Matoke Tours' Commitment | Sustainability policy

Matoke Tours' sustainability commitment

At Matoke Tours, we are committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices that respect destinations, empower local communities, protect wildlife and the environment, and uphold ethical standards. Our sustainability policy encompasses the following principles :

1. We respect the destinations and its people

At Matoke Tours we respect the diversity of cultures which our travelers encounter during their experience. We practice this by educating our guides, partners and travelers on responsible tourism, minding local customs and etiquette when interacting with local communities.
Matoke Tours’ partners, guides and travelers have access to ‘how to practice responsible tourism‘, including guidelines on fostering positive interactions, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage, (financially) empowering locals respectfully, refraining from distributing goods, avoiding school and orphanage visits, photography ethics and embracing opportunities to learn while traveling.
At Matoke Tours we portray our destinations respectfully in our communications and marketing, and expect our local and international partners to do the same.

2. We provide economic empowerment to locals

At Matoke Tours we advocate for fair distribution of tourism revenue. We do this by actively offering alternative routes to explore lesser-known regions within our destinations. Through collaborations such as Adventure Tourism Uganda, we actively mitigate the challenges associated with over-tourism in our destinations’ most popular regions.
At Matoke Tours we offer training opportunities to local guides to boost career opportunities and advance their professional and interpersonal skills.
At Matoke Tours we actively support Women in Tourism through providing training opportunities for experienced and aspiring Female Tour Guides, as well as bootcamps where we foster opportunities for women to grow their professional network and advance their careers.
At Matoke Tours we design and operate itineraries that financially benefit local suppliers, directly or indirectly.
At Matoke Tours we encourage our travelers to purchase from local suppliers during their trip, and to purchase sustainable and locally produced souvenirs opposed to imported goods. Read more about this on ‘how to practice responsible tourism‘.
At Matoke Tours we encourace our partners and travelers to contribute to community-led initiatives.
At Matoke Tours we encourage our travelers to employ local porters during primate tracking activities.
At Matoke Tours we predominantly employ local staff and leaders within our team.
At Matoke Tours we ensure to have fair employment practices in place and to pay all relevant taxes.
At Matoke Tours we do not tolerate any form of bribery, corruption or fraudulent practices.

3. We protect wildlife and the environment

At Matoke Tours we advocate for the preservation of natural habitats and protection of wildlife.
At Matoke Tours we strictly urge our guides and travelers to follow guidelines provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and representatives to protect wildlife and to avoid disruption on ecosystems.
At Matoke Tours we only offer responsible interactions with wildlife that contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and ensure safety of both wildlife and our travelers.
At Matoke Tours we encourage travelers to minimise their environmental footprint by applying slow travel practices. With our active involvement in developing Uganda to become a prime Adventure Travel destination, we are able to offer a diversity of activities within one area to make slow travel more attractive, while at the same time encouraging community-driven tourism.
At Matoke Tours we educate our guides and travelers on responsible waste-management while traveling and to reduce single-use plastic.
At Matoke Tours we prefer working with local partners who already have sustainable practices in place to minimise negative environmental impact, and we encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable practices when we observe gaps.

4. We protect children

At Matoke Tours we protect children from all forms of abuse and child exploitation. We do not tolerate the employment of children nor do we use suppliers who allow children to engage in (illegal) employment activities which are likely to affect a child’s health, moral or safety.
At Matoke Tours we do not visit schools or orphanages within any of our itineraries as impromptu visits will disrupt the learning environment and can negatively impact vulnerable children.
At Matoke Tours we discourage travelers from distributing goods (such as balloons or sweets) to children as this can unintentionally contribute to a culture of dependency and disrupt local dynamics.
At Matoke Tours we encourage our partners and travelers to support reputable community-led initiatives or educational projects through established channels, ensuring a sustained positive impact on the lives of local residents.

5. We promote gender-balance in tourism

At Matoke Tours we acknowledge that women are dramatically underrepresented in tourism due to societal, cultural, and economic barriers. Matoke Tours is a pioneer in supporting Women in Tourism in Uganda, through our various initiatives.
At Matoke Tours we aim to trigger a sector-wide participation in working towards a more inclusive industry.
At Matoke Tours we support women through our Female tour guide training and mentored internships program.
At Matoke Tours we facilitate networking, career growth and personal development opportunities for Women in Tourism through our Bootcamps.
At Matoke Tours we actively support female local suppliers and women-led initiatives within our itineraries in order to empower women to take a more prominent part throughout the value chain of tourism within our destinations.
At Matoke Tours we ensure not to take part in activities, nor to support local suppliers who discriminate against or exploit women and/or other minority groups.
At Matoke Tours we employ an equal amount of men and women.

6. We promote fair distribution of tourism revenue

At Matoke Tours we advocate for fair distribution of tourism revenue. We do this by actively offering alternative routes to explore lesser-known regions within our destinations. Through collaborations such as Adventure Tourism Uganda, we actively mitigate the challenges associated with over-tourism in our destinations’ most popular regions.
At Matoke Tours we encourage our partners and travelers to support reputable community-led initiatives or projects through established channels, ensuring a sustained positive impact on the lives of local residents

7. We educate on responsible tourism practices

At Matoke Tours we educate our guides, partners and travelers on ‘how to practice responsible tourism‘ through the Matoke Academy.
At Matoke Tours we organise an annual guide meeting at our offices in Kampala, where all guides come together and responsible tourism practices are discussed, as well as how to pass on responsible travel guidelines to their clients during a tour.
At Matoke Tours we provide destination trainings through our Matoke Academy for partners, including practical product development guidelines that align with responsible tourism values.

Pledge for supporting Women in Tourism in Uganda

Matoke Tours recognises the value and potential of female tour guides in our industry. In commitment to fostering gender balance and inclusivity, we pledge to:

Provide Equal Opportunities: We will actively work to provide equal opportunities for training, skill development, and leadership roles to female tour guides.
Promote Safe Spaces: We will create and promote safe and respectful work environments, free from any form of discrimination or harassment.
Amplify Voices: We will amplify the voices and contributions of female tour guides by featuring their expertise and stories in our marketing and communications.
Encourage Mentorship: We will encourage mentorship and knowledge-sharing between experienced and aspiring female tour guides, fostering professional growth.
Advocate for Change: We will advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality in the tourism sector and support initiatives to address challenges faced by female tour guides.

Together, we commit to supporting and empowering women in tourism for a more inclusive and vibrant industry.

Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

committed to advance gender equality

We are proud to be a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)—a global commitment initiative by UN Women and the UN Global Compact to advance gender equality in the tourism sector and beyond.

At Matoke Tours Africa, we believe that empowering women in tourism is not just about equity—it is about unlocking the full potential of our industry. Travel is a catalyst for human connection and a driver of positive change, but a thriving tourism sector is only possible when women are equally included. Supporting women is not only the right thing to do; it is also good for business. A diverse and inclusive industry fosters innovation, enhances the traveler experience, and strengthens the communities that make tourism possible.

By signing the WEPs, we commit to raising awareness about the barriers women face in tourism careers and to actively working toward dismantling them. We pledge to amplify women’s voices as tour guides, experts, and leaders and to foster safe, inclusive workplaces across our operations. As a company rooted in sustainability and positive social impact, we are proud to join this global movement.

About the Women’s Empowerment Principles
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) guide businesses on how to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. Jointly established by the UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are underpinned by international labour standards and human rights and by the recognition that businesses have an important role in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Adopting the seven principles is the best way that businesses can deliver on the ambitions for gender equality and women’s empowerment as outlined in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and in the 17 SDGs.

“We congratulate Matoke Tours Africa for taking the first step on their WEPs journey. We consider Matoke Tours Africa a key partner in closing gender gaps in the workplace, marketplace and community and in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.” – SIMA BAHOUS Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Executive Director of UN Women