Placide Igiraneza
Founder & Head Tour Consultant
Sales Manager
Placide founded the 1000 Hills Safaris project and leads tour consulting, sales, partner relationships and business development.
About 1000 Hills Safaris Ltd.
Your Rwanda team on the ground.
From a tourism idea started in 2014 to a Rwanda-based safari company operating since 2018 — now supporting tour operators and DMCs as a local ground-handling partner.
- Address
- KK 12 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda
- Operational contact
- +250 788 878 762
- 1000hillssafaris@gmail.com
Our story
From a Tourism Question to a Rwanda DMC
2014
Tourism information project begins
2018
Full-time Rwanda tour operation
1000 Hills Safaris began in 2014, when founder Placide Igiraneza was a third-year Computer Science student at the University of Rwanda.
During a university holiday, Placide was looking for freelance work when he came across travelers on TripAdvisor asking questions about tourism in Rwanda. He saw an opportunity to help.
The original idea was simple: provide travelers with accurate, practical information about Rwanda so they could better understand the destination and plan meaningful trips.
What began as a side project gradually developed into a tourism business. It took several years before the first client came through, while Placide continued working in IT and developing the tourism business alongside other professional commitments.
In December 2018, after a major change in his professional circumstances, Placide decided to commit fully to tourism.
Since then, 1000 Hills Safaris has grown from an information-driven tourism idea into a Rwanda-based tour operator serving international travelers and developing its role as a local B2B ground-handling and DMC partner.
Track record
Our Experience
1000 Hills Safaris has operated as a full-time tourism business since 2018, building practical experience in planning and operating journeys across Rwanda.
Our work includes Rwanda safari planning, gorilla trekking, wildlife experiences, accommodation coordination, transportation, driver-guide services, cultural experiences and tailor-made itineraries.
Today, we are expanding our focus on B2B ground handling, supporting tour operators and DMCs that need a reliable local partner to operate Rwanda on their behalf.
Our team
The Team Behind 1000 Hills Safaris
1000 Hills Safaris is supported by a focused Rwanda-based team combining tourism consulting, sales, operations, ticketing and guiding experience. Our core team includes two permanent staff members, supported by experienced operational and guiding professionals as required.
Umutoni Denyse
Managing Director
Flight Ticket Manager
Denyse oversees company management and supports clients and partners with flight ticketing and travel coordination.
Maniriho Augustin
Head Tour Guide
Tour Guide
Augustin leads guiding operations and supports clients with local destination knowledge, guiding and on-the-ground tour coordination.
Verification
Our Credentials
We believe trust in tourism partnerships starts with transparency. Our company and operational credentials are available for verification by prospective B2B partners.
Registered Rwanda Tourism Business
1000 Hills Safaris Ltd. is a registered Rwanda tourism business.
Tax Compliance
1000 Hills Safaris operates with a Rwanda Tax Identification Number (TIN) for business and tax compliance.
RTTA Member
1000 Hills Safaris is a member of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association (RTTA).
Rwanda-Based Operations
Based in Kigali, our team coordinates tourism operations across Rwanda's major destinations.
Documentation Available to B2B Partners
Company registration, relevant tourism documentation and membership credentials can be provided to prospective trade partners during the partnership and due-diligence process.
Our Mission
To make Rwanda easier to sell and easier to operate by providing professional, locally coordinated ground services to travelers, tour operators and DMC partners.
Our Vision
To become a trusted Rwanda-based DMC and ground-handling partner for travel companies seeking to deliver exceptional Rwanda journeys through strong local operations.
What guides us
Our Values
Local Knowledge
We operate from Rwanda and understand the destinations, logistics and practical realities of traveling across the country.
Integrity
We communicate honestly about availability, pricing, logistics and operational conditions.
Partnership
We work to strengthen our partners' businesses rather than compete for their client relationships.
Professionalism
We approach every booking with clear communication, careful coordination and attention to operational detail.
Responsible Tourism
We believe tourism should create meaningful experiences for travelers while respecting Rwanda's people, wildlife, communities and natural environment.
Hospitality
We believe great Rwanda experiences are built not only through logistics, but through genuine local hospitality.
Trade partners
Why Partner With 1000 Hills Safaris?
Rwanda-Based
Our team is based in Kigali and coordinates operations locally.
One Local Operational Contact
Partners have a direct point of contact for Rwanda ground arrangements.
White-Label Approach
Your client relationship remains with you. We operate the Rwanda ground services behind your brand.
Local Destination Knowledge
We coordinate journeys across Kigali, Volcanoes, Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu.
Flexible Operations
We adapt ground arrangements to your itinerary, client profile and travel requirements.
Transparent Communication
We aim to provide clear quotations, practical recommendations and honest information about availability and operating conditions.
Discuss a Rwanda Partnership
Built to Support Travel Partners
Our role is simple: make Rwanda easier for travel companies to sell and operate.
You manage the traveler relationship, sales process and overall trip design.
We coordinate the Rwanda ground operation — including transportation, accommodation coordination, activities, guiding and local logistics.
The result is a clear division of responsibility:
Your Client.
Your Brand.
Our Rwanda Operations.