About Eric Sabi
Founder of Hope Tours Africa
Eric Sabi, Founder: Hope Tours Africa
Eric Sabi grew up in Musanze, the Rwandan town that sits at the gateway to Volcanoes National Park home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Watching travelers arrive from around the world to trek into the Virunga Mountains shaped his earliest understanding of tourism, and it set the direction for the rest of his career.
Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism and a Diploma in Climate-Friendly Travel, and is a licensed tour guide in Rwanda. He began working in the country’s tourism industry in 2012, and over more than a decade has worked across the sectors that make a safari run smoothly: with local and international tour operators, with hotels and lodges, and with community-based tourism initiatives near the national parks. He also worked with the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, contributing to the development of national sustainable tourism policy.
In 2021, Eric registered Hope Tours Africa with the Rwanda Development Board, building it around a straightforward idea: tourism should benefit both the people who live alongside Rwanda’s parks and the wildlife those parks protect. His training in climate-friendly travel shaped the company from day one — including operating as a single-use plastic-free business and supporting indigenous tree-planting and reforestation efforts.
Find Eric on LinkedIn and Instagram, or check his tour guide licence on the Rwanda Development Board register.
Areas of expertise
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park: permits, gorilla families, trek difficulty and preparation
- Luxury Rwanda safaris: lodge selection and tailor-made itineraries
- Akagera and Nyungwe: Big Five game drives and chimpanzee trekking
- Sustainable tourism: plastic-free operations and community-based tourism
- Safari logistics: permits, transfers, timing and seasons across Rwanda and East Africa
What this means for travelers planning a safari
Eric’s combination of formal training, a tour guide license, and over a decade working across operators, lodges, and national tourism policy gives Hope Tours Africa a practical, ground-level understanding of permit systems, lodge logistics, and what actually happens on the trails in Volcanoes National Park, Akagera, and Nyungwe Forest. For travelers planning a gorilla trekking safari or a tailor-made Rwanda itinerary, that means realistic expectations and informed planning from the first conversation.
As a small, locally-owned, RDB-licensed team, Eric and the Hope Tours Africa team remain personally involved from initial inquiry through to a traveler’s return home.
To start planning a luxury gorilla trekking experience or a tailor-made Rwanda safari, speak with a safari specialist.
Latest Articles by Eric Sabi
Best Time for Luxury Rwanda Safaris (When to Visit Rwanda)
The best time for luxury Rwanda safaris is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. These months offer easier gorilla trekking, better wildlife visibility, premium lodge experiences, and smoother safari logistics across Rwanda’s top national parks.
Rwanda vs Kenya Luxury Safari | Which Is Better for Luxury Travelers?
Rwanda and Kenya offer very different luxury safari experiences. Rwanda is best for gorilla trekking, privacy, and exclusive eco-luxury, while Kenya leads in classic Big Five safaris, Great Migration experiences, and iconic luxury safari camps.
Best Luxury Lodges in Rwanda (Top High-End Safari Lodges Guide)
The best luxury lodges in Rwanda combine prime location, exceptional service, and exclusive safari experiences. From gorilla trekking lodges near Volcanoes National Park to high-end safari camps in Akagera, lodge choice defines the success of a luxury Rwanda safari.