Rob has been involved in the Wilderness Safaris Rwanda operation since its inception in 2017, with the ultimate goal of developing a one-country East African itinerary that combines an Akagera National Park safari experience with chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking in Gishwati Forest and mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
After successfully managing the opening and running of Bisate lodge in 2017, and then managing Wilderness Safaris Rwanda operations since 2018, including the launch of Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park, the opening of Bisate Kwanda (the independent day lounge at Bisate Lodge) and the reforestation and chimpanzee habituation project in Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rob Baas remains highly energised by his journey in Rwanda.
In addition to overseeing all current and future development for Wilderness Safaris Rwanda, Rob’s passion for sustainability will continue to drive the company’s contribution to biodiversity in the region, ensuring that all operations have the lightest environmental impact possible through its Environmental Management Systems (EMS) programme. Rob will also continue to run the successful reforestation programme at Bisate, which is supplied by the propagation in the on-site nursery of more than 100 000 indigenous tree saplings per annum, with an estimated 65 000 trees having already been planted and established.
Rob grew up in the Netherlands and studied in Amsterdam, where he met his wife, Ingrid. Rob studied Business Economics, and after completing his studies, the travel bug bit and his love for experiencing new and interesting cultures and untouched nature began. His travels with Ingrid took the couple to memorable destinations all over the world as the urge for adventure and the desire to live abroad grew.
In 2006, after travelling through Zambia for a month and falling in love with the country, the couple decided to leave the comfort of their jobs and home in the Netherlands in search of a life in nature, among different cultures. Their hospitality careers thus began in South Luangwa National Park, followed by almost seven years with Wilderness Safaris in Kafue National Park; here they started out as relief managers but were soon promoted to camp management. From then on, they quickly developed into General Managers, Concession Managers and later on Area Manager and Service Manager.
In 2014 Rob and Ingrid made the move to Namibia, spending three years with Namib Sky Balloon Safaris in Sossusvlei. They took on the day-to-day management of Namib Sky, where Rob also piloted a hot air balloon. During that time, they worked closely with Wilderness Safaris’ Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala.
As Wilderness Safaris Rwanda MD, Rob is dedicated to growing the company’s successes in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
“Ingrid and I are extremely proud of our team and what we have achieved over the last several years. We are on an exciting journey to develop a magical itinerary that includes a safari experience, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. Currently Bisate Lodge, Bisate Kwanda, and Magashi Camp are operational, and our exciting project in Gishwati Forest is making good progress. It is fascinating to experience how Rwanda is evolving, and it is truly an honour to be part of the remarkable revival of this beautiful country”, Rob notes.
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