How Riftvoya works: plan a tailor-made Uganda trip with two local agencies
You tell us the trip you have in mind. Two licensed local agencies in Uganda design it for you and quote within 24 hours. You compare them side by side, pick one and pay securely through Riftvoya.
From first idea to your first morning in Uganda
Riftvoya is a marketplace, not a tour operator. We connect you with vetted local agencies, keep the process fair and transparent, and stay with you until you are home. This is exactly what happens at each stage.
Tell us the trip you have in mind
Fill in a short request. It takes about two minutes and you do not need a fixed plan: "gorillas plus some wildlife in July" is a perfectly good start.
You can also begin from one of our trip ideas, such as Gorillas and chimpanzees, and tell us what to change.
Travel dates or the month you are flexible around
Number of travellers, including children
Budget per person and comfort level, from simple lodges to luxury
What you want to see: gorillas, chimps, birds, big game, the Nile, culture
Anything we should know: fitness, diet, accessibility, special occasions
We match you with two local agencies
Our Kampala team reads every request and sends it to two Riftvoya Verified agencies that fit it. Not twenty, so your inbox stays quiet and each agency takes your request seriously.
We match on what matters for your trip:
The parks and regions the agency knows best
Specialist guides for birding, primates or photography
Your budget and comfort level
Availability for your dates, including gorilla permits
Reviews from past Riftvoya travellers
Your privacy is protected. Agencies see your trip details, never your email or phone number. Every message goes through Riftvoya.
Same template (Agency A and Agency B)
Itinerary: Agency A: 7 days, Kibale then Bwindi; Agency B: 7 days, Bwindi then Lake Bunyonyi
Stays: Agency A: Mid-range lodges; Agency B: Mid-range, one upgrade night
Vehicle and guide: Agency A: 4x4, driver-guide; Agency B: 4x4, driver-guide
Permits: Agency A: Gorilla and chimp included; Agency B: Gorilla included
Not included: Agency A: Flights, tips, visa; Agency B: Flights, tips, visa, chimp permit
Price per person: Agency A: Shown clearly; Agency B: Shown clearly
Illustrative example. Your quotes are written for your trip.
Compare two quotes side by side
Both agencies reply within 24 hours using the same Riftvoya template, so you compare like for like instead of decoding two different PDFs.
A day-by-day itinerary with driving times
Named lodges and room types
Vehicle, guide and what the price includes and excludes
Permits, park fees and the total price per person
Payment and cancellation terms in plain language
Ask either agency questions or request changes through your Riftvoya messages. Changing pace, swapping a lodge or adding a day is free, and you are under no obligation to book.
Book and pay safely through Riftvoya
When you have chosen, you confirm the quote and pay Riftvoya, not a stranger's bank account. We then pay the agency that runs your trip.
Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal
Gorilla and chimp permits bought as soon as your deposit is paid, then confirmed in writing
A clear booking confirmation with your itinerary and terms
The agency's contact details are shared once your booking is paid
No booking fee on top. Riftvoya is free for travellers. The price you see in your quote is the price you pay.
Travel with a local contact, then tell us how it went
Your agency meets you on arrival and stays on hand throughout the trip. Riftvoya is a WhatsApp message away if anything needs sorting out.
Your agency's guide and office contact for the whole trip
Riftvoya support on WhatsApp: +256 702 017 741
A follow-up after you return, and a review that helps the next traveller
Agencies that keep earning strong reviews and reply quickly get more requests. That is how we keep standards high.
Local expertise, with someone on your side
Booking directly with a local agency is usually the best value and the most authentic way to see Uganda. Riftvoya removes the risk.
Every agency vetted in person
Licensed with the Uganda Tourism Board, members of a recognised operators' association, strong reviews, and an office our team has visited.
Secure payment
You pay Riftvoya through a trusted payment provider. Agencies are paid by us, so there are no risky bank transfers to people you have never met.
One point of contact
All messages run through Riftvoya. Your details stay private and there is always a record of what was agreed.
Quotes you can compare
The same template for both agencies: itinerary, lodges, inclusions and price per person, line by line.
Based in Kampala
We live here. We know the roads, the lodges, the seasons and the people who make a trip work.
Your money stays local
Your trip is run by a Ugandan agency, so most of what you spend supports the guides, drivers and lodges you meet.
Common questions about booking
Does it cost anything to use Riftvoya?
No. Sending a request and receiving two quotes is free and there is no obligation to book. There is no booking fee added to the price in your quote.
How quickly will I get my quotes?
Both agencies reply within 24 hours. Complex trips, such as long itineraries or several countries, can occasionally take a little longer, and we will tell you if so.
Can I change the itinerary after I get a quote?
Yes. Ask for changes through your Riftvoya messages: pace, lodges, activities, dates. Agencies update their quote for free until you are happy.
Why do I pay Riftvoya and not the agency?
Paying through Riftvoya means you use a secure, familiar payment method, there is a record of exactly what you bought, and we only pay the agency for a confirmed booking.
Are gorilla permits included?
Your quote says clearly whether permits are included. When they are, the agency buys them as soon as your deposit is paid, because Uganda Wildlife Authority requires permits to be paid in full when booked, and confirms them in writing. Your deposit then covers the permits in full plus 30% of the rest.
Why can't I contact the agency directly before booking?
Keeping messages on Riftvoya protects your privacy, keeps a record of everything agreed and makes sure our guarantees apply. You get the agency's direct contacts once your booking is paid.
More answers on our FAQ page.
Start from a trip idea
Gorillas and chimpanzees (7 days)
Shoebill and Albertine Rift birding (12 days)
Uganda and Rwanda gorillas (9 days)
Uganda highlights (10 days)
Kidepo and the wild north (7 days)
Sipi Falls and the Nile (6 days)
Planning guides
