US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Everything was perfect! I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Peter was great from the start. Very quick to answer questions and put my mind at ease. The guides he went with were very knowledgeable and super friendly. Peter planned all the little details. I had no surprises or missed connections while there. This was a solo trip for me and I never felt unsafe. I can't say enough good things about my experience.
US
Never witnessed such terrible harassment of animals
Just returned from a trip to Tanzania in the Serengeti. Repeatedly witnessed Leopard Tours harass animals. I don't know how a company like this can stay in business.
March 19 - watched a Leopard Tours vehicle drive at high speed directly towards where a cheetah was lying to get it to run for the amusement/photos of another one of its vehicles.
March 20 - watched a Leopard Tours vehicle drive directly into the path of where a cheetah was trying to hunt to allow the solo photographer a better photo opp. The cheetah ended up not getting to hunt that day due to the perceived privilege of this one vehicle. The other 19 vehicles watching that day from a myriad of companies moved angles to get better viewing but never acted like this one driver did repeatedly - reckless and careless.
I'm disappointed and shocked at the blatant disregard for the animals. I had heard Leopard is like this but until I witnessed it myself I couldn't say anything about it.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing 3day Safari to Masai Mara
I actually didn’t plan on doing a safari to Masai Mara cause I thought it would be way beyond my budget. I met some travelers who had done the trip with Karibu at a budget friendly price and they highly recommended it. Communication was excellent, Victor replies within minutes when he is online. We had one of those Matatu minibuses that lift the roof and we were 6 people and everybody could see well. As soon as we entered the park we saw elephants and also lions that first evening. The drivers of the minibuses all communicate with each other via radio- so es soon as sth interesting is spoted, our driver rushed there and we got really close to the animals. He didn’t talk much but was committed to showing us as much as possible! I never expected to see so much wildlife, it was amazing! The bandas were comfortable and clean, good beds and hot showers, the food was plenty and very tasty, everybody was very friendly and helpful!
The only downside was that due to the rains some parts where really muddy and we got stuck several times and the drivers had to pull each other out. Those minivans unfortunately don’t have 4WD. It sure added to be adventure though!
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience with Altezza team
I was planning my trip for a long time parsing different reviews and searching for a reliable and professional travel agency. It was the dream of my life to enjoy the whole wildlife variety and spectacular vistas of East Africa’s national parks. And thanks to Altezza team my dreams came true! Professional guide, comfortable safari vehicles and perfect program of Hartebeest tour allowed me to catch such scenic moments as the lion family hunting scene, resting cheetahs, and the Great Migration in Serengeti. My journey was impeccably managed from the first steps at airport Kilimanjaro until my departure. I’ve enjoyed this a great experience with Altezza Travel. Definitely recommended to other travelers.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Richard it is best guy. It was amaizing.
Five star. Treking to Kili' was greath. Richard "Rich" organize ever perfect
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely marvelous time & great experiences thanks to Pamela & Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours
Our family holiday to Kenya was a 5-star experience to say the least. The professionalism of Pamela and Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours organized an absolutely marvelous experience for us! Our driver picked us from the airport and drove us to all destinations safely and professionally. By providing insights known only to locals we were able to understand more about the destinations as well as the culture of Kenya. Accommodation booked by Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours was without question the best, with great food, amenities and services. Safaris couldn’t have been organized better as we have had the most amazing experiences with lions practically resting next to our van!! And our driver knew where exactly to find all of the big-5 and beyond!! From Amboseli to Nakuru and Masai Mara our trip was full of highlights and great memories! Thank you Pamela and Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours :)
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
2 beautiful trips in western Uganda
They organized 2 trips for me. One in Rwenzori mountains with an overnight in a mountain village, and another one in Queen Elizabeth park and around.
Both times they took the time to customize entirely the trip according to my wishes, in a very friendly and understanding manner.
I never felt like just another tourist as everything was done in a personal and helpful way.
Was never packed with a bunch of tourists and got to discover isolated places.
Drivers and guides were very friendly and educated and spoke great english.
I just wish I had more time to discover Uganda with them, and I mean it.
Plus, they remained VERY helpful during the rest of my trip without them, with advices and organization help, and did everything for me to recover the mastercard I lost hundreds of miles away after that I had my trips with them. Amazing.
Enjoy your visits.
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.