Tour Guide Driver

Sambora Private Journeys is the private touring and safari arm of Sambora, crafting tailor-made journeys across Rwanda — from Kigali and Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Akagera.

We are committed to delivering exceptional, highly personalised journeys rooted in genuine Rwandan hospitality, outstanding guiding, comfort, safety and a deep connection to the places and communities our guests encounter.

This is much more than a driving role.

Our Tour Guide Drivers are the face of Sambora Private Journeys throughout a guest's time in Rwanda. We are looking for exceptional guides who combine safe, professional driving with genuine warmth, outstanding knowledge of Rwanda and the ability to turn an itinerary into a memorable private journey.

You will accompany guests from arrival to departure, taking responsibility for the smooth day-to-day delivery of their journey. You will be expected to understand your guests, anticipate their needs, adapt your style to different travellers and provide knowledgeable, engaging interpretation of Rwanda's history, culture, wildlife, conservation and landscapes.

The best guides know when to share a story, when to start a conversation and when to simply allow guests to enjoy the journey and their surroundings.

1. Guest Experience & Journey Delivery

• Welcome guests warmly and professionally at airports, hotels, lodges and other meeting points, assisting with luggage and ensuring an excellent first impression.
• Provide safe, comfortable and punctual transportation for airport transfers, day tours and multi-day journeys throughout Rwanda.
• Take ownership of the guest experience throughout each journey, providing attentive and highly personalised service.
• Know each itinerary thoroughly, including timings, activities, accommodation, inclusions and important guest requirements.
• Coordinate closely with lodges, park offices, activity providers and the Sambora operations team to ensure seamless journey delivery.
• Stay informed about scheduled activities and any changes on the ground so guests are always well briefed.
• Anticipate guest needs, including dietary, comfort and accessibility requirements.
• Recommend appropriate stops for refreshments, meals, photography, viewpoints and rest along the journey.
• Adapt professionally to weather, road conditions, delays or changing guest needs, communicating proactively with the operations team before making significant itinerary changes.
• Identify guest concerns early and work calmly and professionally with the operations team to resolve them.

2. Guiding & Interpretation

• Provide engaging, accurate and thoughtful interpretation of Rwanda's history, culture, communities, conservation, wildlife, birdlife and landscapes.
• Conduct Kigali and other city tours, cultural visits, scenic journeys and game drives to a consistently high standard.
• Spot, identify and interpret wildlife and birdlife while ensuring respectful and responsible wildlife viewing.
• Brief guests thoroughly before activities such as gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, including what to expect, park regulations and what to bring.
• Continually develop your knowledge of Rwanda, its destinations, history, wildlife, conservation and contemporary life.
• Adapt your guiding and communication style to different guests, recognising when guests want conversation and interpretation and when they prefer privacy or quiet.
• Promote responsible tourism by respecting communities, wildlife, national parks and the environment and encouraging guests to do the same.

3. Guest Care & Professional Conduct

• Build warm but professional relationships with guests while maintaining appropriate boundaries and discretion.
• Respond to questions, requests and concerns calmly, confidently and professionally.
• Maintain complete guest confidentiality and respect the privacy of every traveller.
• Never photograph, film or post guests, their movements or their itineraries publicly without appropriate permission.
• Understand journey inclusions and arrangements and avoid discussing confidential company rates, commissions or commercial agreements with guests or suppliers.
• Maintain an excellent standard of personal presentation and represent Sambora professionally at all times.

4. Safe & Professional Driving

• Operate Sambora's 4x4 safari and touring vehicles safely, smoothly and responsibly.
• Follow Rwandan traffic laws, national park regulations and Sambora's safety procedures at all times.
• Maintain defensive driving practices on highways, urban roads, gravel roads, mountain routes and off-road park tracks.
• Plan routes carefully and allow sufficient time for traffic, weather, road conditions, park or border checkpoints and scheduled activities.
• Never drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, medication, fatigue or any other condition that could compromise guest safety.
• Immediately report accidents, vehicle damage, incidents, near misses or safety concerns.
• Administer basic first aid when required and follow Sambora's emergency procedures.

5. Vehicle Care & Readiness

• Present a spotlessly clean, organised and guest-ready vehicle before every guest movement.
• Ensure vehicles are appropriately stocked with drinking water, reference materials, binoculars, first aid supplies and other required guest amenities.
• Complete required pre-departure and daily vehicle inspections, including tyres, lights, brakes, oil, coolant, fuel or charge level, windows, safety equipment and other essential components.
• Operate pop-up roofs and other safari vehicle equipment correctly and safely.
• Report mechanical faults, warning lights, unusual vehicle behaviour, damage or maintenance requirements immediately.
• Treat company vehicles responsibly and take reasonable steps to prevent avoidable damage.
• Ensure required vehicle documents, permits and insurance documentation are valid and available.

6. Communication, Administration & Reporting

• Maintain regular and proactive communication with the Sambora operations team throughout each journey.
• Maintain accurate trip, mileage, fuel or charging, vehicle and expense records and submit them on time.
• Manage park documentation, permits, vouchers and other tour documentation as assigned.
• Maintain receipts and supporting documentation for company expenditure.
• Complete trip reports following journeys, including relevant guest feedback, incidents, operational observations and suggestions for improvement.
• Use WhatsApp, navigation applications and Sambora's digital systems confidently for operational communication and reporting.
• Support other touring and operational responsibilities when reasonably required.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate both excellent guiding ability and professional driving standards.

• Minimum three years' relevant experience as a tour guide driver, safari guide or in a comparable tourism role.
• Valid Rwandan driving licence appropriate for the vehicles operated.
• Proven experience driving 4x4 vehicles and confidence on rough, gravel and off-road terrain.
• Excellent spoken English and Kinyarwanda, with the confidence and vocabulary to engage naturally with international guests.
• French, German or another international language is a strong advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of Rwanda's national parks, destinations, road network, history, culture, wildlife and tourism experiences.
• Certificate or diploma in tourism, tour guiding or hospitality is an advantage.
• Relevant RDB tour guide certification is preferred.
• Valid first aid certification, or willingness to undertake certification.
• Basic understanding of vehicle maintenance, warning signs and routine vehicle inspections.
• Comfortable using smartphones, digital navigation, WhatsApp and electronic reporting systems.

The Person We're Looking For

Qualifications and experience matter, but so does personality.

You should be:

• A natural host who genuinely enjoys looking after people.
• An engaging storyteller with curiosity and a desire to keep learning.
• Warm and personable without being intrusive.
• Able to read guests and adapt your approach to different personalities, cultures and expectations.
• Calm and resourceful when plans change or problems arise.
• Safety-conscious and disciplined behind the wheel.
• Reliable, punctual and highly organised.
• Discreet and respectful of guest privacy.
• Proud to represent Rwanda and passionate about sharing the country with visitors.
• Comfortable working flexible hours and spending extended periods away from Kigali, including weekends and public holidays.

How Success Will Be Measured

Performance in this role will include:

• Consistently strong guest feedback on guiding, driving, knowledge and service.
• Accurate, engaging and appropriate guiding and interpretation.
• Safe and responsible driving, with no preventable incidents attributable to unsafe driving or failure to follow procedures.
• Consistently punctual pick-ups, transfers and activity arrivals.
• Successful delivery of itineraries and proactive communication when circumstances change.
• Exceptional vehicle cleanliness, presentation and guest readiness.
• Timely identification and reporting of vehicle faults, damage and maintenance requirements.
• Accurate and timely operational, mileage, fuel/charging and expense reporting.
• Professional conduct, presentation and communication.
• Positive collaboration with colleagues, lodges, activity providers, park authorities and other partners.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary reflecting experience, qualifications and skills.
• A daily per diem for every day spent on tour.
• Meals while on duty.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Monthly transport and communication allowance.
• Training and opportunities to continue developing your guiding, destination and professional skills.
• The opportunity to join a growing Rwandan hospitality and private travel company committed to delivering exceptional experiences and showcasing Rwanda at its very best.

Apply by emailing careers@sambora.com . Ensure you submit a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate, as well as a copy of your CV.

Deadline: 13 October 2026