About Us
Who We Are: A Local Uganda Tour Operator
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based tour company. We are registered with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and also affiliated with the Exclusive Sustainable Tour Operators Association (ESTOA). Because ESTOA promotes sustainable tourism, our trips benefit local communities and help protect Uganda’s natural beauty.
Our Uganda safari tours include tailor-made private trips, group holidays, short and long game-viewing safaris and dedicated gorilla trekking packages. Besides Uganda, we also plan trips across Rwanda and the rest of East Africa, all at competitive rates. If you want to compare ideas first, browse all our East Africa safari packages.
When you travel with us, you are not just exploring. Instead, you are making a real difference to the people and parks you visit. So let us plan your perfect safari today!
Beyond great trips, we believe tourism should benefit local communities, celebrate cultural heritage and respect nature. For this reason, we support community initiatives and aim to make a positive difference in the places we visit.
With Roots Tours & Travel, you are not just exploring Africa. Instead, you discover its heart, meet its people and experience its beauty in meaningful ways. So let us help you discover East Africa, one unforgettable journey at a time!
Meet Our Management Team
From your first enquiry to your final game drive, our dedicated team is here to make your journey seamless and memorable. We take care of every detail, from planning and reservations to expert guidance in the field. Get to know the people behind your experience, and when you’re ready to start planning, get in touch with our Kampala team. We’d love to hear about your next adventure!
George Ivan
Managing Director
Tracy
Tour consultant
Lorand
Lead Tour Guide
Joshua
Tour Consultant
Sandra
Reservations
Brenda
Marketing & PR
What We Do as a Uganda Tour Operator
Every trip we plan is built around you. First, you tell us your dates, budget and the experiences you care about most. Then we build a day-by-day itinerary, book your permits and lodges, and stay with you until you fly home.
Here are the trips our team plans most often:
- Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga, from short treks to longer trips. Start with our guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
- Wildlife safaris and game drives in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley.
- Primate tours, including chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and golden monkey tracking.
- Birding trips for both keen birders and first-timers.
- Community and cultural visits with the Batwa, the Buhoma community and the villages around Lake Bunyonyi.
- Regional safaris that combine Uganda with Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo or the beaches of Zanzibar.
You can browse ready-made ideas on our safari packages page. However, each itinerary is only a starting point, so we can shorten, extend or upgrade any of them.
Why Travel With Roots Tours & Travel
Local Knowledge, Not a Call Centre
Our team lives and works in Uganda. As a result, we know which gorilla sector suits your fitness, which lodges are worth the money, and how long the drives really take. When you send an enquiry, you speak directly with the people who will plan and run your trip.
A Clear, Tailor-Made Plan
After your first message, you receive a free, tailor-made itinerary with a clear price. Lodge options come at budget, mid-range and luxury level, so you can choose the comfort that fits your budget. Meanwhile, we answer every question before you commit.
Permits and Bookings Handled for You
Gorilla permits are limited and often sell out months ahead in peak season. Therefore, once you confirm, we book your permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority straight away, along with your rooms. Permit prices are set by the authority and change from time to time, so we always confirm the current rate when you enquire.
A Guide Who Stays With You
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe or Kigali airport and stays with you until you fly home. In addition, our office in Kampala is on call for the whole trip.
Responsible Travel at the Heart of What We Do
As an ESTOA affiliate, we take sustainable travel seriously. For example, we include community visits that are run with local people, so the money stays with them. We also follow the gorilla trekking rules, which protect the gorillas from human illness and stress. Above all, we want the parks, the wildlife and the communities around them to thrive long after your trip ends.