Our co-founders, Adrien Niyobuhungiro and Sammy Tuyishime, started Beyond the Hills Tours in July 2019, after returning from a life-changing trip in Canada. But the story of Beyond the Hills Tours spans more than just two-continents –– it reaches back across decades and languages, rooted in long-lost friendship and a joyful reunion.

Over twenty-four years ago, Canadian soldier, Sammy Sampson, and five of his colleagues were stationed in Gisenyi, Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Called by their friend, Mrs. Rosamond Carr, on a peacekeeping mission, the soldiers visited the Imbabazi Orphanage in Gisenyi where they met our co-founder, Sammy Tuyishime who was then four years old and one of the longest residents at the orphanage. When Tuyishime and Sampson met, they became fast friends. Every time Sampson and his colleagues came to the orphanage, Tuyishime would cling to his leg, demanding Sampson play with him. At the time, Tuyishime had no known name. But Mrs. Carr, noticing their friendship, named him after Sampson. Our co-founder has used the name Sammy Tuyishime ever since.

Unfortunately, the Sammys lost touch with each other after the mission. But fast forward 24 years later to 2018, an unexpected message popped into Tuyishime’s Facebook inbox. Susie Kingsley, Sampson’s girlfriend, determined to help him reconnect with his Rwandan past, had found Tuyishime online. After a few messages, Sampson asked Tuyishime to tell the story of his name. It was indeed the real Sammy! Their messages moved to skype and the next thing Tuyishime knew, Sampson invited him to visit in Canada. So Tuyishime and his friend, Beyond the Hills co-founder, Adrien Niyobuhungiro, embarked on the longest plane ride of their lives.

Beyond the Hills Tours provides visitors with exploration trips to some of Rwanda’s most attractive locations. The service Beyond the Hills Tours offers ranges from a safari in Akagera National Park, trekking with gorillas or a hike in the Volcanoes National Park, a trail walk in Nyungwe forest, a visit to the King’s Palace and many more. Beyond the Hills Tours will create an itinerary for you, provide you with a guide, a car with a driver or for rent etc. Depending on time, guests also get a specialized tour to the original location of the Imbabazi Orphanage where the Sammys first met, guided by our very own Sammy Tuyishime and Adrien Niyobuhungiro. We hope you will choose to explore Rwanda with us!