OUR STORY
Travel Rooted in Human connection
Makune Journeys was created from a simple belief: Travel should feel personal welcoming and deeply connected to people and place.
Meet Johnson Mugabo
Makune Journeys was founded from a deep love for Uganda, Nature, culture and the Kind of travel that creates genuine human connection.
The name "Makune" comes from the local Rutooro dialect and reflects the spirit of hospitality, welcoming and human connection - values that are at the heart of every journey we create together.
Makune is more than a name, it represents the feeling we hope every traveler experiences throughout the journey- feeling safe, welcomed, connected and genuinely cared for.
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For years, I worked as a local guide across Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda leading travelers through tropical forests, wildlife landscapes, remote villages and quiet places often missed by hurried travel. Along the way, I discovered that the journeys
people remembered most were not only about what they saw but how they felt, welcomed, connected, safe and truly present in the experience.
​As a passionate nature lover and story teller, I believe travel should move at a more meaningful pace. Not rushed from one destination to another but shaped by moments of curiosity, conversation, discovery and connection with both people and place.
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"We travel initially to lose ourselves and we travel next to find our selves" - Pico lyer​
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My calm presence, natural hospitality and ability to make travelers feel at home became the foundation of Makune Journeys.
Created for travelers seeking authentic, responsible and deeply personal experiences, Makune Journeys invites guests to explore Uganda beyond the ordinary through local insight, thoughtful journeys, meaningful encounters and the hidden beauty found a long the way.
Team Leader
Rooted In Uganda,Guided By Hospitality
Makune Journeys is a locally guided safari and travel company offering personalized expereince across Uganda and East Africa. From Gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris to hiking adventures, birdwatching tours and cultural journeys. We create thoughtful experience designed around connection, discovery and meaningful travel.
Founded through a passion for nature, culture and storytelling, Makune journey believes the best journeys are not rushed they are experienced slowly, deeply and through genuine local connections.
Makune is more than a name, it represents the feeling we hope every traveler experiences throughout their journey, feeling safe, welcomed, connected and genuinely cared for.​
"The most meaningful journeys are the ones where people feel connected to nature, culture , place and to one another"
Our Philosophy
Your Journey, Your pace, Rooted in Local Hospitality
We believe travel should create connection not ony to destinations but also to people, culture and nature.
At Makune Journeys we focus on:
Meaningful experiences over rushed itineraries
Authentic encounters
Responsible travel that respects communities and wildlife
Personalized journeys designed around your pace and interests
Genuine hospitality that makes travelers feel at home
Meet The Team
Karoline Mathilde Pedersen
Communication, Marketing & Guest Relations
Based in Aarhus, Denmark, the Marketing & International Guest Relations Volunteer supports Makune Journeys' international outreach by managing digital marketing, strengthening communication with travellers across Europe and North America, and contributing to business development. Alongside this volunteer role, she works as a Programme and Event Coordinator at Folkeuniversitetet, where she coordinates public lectures and events that make university knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Her experience in communication, event coordination, and stakeholder engagement enhances the personalised service and meaningful connections that define Makune Journeys.
Inspired by a passion for travel and a deep appreciation for East Africa, she joined Makune Journeys to help share Uganda's remarkable landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and hospitality with travellers from around the world. Through thoughtful communication and personalised support, she helps guests feel informed, welcomed, and confident throughout their journey.
Her hope is that every traveller returns home with lasting memories, meaningful connections, and a deeper appreciation of Uganda's people, nature, and culture.
Kyahuhaire Janet
Tour Operations & Reservations Coordinator
The Tour Operations & Reservations Coordinator ensures that every journey is carefully planned and delivered with professionalism and attention to detail. Working closely with accommodation providers, guides, transport services, and other tourism partners, this role coordinates reservations, travel logistics, and guest arrangements to ensure a seamless travel experience.
By maintaining clear communication, anticipating operational needs, and responding efficiently to changing circumstances, the coordinator helps create journeys that reflect the quality, flexibility, and genuine hospitality that define Makune Journeys.
Said Musa Mutegeki
Ecology & Conservation Manager
Based in Aarhus, Denmark, the Marketing & International Guest Relations Volunteer supports Makune Journeys' international outreach through digital marketing, guest communication, and business development. Alongside this volunteer role, she works as a Programme and Event Coordinator at Folkeuniversitetet, where she coordinates public lectures and events that make university knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Her experience in communication and stakeholder engagement helps create a welcoming and personalised experience for international travellers.
Inspired by a passion for travel and a deep appreciation for East Africa, she joined Makune Journeys to help share Uganda's landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and hospitality with travellers from around the world. Her goal is to ensure that every guest returns home with meaningful experiences, lasting memories, and a deeper appreciation of Uganda's people, nature, and culture.