The founder of Nziza Hospitality, Bernard is passionate about providing life-changing experiences to visitors from around the world, while encouraging a sustainable and more empowered Africa. His deep roots in Africa allow this hands-on destination specialist for East and southern Africa to add insight, authenticity and on-the-ground expertise to every Nziza experience.

Bernard’s own family history has shaped his passion for the safari industry. His generation is the fourth of his originally Rwandan family to be born in Uganda. His early days were deeply influenced by his uncle, Professor Kasenene, a lead zoologist with Uganda National Parks, who fostered his nephew’s passion for wildlife and included him in his work travel in Mweya Peninsula. Bernard attended school within the boundaries of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, which meant he grew up surrounded daily by wildlife and park rangers.

“I come from a very humble African background, with no capital but a huge amount of conviction. I always wanted to create a revolution in the safari industry, and I knew that someday it would happen,” says Bernard. With this background, it makes perfect sense that he is a passionate advocate for both ethical conservation and humanitarian programs, including The Zambezi Leopard Song Project, The Gorilla Research Clinic managed by Conservation Through Public Health, Chances for Children and Paper Craft Africa.

His life story is a lesson in vision and determination. In 1998, aged just 16, Bernard joined Jacana Safari Lodge in charge of guest laundry and camp inventory, quickly working his way up to room steward. This early introduction to the tourism and hospitality industry cemented his ambition. In pursuit of this dream, Bernard moved to the city, scrimping and saving to fund a degree in Tourism and Hospitality. During his studies, casual work at Jacana Safari Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge gave him the opportunity to stay close to his passion for safari and nature travel.

After his diploma, Bernard gained invaluable experience in branded marketing, administration and management while working for one of the region’s leading branding houses, which focused on tourism and hospitality start-ups. He followed this with a safari-business start-up of his own, which he launched together with a safari-guide friend, travelling extensively throughout the safari circuits of East and southern Africa. Even though differing ideas about how to grow the company meant he and his partner eventually went their separate ways, this safari start-up awakened his entrepreneurial spirit.

With all this hands-on experience and in pursuit of his dream of offering magical, authentic and profound life experiences in Africa, Bernard’s decision to found Nziza Hospitality was the logical next step.

Wildlife, philanthropy and environmental preservation are central to Nziza’s ethos. With a team born and bred in Africa, Nziza excels in its bespoke style and on-the-ground expertise. This allows their safari designers to deliver all-round value for travellers and local communities alike, as well as efficient, cost-effective and suitable travel connections that combine to offer a flawless Africa experience.

Favourite destinations: Amboseli, Hwange, Kidepo, Matobo, Lewa, Laikipia, Aberdare, Serengeti, Victoria Falls, Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest, Budongo Forest, Okavango Delta, Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga, Zanzibar and Cape Town.

My interest in travel and tourism roots right from my childhood dream and passion for nature discovery and traveling, a hobby I developed as I grew up in the rolling hills of tea estates owned by my great-grandfather, the incredibly spectacular views of Kibaale forests and Fort Portal a gateway to the most bio-diverse part of the country. Growing up in a group of many, my cousins, uncles, and samba staff, we would take nature walks in the evening to discover new trails into the forests for wild fruits, a quiet close watch of the olive baboons, watch River Mpanga as it flows down towards Kibaale national park.

Nature would reward us with the eye-capturing sight of the elephants wandering in the grassland of the swamp, the incredible sight of birdlife in the swamps between the hills, the whirling monkeys, and much more nature-rewarding sights and sounds within our vicinity.

I worked in different fields from government-based organisations to non-government organisations, but the void of motivation would be felt until one day I was reminded of my passion when I had a long mind-productive conversation about tourism and travel with one of my former workmates. And when I joined Nziza Hospitality as the reservation and booking officer, my adventurous being was unveiled again. I am getting exposure to different learning opportunities about tourism, intense reading and research about tourism, travel in the wilderness, and appreciation of nature, increasing my urge for advanced knowledge on tourism and travel.

As a Trainee Guide or Chief Knowledge Officer, Isma is assigned to do run daily office errands coordinating with the operations team and places where our guests will be hosted. No task is too small for him to accomplish.

Looking back, my fascination with fauna like elephants, renowned for their memory and being led by a Matriarch, fueled my passion for joining the tourism industry. With gained knowledge and improved interpersonal skills from the few years in the hotel industry, I knew my dream was finally within my grasp.

At Nziza Hospitality, nothing brightens my day like watching dreams and travel plans for our guests become a reality and knowing that they have created memories to last their lifetime.

The quest for knowledge and determination to stay atop and excel further in the unrivalled world of tourism and travel and to be in tune with this evolving industry led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in tourism administration.

My professional skills in accounting with a major Business Computing aren’t dedicated to the adventurous sort. But having a network of friends in a community of travel mavericks, I would get inspired to join Nziza Hospitality. Considering the demanding professional routines in my expertise, the joy of working in the safari industry is getting the flexibility of working both remotely while enjoying time to explore new space ticking off boxes in some of the most enticing safari circuits.

It can be quite demanding to strike a balance between my daily life and of course as a mother; parenting is a full time job.

I’m a great advocate of Robert Halgren mantra of “Coach me and I will learn; challenge me and I will grow; believe in me and I will win”

I was born into a family obsessed with travelling and had already lived in three different countries by the time I started school. I am incredibly fortunate to have a father that insists that travel is the best classroom and I was always so fascinated by his stories and countless irreplaceable memories and lessons he paid forward to my siblings and I.

As a kid I adored everything about my first trip with my family to Tanzania, from the little things like driving off the ferry on the other side of the road, the strange money and languages and i knew from that day on, that I wanted to explore as many different countries as time and money would allow to experience local cultures first hand.

I have worked with various organisations doing social work but as fate would allow it i found my way back to my passion, At Nziza Hospitality i am fortunate to fulfil my dream  in actively taking part in unforgettable and truly meaningful experiences. Being able to pass on some useful insights to help others get the best out of their holidays and perhaps inspire them to visit destinations that they might not have thought of is a dream come true.

Born and raised in Western Uganda’s stunning landscapes, I have always been captivated by nature’s beauty. As a child, I watched in awe as safari vehicles passed by, carrying adventurers to explore our region’s incredible wildlife. Waking up to the sweet songs of birds every morning, I realized that people travel from far and wide to experience the beauty right in my backyard. This sparked a dream to pursue a career in tourism, and I’m thrilled it turned into a reality. Working at Nziza Hospitality is a privilege, allowing me to craft unforgettable journeys for global guests and share the magic of East Africa’s nature and wildlife, not just Uganda’s. I take immense pride in showcasing my homeland’s beauty and creating lifelong memories for our visitors.

As an accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in Finance, I’m excited to be part of Nziza Hospitality and apply my accounting skills in a new and dynamic context. My passion for numbers is matched only by my love for the wildlife. Growing up with a profound appreciation for nature, I have always been fascinated by the beauty and diversity of the natural world . Although I have yet to explore the wonders of the world beyond Uganda’s borders, I have been fortunate to witness the most remarkable natural wonders right here at home such as the breathtaking landscapes in my village town Kabale .

Everyday l’m inspired by the opportunity to contribute to an organization that not only excels in delivering unique travel experiences whilst show casing the natural wonders of the world but also supports environmental and social causes. I see this opportunity as a chance to blend my financial expertise with my personal interests and make a meaningful impact.