Mugabi Derrick, a seasoned hospitality professional and tourism entrepreneur, has been making significant strides in Rwanda's growing tourism and accommodation sector. With 12 years of experience in hospitality and tourism, his career spans hotel operations, sales and marketing, customer relations, accommodation management, and travel coordination. As the Chief Executive Officer of Gorilla Hub Safaris, an officially licensed tour operator by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Mugabi offers tour packages, hotel reservations, and car rental services.
Gorilla Hub Safaris, one of Mugabi's ventures, focuses on connecting visitors with different aspects of Rwanda's tourism experience. The company provides organised tour packages, hotel reservations, and car rental services, helping travellers coordinate essential elements of their journeys. Additionally, his involvement in Cascadia Serviced Apartments complements this business direction by extending his interests into accommodation services for business travellers, international visitors, and other guests seeking serviced residential facilities in Kigali.
Throughout his career, Mugabi has established working relationships and partnerships with event organisers and industry players, including Events Factory, Travel Zuri, Cube Communications, and Rwanda Events. These engagements have contributed to accommodation arrangements for major international events hosted in Rwanda, such as the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), FIFA-related activities, Basketball Africa League (BAL), and the Africa CEO Forum.
Mugabi's experience in managing accommodation arrangements for major international events demonstrates his ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality services. He has helped accommodate more than 10,000 people attending different events, ensuring visitors received appropriate accommodation services during their stay. His work involves coordinating with hotel teams, event organisers, and accommodation providers to manage bookings and respond to the requirements of international guests.
Before developing his current business interests, Mugabi built his professional foundation through positions in established hospitality institutions in Kigali. Between 2016 and 2019, he worked as Sales Manager at Urban by CityBlue Hotels and Epic, where he gained experience in hotel sales, client relationship management, and business development. This position provided him with an understanding of the commercial side of hospitality, particularly the importance of attracting clients, maintaining corporate relationships, and promoting hotel services to different market segments.
Mugabi's move into entrepreneurship represents an effort to apply the knowledge and professional networks developed throughout his hotel career to a wider tourism market. Through Gorilla Hub Safaris, he brings together different services required by visitors, including organised tours, accommodation reservations, and car rentals. His approach to the industry is informed by years of experience working directly with hotel clients, corporate customers, event organisers, and international visitors.
As Rwanda continues to position itself as a destination for major international events, accommodation providers and tourism businesses play an important role in supporting the overall visitor experience. Mugabi's experience highlights the contribution of hospitality professionals to Rwanda's capacity to host international conferences, sporting competitions, and business gatherings. His work continues to promote Rwanda's tourism sector, providing valuable services to visitors and helping to drive economic growth.
Key points
- Mugabi Derrick's Gorilla Hub Safaris offers tour packages, hotel reservations, and car rental services to connect visitors with Rwanda's tourism experience.
- He has contributed to accommodation arrangements for over 10,000 people attending major international events in Rwanda.
- Mugabi's experience spans 12 years in hospitality and tourism, including hotel operations, sales and marketing, and customer relations.
