Tanzania & Rwanda in Style

Set out on a hot air balloon ride and float gracefully above the treetops of the Serengeti as you watch the sunrise.

This afternoon you may choose to interact with the vibrant local community at the Singita Environmental Education Centre. This project aims to to form connections among the youth of neighboring villages, and imbue them with a love and understanding of the vast Serengeti ecosystem that is their home. It engages the children through education on the rationale behind protected areas and on general, local and global environmental issues. You can also relax at the lodge and explore new areas of this massive private reserve with your knowledgeable ranger.

Experience the sights and sounds of the Serengeti as you venture out with your expert guide. You are fully immersed in the experience from your perch aboard an open safari vehicle. You may revisit an active leopard den and catch a glimpse of the new arrivals, or check on the progress of a sleepy pride of lions as they navigate their territory. The bush is always full of surprises.

Fly to Kigali, Rwanda’s bustling capital city. Located in the very center of the country, Kigali is a clean, modern city built across hills and valleys. There is a burgeoning art and fine dining food scene, with renowned chefs making a name for themselves. Much of the world’s best coffee is produced in this area, and Kigali is famous for its café culture. Enjoy a coffee master class, visit one of the many vibrant markets, or pay your respects to Rwanda’s troubled past at the Genocide Memorial.

Set off with your private driver for a scenic drive through the rolling green hills of Rwanda, passing tea and coffee plantations and glimpsing local life along the road.

Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest in Africa, receiving its first protections in 1925. Framed by the stunning backdrop the Rwenzori Mountain Range and five of the eight Virunga volcanoes, entering this park feels like going back in time. This park was also famously the base of American naturalist Dian Fossey from 1967, as she conducted vital research on the gorillas of the region. She is widely credited with saving species from extinction by shining a light on their plight at the time, making this park a true conservation success story.

While the park is known for its resident mountain gorillas, plenty of other mammals reside here too, including the golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bush buck. There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.

Wake to uninterrupted views of the misty volcanoes and enjoy breakfast before setting off for your trek to meet the mountain gorillas. Sitting with these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, watching them interact, is truly an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Trek through the thick forest terrain with your expert guides to seek out a specific gorilla group. The length of your trek will vary, depending on which gorilla family group you visit. Once your gorilla group is located, you will spend about an hour with them, observing these gentle creatures as they go about their daily lives.

Travel back to Kigali, either by road or by a short helicopter ride, and connect with your flight home or onward to your next destination. If you have a long layover we are happy to arrange for touring in the city with a private local guide, or a day room where you can relax and freshen up before your flight.