✨ Luxury Retreats
Gorillas, golden monkeys, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire
Day 1
Your East African adventure begins at Kigali International Airport. You will be warmly welcomed by your private guide and transferred comfortably to your hand-picked lodge/hotel in Kigali. The remainder of the day is intentionally relaxed. After your international journey, take time to settle in, enjoy the surroundings and prepare for the experiences ahead. Kigali offers a wonderful introduction to Rwanda — clean, green, welcoming and surrounded by rolling hills.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel in Kigali
Meals: Dinner
The journey begins slowly. Rather than filling your first day with activities, you have time to recover from your flight and begin the adventure refreshed.
Day 2
After breakfast, begin your Kigali city experience. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important place of remembrance and education dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Your guide will help provide context to Rwanda's history and its remarkable journey of reconciliation, rebuilding and transformation.
Continue your Kigali city tour before departing towards northern Rwanda. The road takes you through spectacular countryside, with rolling green hills, cultivated landscapes and rural communities. As you approach Musanze, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes begin to rise above the horizon. Arrive at your hand-picked lodge/hotel near Volcanoes National Park and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
From Rwanda's history to its natural heritage. This day connects the country's past with the extraordinary landscapes that make Rwanda one of Africa's most fascinating destinations.
Day 3
Today is the emotional heart of the Rwandan experience. After an early breakfast, travel to the park headquarters for your mountain gorilla trek. Enter the ancient forest of Volcanoes National Park with your guide and trackers in search of an assigned gorilla family. The trek itself is part of the experience. When you encounter the gorillas, observe their family relationships, feeding behaviour, interactions and the playful curiosity of younger members.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and time to rest. Later, explore the Dian Fossey exhibition and continue to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an important centre for conservation, education and research.
Overnight: Same hand-picked lodge/hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This is more than wildlife viewing. It is an encounter with one of the world's most remarkable species and an opportunity to understand the conservation work that protects them.
Day 4
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for your second primate experience. Enter the bamboo forest in search of Rwanda's endangered golden monkeys. After the trek, enjoy lunch before beginning your journey back towards Kigali. Continue to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Tanzania. Upon arrival in Tanzania, you will be met and privately transferred to your hand-picked lodge/hotel in Arusha.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Within a single journey, you move from misty volcanic forests to the great savannahs of Tanzania.
Day 5
After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your scenic flight to Seronera. Flying into the Serengeti saves valuable time and places you directly in the heart of one of Africa's greatest wildlife ecosystems. Upon arrival, meet your private safari guide and begin your first game drive. Explore the central Serengeti in search of lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes,
zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs and, with luck, the elusive leopard.
Overnight: Hand-picked safari lodge/camp in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Today belongs entirely to the Serengeti. Wake early for an optional sunrise game drive, return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast or lunch, then head out again for an afternoon game drive. Because you are staying a second night, there is no need to spend the day watching the clock. Your guide can follow interesting wildlife behaviour and spend longer with exceptional sightings. Depending on your travel dates, you may encounter different stages of the Great Migration.
Overnight: Same hand-picked safari lodge/camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You don't simply pass through the Serengeti. You stay in it. This creates a slower and more immersive safari experience.
Day 7
After breakfast, enjoy a final Serengeti game drive as you travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The landscape gradually changes from open savannah to the lush volcanic highlands. Along the way, enjoy a respectful cultural visit to a Maasai community. Learn about traditional Maasai life, pastoralism, customs and the community's relationship with the land. Continue to your hand-picked lodge/hotel near Ngorongoro.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel near Ngorongoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8
Rise early and descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Explore the crater floor with your private guide, looking for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and, with luck, black rhinoceros. After your crater experience, continue towards Tarangire, arriving at your hand-picked lodge/hotel with time to relax.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel in/near Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Ngorongoro offers volcanic walls and concentrated wildlife; Tarangire offers ancient baobabs, woodland and elephant country.
Day 9
Enjoy a relaxed morning game drive in Tarangire National Park. The park is particularly famous for its elephants, often seen moving through woodland and gathering around seasonal water sources. Look for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, antelope and an impressive variety of birdlife. After your safari, continue to Arusha and arrive at your
hand-picked lodge/hotel for a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Tarangire becomes an experience rather than a quick stop. You can take your time enjoying the elephants, landscapes and photography.
Day 10
After several days of trekking and game drives, today provides valuable breathing space. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take time to relax at your hand-picked lodge/hotel. Optional activities can include an Arusha coffee experience, local cultural experience, craft shopping, art and gallery visits, relaxed city exploration or a private culinary experience.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge/hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast
Because luxury travel should not feel like a race. This pause gives you time to recover, reflect on the safari and enjoy Arusha before continuing home or extending to Zanzibar.
Day 11
Enjoy your final breakfast in Tanzania. Depending on your departure time, enjoy some free time in Arusha before your private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Your Rwanda and Tanzania safari ends here — unless you choose to continue to Zanzibar.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hand-picked beach hotel. The remainder of the day is completely relaxed. Enjoy the beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, relax by the pool or simply watch the sunset.
Overnight: Hand-picked beach hotel in Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 13
Wake to the sound of the Indian Ocean. Today is yours. Enjoy the beach and resort facilities, or choose optional experiences such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sunset dhow cruise, spice experience, local village visit or private island excursion.
Overnight: Same hand-picked beach hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Choose between another full day of relaxation or an optional cultural experience. Explore historic Stone Town, discover Zanzibar's Swahili heritage and experience the island's famous spice culture. Alternatively, spend another peaceful day by the ocean.
Overnight: Same hand-picked beach hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Enjoy your final breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final morning on the beach before your private transfer to Zanzibar International Airport. Your East African journey comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
| Day | Experience | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Kigali & relax | Hand-picked lodge/hotel, Kigali |
| 2 | Kigali City Tour & Genocide Memorial → Volcanoes NP | Hand-picked lodge/hotel |
| 3 | Mountain Gorilla Trek + Dian Fossey + Ellen Campus | Same lodge/hotel |
| 4 | Golden Monkey Trek → Flight to Tanzania | Hand-picked lodge/hotel, Arusha |
| 5 | Arusha → Serengeti by flight + game drive | Hand-picked safari lodge/camp |
| 6 | Full-day Serengeti safari | Same lodge/camp |
| 7 | Serengeti → Ngorongoro | Hand-picked lodge/hotel |
| 8 | Ngorongoro Crater → Tarangire | Hand-picked lodge/hotel |
| 9 | Full Tarangire safari → Arusha | Hand-picked lodge/hotel |
| 10 | Relaxed Arusha day | Hand-picked lodge/hotel |
| 11 | Arusha → Kilimanjaro Airport / onward journey | — |
From Savannah to the Indian Ocean 4 Days / 3 Nights
After the intensity and excitement of gorilla trekking and safari, Zanzibar provides the perfect final chapter. Trade the savannah for turquoise water, white-sand beaches and Swahili culture. The extension is deliberately slow and relaxing.
This journey connects Rwanda's mountain forests with Tanzania's legendary savannah and finally Zanzibar's Indian Ocean coastline.
The Serengeti is the centrepiece of the Tanzania safari. Two nights give you time to experience the park properly rather than simply passing through.
Few wildlife journeys can combine mountain gorillas and golden monkeys with the Big Five safari experience of Tanzania.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, Dian Fossey story and Ellen DeGeneres Campus provide meaningful insight into Rwanda's history and conservation efforts.
The greatest luxury is having time — time to stay two nights in the Serengeti, enjoy Tarangire, relax in Arusha and, if you choose Zanzibar, slow down beside the Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar provides the perfect emotional ending: Adventure → Wildlife → Discovery → Relaxation.
Gorilla trekking can involve steep, muddy and uneven terrain. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
The duration of the trek depends on where the gorilla family is located on the day.
Rwanda's mountain forests can be cool and wet. Tanzania can have significant temperature differences between early mornings and afternoons.
Some safari tracks can be rough. This is part of travelling through genuine wilderness.
Soft-sided luggage is recommended and baggage restrictions may apply on safari flights.
Wild animals move freely, so specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The location of the migration changes throughout the year. Your experience will depend on your travel dates.
Cultural experiences are conducted with respect for local communities and traditions. Zanzibar
The beach extension is intentionally flexible. Activities can be added according to your interests rather than making every day compulsory.
Final inclusions, permits, flights and accommodation category are confirmed according to travel dates and the selected package.
11-Day Luxury Rwanda & Tanzania Safari Rwanda + Tanzania
For travellers who want the complete wildlife and cultural experience.
15-Day Ultimate East Africa Escape Rwanda + Tanzania + Zanzibar
For travellers who want to combine Gorillas + Golden Monkeys + Big Five + Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Tarangire + Indian Ocean Beaches.
One Journey. Three Worlds. Countless Memories.
Come for the gorillas. Stay for the safari. Finish by the ocean.
Experience East Africa at its most extraordinary — beautifully paced, deeply personal and designed around you.
