About Us

Our story

It Started in the
Villages of Rakai

Bespoke Safaris began long before it had a name. Growing up in Rakai, in southern Uganda, our founder James Mutabazi loved geography and spent his free time touring the villages around his home. That curiosity about places and people became a profession.

James earned a Bachelor of Travel and Tourism Management with First Class Honours from Makerere University Business School, then a Master of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Alongside his studies he gained hands-on experience in wildlife interpretation and conservation tourism, resort operations, tour management, travel consultancy, guiding and tourism training.

Those years showed him what travellers really want: journeys that are personal, authentic, professionally run and connected to the communities they pass through. In 2023 he founded Bespoke Safaris to deliver exactly that.

Our philosophy

“

Every safari should be designed around the traveller, not every traveller around the same safari package.

Our Mission

To design and deliver authentic, personalised and professionally managed African safaris that connect visitors with wildlife, nature, culture and communities, while creating value for our clients, partners and destinations.

Our Vision

To become a leading African safari and tourism company known for exceptional tailor-made safari experiences, responsible tourism and meaningful contributions to destination development across East Africa.

Our values

What We Stand For

Personalised Service

Every traveller is unique. We tailor each journey to your interests, budget, travel style and expectations.

Authenticity

Meaningful journeys that connect you with Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, cultures and local communities.

Excellence & Professionalism

Professional, reliable, high-quality safaris from the first enquiry to the final farewell.

Integrity

Honesty, transparency and respect: clear information, fair pricing and dependable service.

Responsible Tourism

Travel that protects wildlife, preserves the environment and benefits the communities around the parks.

Safety & Care

Your safety, comfort and wellbeing stay central to every journey we plan and operate.

Local Expertise

Deep knowledge of Uganda and East Africa, so your trip is full of genuine insight and hidden treasures.

Lasting Partnerships

We value long-term relationships with travellers, communities, guides, lodges, travel agents and industry partners.

People behind the safari

Meet Your Safari Team

Travel consultants, reservations staff and safari guides, backed by a trusted network of lodges, rangers and community partners across East Africa.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

James Mutabazi

BA Travel & Tourism Management, First Class Honours (MUBS), Master of Hospitality & Tourism Management

“Every traveller deserves a safari designed around their own interests, expectations and aspirations. Tourism can do much more than move visitors from one attraction to another: it can connect people, create livelihoods and support conservation.”

As Founder & CEO, James leads business development, international partnerships and safari strategy, together with our tourism projects, research and training.

Meet the team

Travel consultant, Rwanda

Alice Karungi

Helps you choose the right route, lodges and travel dates, with a focus on Rwanda.

Reservations officer

Mitchelle Florence N.

Books lodges and secures gorilla and chimpanzee permits for every safari.

Senior French-speaking guide

Delight Bwambale

Guides our French-speaking guests across Uganda and Rwanda.

Senior safari guide

Solomon Ejemu

Leads game drives and long transfers across the national parks.

Safari guide

Wilson Kayitale

Guides guests on game drives, nature walks and boat trips in the parks.

Travel consultant, UK

Megan Simons

Your first point of contact in the UK, for travellers and partners abroad.

Senior safari guide

Fidel Cheptoek

Drives and guides private safaris across Uganda’s national parks.

Digital developer & designer

Renzo Fabri

Designs and builds our website and the brand materials you see from us.

Travel with confidence

Licensed, Registered and Accountable

Bespoke Safaris Ltd operates inside Uganda’s official tourism framework. Our licence is listed on the Uganda Tourism Board’s public register, and our credentials are shown below.

Health, safety & risk management

Guest safety is central to every safari we design. Our operational approach includes:

Company credentials

Certificate of Incorporation

80020003951796

Uganda Tourism Board licence

UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100921

Memberships, regulators and partners

Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities

Uganda Tourism Board

Uganda Wildlife Authority

Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre

Association of Uganda Tour Operators

Tripadvisor

Travel that gives back

Responsible Tourism

Tourism should generate value for travellers while contributing positively to destinations. Bespoke Safaris promotes responsible tourism through six commitments.

Conservation

Encouraging experiences that deepen appreciation and protection of wildlife and natural ecosystems.

Community Participation

Creating opportunities for communities to take part in (and benefit from) tourism.

Local Procurement

Wherever practical, working with local guides, lodges, transport providers, craftspeople and enterprises.

Cultural Respect

Encouraging visitors to engage respectfully with local cultures and communities.

Environmental Responsibility

Promoting responsible behaviour in protected areas and natural environments.

Visitor Education

Helping travellers understand appropriate conduct around wildlife, communities and conservation areas.

Our corporate responsibility priorities

Conservation, Communities, Young tourism professionals, Education, Sustainable tourism

We support the responsible use of Uganda’s natural heritage, tourism skills development and tourism approaches that consider environmental, economic and social dimensions.

Bespoke
Foundation

Tourism that transforms communities
and protects nature

Our social-impact initiative helps tourism support conservation, community development and better livelihoods where our travellers go.

20%

of national park entry fees go to neighbouring communities, a Uganda Wildlife Authority policy.

For travel agencies and tour operators

Your Ground Partner in East Africa

As a locally owned Ugandan tour operator, we give international travel agencies direct access to authentic East African experiences, with professional service at every step. We seek long-term relationships rather than one-off transactions.

Real trips, real guests

Life on Safari With Us

Moments from recent Bespoke Safaris trips: the guests, the guides and the places in between.

White-water rafting on the Nile

Gorilla trekking

Murchison Falls

Boat safari

Ranger briefing before the trek

Guided nature walk

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Welcome to Uganda

★★★★★

“Our driver James was such an amicable man and well familiar with vast options of where and when I should tour. He chose the best hotels for us with the best menu, and our safety was always his first priority.”

Brian T

Tripadvisor review, July 23, 2025

4.9

Average rating from
Tripadvisor reviews

From first message to final farewell

How We Design Your Safari

No fixed packages. We follow a core 5-step framework to build your custom-tailored itinerary

Step 1 of 5

The Initial Inquiry & Vibe Check

You share your travel dates, group size, budget, and the specific style or feeling you want from the trip (such as high-action big-cat viewing or a quiet, immersive wilderness retreat)

Step 2 of 5

Destination & Anchor Selection

We help you choose 2 or 3 core regions (anchors) and the right parks or reserves based on seasonal wildlife migrations and weather rather than trying to cram too many countries into one trip.

Step 3 of 5

Pacing & Accommodation

We map out your pacing, typically recommending at least 3 nights per camp or lodge so you do not spend every day packing and moving. We also match you with tented camps or luxury lodges that fit your comfort level.

Step 4 of 5

Crafting the Proposal & Refining Together

We build a draft itinerary featuring your custom activities (like game drives, hot air ballooning or gorilla trekking), and internal logistics (light-aircraft hops or private transfer drivers), then we loop you in for feedback to tweak details.

Step 5 of 5

Confirmation & Logistics Handoff

Once you approve the design, we lock in your fixed bookings (lodges, permits, and internal flights), handle your pre-trip documentation guidance (visas, health/vaccine requirements, and travel insurance), and hand you a complete roadmap.

It Started in theVillages of Rakai

Every safari should be designed around the traveller, not every traveller around the same safari package.

Our Mission

Our Vision

What We Stand For

Personalised Service

Authenticity

Excellence & Professionalism

Integrity

Responsible Tourism

Safety & Care

Local Expertise

Lasting Partnerships

Meet Your Safari Team

Licensed, Registered and Accountable

Responsible Tourism

Conservation

Community Participation

Local Procurement

Cultural Respect

Environmental Responsibility

Visitor Education

Conservation, Communities, Young tourism professionals, Education, Sustainable tourism

BespokeFoundation

Your Ground Partner in East Africa

Life on Safari With Us

How We Design Your Safari

The Initial Inquiry & Vibe Check

Destination & Anchor Selection

Pacing & Accommodation

Crafting the Proposal & Refining Together

Confirmation & Logistics Handoff

Let’s Plan Your Safari Together

+256 754 263 462

+256 763 396 296

Where should we send your itinerary?

It Started in the
Villages of Rakai

Bespoke
Foundation