Matoke Tours Africa

22/03/2024

Yesterday’s Product Showcase at our Matoke Tours office was a tremendous success! It was amazing to learn about the new developments our existing local partners have been working on, ánd to meet some new service providers who have exciting products to offer in Uganda that we shall soon make available to our partners.

We learned about multi-day walking trails in Murchison Falls National Park from Bush Wonderers, cycling trails throughout Uganda from Red Dirt Uganda, hiking trails through the Rwenzori Mountains from Rwenzori Trekking Services Ltd, Acholi cultural experiences (Gulu) from Loremi tours, the developments of eco-camps and activities in Karamoja from Kara-Tunga, wild water rafting through the jungle bordering Bwindi National Park from SANA - Gorilla Rafting, Batwa experiences and trails from the Bwindi Specialist Guides Group, and the Mengia Village Tour in Kween from the guides of Home of Friends Guesthouse in Kapchorwa.

Our Product Showcase is an initiative dedicated to spearheading sustainable tourism in Uganda alongside local suppliers who are committed to creating unique experiences with respect for the environment and local communities. Our mission is to foster a more inclusive tourism landscape, where innovation drives responsible exploration in every corner of the destination.

Stay tuned for a full recap of the day, but for now we wish to thank all the participants for their enthusiasm and contribution to making this day highly impactful to our team.

15/03/2024

Call for submissions!

As part of Matoke Tours’ annual Product Showcase, ‘Trails of Tomorrow’ invites individuals with groundbreaking ideas to step onto the stage, pitch their visionary tourism concepts, and we may just transform your dream into reality! Whether it's a pioneering eco-conscious adventure, a community-driven initiative, or technological advancement in travel, ‘Trails of Tomorrow’ provides an opportunity to kickstart your trailblazing concept together with Matoke Tours.

Use this form to submit your idea latest 19th of March: https://forms.gle/tuGuqSNpMLViLuabA

After submitting the form, Matoke Tours will evaluate your submission, and in case we see great potential to collaborate with you, you will be invited to pitch your idea.

13/03/2024

Introducing Matoke Tours’ annual Product Showcase, happening on the 21st of March!

The Product Showcase is an initiative dedicated to spearheading sustainable tourism in Uganda alongside local suppliers who are committed to creating unique experiences with respect for the environment and local communities. Our mission is to foster a more inclusive tourism landscape, where innovation drives responsible exploration in every corner of the destination.

At the Product Showcase we nurture a collaborative environment and invite local suppliers to showcase products that stimulate responsible growth for Uganda’s tourism sector. This year, we are excited to host the following partners;

- SANA - Gorilla Rafting (wild water rafting near Bwindi)
- Red Dirt Uganda (cycling tours)
- Kara-Tunga (Karamoja experiences and eco-camps)
- Loremi tours (Acholi cultural experiences)
- Bwindi Specialist Guides Group (Bwindi lives and livelihood trails)
- Home of Friends Guesthouse & the Sebei Cultural Storytellers
- Rwenzori Trekking Services Ltd (hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains)
- Bush Wonderers (multi-day walking tours at Murchison Falls)

Stay tuned for more!

28/02/2024

We’ve had a very successful first day at the Africa Showcase in Budapest yesterday! Today our representative Sven will share our Love for Africa in Warsaw, followed by Prague tomorrow.

Unable to attent the in Central Eastern Europe, but are you interested to talk about adding Uganda and/or Rwanda to your portfolio? Message us today to schedule an introduction call, or plan a meeting with us at next week!

25/02/2024

Matokees Evelyn and Michael represented at todays’ in Kampala! The marathon, ahead of World Wildlife Day 2024, raises funds to support children of fallen rangers towards their education.

20/02/2024

We are excited to attend Central Eastern Europe, from 26th of February to 1st of March! 🤩

Are you a tour operator based in Poland, Hungary or Czech and interested in adding Uganda and/or Rwanda to your portfolio? - let’s connect!

Uganda on your travel list but not quite confident enough to go? Having a top-tier guide with you backed by a team of experts can help elevate your experience from simply good to extraordinary.

Fortunately, we know EXACTLY where to find this winning combo, and that's at Matoke Tours Africa. They're one of Uganda's leading sustainable tour operators & DMCs.

Our buyers in Central Eastern Europe are in for a treat this month! See you soon at

On Show Solutions

11/01/2024

We're starting the year with a warm send-off from our team to our Female Tour Guide trainees, who are starting the next part of their journey with an in-depth driving course. The coming month the ladies will recap some theory on vehicle maintenance and mechanics, followed by an intense practical training in defensive and off-road driving in 4x4 vehicles. With this course we aim to boost both confidence and competence, ensuring safe travels for future travelers who will be guided by our Female Tour Guides.

Why we do this? By supporting women in tourism, and Female Tour Guides in particular, we aim to trigger sector-wide participation in achieving positive social change in this male-dominated industry. Cultural, social and economical barriers withhold many talented women from pursuing a career in tourism. Our initiatives to train female tour guides are developed to give more women the opportunity to follow their dreams by providing them with all the needed tools to kick-start or boost their tour guiding careers.

To learn more about our initiatives for Women in Tourism, visit www.matoketours.com/initiatives

23/12/2023

Happy holidays from the team at Matoke Tours. ✨ Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey!

Read this month's newsletter 👉🏿👉🏿 https://bit.ly/47bYFMf for a few favourite stories that made 2023 a year to remember!

We have more trailblazing initiatives planned for early 2024, and look forward to sharing them with you very soon 😊

23/11/2023

Exciting News from Matoke Tours! Today, we're thrilled to announce that we have been nominated for a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by NUTIP and the Dutch embassy in Uganda, in celebration of the Day of the Entrepreneur. This significant recognition stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and fostering positive impacts within the tourism sector, which is exactly what drives our entrepreneurial spirit. ✨

Today we attend The Day of the Entrepreneur celebrations at NUTIP, where Dutch-Ugandan companies will be appreciated for their courage and perseverance to create jobs, share knowledge, and support the economy. We're grateful for this nomination and excited to continue our mission of crafting transformative travel experiences while making a difference.

Thank you for being a part of our journey!

17/11/2023

We are delighted - but not at all surprised - to hear that our favourite East African country UGANDA has been voted "Best Safari Country" by travelers.

"Every year the reviews of travelers help SafariBookings to decide which country should wear the crown as Africa’s best safari country.

More than 4,000 reviews were analyzed in this detailed and comprehensive study. The analysis included reviews from expert travel journalists who have extensive safari experience across all of the countries covered by this survey."

SafariBookings adds: "This remarkable performance takes into account a whole range of categories, from wildlife and scenic beauty to birding and bush credentials. Uganda was also the clear winner when it comes to Africa’s best birding-safari country, as voted by the experts.

Uganda clearly has reason to be optimistic about future surveys, as they’re hot on the heels of the current top three. Watch this space..."

10/11/2023

We're honoured that Matoke Tours - winner of the Ekkula Award for "Most Sustainable Tour Operator" in 2022 - has once again been nominated for this year's Tourism Awards in the same category!

At Matoke Tours, sustainability and making a positive social impact are at the core of our business. This nomination is an honour that reflects our unwavering commitment to making a difference. From supporting local communities and empowering women in tourism, to developing products in support of conservation - every step we take is guided by our dedication to a better future, and a more inclusive tourism industry.

We need your support to receive this important recognition, by voting for Matoke Tours. You can vote for us every 8 hours, using the following link : https://ekkula.ateiug.org/votes

08/11/2023

🔔 Big News! 🔔 Matoke Tours has been nominated for Uganda’s Ekkula Tourism Award as “Most Sustainable Tour Operator”, and we need your vote!

You can vote for Matoke Tours using : https://ekkula.ateiug.org/votes

• Login with your google account
• Scroll down to Sustainable Tour Operator
• Click on Matoke Tours and wait for the pop-up
• Click on ‘vote’ and wait for it to turn red
• You’ll be taken back to the vote overview, close the page (this can take a few minutes!)

At Matoke Tours we share our love for Africa by creating unforgettable travel experiences which reflect our care and respect for the destination and its people. With sustainability as a guiding principle at the core of our business, we are honoured to have been nominated for this important recognition award.

Matoke Tours won the Ekkula Award for Most Sustainable Tour Operator in 2022, and as we are continuing our work to make a positive impact on developing Uganda as a prime travel destination while creating a more inclusive tourism industry, we hope to we may again receive this important recognition this year.

“Ekkula is a Ugandan local word implying ‘Pearl’. Pearl of Africa stands to imply the most elegant Nation on the majestic continent of Africa. The tourism Awards is an activity where stakeholders in the tourism industry are recognized and awarded accordingly." - Ekkula Tourism Awards & Exhibitions

The Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards is an initiative by Africa Tourism and Environment Initiatives (ATEI) aimed at promoting and recognizing sustainable tourism practices that prioritize biodiversity conservation and empower local communities.

31/10/2023

How cute is this? 😍 Gorilla tracking is often the highlight to any Uganda or Rwanda itinerary, allowing a unique 1-hour encounter with these gentle giants (and their babies if you’re lucky!).

Get in touch if you wish to add any of these amazing destinations to your portfolio, and we’ll do the magic.

Matoke Tours is one of the regions’ leading Destination Management Companies, specialised in providing quality, customized, private and group tours. For more information, visit www.matoketours.com

11/10/2023

Our place is confirmed 👌🏼

This week Anna Grodzki, Managing Director of Matoke Tours Africa DMC, will be in Jordan attending AdventureELEVATE Near East.

Anna writes: "We are excited about becoming active members of Adventure Travel Trade Association and contributing to the development of responsible adventure tourism. We look forward to sharing the lessons we have learned as key members of the Adventure Tourism Uganda consortium."

AdventureELEVATE Near East is a regional conference for outbound tour operators, travel advisors, media, regional inbound operator suppliers, regional tourism boards, and thought leaders in the adventure travel community.

The event takes place 12-14 October in Amman, Jordan.

AdventureELEVATE Near East is organised by the Adventure Travel Trade Association "the largest global network of adventure travel leaders".

We look forward to sharing more insights with you this week.

Our delegate list for the AdventureELEVATE Near East 2023 is growing! 🎉

Have you checked who is coming?
👉 https://events.adventuretravel.biz/adventureelevate/near-east-2023/delegate-list

With just 1 week to go, take a look and join us at AdventureELEVATE Near East in Amman Jordan and connect with the impressive list of official media, industry partners and delegates attending! ✨

Register today! ⤵
https://events.adventuretravel.biz/adventureelevate/near-east-2023/registration


Visit Jordan

27/09/2023

Celebrating 2023 with Matoke Tours: A Journey towards a more inclusive tourism industry.

As we mark World Tourism Day 2023, we proudly reflect on our journey, guided by unwavering values and a commitment to responsible tourism. This year's theme, "Tourism and Green Investment," resonates deeply with our ethos and aspirations.

Anna Grodzki, Managing Director at Matoke Tours, shares : “At Matoke Tours we recognise that Green Investments go beyond environmental conservation. They encompass investing in creating a more inclusive tourism industry. We are committed to these holistic investments that not only protect our planet but also empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably. Together, through sustainable practices and a dedication to inclusivity, we strive to make tourism a force for positive change, where everyone has the opportunity to be a part of and benefit from the magic of travel.”

In the past year we have received important recognitions towards our practices, such as the Ekkula Pearl Of Africa Tourism Awards for ‘Most Sustainable Tour Operator’ in Uganda, and a recognition from the Uganda Wildlife Authority for our support towards Wildlife Conservation.

Geoffrey Katende, senior tour guide at Matoke Tours since 2012, shares ; “I love how Matoke Tours’ core values are people centred. The past decade I’ve experienced Matoke Tours’ inclusive culture. [..] They practice social responsibility to the communities where we operate, including the commitment to uplifting the standards of women in tourism.”

As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2023, we will continue to commit to redefine travel, leaving a positive footprint on the world and making green investments that matter.

05/09/2023

What an incredible month it's been for Uganda's primates! This August, Uganda was honoured to receive a visit by Dr. Jane Goodall, who was in the country to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Jane Goodall has been visiting East Africa for over 50 years. Her research into the wild chimpanzees of Gombe, in a forest overlooking Lake Tanganyika in modern-day Tanzania was groundbreaking. She now campaigns on broader environmental issues including climate change.

From award-winning gorilla vets to celebrating conservation success at the sanctuary, visitors can get up close to our closest relatives 365 days of the year in Uganda. Matoke Tours DMC’s expert travel consultants can combine tracking of chimps, gorillas and golden monkeys with visits to Ngamba Island. Just ask us how!

PHOTO Dr Goodall was the Key Speaker at a public lecture at Sheraton Kampala Hotel. The theme was "Partnerships for Coexistence" urging collaboration to find practical solutions for balancing development and environmental protection.

05/09/2023

Greetings from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda! Have you ever been thís close to lions? 🤩

10/08/2023

Our Adventure Tour Guide Training was featured on the Good Tourism Institute as a sustainable tourism best practice 🏆

Developing and executing the training over the course of the last 3 years has been an amazing experience: we learned so much and had lots of fun in the process, too!

Collaborating with like-minded industry partners, like our Adventure Tourism Uganda partners and all facilitators, activity and accommodation providers who supported the program, has showed us how much more we can achieve when we join forces.

Most importantly, a big thank you to Jan Bakker, experienced and expert, who facilitated all our regional trainings and generously shared his knowledge with our tour guides.

Do you want to know more about what Uganda has to offer outdoor enthusiasts? Send us a message and we will be happy to chat!

Matoke Tours’ specialised travel guide training program helps local guides excel in cultural tourism and outdoor adventure tours in Uganda.

13/07/2023

Baby news from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary! 😍🦏

12/07/2023

'Uganda offers a rare and affordable opportunity to observe gorillas in the wild.' - National Geographic

In their latest article about Uganda, National Geographic takes you on an unforgettable journey through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The article vividly describes the sheer awe and connection they felt with these gentle giants ;

"Masked up and instructed to keep a 10-metre distance, to protect the gorillas from human-borne diseases, it’s time to meet the family. This is the moment I find silverback Maraya gazing at his navel. “They’re not at all shy,” says Amos [the ranger], as a symphony of bodily functions follows. Females climb trees above us, seeking leaves to munch on, and toddlers tumble from the undergrowth, rolling so close, one even points his podgy index digit into my camera lens. They eat, fart and even mate — an act Amos over-explicitly describes as ‘drilling’ — in our presence."

Beyond gorilla tracking, they ventured off the beaten path and explored the incredible initiative of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) that makes a huge difference through inspiring conservation work that intertwines wildlife, the local communities, and public health. National Geographic as well highlights Ride 4 a Woman, supporting vulnerable women through sustainable tourism initiatives.

Uganda's breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and warm hospitality make it a destination of endless possibilities. Reach out to us today to discuss the exciting opportunities of adding Uganda to your portfolio of destinations. Let's create extraordinary journeys that leave a lasting impact and open doors to transformative experiences.

In Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla treks can be organised for a fraction of what it costs in neighbouring Rwanda — making one of Africa's greatest, and most expensive, wildlife experiences more accessible.

07/07/2023

Our newsletter is out - from Africa, with Love 💚

Featuring a rare sighting alert, purrfect itineraries & Rwanda’s rhinos

Read it here & subscribe for future updates:

https://mailchi.mp/16351a2e4171/from-africa-with-love-rare-sighting-alert-purrfect-itineraries-rwanda-rhinos

06/07/2023

Step into a world of wonder and witness the magic of gorilla tracking in Uganda’s untamed wilderness. Trek through lush rainforests, heart pounding with anticipation, as you get closer to these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. A once-in-a-lifetime encounter that will leave you humbled and inspired. Join Matoke Tours for an extraordinary journey into the realm of the gentle giants. 🦍🌿🌍

Credits to Uganda Wildlife Authority & Explore Uganda for this amazing video 📸

26/06/2023

Women are shaping the future of tourism, and Matoke Tours is proud to empower them every step of the way!

We actively support women in the industry, providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. Together, let's break barriers and create a more inclusive and diverse tourism sector.

Read more about our initiatives on our brand-new website www.matoketours.com/initiatives

07/06/2023

Hiking in the Mt Elgon region - an out of the ordinary experience in Uganda! Unexplored trails for the true adventurer, beautiful landscapes with peaks for breathtaking views : this video created by Uganda Wildlife Authority says it all!

Explore Uganda

24/05/2023

From Africa, With Love. NetFlix tip! + What are the benefits of having a Uganda-based DMC? - https://mailchi.mp/760463291838/from-africa-with-love-netflix-tip-and-what-are-benefits-of-uganda-based-dmc

In this month's newsletter, read all about:

• The benefits of having a DMC that is based in Uganda.

• How we can create an adventure-focused itinerary for your clients, covering unexplored trails - like the Cycad Trail at Mpanga Falls. Get in touch!

• Plus: some amazing travel inspiration from the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest!

23/05/2023

A knowledgeable, experienced tour guide is key to an unforgettable travel experience. Every year, Matoke Tours holds an extensive guide meeting, to prepare for the high season, have meaningful discussions, go through the guides' priority responsibilities and recap on protocols in case of unexpected events during a tour.

This year, we as well touched base on Matoke Tours' vision and direction as a DMC, the role of a guide in practicing responsible and sustainable travel, communication between the guides and back-office, and future perspectives for Matoke Tours' long serving senior guides.

Guides were given a platform to express their needs to better execute a tour, and shared about their specialism and focus so that our team can continue to improve on matching our travelers with the right guide.

It has been an insightful day, and we are ready for an amazing travel season!

19/05/2023

Reposted from , who traveled with Matoke Tours to capture Uganda in the best possible way for an article in magazine.

“From spotting wildlife to learning about the animals and the environment, these 4 rangers in Uganda made our experience even better! 🇺🇬

Their expertise and passion for conservation is super interesting and play a crucial role in protecting the nature reserves. It’s been fantastic to ask them tons of questions and learn from them in several ways.”

18/05/2023

Being amongst Uganda’s leading DMC’s, we value to always grow our local expertise. One of the benefits of being based in Uganda is that we can easily travel within the region in order to build meaningful partnerships and to fully understand the latest developments in our destinations.

This week our travel consultants traveled to Entebbe to (re)visit multiple accommodations, to be up to date on what’s new in the region, inspect quality and service standards of our lodges, meet the teams on ground, maintain long standing relationships with our trusted partners and to understand how to match the accommodation options with particular source markets and travel styles.

We thank Karibu Guest House, Entebbe for their generosity and hospitality to host us for the night and giving us the full Karibu experience.

📷 Meet (part of) the team from left to right: Anna (Managing Director), Immaculate (Travel Consultant), Sven (Sales Manager), Evelyn (Travel Consultant), Pleunie (Travel Consultant & Content Creator) & Harriet (Travel Consultant)

30/04/2023

Reposted from
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“In the middle of Murchison Falls National Park the newly opened bridge at Paraa, linking the north bank to the south bank ensures early morning or late afternoon game drives can be enjoyed like never before. It’s easy to feel nostalgic about the original vehicle ferry taking everyone back and forth across the Nile, but the reality was it broke down regularly, there were long queues and your safari was governed by an erratic boat timetable! With the bridge in place MRL guests are now crossing the Nile for game drives before sunrise 🌅”

📷 friends