Ebonjalo Tours was born out of passion and curiosity. For years, I have travelled across Uganda and Kenya, exploring new places, meeting people and returning to familiar faces who became friends. The joy of these journeys quickly became something I wanted to share. Friends, family and colleagues kept asking: “Can we come with you, can you show us what you always talk about with so much energy?”
That is what it is about Ebonjalo: I want to show East Africa to people with the same curiosity and energy that first inspired my journeys, with a simple wish to share experiences too meaningful to keep to myself.
And so, over the past four years, I’ve led groups on round trips through Uganda and Kenya — not just travellers, but people who wanted to experience the spirit of East Africa through my eyes. I’ve also guided student groups through Uganda and helped students find and do volunteer work in Mutufu.
Ebonjalo Tours is the natural next step: making these experiences accessible for more people, while keeping the same personal approach. Together with our passionate team in Uganda, we continue to discover new routes, hidden gems and authentic encounters every single journey. If you want to know more About Ebonjalo and the way we travel, this page is the best place to start.
The name Ebonjalo was born from a creative reimagining of JANBOELO, the seed of my original brand identity. Reshaping the letters gave us Ebonjalo – a word that not only sounds authentic and memorable, but also carries deeper meaning.
In Zulu and other Bantu languages, similar-sounding roots carry a sense of “like that” or “in such a way.” That’s exactly what Ebonjalo stands for: experiences that unfold naturally, truthfully, and without pretence.
Our philosophy is guided by the symbols we carry: the Buffalo, the Journey, the Sun, the Hill, and the Community. Together they embody our values of strength, discovery, light, endurance and connection. They are more than symbols – they are reminders of what travel should feel like.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to help you experience East Africa as it really is. We don’t believe in standard packages or ticking boxes. Instead, we believe in:
Every journey is designed to be flexible and personal, guided by the belief that travel should connect you not only to wildlife and landscapes, but also to the people and cultures who give East Africa its heart.
With Ebonjalo Tours, you are never just a guest. You become part of our extended family. Our Ugandan team of guides, drivers and local hosts know the languages, the culture and the hidden corners. They don’t just know the roads — they know the stories behind them.
And yes, things in East Africa sometimes go differently: a flat tyre, a curious goat blocking the road, or an unexpected downpour. But that is part of the rhythm of life here — and with patience, humour and care, we guide you through it.
That is why our travellers often say: “This wasn’t just a trip — this was an experience.”
At Ebonjalo Tours, the buffalo embodies the spirit of our authentic East African tours. Strong yet grounded, it thrives within its herd, reminding us that true strength lies in community. The buffalo moves with the rhythm of the land — adapting to the seasons, flowing with nature — just as our tours follow the pace of real life.
For us, the buffalo is more than an animal: it is a storyteller of Africa itself. It mirrors our vision of authentic journeys that are not about spectacle, but about connection — to people, cultures, and the wild heart of the continent.
The Journey symbol reflects the winding paths we follow, never straight but always
meaningful. It speaks of
flexibility, of finding your way through the unknown, and of allowing each step to reveal
something new. Travel with us is never about rushing from place to place, but about embracing the rhythm of movement itself.
For us, the path is more than a route: it is the metaphor for life’s unfolding stories. It shows that every turn and every pause carries value, and that
discovery lies not only in
destinations, but in the way we walk towards them.
The Sun shines as a constant guide, a symbol of warmth,
renewal, and the promise of a new day. In Africa, the sun
rises over vast savannahs and mountain ridges, awakening the land and all its life. For
travellers, it represents hope and the energy that inspires every journey.
For us, the sun is more than light: it is the storyteller of time itself. Each dawn opens a new chapter, each sunset closes one — reminding us that our journeys are made of moments, illuminated by the glow of
experience.
The Hill symbolises endurance and grounding, echoing Africa’s timeless landscapes. Hills rise steadily, offering perspective and reminding us that beauty often lies in the climb as much as in the view.
For us, the hill is more than a landscape: it is where our own story in Africa began — on the slopes of Mount Kadam, in Loporokocho, where we laid the foundations of our first lodge. It is here that vision turned into action, and where journeys
became rooted in place. The hill reminds us that authentic travel takes patience and strength, and that the most meaningful
horizons are the ones we build towards together.
The Community is the heart of Ebonjalo Tours. It represents circles of belonging, unity, and shared purpose. This symbol
reflects the spirit of inclusion and togetherness in all we do.
For us, community is more than a gathering: it are the
people who welcomed us when our journey first began. From the warmth of local families to the friendships built in
villages and on the road,
community has always been the foundation of our story. It
reminds us that journeys become stories only when shared, and that the true essence of
travel lies in connection —
between travellers, guides, and the people who give Africa its spirit.
Ebonjalo Tours is not just about journeys on the road — it is also about building a home. Right now, we are working on setting up a lodge in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, in close collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to conservation and to bringing this extraordinary corner of Uganda to the attention of travellers worldwide. It will be a place where guests can feel what I feel when I return to East Africa: a true home away from home.
Our dream is to create a base where community, comfort and adventure come together — a place to rest after a day in the wild, to share stories, and to feel part of something bigger. Alongside this, we continue to work closely with small, authentic accommodations across East Africa, ensuring every overnight stay feels just as personal as the journeys we create. This vision is what it is about Ebonjalo: shaping meaningful safaris while building a true home in East Africa.