Tom Karemire (1945-2025)

UPDATE, 17/10/2025: Tom’s family has met and defined tomorrow’s program. We are expecting our Zoom funeral coverage to begin at noon, but we can’t guarantee that yet. The best way to assure you stay updated is to send your email to experts@gorillahighlands.com.

The bellowing voice and infectious smile of Tom Karemire will now beam only from our photo and video archives. This morning, a liver issue took him away from us. For more than a decade he watched over Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi through the night, and for twenty years he welcomed hikers to his island home. In every sense, Tom was Gorilla Highlands.

He famously requested to see the mountain gorillas when he celebrated his 10 years of service with us, eager to experience the regional attraction he had only heard about. Yet for thousands of travellers, Tom himself was the true highlight of their journey.

He was last at our team gathering on New Year’s Eve in Musanze, Rwanda — but in the pre-pandemic times all such celebrations happened at Tom’s Homestay, without fail! Less than a month ago he was still there for guests who camped on his lawn, ate his fantastic crayfish and listened to his funny stories. We were already planning his 80th birthday party for next month …

So many lives were brightened by Tom Karemire that it feels only right to share his farewell with the world. His funeral will be livestreamed this Saturday, from Habukomi Island in southwestern Uganda.

Be with us, if you can.