Based in Kigali, Rwanda (with a satellite office in Vancouver, Canada) Wild Sage operates as a boutique DMC offering hands-on ground operations in Rwanda and Uganda and curating tailor-made journeys across Africa through a trusted network of handpicked partners.
Our journeys are designed to bring travellers closer to landscapes, wildlife, and the people who call these places home. Experiences include trekking with one of Dian Fossey’s original gorilla trackers, canoeing the Twin Lakes, cycling the Congo–Nile Trail, walking Nyungwe’s misty rainforest paths, or going behind the scenes with conservation teams in Akagera National Park. We open doors to meaningful encounters, from meeting the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team in Queen Elizabeth National Park to sharing a meal in a local home or visiting places well beyond the tourist track.
Wild Sage Travel is founded by Canadian travel journalist and wildlife photographer Alicia-Rae Light and long-time Rwandan safari guide and naturalist Isaac Nzaramba. Together, they bring a rare blend of global perspective and deep local roots to every journey. Alicia-Rae’s two decades in travel storytelling and sustainable luxury tourism combine seamlessly with Isaac’s 13+ years guiding and interpreting East Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultures.
With our own fleet of custom-designed safari vehicles and a close-knit team of expert local guides, we deliver journeys that are as seamless as they are soulful. We believe a safari is defined by more than wildlife sightings—it’s found in the hush of dawn over coffee, the pause before a lion’s roar, or laughter shared around a fire. These are the moments that stay with you, becoming stories worth carrying home.
Sustainability and authenticity are at the core of everything we do. Our long-standing relationships with rangers, conservationists, lodge owners, and communities allow us to create experiences most travellers never access, while ensuring tourism supports the wild places and people we explore. Because we live and work here, we are present on the ground 24/7—anticipating needs, smoothing details, and ensuring flawless execution from arrival to departure.
Every Wild Sage journey is handcrafted—never one-size-fits-all. Thoughtful, immersive, and deeply personal, our safaris balance comfort with conscience, luxury with meaning. With Wild Sage Travel, a journey through Africa becomes more than a trip; it becomes a story that lasts long after the journey ends.
L’Hoest’s Monkey Encounter, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
A L’Hoest’s monkey spotted during a guided forest hike in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Home to one of Africa’s richest primate populations, Nyungwe offers rewarding wildlife encounters along its rainforest trails. With Wild Sage Travel, hikes are led by knowledgeable local guides who interpret primate behaviour, forest ecology, and conservation efforts, creating an immersive and educational experience in this ancient montane forest. Image by Alicia-Rae Light.
Guiding in Kyambura Nature Reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Isaac Nzaramba, co-founder of Wild Sage Travel and a licensed safari guide and naturalist, guiding guests in the Kyambura Nature Reserve area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Known for its dramatic landscapes and conservation-led primate experiences, Kyambura forms part of Wild Sage’s thoughtfully guided safaris, combining expert interpretation, ethical wildlife encounters, and a strong focus on conservation.
Leopard in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
A leopard resting in a tree in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Now a fully restored Big Five reserve, Akagera offers exceptional sightings of elusive predators such as leopards, supported by long-term conservation and rewilding efforts led by African Parks. Encounters like this form part of Wild Sage Travel’s thoughtfully guided safaris, focused on ethical wildlife viewing and deep appreciation of the ecosystem. Image by Alicia-Rae Light.
Rhino Conservation Success in Akagera National Park
A Southern White Rhino in Akagera National Park, Rwanda—symbol of one of Africa’s most successful conservation and rewilding stories. Once depleted, Akagera’s rhinos were reintroduced through carefully managed translocation programmes led by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, restoring a key species to the ecosystem. Today, Akagera stands as a Big Five reserve, demonstrating how long-term protection, community engagement, and effective park management can bring wildlife back from the brink. Image by Alicia-Rae Light.
Evening Sundowners in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Enjoying a sunset sundowner in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Moments like these are thoughtfully woven into Wild Sage Travel’s safaris, pairing relaxed elegance with sweeping views as the savannah softens into evening—an essential part of the African safari experience.
Lilac-Breasted Roller in Akagera National Park
A vibrant lilac-breasted roller photographed in Akagera National Park, Rwanda—one of East Africa’s premier birding destinations, home to over 500 bird species. Birdwatching forms an integral part of Wild Sage Travel’s safari experiences, highlighting Akagera’s restored savannah ecosystems and rich biodiversity. Image by Alicia-Rae Light.
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Golden Monkey Encounter in Mgahinga, Uganda
A golden monkey observed in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda, a rare and endangered primate found only in the Virunga Mountains. Golden monkey tracking offers a lively, conservation-focused experience, guided by expert local trackers and rangers, and is often paired with gorilla trekking for travellers seeking deeper insight into the region’s unique biodiversity. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
Safari Experience in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
A guest enjoying a private safari experience in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Akagera’s rolling savannahs and restored ecosystems offer exceptional wildlife viewing, guided by experienced local professionals and designed around unhurried, immersive exploration.
Mountain Gorilla Encounter, Volcanoes National Park
A mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, home to one of the world’s most important mountain gorilla populations. Gorilla trekking here is carefully regulated to protect the health and behaviour of these endangered primates, with conservation-focused permits supporting habitat protection and local communities. Encounters like this highlight the success of Rwanda’s long-term conservation efforts. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
Lakeside Dining on Lake Ihema, Akagera National Park
An intimate lakeside dining experience at Ruzizi Tented Lodge on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Set beneath open skies with firelight and sweeping water views, experiences like this reflect Wild Sage Travel’s approach to safari—pairing exceptional locations with thoughtful hosting, relaxed elegance, and a deep sense of place.
Elephant Family in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
A mother elephant and her calf in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, one of East Africa’s most important wildlife strongholds. Encounters like this highlight the park’s thriving elephant population and the importance of protected landscapes along the Nile, where conservation efforts support both wildlife and surrounding communities. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
Safari Vehicle and Bush Camp Setup
A mobile safari experience featuring a custom 4x4 safari vehicle and bush camp setup in East Africa. Designed for flexibility and immersion, mobile safaris allow travellers to explore remote landscapes while enjoying thoughtfully planned logistics, expert guiding, and a close connection to nature—an approach often used by Wild Sage Travel for adventurous, off-the-beaten-path journeys.
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Boat Safari in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Guests enjoying a boat safari on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, Rwanda, with elephants visible along the shoreline. Boat safaris provide a quiet, low-impact way to observe wildlife such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife, offering a different perspective on Akagera’s restored ecosystems and conservation success.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
A chimpanzee encountered during a guided trek in Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda. Known as the primate capital of East Africa, Kibale offers exceptional chimpanzee trekking experiences conducted under strict conservation guidelines. With Wild Sage Travel, treks are led by expert local guides and trackers, prioritising responsible wildlife viewing, education, and minimal impact on these intelligent primates and their forest habitat. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
Elephant in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
An elephant in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Once heavily depleted, Akagera is now a thriving Big Five reserve following successful rewilding and long-term conservation efforts led by African Parks in partnership with local authorities. Elephant sightings like this reflect the park’s remarkable recovery and the importance of protected landscapes in East Africa. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
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Lions in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
A pair of lions resting in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda—one of East Africa’s most remote and dramatic wilderness areas. Known for its open savannahs and low visitor numbers, Kidepo offers exceptional predator sightings in a truly wild setting, often experienced through carefully guided safaris that prioritise ethical wildlife viewing and minimal impact. Image by Alicia-Rae Light
Tracking Western Lowland Gorilla in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo
A western lowland gorilla in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo—one of Central Africa’s most important strongholds for lowland gorilla conservation. Odzala is known for its pristine rainforest ecosystems and carefully managed, low-impact primate encounters that support long-term conservation, research, and community engagement.
Photographic Safari in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo
Guests on a specialist photographic safari in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, capturing wildlife from a low-impact boat platform in the heart of Central Africa’s pristine rainforest ecosystems. Designed for photographers, these journeys prioritise time, positioning, and expert guidance, offering rare access to remote landscapes while supporting conservation-focused tourism in one of Africa’s most biodiverse regions.
Sundowners at Lake Shakani in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Guests enjoying their stay at Karenge Bush Camp in the northern sector of Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Surrounded by wilderness and designed for low-impact comfort, Karenge offers an intimate safari experience where thoughtful hosting, nature immersion, and exceptional wildlife access define time spent in one of Rwanda’s most remote park areas.
Guests at Karenge Bush Camp, Akagera National Park
Guests enjoying their stay at Karenge Bush Camp in the northern sector of Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Surrounded by wilderness and designed for low-impact comfort, Karenge offers an intimate safari experience where thoughtful hosting, nature immersion, and exceptional wildlife access define time spent in one of Rwanda’s most remote park areas.
Wildlife Viewing on a Boat Safari, Akagera National Park, Rwanda
A guest enjoying a boat safari on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Boat safaris offer a unique perspective on Akagera’s wildlife, allowing close observation of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife while gliding quietly along the water—an experience often paired with guided interpretation as part of Wild Sage Travel’s thoughtfully designed itineraries.
Bush Breakfast in Kyambura Nature Reserve, Uganda
A private bush breakfast in Kyambura Nature Reserve, part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Set overlooking the landscape and curated with care, experiences like this reflect Wild Sage Travel’s approach to safari—pairing exceptional settings with thoughtful service, unhurried pacing, and a deep sense of place following early-morning wildlife activities.
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Co-Founders of Wild Sage Travel: Alicia-Rae Light & Isiaka Nzaramba
Co-founders Alicia-Rae Light and Isiaka Nzaramba of Wild Sage Travel pictured in Rwanda. Alicia-Rae, a Canadian travel journalist and Managing Director, and Isiaka, a Rwandan licensed safari guide and naturalist, combine global perspective with deep local expertise to create responsible, high-end journeys across Africa.
