About Mwanzo Tours · Uganda
Is Mwanzo Tours Uganda Legit? How to Book Safely
Our licence number, how to check it with the Uganda Tourism Board, public review counts with sources, and how deposits, permits and balance work.
Mwanzo Tours Uganda SMC Limited is a locally owned tour operator based in Ntinda, Kampala, licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board under licence UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873. You can check the licence yourself, and you can read independent reviews on TripAdvisor and SafariBookings. This page explains how to verify us, what our booking process looks like, and how to protect yourself when you book any Uganda safari.
Who we are
- Company: Mwanzo Tours Uganda SMC Limited, Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda.
- Ownership: 100% locally owned and operated in Uganda. Meet the safari team and read about us and our story.
- Licence: licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873).
- Impact: every booking contributes to the Serah Foundation.
How to verify a Uganda tour operator's licence
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) says gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-resident visitors are sold only through tour operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and it asks visitors to verify an operator's licence on the UTB website and to report unlicensed operators to UTB and UWA. To check us:
- Go to the Uganda Tourism Board website and look for the licensed tour operator listing.
- Search for Mwanzo Tours Uganda and compare the licence number with UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873.
- Ask us any question about the licence by WhatsApp or email and we will answer in writing.
How booking with Mwanzo works
- Enquiry. Send your dates and ideas through the Plan your journey form, WhatsApp or email. We reply within one business day.
- Written quote. You receive a written quote in US dollars with lodges, what is included and the total price, before you pay anything.
- 30% deposit. Your booking is confirmed when we receive the 30% deposit. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are purchased in your name once your payment is received, and held only once paid. You then receive the UWA confirmation reference.
- Balance 60 days before departure. The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before departure.
- Insurance. Travel insurance is not included; guests arrange their own. Choose a policy with medical evacuation and cancellation cover.
Cancellation: more than 60 days before departure, the 30% deposit is non-refundable. Within 60 days of departure: deposit and balance are non-refundable (100%). Permits, once purchased, are non-refundable under UWA rules. The full wording is on our payment page and terms page. Prices are in US dollars. For 2027 the UWA permit rates are $800 for gorilla trekking, $300 for chimpanzee tracking and $1,800 for gorilla habituation, see the permit cost guide.
Reviews from public pages
| Platform | Rating and count | Read on |
|---|---|---|
| TripAdvisor | 4.9 out of 5, 16 reviews | 18 October 2026 |
| SafariBookings | 4.9 out of 5, 9 reviews (8 five-star, 1 four-star) | 18 October 2026 |
| Google reviews | Open the profile to see the current rating and reviews | Count not read |
Read the reviews yourself, including the dates and the trip types, rather than relying on a summary from us.
How to book any Uganda safari safely
- Check the licence on the UTB website before you pay a deposit.
- Get a written quote that names what is included and what is not, in one currency.
- Pay only official or named company channels. UWA warns that it does not employ agents inside or outside Uganda, that gorilla and chimpanzee permits cannot be paid for at park level, and that you should not pay UWA fees to an individual's personal mobile number.
- Ask for the UWA permit confirmation once permits are bought in your name, and check that the name matches your passport.
- Read the cancellation terms and arrange your own travel insurance.
Contact
Message us on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day. Planning from your home country? See our guides for the USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, or look at a package such as the 7-day gorillas, chimpanzee and wildlife tour. Safety questions? Read Is Uganda safe?.
Sources read on 18 October 2026: UWA advisory on purchase guidelines for gorilla and chimpanzee permits and the UWA conservation tariff.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mwanzo Tours Uganda legit?
Mwanzo Tours Uganda SMC Limited is a locally owned operator in Kampala, licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873). You can verify the licence on the UTB website and read reviews on TripAdvisor and SafariBookings.
How do I verify a Uganda tour operator's licence?
Use the Uganda Tourism Board website and look for the licensed tour operator listing. UWA says foreign non-resident gorilla and chimpanzee permits are sold only through UTB-licensed operators.
How much deposit do I pay, and when is the balance due?
A 30% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due no later than 60 days before departure. Prices are in US dollars.
What is the cancellation policy?
More than 60 days before departure, the 30% deposit is non-refundable. Within 60 days of departure: deposit and balance are non-refundable (100%). Permits, once purchased, are non-refundable.
Is travel insurance included?
Travel insurance is not included; guests arrange their own. We suggest a policy with medical evacuation and cancellation cover.
When are my gorilla permits bought?
Permits are bought in your name once your payment is received, and are held only once paid. We then send you the UWA confirmation reference.