Our Story is one of Fate, Inspiration and Hope - African Safaris, Coffee Tours, Mountain Gorilla Treks, Rwanda, Uganda, DR Congo, Tanzania

Michael Savage an Australian born citizen, retail executive and keen traveller, decided at the very last minute to change his annual holiday plans.

Tired of the over commercial and uninspiring destinations of a typical westerner he decided to follow a lifelong dream of trekking for the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda, a decision that both excited him and filled him with trepidation.

What he discovered was totally unexpected and would change the course of his life forever. In Rwanda he was so inspired by the sites, people, progress, peace, unity and pride of the Rwandan people to forge a better future.

“If it wasn’t for Rwanda I would have been stuck with more and more empty and repetitive holiday experiences. The people and experiences inspired me to help in their journey to a much better future. The potential of this region was so obvious, I had to be a part of it.” And so began his search for local enterprise partners that would allow him to begin his journey to helping 1000 families in the area become financially self dependant.”

“I fulfilled my lifelong dream and the thrilling experience of coming within metres of a majestic giant silverback and his family and spending an awe-inspiring hour amongst them left an indelible mark. And then I found out there was also much more to see and do and was being done in Rwanda and the surrounding regions”.

On his travels he met and became good friends with Victor Ngabirano a local hospitality and tour veteran and professional of 15 years who shared the same vision.

Victor had already started African Unique Tours & Safaris (AUT) in 2003 and with a small name change in 2015 to African Unique Safaris and Tours (AUST) the new partnership was born.

“We don’t aim to be the biggest safari & tour operator in Africa, we want to remain boutique, but we certainly aim to be the best through providing unique and unforgettable experiences, superior guest service and emotional memories that will last long after you return home. From this we then want to continue to find other opportunities for motivated local micro-entrepreneurs to assist their families and communities to become financially self dependant. But this vision starts one step at a time with our promise “To take care of you like we would our favourite relative.. Welcome all to African Unique Safaris & Tours”.

Victor Ngabirano