Intare Safaris is a Rwandan tour operator based in Kigali, planning and running tailor-made safaris across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Intare is Kinyarwanda for lion. We are licensed by the Rwanda Development Board, members of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association, and we have been arranging journeys through the Virungas, Nyungwe and Akagera since 2007.
We are a small planning team rather than a booking engine. Every itinerary on this site was routed by someone who has driven it, and every enquiry is answered by a person who can tell you what the road is like in April, which gorilla family involves the longer walk, and which lodge is worth the money in a given season. That is the whole proposition. If you want a faster way to buy a fixed package, there are larger companies that do it well. If you want the trip built around you, keep reading.
Licensed, accredited and working with
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Licensed tour operator, registered with the RDB Tourism & Conservation department.
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Member of RTTA, the national body for Rwandan tour operators.
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Working under the Visit Rwanda destination brand.
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Conservation partner supporting gorilla research at Karisoke.
What we actually do, and where
Rwanda is our home ground and the bulk of what we run. Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking, plus the Bisoke and Karisimbi hikes and the trail up to Dian Fossey’s tomb. Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking, the canopy walkway and one of the richest Albertine Rift birding lists in the region. Akagera for Big Five game drives and boat trips on Lake Ihema, now a genuine savannah park again after a decade of restoration. Gishwati-Mukura, the country’s youngest and least-visited park, for those who want the forest to themselves.
Beyond Rwanda we plan and operate cross-border routes: Bwindi, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo in Uganda; the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru in Kenya; the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Those combinations are where a planner earns their keep, because a badly sequenced border crossing can cost you a full day of a ten-day trip.
Who you actually deal with
There is no call centre and no anonymous reservations inbox. Enquiries are read by the planner who will build your itinerary, and that same person stays with the trip through to the day you fly home.
Your safari plannerKigali officeReads your enquiry, drafts the route, prices it honestly and rewrites it as many times as it takes. They will tell you when an idea does not work — a three-night gorilla stopover with a Serengeti add-on, for example — rather than quietly selling it to you anyway.
Your driver-guideField teamRDB-trained, English- and French-speaking, and known to us personally rather than hired from a pool for the week. They handle park formalities, know which lodges serve breakfast early enough for a Kinigi briefing, and carry the local knowledge that separates a good sighting from a missed one.
OperationsKigali officePermits, park bookings, lodge confirmations, vehicle checks and the WhatsApp line that stays open while you are in the country. If a flight shifts or a road closes, this is who is already re-planning your day before you have noticed.
Intare Safaris Leadership & Safari Team
Behind every Intare Safaris itinerary is a small, hands-on team — the people who plan your trip, guide you on the ground and keep the details moving from your first enquiry to your final day.
Ronald Murenzi
Director of Tours & Safari Operations
Over 20 Years of Tourism & Safari Experience
With more than 20 years of experience in tourism and safari operations, Ronald Murenzi brings extensive industry knowledge to his role as Director of Tours & Safari Operations at Intare Safaris.
Ronald oversees the planning and coordination of safaris from the first inquiry through to the final day of travel. His experience allows him to assess routes, accommodation, transport, activities and timing with a practical understanding of what works well on the ground.
He works closely with safari consultants, guides, lodges and other tourism partners to make sure each itinerary is properly organised and suited to the traveller. His knowledge of Rwanda and the wider East African safari industry also helps the team design trips that balance wildlife, culture, scenery and comfortable travel times.
Ronald remains involved while guests are travelling, supporting guides and the operations team whenever changes or unexpected situations arise.
His many years in tourism have given him a strong understanding of guest expectations, safari logistics and the small details that can affect the quality of a trip.
At Intare Safaris, Ronald provides the experience and leadership behind the company’s tour operations, helping make sure every safari is carefully planned, clearly communicated and properly managed from start to finish.
David Ntegeka
Senior Safari Guide & Rwanda Destination Specialist
10 Years of Professional Guiding Experience
Born and raised in Rwanda, David Ntegeka knows the country not simply as a safari destination, but as home. With more than 10 years of professional guiding experience, he has spent much of his career introducing travellers to Rwanda’s wildlife, landscapes, culture and people.
As a Senior Safari Guide with Intare Safaris, David has guided guests across Rwanda, including Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest and the Lake Kivu region. His years on the road have given him a strong understanding of wildlife, local culture, history, road conditions and the practical side of travelling around the country.
What makes David particularly valuable to guests is his local perspective. He can explain the places people visit, answer questions about everyday life in Rwanda and share details that are often missed in guidebooks.
David also understands that every traveller is different. Some guests want detailed explanations, while others prefer more time for photography, wildlife viewing or simply enjoying the surroundings. His approach is calm, flexible and personal.
For David, guiding is about helping visitors understand Rwanda better and giving them a reliable local connection throughout their safari.
Kenneth Muhindi
Senior Safari Guide & East Africa Driver Guide
16 Years of Safari Guiding Experience
Kenneth Muhindi is an experienced safari guide and driver with more than 16 years of experience leading both short and extended safaris for solo travellers, couples, families and groups across East Africa.
Born and raised in Ruhija, near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kenneth’s connection with wildlife conservation began long before he became a safari guide. He was among the early gorilla-tracking rangers in Bwindi and had the rare opportunity to take part in the habituation of some of the first mountain gorilla groups prepared for tourism.
His first professional role was with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, where he worked as a game ranger in several protected areas, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. This background gave him first-hand knowledge of wildlife behaviour, conservation work and the forests and national parks he now introduces to travellers.
Today, Kenneth guides safaris across Uganda, Rwanda and the wider East African region. His experience also includes Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where he guides travellers visiting the country’s mountain gorillas and other attractions in the Virunga region.
Kenneth combines his conservation background with years of road experience, giving guests practical knowledge, patient guidance and a deeper understanding of the wildlife, landscapes and communities they visit.
Moses Mugabo
Senior Safari Guide & Rwanda Destination Specialist
Over 13 Years of Professional Safari Guiding Experience
Moses Mugabo is an experienced safari guide with more than 13 years of professional guiding experience in Rwanda and across the wider East African region. He is also a member of the Rwanda Safari Guides Association, reflecting his commitment to professional guiding standards and continued growth within Rwanda’s tourism industry.
Over the years, Moses has guided travellers on both short and extended safaris, working with solo travellers, couples, families and groups. His experience covers many of Rwanda’s main tourism areas, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu, as well as cross-border safari routes within East Africa.
Moses brings together strong destination knowledge, good communication and a practical understanding of what travellers need while on safari. He is comfortable explaining wildlife, local culture, history and everyday life in Rwanda, while also giving guests the time and space to enjoy each destination at their own pace.
His many years in the field have also given him a good understanding of safari logistics, road conditions, wildlife viewing and guest care.
At Intare Safaris, Moses is valued for his experience, professionalism and ability to make travellers feel comfortable throughout their trip. His goal is to help every guest understand Rwanda better while enjoying a well-organised and relaxed safari.
Dominic
Administration & Operations Coordinator
Young, Energetic & Service-Focused
As Administration & Operations Coordinator at Intare Safaris, Dominic brings youthful energy, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to keeping the company’s daily operations organised and efficient.
Dominic supports the different departments by coordinating office activities, following up on bookings, handling communication and helping manage schedules, travel documents and guest requirements. His work often takes place behind the scenes, but it plays an important role in keeping safari arrangements moving smoothly.
He works closely with tour consultants, guides, drivers, accommodation providers and other partners to make sure important information is shared and followed up on time. From checking travel details to confirming arrangements and responding to changes, Dominic helps connect the office with the team working on the ground.
His energetic approach and willingness to take responsibility make him an important part of the Intare Safaris team. He is focused on good communication, quick follow-up and helping both guests and colleagues get the support they need.
For travellers, Dominic’s work means better coordination and clearer communication. For the Intare Safaris team, he provides the administrative support that helps keep day-to-day operations organised.
Bridget Umutoni
Marketing & Business Development Executive
Degree in Procurement & Supply Chain Management
Bridget Umutoni is part of the Marketing Department at Intare Safaris, where she supports the company’s efforts to reach new travellers, strengthen customer relationships and promote its safari services across Rwanda and East Africa.
She holds a degree in Procurement & Supply Chain Management, a background that has given her strong skills in organisation, communication, coordination and working with different partners. These skills now support her work in tourism marketing, where attention to detail and clear communication are important when dealing with travellers, agents and business partners.
At Intare Safaris, Bridget contributes to marketing activities, client communication, safari promotion and the development of relationships with both local and international markets. She works closely with the tours and operations teams to better understand the products being offered and communicate them clearly to potential guests.
Her academic background also gives her a good understanding of planning, supplier relationships and service coordination, which adds another dimension to her role within the company.
Bridget brings youthful energy, professionalism and a growing passion for Rwanda’s tourism industry. She is focused on helping more travellers discover what Intare Safaris offers while supporting the company’s continued growth in the regional and international travel market.
Permits, and why we say the boring part out loud
A Rwanda mountain gorilla permit is USD 1,500 per person per trek, set by the Rwanda Development Board, and it is the single largest line in most itineraries. Permits are limited to eight visitors per habituated family per day, they sell out for June to September and December well in advance, and they are non-refundable once issued. We do not mark them up and we show them as a separate line on every quote, so you can see exactly what is going to the park and what is going to us.
If an operator quotes you a Rwanda gorilla safari that does not itemise the permit, ask them to. The permit price is public and fixed. Anything that hides it is hiding something else too.
How we plan a safari
The process is the same whether you are booking a three-day trek or a twelve-day, four-park route.
1. You tell us the shape of itRough dates, how many nights you can spare, who is travelling and what you would hate to miss. Not a fixed plan — the raw material.
2. We check what is actually availablePermits first, because they set the skeleton of the trip. Then lodges, then the drive times between them.
3. You get a draft and a real priceA day-by-day route with what is included and what is not, itemised. Free, and with no obligation.
4. We rewrite itMost itineraries go through two or three versions. Swapping a lodge, adding a rest day, cutting a park that was one too many.
5. You confirm and we secureA deposit releases the permits and lodge bookings. The balance falls due before departure, per our booking terms.
6. We are there while you travelVouchers, briefings and a phone that answers. Someone in Kigali is awake for your whole trip.
What we promise you
- Honest routing. If your dates and your wish list do not fit together, we will say so before you pay, not after.
- Transparent pricing. Permits, park fees, accommodation, transport and our planning fee are shown separately. No hidden supplements appearing at the end.
- No pressure. A draft itinerary costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. We do not chase, and we do not invent expiring offers.
- A real person on the ground. Every guest gets a WhatsApp line to the Kigali office that is monitored throughout their trip, not just in office hours.
- Written terms. Deposits, balances, cancellation and what happens if something goes wrong are all set out in our booking terms and conditions before you commit a cent.
- Your data stays yours. We use your details to answer your enquiry and run your trip. We do not sell them, and one line to us deletes them.
Conservation is not a marketing line here
Rwanda channels 10% of national park revenue directly into the communities living around the parks, funding schools, clinics and water projects through the revenue-sharing scheme the Rwanda Development Board administers. Your permit is part of that. Akagera’s recovery — lions returned in 2015, black rhino in 2017 — happened because that money kept flowing and because African Parks co-manages the reserve with the RDB.
We work alongside The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, whose researchers have monitored the Virunga gorillas from Karisoke since 1967 and whose daily tracking is the reason habituated families can be found at all. Where a guest wants to see that work rather than just benefit from it, we can build a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Musanze into the itinerary.
The gorillas are not an attraction that happens to need protecting. They are protected, and that is why you can go.
How to check us before you pay us
You are about to send a deposit to a company on the other side of the world. Verify it. That is not cynicism, it is sense, and any operator worth booking will tell you the same.
- Confirm our licence with the Rwanda Development Board, which registers and licenses every legal tour operator in the country.
- Check our membership with the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association, the national trade body.
- Ask us for references from guests who travelled a route like yours. We will put you in touch.
- Read the booking terms in full, including the cancellation table, before you transfer anything.
Frequently asked questions about us
Are you a Rwandan company or an overseas agent?
Rwandan, based in Kigali, licensed by the Rwanda Development Board. We operate our own vehicles and guides in Rwanda and work with vetted partner operators for the Kenyan and Tanzanian legs of cross-border routes. You always deal with us, not with a chain of intermediaries.
Do you only sell the packages listed on this site?
No. The listed safaris are worked examples showing what a given number of days can realistically cover. Most of what we run is built from scratch around a set of dates and a wish list, and the price moves with the choices you make.
Can you book gorilla permits for me without the rest of the trip?
We can, but it is rarely a good idea. A permit is tied to a date and is non-refundable, so it should be secured after the lodges and transport that have to fit around it, not before. Talk to us first.
What languages does your team work in?
English, French, Kinyarwanda and Swahili. Guides in other languages can be arranged with notice.
How quickly do you reply?
Enquiries sent through the site are answered within one working day, usually sooner. Rwanda is on Central Africa Time, UTC+2.
Talk to a planner
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and what you would hate to miss, and you will get a real itinerary back with a real price. There is no charge for that and nothing is confirmed until you say so.