About IZ Agency
A small, owner-run Ugandan tour operator. Here is who we are, what we are licensed to do, and how we work.
We plan trips the way we would want ours planned.
IZ Agency was founded in 2019, out of a straightforward belief: that a safari in Uganda should be arranged by people who live here, and that tourism should leave more behind than it takes.
We stayed deliberately small. The person who answers your first message is the one who builds your itinerary, books your permits and picks up the phone if something changes while you are on the road. That is harder to scale and much better to travel with.
Everything we run is licensed, and the record of it is further down this page rather than buried in a footer.
Who you will actually be dealing with
Two founders and a small office team in Kampala. No call centre, no account manager you never meet.
On the record
All of it checkable- Operator licence
- UTB/RTT/TT/2025/102125
Issued by the Uganda Tourism Board. Every legitimate operator has one; ask for it before you book with anyone, including us.
- Membership
- AUTO
Association of Uganda Tour Operators, member since 2019.
- Permits
- Booked direct with UWA
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We book them for you directly rather than through a reseller, and we tell you plainly when a date has gone.
- Insurance
- Operations and vehicles covered
Our operations carry insurance. You still need your own travel policy; take one that covers medical evacuation.
- Based in
- Kampala, Uganda
Ebenezer Plaza, Kyanja (opposite CAC). Founded 2019 and still owner-run.
Four things we hold to
Locally owned and run
Ugandan-owned and Ugandan-staffed. What you pay goes to wages, park fees and lodges here rather than to commissions abroad.
Private by default
Trips are built for one party at a time. You are not buying a seat on somebody else's itinerary.
Permits booked directly
We hold the operator status to secure gorilla and chimpanzee permits ourselves, and to tell you early when the date you want is unavailable.
One team, start to finish
The person who quotes your trip is the person who runs it. If plans change at 6am in Bwindi, you are calling someone who already knows your itinerary.
Transport and visa paperwork are handled in the same quote: see our services.
What your trip actually pays for
Conservation in Uganda is funded largely by the people who come to see it. That is not a slogan; it is how the parks are paid for.
- Park and permit fees
- Every permit and park entry you buy goes to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which funds ranger patrols and shares revenue with the communities living alongside the parks.
- Year-round local employment
- Our guides, drivers and office staff are Ugandan and employed through the low season, not only when the lodges are full.
- Park rules, kept properly
- Seven metres from the gorillas, one hour with them, eight visitors to a group, and no trekking if you are unwell. Habituated gorillas catch what we carry, so these are not negotiable.
Frequently asked
You can book through our website, email, or WhatsApp. We require a 30% deposit to confirm your booking. Our team responds within 24 hours with a detailed itinerary and quote.
We accept international bank transfers and East African mobile money (MTN Money, Airtel Money). Payment can be made in USD or UGX (Ugandan Shillings).
Cancellations 30+ days before departure: full refund minus 10% admin fee. 15-29 days: 50% refund. Less than 15 days: no refund. Gorilla permits are non-refundable once purchased.
Final payment is due 30 days before your tour departure date. We accept payment in installments if needed.
Yes! We can arrange flexible payment plans for bookings made 3+ months in advance. Contact us to discuss your options.
Gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (and the Rwanda Development Board for Rwanda). Permits must be booked 3-6 months in advance, especially for peak season. Contact us for current rates and availability.
The minimum age is 15 years old. This is strictly enforced to protect both visitors and gorillas. ID verification is required.
Moderate fitness required. Treks can last 2-8 hours depending on gorilla location. The terrain is steep and muddy. Regular walking or hiking experience is beneficial.
IZ Agency has a high success rate. Gorilla families are tracked daily, so rangers know their location. Only in very rare cases do weather or gorilla movement prevent encounters.
Sturdy hiking boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket, gardening gloves, water, snacks, and camera. Porters are available to help carry your backpack.
All safari packages include accommodation, meals (full board), park entrance fees, 4x4 transport with fuel, professional guide, drinking water, and government taxes.
Absolutely! We specialize in customizable private tours. Tell us your interests, budget, and schedule, and we'll create a perfect itinerary for you.
We use Toyota Land Cruisers and safari-modified 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs for optimal game viewing and photography. All vehicles have charging ports and first aid kits.
Private tours are just your group. Shared tours have maximum 6-7 people per vehicle. We never overload vehicles to ensure everyone has a window seat.
Uganda has over 340 mammal species including gorillas, chimps, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and 1,080+ bird species.
We offer Budget, Mid-range, and Luxury options. All accommodations are carefully selected for quality, location, and service. Contact us for current rates at the tier that suits you.
Yes, most packages include full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Meals are a mix of international and local Ugandan cuisine. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Yes! You can upgrade any accommodation in your itinerary. We'll provide options and pricing for each location.
Most mid-range and luxury lodges have WiFi and 24-hour electricity. Budget accommodations may have limited WiFi and power during specific hours. We recommend bringing a power bank.
Most nationalities do, and it is applied for in advance through Uganda's official portal at visas.immigration.go.ug; a few nationalities are exempt. If your trip also takes in Kenya or Rwanda, the East African Tourist Visa covers all three on one multiple-entry visa. Always check current fees, processing times and exemptions on the official portal itself; we help you work out which visa fits your route (see Services → Visa Assistance).
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory and you must show proof on arrival. Recommended: Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, and malaria prophylaxis. Consult your doctor 6-8 weeks before travel.
Yes, Uganda is generally very safe for tourists. We provide emergency support and experienced guides, and our operations and vehicles are insured, though you should still carry your own travel insurance. Tourist areas are well-protected and monitored.
Uganda is a year-round destination. Dry seasons (June-August, December-February) are best for trekking. Wet seasons (March-May, September-November) mean fewer crowds and green landscapes.
Yes. A driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board and takes you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, or straight on to your first lodge. We track your flight, so delays cost you nothing. Airport transfers are included in most safari packages and can also be booked on their own. See Services → Car Hire & Transfers.
Yes. We hire out the same fleet that runs our safaris: chauffeur-driven 4x4s with a professional driver-guide, or self-drive rentals if you would rather take the keys yourself. We also handle city and corporate transfers around Kampala. Tell us your dates and route and we will quote within 24 hours.
US Dollars are widely accepted. Bring bills printed after 2013 (older bills often rejected). ATMs in Kampala and major towns dispense Ugandan Shillings (UGX). We accept payment in both USD and UGX.
Locally owned and operated, years of experience, high gorilla success rate, commitment to sustainable tourism, responsive support, and direct relationships with lodges and parks ensure great value and service.
Yes. We offer tiered discounts for groups, with deeper savings as group size grows. Get in touch with your group details and we will share the applicable rate.
All our guides are fluent in English. Many also speak French, German, Spanish, or Italian. Let us know your language preference when booking.
We can recommend reputable travel insurance providers, but you must arrange your own coverage. We strongly recommend insurance that covers medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost belongings.
Something we have not covered? Email us or message us on WhatsApp. We reply within 24 hours.