Reviews

What Our Guests Say About Their Safari Experience

At Katella Uganda Safaris, nothing matters more than the stories our guests take home. Whether it’s a heart-pounding gorilla trek, a golden-hour game drive, or a cultural moment shared with a local community — each review speaks to the passion, care, and personalized service we pour into every safari.

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Danijela Stipanov
March 29, 2026

Most incredible trip to Uganda thanks to Katella. Florence helped us book the right excursions and accommodations. Everything was amazing. Noah our driver was wonderful. Kibale national park, crater lakes, Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi. One amazing experience after another. Put Uganda at the top of your list of travel destinations and let Katella plan the rest! You will not be disappointed.

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Helen Boak
March 24, 2026

Had a fabulous time. Nothing was too much trouble. We did Uganda first and despite delays because of no flights out of Dubai Florence made adjustments so we could do the amazing Silver Back Gorilla Trek plus a safari drive both in the day and at night. We then went on to do Tanzania Serengeti, ngorongoro crater and finished with an interesting tour at the Chagga peoples caves and waterfall walk. Don't hesitate to book one or both of these trips. We rounded out our trip with 3 nights in Zanzibar at Madinat Al Bahr Hotel. An excellent trip.

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Kimberly Kerns
March 20, 2026

I am so happy to share about the wonderful experience we had on our private safari trip to Uganda and Rwanda with Katella Uganda Safaris! We were met at the Entebbe airport by our driver and guide, who was with us for the entire 3 weeks. I didn't take any time at all to feel comfortable and pampered in the Landcruiser, with plenty of room for 4 of us (and all our bags) - even on some of the often rough roads and and safari tracks! Our trip started with a day in Kampala learning more about the country, and its history. That night we had an amazing outdoor cultural experience with music and dance from all around Uganda and a wonderful dinner. The next day we were off to see white rhinos, the fabulous Murchenson Falls, and our first night in a lodge. On our first game drive the next morning we saw elephants, giraffe, Cape Buffalo, Water Bucks, warthogs, lions and a leopard. Each day that followed we visited different parks and reserves on early morning and evening safari rides to see animals leaving for or returning to resting places. With the pop-top land cruiser we felt safe and secure with plenty of room for everyone to put their cameras and binoculars to good use, as there were always animals to admire! Our guide was an incredible spotter, and for those of us who had difficulty picking an animal out of the background he was always patient and pointed us in the right direction. The tour included a number of excellent treks in national parks to see chimpanzees, gorillas, and golden monkeys. We also had several boat excursions down rivers or in lakes to see the many animals in the water at the shore during the day - hippos, crocodiles and more elephants! Wherever we went, we fount it to be a 'birders paradise' with so many beautiful and exotic species - I think our 'count' was 85! Our days were busy with adventures, so Katella always arranged our lodging to be close by. Every one of the lodges was wonderful! Staff members always greeted us with warm damp towels and a nice cool drink. The lodges were clean, quiet and comfortable, with attentive and kind staff members who were always there to help. Meals, all of which were included, were varied and always delicious, and frequently the chefs came out to meet us and discuss specific menu options. Katella also arranged a number of local jungle walks and community visits where we learned about local customs, more about the history and culture, saw beautiful crafts being made and met warm, welcoming people. It was our first trip to Africa and we couldn't have been happier with the great organization, thoughtful planning, local expertise and excellent communication Katella provided. We couldn't imagine a better experience and would definitely return! Thank you Katella for the trip of a lifetime!

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Jittiya Dearden
March 9, 2026

Our 21-day journey with Katella Uganda Safaris through Uganda and Rwanda was nothing short of extraordinary—one of the most meaningful and unforgettable travel experiences we have ever had. Uganda’s landscapes are breathtakingly diverse. Trekking through the misty forests of Bwindi to encounter the majestic mountain gorillas was an experience beyond words! The chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest was equally thrilling, Beyond the primates, Uganda offered incredible wildlife viewing in its national parks. From elephants and lions to giraffes and countless bird species, every game drive felt like stepping into a nature documentary. The scenery—rolling hills, crater lakes, and the vast savannah—was spectacular at every turn. Rwanda added another beautiful dimension to the journey. Trekking to see golden monkeys was equally pleasing, hiking up Mt Bisoke to visit Dian’s gravesite was spiritually rewarding! Kigali is one of the cleanest and most vibrant cities we have visited in Africa! Thanks Florence for exceptional itinerary! The logistics of traveling across two countries for three weeks were handled seamlessly, allowing us to simply enjoy the adventure. The lodges were beautifully located, comfortable, and often surrounded by stunning nature and friendly staff! We return home deeply grateful for the experience and would recommend this journey wholeheartedly to anyone seeking a truly extraordinary African adventure.

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Lora Wiley
March 7, 2026

Our 15-day Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda and Rwanda with Katella Uganda Safaris was truly the trip of a lifetime. From the moment we landed in Kigali, everything was seamlessly organized, and our guide Bryt made the entire journey unforgettable. The itinerary was perfectly balanced, blending wildlife adventures, cultural experiences, and stunning landscapes. We loved exploring Kigali, including the moving Genocide Memorial and vibrant craft markets, before heading to the foothills of the Virunga Mountains. The highlight, of course, was gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where we spent a magical hour watching a family of mountain gorillas feed, play, and care for their young. It was one of the most powerful wildlife encounters we’ve ever experienced. Visiting the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village afterward added a wonderful human connection to the journey. The adventure only got better as we crossed into Uganda and explored incredible parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, and Murchison Falls National Park. We observed tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, cruised the Kazinga Channel surrounded by hippos and crocodiles, and trekked through Kibale Forest to see chimpanzees swinging through the canopy. One of our favorite moments was standing at the top of the thunderous Murchison Falls and later spotting giraffes, elephants, and lions on the morning game drive. Throughout the trip, Bryt’s knowledge, patience, and warm personality elevated every experience—he seemed to know exactly where to find wildlife and was always eager to share insights about the landscapes, cultures, and people we encountered. The accommodations—from luxury safari lodges to beautifully appointed wilderness camps—were fantastic, and every detail was thoughtfully arranged. We wholeheartedly recommend Katella Uganda Safaris to anyone dreaming of an East African adventure. With an itinerary like this and a guide like Bryt, you’re guaranteed memories that will last a lifetime. We are deeply grateful to owner Florence for creating such a gorgeous itinerary.

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Lori Heiss
March 6, 2026

We had an amazing safari traveling from Rwanda to Uganda and back, and the experience exceeded our expectations. Our driver Bryt was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, a safe driver, and genuinely great company. Spending time on the road with him was a pleasure, and his knowledge of the region and wildlife added so much to the trip. Florence and her team did a wonderful job organizing everything. From booking excellent hotels to arranging gorilla and golden monkey trekking permits and guiding us through visa requirements, every detail was handled seamlessly. The trekking experiences were absolutely unforgettable. We also highly recommend a stop at Lake Bunyonyi on the way back—it’s stunningly beautiful and the perfect place to relax after trekking. As a couple in our 50s traveling together, we appreciated how smooth, immersive, and well-organized the entire experience was. We highly recommend Bryt, Florence, and their company for anyone planning a Rwanda/Uganda safari.

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Molly Mayfield
February 19, 2026

Our family went on a 17 day safari through Katella Uganda Safaris in February 2026. A bucket-list trip for us, and we were SO pleased. Katella arranged a custom tour for the four of us that was perfect. Our trip focused on gorillas, chimpanzees and birds in addition to the usual big game. No disappointments there… I think standing near a silverback or hearing a chimp hoot in the trees might just make us better humans. Florence was super responsive both during the planning stage and while we were on the trip. Any questions or concerns were answered promptly. Noah was a magnificent driver in the trusty Land Cruiser; he made us feel safe, was a game drive master and could make everyone smile. Patricia was a brilliant birder - dedicated, professional, patient and kind. 279 species, which is remarkable considering our casual birding pace. (For serious birders, she’ll find your endemics!) The lodges were beautiful, the food great. We experienced so many different parks, habitats, landscapes and wildlife. We highly recommend Katella Uganda Safaris and their staff and guides. The only sadness now is that our trip is over.

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Ilse Hendrickx
February 18, 2026

We had an unforgettable tailor‑made trip through Rwanda and Uganda with the main goal of observing primates. Florence perfectly understood our wishes and created a fantastic itinerary for us. Thanks to our experienced guide/driver Yonah, the entire journey was a wonderful experience. Before the trip, communication with Florence was excellent—she always responded quickly and answered all our questions. A very nice surprise was meeting her in person on the last day of our tour. Katella Uganda Safaris is an excellently run agency offering great value for money. Truly recommended!

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Luca Bruno
January 25, 2026

It is hard to express in words all the emotions we experienced during our 11-day tour. We really enjoyed Murchison Falls National Park and the Kibale Forest chimpanzee tracking (the main reason for our trip). Initially, we had thought about skipping Murchison. Don’t do it! In our opinion, it is worth every minute spent there. Florence was extremely kind and helpful in answering all our questions before we arrived in Uganda, and even though we asked for the cheapest accommodation options, the lodges were fantastic, the food was good, and the people were lovely. We also cannot express how grateful we are to our guide, Bryt. He always did his best to guarantee the best spots to see wild animals during the game drives, explained everything we were seeing, and was always happy to meet our requests. Everything was perfect!

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S Sami
December 16, 2025

I was disappointed in this operator for organizing a 3-day to Bwindi that had me staying 2 nights at the same lodge. Other operators offer one night at Lake Bunyoni...for $300-400 cheaper.....and my pickup/drop-off was Kabale!! My fault for not clarifying nor comparing prices.