Sam & Dan
Two friends. Twenty years on the ground.
Two friends. Twenty years on the ground.
Sam's East African Adventures pairs Sam Elliot Kamugisha, a 20-year East African guide based in Kigali, with Dan Spears, an award-winning American bird photographer who handles the US-side trip coordination.
Born in Uganda. Based in Kigali. Sam has guided in East Africa for 20 years. He's worked for Gorilla Trek Africa, African Adventure Safaris, Far Horizons Ltd, Sun Africa Expeditions, and Classic Africa Safaris.
Dan is an award-winning bird photographer and our US-based trip coordinator. He has photographed wildlife in Zambia, Brazil, Uganda, Rwanda, Panama, Namibia, and Costa Rica, and has made more than ten trips to Africa. He handles the planning, the questions, and the permits on the US side, so by the time you land in Kigali, you're already on vacation.
Tourism in East Africa works when it works for everyone: travelers, guides, parks, and the communities along the way. We donate 10% of revenue to charities in Rwanda and Uganda that support women's empowerment.
Our first named partner is Kinigi Women Village, a Rwandan cooperative supporting women from low-income backgrounds (including those who faced school dropouts or early pregnancy) through traditional Rwandan crafts: weaving, tailoring, painting, crochet, beading, woodcarving, and pottery.
More than a workshop, we are a digital ecosystem that bridges the visibility gap, empowering our members to reclaim their professional identities and share their world-class craft with the global stage.
— Kinigi Women Village
If you're traveling with us, an artisan-cooperative visit can be part of your trip. The handmade pieces you bring home come from places like this.
Email Dan and we'll start designing your trip.