Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris

What Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris does

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris is a privately held, locally owned Rwandan tour operator founded in 2006 by Réginal Hakizimana and headquartered in Kigali. The company designs and delivers bespoke safari experiences across East Africa, with operations spanning Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania; it maintains a secondary office in Arusha, Tanzania. Its core product portfolio centers on mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, supplemented by primate wildlife tours (chimpanzee, golden monkey, colobus), Big Five game drives in Akagera, adventure hiking (Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Congo Nile Trail), Nyungwe Forest canopy walks, cultural and community experiences, Lake Kivu relaxation itineraries, Rwanda discovery circuits, and self-drive and educational variants. Multi-country combinations anchor the upper price band, including a 12-day Rwanda-Tanzania private-flight itinerary at $9,850/person and a 9-day luxury flying safari at $12,476/person; lower-tier options begin at $300 for a 1-day Akagera game drive. Per-tour pricing ranges from $300 to $12,476, mid-range 4-6 day packages cluster between $3,478 and $4,572, and multi-country itineraries command $4,995-$12,476.

The business operates on a one-time-package revenue model with all-inclusive pricing that bundles permits, lodging, meals, transportation, and expert local guides. Booking requires a 60% deposit with final payment 30 days before departure, and credit card payments carry a 4% processing fee. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through the company website (rwandaecocompany.com), WhatsApp sales (+250 788 331 215), and email inquiries, with the TripAdvisor marketplace functioning as a major referral channel. The company is licensed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and holds memberships in the Rwanda Tourism & Travel Association (RTTA), the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), and the US Tour Operators Association (USTOA). It directs approximately 10% of gorilla permit revenue to local community projects.

The company has hosted 6,400+ travelers over its operating life and currently maintains a team of 15 employees handling all operations in-house without subcontracting. It has earned TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice status in four consecutive years (2023-2026), placing it in the top 10% of global listings, with a 5.0★ average from 238 verified reviews and a 4.9/5 rating from 44 Google reviews. The company carries no external institutional funding and is entirely founder-owned and led.

Name

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris

Legal name

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris

Website

https://rwandaecocompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris is a Kigali-based, founder-led Rwandan tour operator offering bespoke gorilla trekking and multi-country East Africa safaris to international leisure travelers, handling permits, lodging, and guided tours in-house across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Safari Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Travel Agencies (56151), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAKADAG

Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators

Travel & Hospitality/Travel Agencies, Tour Operators & OTAs/Tour Operators (Multi-Day Package Tours)

SECONDARYTHAAALAE

Wildlife & Nature Interpretation Guides (Birding, Photography, Naturalist)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Adventure & Ecotourism Equipment Rental & Guiding Services

Keywords

• Gorilla trekking safaris
• Wildlife safari tours
• East African safaris
• Primate trekking tours
• Luxury safari packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Kigali

HQ country

Rwanda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Safari Tour Packages: All-inclusive safari tour packages spanning 1-21 days, combining accommodation, meals, permits, transportation, and expert guide services. Pricing ranges from $300 for day trips to $12,476 for luxury flying safaris. Multi-country tours covering Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are also offered.
2. Park Permits: Securing and booking official park permits on behalf of clients including gorilla permits ($1,500 Rwanda/$800 Uganda), golden monkey permits ($100), chimpanzee permits ($90), and hiking permits. Permits are included in package pricing and secured in client's name upon booking confirmation.
3. Accommodation Booking: Arrangement and booking of lodging options ranging from standard to ultra-luxury properties including Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorillas Nest, The Bishop's House, and various mid-range options across Rwanda's national parks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris designs and operates guided gorilla trekking and wildlife safari packages across East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania). The company handles all components in-house, including securing scarce gorilla permits, booking accommodations ranging from mid-range to ultra-luxury lodges, arranging 4x4 transportation, and providing expert local Rwandan guides. Packages span single-day excursions to multi-country 15-day itineraries, with all-inclusive pricing covering permits, lodging, meals, transport, and guide services.

Product overview

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris is a locally-owned, Rwandan tour operator offering bespoke safari experiences across East Africa. The core product portfolio centers on gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Uganda, complemented by multi-country combination tours spanning Kenya and Tanzania. The company provides end-to-end safari management including permit handling, 4x4 vehicle transportation, accommodation booking, and expert local guides. Product offerings range from budget-friendly single-day park excursions to ultra-luxury helicopter-assisted flying safaris, with specialized itineraries for primate wildlife (chimpanzee, golden monkey, colobus), adventure hiking (volcano treks, Congo Nile Trail), cultural experiences, and Lake Kivu relaxation. The company operates as a single unified service offering rather than a modular platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gorilla Trekking Safaris Mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, led by Rwandan guides with end-to-end permit handling. Includes visits to habituated gorilla families with one-hour face-to-face encounters; prices start at $3,022 per person for a 3-day primate trek and $3,478 for a 4-day gorilla trek.
• Multi-Country Safaris Combined East African safari itineraries spanning Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, including double gorilla treks, Serengeti wildebeest migration experiences, and Maasai Mara adventures. Examples include 8 Days Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Safari from $4,995 per person, 12 Days Flying Rwanda Gorilla + Tanzania Wildebeest from $9,850 per person, and 15 Days Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda Road Trip from $8,200 per person.
• Primate Wildlife Safaris Primate-focused tours including chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and colobus monkey tracking. The 10 Days Rwanda Primate Wildlife package starts at $6,526 per person and combines primate tracking across all Rwanda parks.
• Luxury Flying Safaris Premium Rwanda tours utilizing private helicopter transfers between national parks, combining gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and Akagera game drives with luxury accommodations. The 9 Days Rwanda Luxury Flying Safari starts at $12,476 per person.
• Big Five Wildlife Safaris Game drives and wildlife viewing experiences in Akagera National Park featuring the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) with over 500 bird species. The 1 Day Akagera Game Drive starts from $300 per person.
• Adventure and Hiking Tours Mountain hiking experiences including Mount Karisimbi (4,507m), Mount Bisoke (3,711m), and the Congo Nile Trail hiking route along Lake Kivu shores. Mount Karisimbi hiking permit priced at $350–400.
• Nyungwe Forest Experiences

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,400+ travelers hosted across Rwanda and East Africa
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Rwanda Development Board (RDB)coreOthersLicensed tour operator regulated by Rwanda's government tourism authority. RDB issues official gorilla permits and oversees tourism operations in Volcanoes National Park and other protected areas. This licensing is fundamental to the company's ability to legally operate gorilla trekking tours.
• Rwanda Tourism & Travel Association (RTTA)coreOthersIndustry association representing Rwanda's tourism sector. Membership demonstrates professional standards and ethical business practices, providing credibility to international travelers.
• African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA)coreOthersPan-African tourism industry body connecting travel operators across the continent. ATTA membership provides networking opportunities, industry best practices, and credibility within the African tourism ecosystem.
• US Tour Operators Association (USTOA)coreOthersLeading US travel industry association representing tour operators. USTOA membership provides consumer protection, industry standards, and access to American travel market channels and partnerships.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Volcanoes Safaris: Rwanda-based luxury gorilla trekking operator founded in 2003, offering similar Volcanoes National Park treks with premium lodges and primate-focused itineraries across Rwanda and Uganda. Most direct comparable to Rwanda Eco Company given shared geography, product mix, and target customer.
• Africa Adventure Company: Bespoke East Africa luxury safari operator offering gorilla trekking plus multi-country itineraries across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Closely comparable on product mix, customer base, and direct-to-consumer model.
• Great Lakes Safaris: Uganda-based tour operator specializing in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and primate safaris. Directly comparable mid-sized East Africa gorilla specialist with similar custom itinerary model.
• East African Safari & Touring Company: Multi-country East Africa safari operator based in Kenya offering Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda-Rwanda combinations. Comparable on itineraries and gorilla trekking inclusion though typically accessed via travel agents.

Emerging players

• Ultimate Africa Travel: Specialized East Africa gorilla trekking and primate safari operator with multi-country options. Smaller, focused competitor in the same primate-tracking niche serving US/EU travelers.
• Drive 4x4 Rwanda: Rwanda-based self-drive safari and tour operator offering gorilla treks and 4x4 rental. Comparable customer base and gorilla trekking focus but differentiated by self-drive versus guided guided model.

Broad incumbents

• &Beyond: Luxury African safari and tour operator with lodges in Rwanda's Volcanoes region and across East/Southern Africa. Targets the same premium gorilla trekking segment with broader portfolio and established global distribution.
• Asilia Africa: East Africa safari operator with camps in Tanzania and Kenya's Serengeti/Mara ecosystem. Competes for the multi-country luxury safari traveler, particularly on Tanzania/Kenya components of combined itineraries.
• Wilderness Safaris: Largest luxury safari operator in Africa with camps across Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond. Competes for the same HNW gorilla trekking travelers but at substantially larger scale, often through travel advisor channels versus direct-to-consumer.

Regional players

• Tropical Safaris: US-based East Africa safari tour operator with deep gorilla trekking expertise in Rwanda and Uganda. Comparable product offering for American travelers but operates from a US office perspective.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rwanda-eco-company-and-safaris

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris