Established in 2001 by a Ugandan entrepreneur, Great Lakes Safaris has evolved into a leading tour operator in Uganda and Rwanda, as well as a lodge group managing properties in Uganda’s national parks. The company’s name refers to the seven large lake basins across East Africa, which together hold about one-third of the world’s freshwater. That connection to the region’s geography highlights the company’s deep integration with its setting, where the lakes sustain a wide range of wildlife and communities.
Custom Adventures with Great Lakes Safaris
Great Lakes focuses on creating personalized travel experiences grounded in regional expertise. The company builds itineraries that reflect each traveler’s interests, whether the focus is on wildlife safaris, cultural insight, beach relaxation or milestone celebrations. These itineraries are fully customized—no prepackaged trips are offered—and are developed in partnership with the company’s specialists. Each plan reflects both the visitor’s preferences and a commitment to protecting the environment, conserving wildlife and supporting cultural preservation across East Africa.
The Great Lakes Collection represents the company’s growing lodge portfolio, consisting of boutique properties within Uganda’s national parks. Each lodge is designed to connect guests with its natural surroundings while upholding the company’s values of sustainability and locally grounded hospitality. Current lodges include properties in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
- Elephant Plains Lodge sits on the western escarpment of the Albertine Rift within Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering distant views across open plains to Lake George.
- Primate Lodge Kibale lies in Kibale Rainforest National Park, adjacent to the starting point for the park’s chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences. The lodge contains nine cottages and provides access to this biodiverse rainforest, home to numerous primate species.
- Pabidi Lodge, located in the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest within Murchison Falls National Park, is currently under construction. When completed, the property will offer guests access to one of Uganda’s most ecologically significant regions.
Of note: Guests traveling with Great Lakes are automatically covered by the AMREF Flying Doctors service, which provides emergency air evacuation to international-standard medical facilities when needed. That coverage extends across East Africa, offering peace of mind throughout the journey.
Great Lakes remains indigenously owned and managed, drawing on more than two decades of experience operating in Uganda and Rwanda. Its leadership and staff bring extensive firsthand knowledge of East Africa’s wildlife, terrain and cultures, gained through years of living and working across the region.
For more information, visit greatlakessafaris.com.
