the absence of adequate carpeting means sound carries throughout the house, amplifying even normal staff activity and conversation. For a guesthouse located in an urban area, a small in-room fridge should be considered essential, particularly for self-drive travellers, rather than relying on a communal refrigerator.
There were positives: the in-room coffee machine was excellent, and the bed and bedding were among the best we experienced during the trip, resulting in a wonderfully restful night’s sleep. Introducing a similar quality coffee offering in the dining area (as found in the room) would immediately elevate the breakfast experience.
Overall, however, the property falls far short of what its brochure and online profile suggest. The experience feels misleading. While we understand that dinners and spa treatments may need to be pre-arranged, there is certainly no functioning “à la carte restaurant” on site, and the spa or massage offering appears to be outsourced or in different location. The rooms also bear little resemblance to the images used in promotional material, lacking the styling, décor, and curation presented in the photography. In addition, stacked furniture and pool loungers remain visible in front of what appeared to be a non-operational bar and pool entertainment area, further diminishing the overall impression.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience and good communication!
Absolutely great experience! Daudi, Abednego and Izaäk made sure we enjoyed every minute of our safari that we booked with Asante Bibi Tours. The communication was very smooth and our safari guides were very pleasant and knowledgeable.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best operator for safari planning
We had an amazing 5-day tour with Serengeti Morning Dew. Everything was well organized from start to finish, and the team was friendly and professional. Our guide was knowledgeable and made the experience even more special. The accommodations were comfortable and in stunning locations. Highly recommended!
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The very best.
I spent my Easter holiday with Ngeye Tours and Travels Ltd, and I’m still grateful for how beautifully everything was handled. From the moment I booked, their team showed genuine care, professionalism, and warmth. Every detail from transport, timing, accommodation, and activities was perfectly organised, allowing me to relax and truly enjoy Uganda’s beauty. What stood out for me most was how personal the experience felt, they treated me with kindness, patience, and respect throughout the journey. It’s rare to find a company this committed to excellence. Ngeye Tours and Travels Ltd is truly the best and I would choose them again without hesitation.