Above: A leopard spotted on a safari | Featured: Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Whether it’s an inspiring Gorilla Trek in Africa’s safest country, Rwanda; a Balloon Safari in the Masa Mara of Kenya; witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration of Tanzania; canoeing down the Okavango Delta of Botswana or marvelling at the power of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, African Unique Safaris allows you to experience the adventure of a lifetime, all while contributing to preserving Africa’s beauty for future generations. FOUR sits down with Michael Savage, Co-Founder
of African Unique Safaris & Tours, to find out more about what makes this company stand out from the crowd…
Can you provide a brief overview of African Unique Safaris, including its mission and vision?
OVERVIEW: African Unique Safaris and Tours is a proven Destination Management Company that started in Kigali, Rwanda, and now has offices in Uganda and Kenya, from where we directly operate tours ourselves. We also have like-minded partners and knowledge to book any safari and tour in sub-Saharan Africa and do this on a weekly basis.
We have a unique ownership model with Michael Savage (Australian), providing seed money and professional business advice to local tourism entrepreneurs looking to take the next step up. This model gives our guests and agents the perfect mix of local passion and knowledge with smart, modern, attention-to-detail operations. All profits are re-invested in Africa to support our vision.
VISION: Be Africa’s best boutique safari and tour operator and create 1000 new financially independent families by 2030.
MISSION: Through delivering unique, inspiring and best-in-class safaris and tours that create emotional memories that continue to move you long after you return home.
SERVICE PROMISE: To treat each guest like they are our favourite relative.
CALL TO ACTION : Live your dreams.
What sets your company apart from other safari providers?
Offices and local owners in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda provide unparalleled expertise and value across East Africa and beyond.
One-stop shop for all sub-Saharan safaris and tours. No need to deal with multiple providers. We can do the lot for you.
Best value and expertise — because we are locally based in Africa, you avoid expensive markups and get on-the-ground knowledge that makes a difference and helps build trust between our agents and their clients.
Heavily eco-tourism driven. I.e. our Frank Keesling Signature Tours raise funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund by offering luxury guided eco-tours that make a difference. We also are members of Pack for a Purpose and look to support micro-entrepreneurs and community activities in the regions we operate in.
Above: Baby Mountain Gorilla in Rwanda
Could you share insights into the inspiration behind the “Frank Keesling Signature Tours” and how they differ from standard safari packages?
Frank has been a friend and a connection with Victor Ngabirano (Our Rwanda and Uganda co-owner) for over a decade now. Frank is the President of the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, a non-profit that has a long history of Mountain Gorilla Conservation, primarily in veterinarian services. Frank’s late mother, Ruth, was approached by Dian Fossey in the 80s to provide the very much-needed first veterinarian services to the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. Soon after Dian’s tragic death, Ruth was able to fulfil her promise, and she continued to grow the veterinarian education and supply market across the region.
Frank has partnered exclusively with African Unique Safaris and Tours by handcrafting 8 incredible guided luxury eco-safaris from his 40 years of experience in Africa. Each tour highlights one of the truly iconic regions and experiences of Africa and finishes in Rwanda with a superb Mountain Gorilla Trek.
Frank himself will guide 2 of the tours, Victor will guide 2 of the tours, Michael will guide 2 of the tours, and Tusk Photo (Africa’s leading photography safari and tour company) will guide 2 of the photographic tours. These professional guides will provide extensive extra knowledge and organise eco-talks and excursions at the carefully selected luxury eco-camps.
There is no other product on the market as unique and special as these 8 tours. Click here for a link to our catalogue, where you will find the Frank Keesling Signature Collection and more.
What elements make these tours stand out, and how do they reflect the essence of African Unique Safaris?
Eco-tourism is about conservation, community, habitat renewal and harmony. You only live once, and we want to make sure our guests get the very best unique experiences and memories whilst knowing their purchase has contributed to and leveraged the greater good for our future generations.
Above: The majestic elephant, one of Africa’s Big 5
Many people may not be familiar with Rwanda as a safari destination. What makes Rwanda a unique and special place for safari experiences?
Rwanda is not only Africa’s most inspiring country, but its big secret is that it is Africa’s best one-stop destination. Here’s a few facts that will amaze you:
- Best one-stop destination. For such a tiny country, there are 4 eco-systems: spectacular high-altitude mountains, which are the home of the Mountain Gorillas; Lake Kivu, which is Africa’s 7th largest lake; Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is a temperate rainforest and is home to chimpanzees and more; and the savannahs of the east home to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s Big 5 national park with Africa’s best birding. Everything is only a matter of a few hours from the capital. No more full-day transfers.
- Second to none conservation record. After the genocide, all the national parks were re-established, including Akagera National Park. They are having to expand Volcanoes National Park as well because the Mountain Gorillas’ numbers are increasing, and they need more room.
- Safest Country in Africa. It is also 7thsafest country in the world to walk home alone at night in.
- Highest percentage of women in parliament – Yes, it’s true. Rwanda’s parliament is made up of over 60% of women. One of the highest rates in the world.
- Spotlessly clean. Once a month, the whole country does a community clean up and project day called Umuganda. It also has perfect roads and infrastructure.
- Inspiring. No other country has blossomed post-genocide (1994) as Rwanda has. It’s like a big community with everyone pulling together to make it Africa’s most exciting growth country.
Can you SHARE ANY lesser-known aspects or hidden gems of Rwanda that your tours showcase?
This is so hard to get across in words, but I have never been to a more inspiring country. There is such a positive mood about the future and the whole country pulls together to work towards the vision of its leadership. Rwanda’s culture is unique within Africa, with lots of colour, energy and kindness. Community activities play a part in all of our itineraries and often end up being the highlights, including:
- Question Coffee Master Class. Rwanda is home to some of the world’s highest-grade Arabica Coffee, which can be tasted in this masterclass.
- Traditional Intore dancing by local troupes.
- Traditional Singing Fisherman Experience.
- Nkombo Island Boat Tour and Cultural Experience.
- Nyamirambo Walking Tour.
- Musanze Community Walk.
- Mukungwa River Canoe Experience.
What about the proposals for 2024? Do you have new or exclusive tours planned?
Our Frank Keesling Signature Tours are where to look. With the 8 itineraries, we cover all the highlights of sub-Saharan Africa in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and more…
Above: Giraffes roaming the African highlands
African Unique Safaris is known for its commitment to cultural immersion. How do the Signature Tours incorporate and celebrate the local cultures of the regions you visit?
Certified eco-lodges and camps must not only take care of animal habitats and the environment but must also contribute positively to local communities. That can look different at each camp but often includes leasing the land directly from the community, employing local people to work in the camp, and providing schools and scholarships for the children in the community, as well as local storytelling, singing, and dancing at camps. Community walks and talks are an important part of the cultural immersion of each itinerary.
Sustainability is increasingly crucial in the travel industry. How does African Unique Safaris contribute to conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism in ITS operating regions?
- We donate 2.5% of all Frank Keesling Signature Tours’ profits to the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund to continue scholarships, facilities and education of Mountain Gorilla veterinarian services.
- We are members of Pack with a Purpose, a terrific organisation that connects guests with local schools by supplying them with stationery and book supplies.
- All of our itineraries include community tours and activities that foster local experiences and provide employment and opportunities for locals.
- Our overall vision is to create 1000 new financially independent families by 2030. We are looking to invest our company profits in micro-entrepreneur partners in different sectors by providing seed capital and advice.
- While not official yet, we are in the final stages of introducing 2 new full-country EV safari vehicles to our fleet in late 2024/early 2025. This will mean less diesel and noise pollution for local communities and an undisturbed and stress-free wildlife experience in safari parks.
How do you ensure that the tours leave a lasting positive impact on both the guests and the local communities/environments?
The single most important factor to an emotional and inspiring tour that leaves lasting memories long after you return home is the quality of each guest’s driver guide. You will spend more time with your driver guide than anyone else on a tour, so it’s essential they are safe drivers, great ambassadors for the region, extremely informative and naturally interpersonal. These qualities are rare, but we have gained a truly world-class and trusted group of talented local driver guides. Our perfect 5/5 Tripadvisor rating over 10 years proves this.
After this, ensuring there are connective local experiences in our itineraries is key. So many companies do bare-bones itineraries, and this is a shame.
Above: The Golden Monkey is an endangered species that can be seen in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Travel logistics can significantly impact the overall experience. How does African Unique Safaris ensure the comfort and safety of its guests during the Signature Tours?
Our itineraries are digital and highly informative, with timings, vouchers, key contacts and, of course, your inspiring programme of activities included. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If he had 9 hours to cut down a tree, he would spend 6 hours sharpening the axe”, and this is our attitude towards attention to detail. Get the details right in the planning and communication with the client, and the rest goes smoothly.
All our drivers are accredited and long-term, proven ambassadors. Our vehicles are late model, serviced regularly, and equipped with extra comforts such as blankets, fridges and wi-fi.
We set up a group WhatsApp channel with each driver guide or tour leader and our guests, allowing us to stay connected and instantly communicate and deal with any questions or issues that may arise quickly.
Looking forward, what is the long-term vision for African Unique Safaris, particularly concerning the Frank Keesling Signature Tours?
We are so excited about supporting Frank and the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, and all those great eco-operators in the countries we visit. Our vision is to make these tours the No. 1 guided luxury eco-tours on the market. If we do this, then everyone benefits, the guests, the eco-camps, the communities, the environment, and the animals.
Outside of the Frank Keesling Signature Collection tours, it’s all about chasing our vision to create 1000 new financially independent families in the regions in which we operate by 2030. This is about investing profits to seed-fund local micro-entrepreneurs in different industries and widening our office in other countries so we can empower local tourism experts and provide the best value and knowledge to our agents and guests. That’s already bearing fruit with our new offices in Uganda and Kenya.
How do you see the company evolving to continue providing unique and enriching safari experiences in the years to come?
It’s in our name to be unique, and the only way we maintain this promise is to continually scour the continent for new, interesting and beneficial experiences. New countries are also stabilising and coming online, and we are keeping a close eye on those markets.
Above: Hippopotamus wading int the water in Tanzania
To find out more about African Unique Safaris & Tours and book, visit the links below…
African Unique Safaris & Tours
2nd Floor
Jesus is able building
Airport Road-Kigali
Rwanda
Web: africanuniquesafaris.com
Tel: +250 786 233 859 | +256 392 976 334
Email: reservations@africanuniquesafaris.com
Instagram: @africanuniquesafaris
Facebook: @africanuniquesafaris
