Meet Tony Mulinde, Managing Director of Speke Holidays - Uganda & Rwanda.
A safari through Uganda and Rwanda definitly is a trip of a lifetime. So if your clients asks you to organise this trip for them or should you yourself embark on this adventure, you want to make sure that you are in the best of hands.
To make you feel absolutely sure that Speke Holidays - Uganda & Ruanda is your ideal partner for these destinations, we are delighted to introduce and present to you Tony Mulinder, Managing Director of Speke Holidays - Uganda & Rwanda. Read here what makes Tony get up in the morning and what his favourite view-points in Uganda and Rwanda are!
How did you start in the tourism industry?
From a very young age on, I always had a lot of contact with animals. My father used to work in animal conservation, so we always had different animals at home: vervet monkeys, parrots and other creatures that needed care. Because of this, wildlife totally fascinated me as a boy. And this captivation continued into my adult life. Looking for a career where I would be able to convey this fascination to other people was the most natural thing and tourism was the answer to this.
What made you start the company Speke Holidays - Uganda & Rwanda?
I have always felt very strongly about conservation work and always wanted to support this. So creating something where I would be able to give support to this cause as well as transmitting my fascination for wildlife was very dear to me. At the time there were a lot of unprofessional Safari providers in both Uganda and Rwanda. So I saw an opportunity of offering something different.
Having been born and growing up in Uganda, and at the same time having lived in various countries in the world, I wanted to create something unique. I wanted to start something that generates employment for young Ugandans that do not have the possibility to receive experiences abroad as I did. But furthermore, I wanted to inspire them to aim for excellence and achieve more. And of course, for our travellers, I wanted to be able to offer unique and authentic experiences when they discover East Africa.
What has been your personal highlight since starting Speke Holidays?
I cannot pick out one highlight from the last years, for me there are so many. Seeing the company grow from just being my idea, together with some personal friends to support me, to the size of the professional company we are now. That is one of the highlights. But also seeing the smiles on the faces of each and every traveller that we receive and accompany. Then there is seeing the different guides and witness how they grow in their jobs. And last but not least there is the materialistic aspect: having received our new fleet of great vehicles for the safaris.
How do you start a typical working day?
My working days tend to start in a place where I have some peace and quiet: in the bathroom. Here I think of what I have to do throughout the day, and I reflect on the things that need to be achieved. This is then followed by some morning exercise, this is important to me. I either work out in the gym or take boxing classes. After that I am ready for anything that the day may bring.
If you could invite anyone, who would you ask to join for dinner?
That would be a lot of people, but most importantly I would like to invite my family, friends and my staff members. Whenever our partners are visiting our country I like to have them over for dinner and prepare something special.
What are your favourite view-points in both Uganda and Rwanda and what makes them so special?
This is a very difficult question. There are just so many! But here in Uganda there are two view-points that immediately spring to mind: the first one is Murchison Falls. There is a spot on a hike from the bottom of the falls to the top. From there you can see the entire cascade of the falls as well as the river Nile rumbling onwards in the distance towards South Sudan. This spot is just amazing.
The other spot is on Mount Rwenzori on the Magherita Glaciers. From there you have an unbelievable view with the snow-capped mountain tops and the bare rock as a backdrop. The sun rises that you see from here are just breathtaking.
In Rwanda one of my favourite sights is the chain of volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. This range during sunset is just stunning, really unique.
The other area in Rwanda that always makes me hold my breath is in Nyungwe. The views of the mountains combined with the vast tea plantations is just beautiful.
For you personally, what is an absolute must for anyone visiting Uganda and Rwanda?
There are so many things that I think visitors to Uganda and Rwanda should experience. If I have to narrow it down, I would say an absolute must is a chimpanzee expedition in Kibale National Park. The absolute top of it all is the Gorilla trekking. These is nothing more humbling than sitting with these giant primates in their peaceful way, seeing how they treat each other, how they take care of each other and how they focus on the simple things. I think it really teaches us to look out for what is most valuable in life.
After a long week, what do you do to relax?
I love playing a round of golf. That and being with friends and family. That is what makes me happy!
