- Best for
- Own lodges in Queen Elizabeth and Kibale
- Conservation and community
- Great Lakes Foundation, founded by Amos and Amy Wekesa, works with communities near Uganda’s national parks on education, conservation and community empowerment, supported by a conservation and community levy on safaris and bed-night contributions from its lodges.
- Based in
- Head office in Kampala, Uganda (Mutungo Hill).
- How it runs trips
- Tailor-made private trips and 'set departure' safaris ('tailor-made and set departure safaris and holidays')
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 3.4 out of 5 from 5 reviews; Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 198 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Rwanda trips to Volcanoes, Akagera and Nyungwe
- Conservation and community
- Claims: single-use plastic free operations (reusable water bottles), reforestation through indigenous tree planting, collaboration with conservation groups, community-based tourism near the parks, visits to Gorilla Guardians Village and 10% of park tourism revenue returning to local communities (park-level statement).
- Based in
- Kigali, Rwanda (Norrsken House, Kigali).
- How it runs trips
- Private trips only: 'We do not run shared departures'; every itinerary is built for one party.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 23 reviews; Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 22 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimps in Kyambura Gorge
- Conservation and community
- Local employment, eco-lodges, community visits, women's cooperative partnerships, plastic reduction, reforestation partnerships, anti-poaching support, ESTOA certification, carbon offset programme.
- Based in
- Head office in Kampala, Uganda: Plot 19 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 45 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 from 7 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Walking safaris and Maasai and Samburu village visits
- Conservation and community
- Community projects: scholarships and uniforms for rural students, books for children's homes, artisan partnerships, women and youth cooperatives; two community school projects and a children's home supported annually; tree planting and zero single-use plastics; optional Community Impact contribution on bookings.
- Based in
- Nairobi, Kenya (Jadala Place, Suite No 3.5, Ngong Road).
- How it runs trips
- Private only: 'We do not run shared vehicles, join departures, or off-the-shelf itineraries.' No scheduled joining departures.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 91 reviews; Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 262 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Twenty vehicles owned and maintained in house
- Conservation and community
- Being locally owned means 'the money you spend stays largely in the country you came to see' and offers conservancy stays and community visits on request.
- Based in
- Head office in Ruiru, Kenya: Spur Mall, Second Floor, RM S14, Exit 12, Thika Road Superhighway, Kimbo, Ruiru, PO Box 890-00232.
- How it runs trips
- Private trips are the main offer ('Every trip is privately guided'; packages for 2 to 6 or 2 to 7 guests).
- Published price
- Priced trips, all per person in US$: 3 days/2 nights Masai Mara & Naivasha budget from US$650 (2 to 6 guests); 4 days/3 nights Mara, Naivasha & Nakuru budget from US$950; 5 days/4 nights budget from US$1,200; 5 days/4 nights mid-range from US$1,100; 5 days Mara, Amboseli & Naivasha from US$1,350; 7 days Magical Kenya budget from US$2,250; 6 days luxury Amboseli & Mara from US$4,250.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 176 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 32 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Ranger-led walking safaris in Tarangire and Manyara
- Conservation and community
- Community work with the Nadumu Maasai Women's Organization (NMW) in Monduli: 100% of profits from beaded mats and coasters go to the women; the group has provided sanitary pads to three schools, pens to 2,000 children and planted 1,000 trees.
- How it runs trips
- All safaris are private ('just you and your guide'); prices are by 2, 3 or 4 to 6 people.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 1,662 reviews; Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 255 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 from 26 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Kilimanjaro on six routes and Crater Highlands trek
- Conservation and community
- 'We hire locally, pay crews properly, work with conservation partners and eco-conscious lodges'; follows Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project guidelines (proper wages, meals, 20 kg limit).
- Based in
- Head office in Arusha, Tanzania (Serengeti Road).
- How it runs trips
- Trips are sold as private, tailor-made departures ('Private departures').
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 8 reviews; Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Own vehicles maintained in its Arusha garage
- Conservation and community
- Supports the 'Secretary Bird Project' in Serengeti National Park; mostly Tanzanian employees, partners and service providers; job training for trainee mechanics, office staff and guides; staff accommodation built and rented near the office; limits plastic.
- Based in
- Arusha, Tanzania.
- How it runs trips
- Private safaris (the Low Cost safari is 'private safari low cost'; luxury page: 'A private luxury safari, only you and your driver-guide'; the jeep is only for you).
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 861 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 426 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
- Best for
- Kenya safaris in its own custom-built Land Cruisers
- Conservation and community
- Community & Wildlife Conservation (CWC), founded by Sunworld Safaris in 2020, funds education bursaries, health camps, menstrual hygiene awareness, anti-poaching and tree planting.
- Based in
- Head office in Nairobi, Kenya.
- How it runs trips
- 'Most of our Safaris are Private Safaris' with your own 4x4 and guide; group safaris with fixed departure dates are offered all year (Save the Elephant, Photographic Safaris, short Mara road safaris) and shared air packages for solo travellers.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 58 reviews; Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 214 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
East Africa safari operators on conservation: the questions people ask
How is the order on this page worked out?
Cards are in alphabetical order. The order is not a judgement of quality.
Which run private trips on your own dates?
17 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Bison Safaris, Dawn Safaris, Gosheni Safaris Africa, Great Lakes Safaris, Hope Tours Africa, Kwezi Safaris, Leopard Orchid Safaris, Lion King Adventures, Nature Bound Africa, Nkuringo Safaris, Ongeri Expeditions, Primate Safaris, SafariBando, Savannah Explorers, Soul of Tanzania and Sunworld Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which run scheduled departures you can join?
4 of the 19 do: Great Lakes Safaris, Ongeri Expeditions, SafariBando and Sunworld Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which use vehicles of their own?
4 of the 19 do: Gosheni Safaris Africa, Insight Safari Holidays, Lion King Adventures and Savannah Explorers. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a child or family policy?
10 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris, Dawn Safaris, Gosheni Safaris Africa, Hope Tours Africa, Kwezi Safaris, Nature Bound Africa, Nkuringo Safaris, Savannah Explorers and Sunworld Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a deposit?
12 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Bison Safaris, Dawn Safaris, Great Lakes Safaris, Hope Tours Africa, Insight Safari Holidays, Leopard Orchid Safaris, Nature Bound Africa, Nkuringo Safaris, Ongeri Expeditions, SafariBando and Savannah Explorers. Each one's own website says so.
Which arrange gorilla or chimpanzee trekking?
9 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris, Hope Tours Africa, Kwezi Safaris, Leopard Orchid Safaris, Nkuringo Safaris, Primate Safaris, Soul of Tanzania and Sunworld Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which run Kilimanjaro climbs or other treks?
10 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Bison Safaris, Gosheni Safaris Africa, Hope Tours Africa, Leopard Orchid Safaris, Nature Bound Africa, Nkuringo Safaris, SafariBando, Savannah Explorers and Sunworld Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which have guest reviews on SafariBookings, Google or Trustpilot?
18 of the 19 do: Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel, Bison Safaris, Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris, Gosheni Safaris Africa, Great Lakes Safaris, Hope Tours Africa, Insight Safari Holidays, Kwezi Safaris, Leopard Orchid Safaris, Lion King Adventures, Nature Bound Africa, Nkuringo Safaris, Ongeri Expeditions, Primate Safaris, SafariBando, Savannah Explorers, Soul of Tanzania and Sunworld Safaris. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.
Can I book these trips through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link.
How were these operators chosen?
Each one is an operator in the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table whose own website shows that it is based in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda and publishes a conservation or community commitment or project it supports. A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
How current are these facts?
Each company's website was read on 29 October 2026. Prices, departures and reviews change, so confirm them with the operator before you book.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 29 October 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot), from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Operators whose websites would not open are not on this page. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company paid to appear or for its place. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 3 November 2026 · updated 3 November 2026