At Songa Africa we have expertise in both tourism and conservation, having traveled extensively in the region and around the world. We speak all official East African local languages, and have a wealth of experience in the tourism industry, with an ever-growing network of partners in conservation, travel, tours, accommodation, and dining to offer our guests a memorable stay with us.
ROSETTE CHANTAL RUGAMBA
FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Rosette Chantal Rugamba, is an accomplished business and thought process leader, with demonstratable experience and passion in promoting Africa’s tourism and cultural heritage. Rosette is the Founder and Managing Director of Songa Africa and Amakoro Songa Lodge. She is an Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellow, who has advised and led key global, public, and private entities in the leisure and hospitality industry. Firstly, as a special advisor to the Former Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and subsequently in other advisory roles on boards such as the Global Tourism Board of Airbnb, Equity Bank, Trade Mark East Africa, African Parks Network, President of Tourism Women Chamber. Rosette is currently serving on the Board of Women in Environment and is a Board Trustee of World Wildlife Fund International.
Rosette’s previous roles in the travel and tourism industry spans almost 30 years, first with Euro Star in the United Kingdom, and then as Sales and Marketing Manager for British Airways - Uganda, before returning to her native Rwanda to spearhead the revitalization of the Tourism Industry. As the Director General of Rwanda Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) and later as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)in charge of Tourism, Rosette helped to revamp tourism as a key economic driver for Rwanda as the country recovered and rebuilt in the aftermath of the Genocide Against the Tutsi.
Rosette is passionate about mentoring young girls, and supporting local communities. She is also an ardent gardener. Rosette holds a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) Degree, majoring in Political Science and Sociology from Makerere University. Rosette also studied Strategic Marketing in UK and is the author of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)’s Sustainable Tourism Strategic Framework-A Basis for Development of a Regional Tourism Strategy and Policy.
OUR TEAM
