Lakato Safaris, a private tour company based in Uganda specialising in concierge, luxury and budget travel, and bespoke tours in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya, launched on February 8.
Tourism Update caught up with Hilda Nakato, CEO, Owner and Founder of Lakato Safaris at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2018 in Durban. Nakato is assisted by Peter Robert, MD of Gosheni Safaris, who handles the Tanzania market. Robert previously worked as a tourist guide and driver before founding the company. Together, the two companies and founders work hand-in-hand.
Nakato studied environmental management, and initially travelled with her twin sister, Emma Nives Lorenzen, Sales and Marketing Consultant at Lakato Safaris. She has a love for travel and nature: “When travelling you go to areas that don’t practise conservation, and this is how I found my footsteps in tourism, as you cannot protect conservation while promoting tourism if you are not in the industry.”
Lakato Safaris offers all-budget ground safaris in Uganda and nearby East African countries, and can accommodate 20 guests at a time. With years of experience and expertise in these countries and respective tourism attractions, Lakato Safaris is able to design authentic adventures tailor-made to each client’s personal needs, schedule and budget.
Nakato comments: “We have vast knowledge on providing the best itineraries to cover all clients’ interests. We not only offer our itineraries but clients are given a chance to design their tours under our professional guidance.”
In Uganda and East Africa at large, Lakato Safaris offers gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safaris, cultural and community safaris, birding safaris, mountain hiking, accommodation bookings, incentive travel group safaris, honeymoon packages, adventure holidays, car-hire services, air ticketing, day excursions, fishing safaris, travel guiding, and managing conferences amongst others.
“What makes us unique is that we also handle ‘special needs’ groups to whom we give maximum attention to on safari, such that they also enjoy the tourism products offered by Uganda. We also have Lakato Charity, which aims to give back to our people, helping our local communities grow with us through giving them a chance to study, reaching out to the elderly and provision of basic needs to the disadvantaged,” says Nakato.
Lakato Safaris owns a fleet of 4x4 fully equipped safari vehicles, all of which feature WiFi, open rooftops, and large windows for game viewing.
Nakato’s team consists of 15 highly qualified guides, reservations and administration officers who have expertise in the tourism industry and are always willing to go that extra mile.
Furthermore, Lakato Safaris is a fully affiliated member of all formal regulatory authorities in Uganda, such as the Uganda Wildlife Authority; the Association of Uganda Tour Operators; Uganda Tourism Board; the Uganda Tourism Association; and the Uganda Hotel Owners Association. Lakato Safaris guides are all Members of Uganda Safaris Guides Association.
