WILDERNESS BISATE ASSISTANT MANAGER

JEAN PIERRE KWIZERA

Jean Pierre, fondly known as JP, joined the Wilderness family in 2017. JP seamlessly embodies the spirit of Wilderness, his commitment extending far beyond his role. JP’s unwavering ethos and passion for community development and our wild areas, shine within the company, and far beyond.

JP’s youth was spent in a village near Wilderness Bisate. He studied accountancy and received a government scholarship to attend the University of Rwanda, where he graduated in 2015 with a degree in Business Administration. In 2016, his career started as an accountant for one of the local Irish potato co-operative famers.

JP’s Wilderness journey began in 2017 when he was offered a security position at Wilderness Bisate. This is where he says he fell in love with the hospitality industry, and proceeded to accept all training opportunities that came his way. Eager to learn, he was promoted to the Housekeeping department in 2018. With his local village knowledge, and under the guidance of Aline Umutoni, Wilderness Rwanda CITW and Community Co-ordinator, JP was given the opportunity to guide guests on the Bisate village community walk. As a result of this, he was promoted to Bisate Nature Trail and Village Guide in 2019, affording him the opportunity to work alongside the lodge managers and build his confidence in guest relations. “This position is a highlight in my Wilderness career, as I was able to improve my English interacting with guests from around the world”, noted JP.

Through hard work and dedication, JP became the Bisate Trainee Manager in 2021, and shortly after, he was promoted to Bisate Assistant Manager in 2023.

JP is focused on growing with the company and honing his managerial skills. He dreams of becoming General Manager one day. Reflecting on his career path so far, JP emphasises, “Wilderness is a great company that has changed my life. I have enjoyed every single day since I started at Bisate. The managers are great at motivating the team, making sure we communicate effectively, and ensuring all staff members are happy and empowered. I appreciate the financial stability my family and I have, thanks to this amazing job at Wilderness”.