Recommended: 18 Nights
Kenya • Tarangire National Park • Ngorongoro Crater • Serengeti • Rwanda
Unbelievable exploration opportunities abound in every part of this spectacular region. East Africa is the envy of the safari world with its breadth of geographical magnificence and cultural diversity.
There’s so much to see – from gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to rhino and elephant sanctuaries, and a view of Kilimanjaro from a Kenyan safari.
With vast wilderness areas that teem with big game, interesting cultures and some of the most iconic landscapes on the planet, East Africa offers a safari experience like nowhere else. Here is where you will see on this sample itinerary:
Tanzania / The Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater / Tarangire National Park / Lake Manyara / Olduvai Gorge / Mount Kilimanjaro / Rwanda / Mountain / Gorillas in their Natural Habitat / Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda / Golden Monkey Trekking / Chimpanzee Trekking / Kenya / Amboseli National Park / Sheldrick / Giraffe Manor /Rich Ancient Tanzanian, Rwandan & Kenyan Culture
*See sample itinerary below. We can tailor the experience to your preferences and duration. Let us plan the perfect luxurious Migration tour for you. Your unforgettable adventure awaits!
We will meet you at the airport and whisk you away to another place in time at the garden oasis of Hemingways, Nairobi. When you walk through the large doors you are welcomed into the kind of space where Hemingway himself could have felt at home. A tropical paradise, the lovely bar and restaurant areas spill out onto the generous veranda where hours can be spent enjoying time preparing for safari. The food is fresh and delicious. Each of their suites is named after a famous person or place associated with Kenya, travel, writing and exploring and the romance-travel theme of the property sweeps you along with it.
Two can’t miss stops in Nairobi for all animal lovers are the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre. Each of these is about a 15-minute drive from Hemingways.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) elephant orphanage & sanctuary – the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. You can watch the babies be fed and adopt your own orphan with an annual donation!
The Giraffe Centre is a sanctuary for giraffes where you can feed them food pellets right from your hand! You can’t leave without getting a kiss!
Amboseli is known for its magnificent elephants—a population of over 1,000 elephants reside in the park’s eco-system that features some of the largest in Africa. Tortilis Camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. This is where you will get the best view of the mountain from either Kenya or Tanzania.
Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland. Located in a private conservancy bordering the national park, game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals take place both inside the national park and in the conservancy, where guests enjoy exclusivity.
Tortilis Camp was one of the first eco-lodges of its size and is very proudly 100% solar. Guests can rest assured they are leaving a minimal footprint during their stay.
As you journey back across the park, you’ll soon find yourself at the international border crossing into Tanzania. Notice the shift from Kenya’s urban energy to Tanzania’s tranquil landscapes. Swahili, the primary language of both nations, is commonly spoken across the border, illustrating the cultural continuity. The pace of life transitions from Nairobi’s hustle to Arusha’s relaxed rhythm.
Throughout the day, marvel at views of Mt. Kilimanjaro from various angles and see Mt. Meru in the distance, our next destination. We are heading to the slopes of Mt. Meru, nestled in one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations. Here lies Elewana Coffee Lodge, a serene retreat perfect for relaxing and preparing for the next part of your Tanzanian safari adventure.
We will leave early on our first full day from Arusha to drive to Tarangire National Park. This park has a wide variety of animals but is most famous for its density of elephants and baobab trees. This is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa with several herds of up to 300 members per herd.
In addition, there are large numbers of impalas, elands, buffaloes, giraffes, Bohor reedbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, Thompson’s gazelle, the greater and lesser kudu and on rare occasions, the unusual gerenuk and fringe-eared Oryx are also seen. A few black rhinos are also thought to be still present in this park. You will obviously see big numbers of elephants gather here as well as the wildebeests and zebras. Among the other common animals in the Tarangire are the leopards, lions, hyenas, and cheetah that seem to be popular within the southern open areas. The birds within the Tarangire are also quite many, there are over 545 species that have been identified here. The stunning yellow collared lovebirds and the shy starlings are in plenty here in addition to other species.
Here, we have the opportunity to experience a walking safari if wanted. The intimate feeling of being on foot is incredibly exciting.
Right in the middle of this fantastic park. tucked into a grove of secluded riverside bush, this lodge is so much at one with the wild that animals hardly look up as they pass. Elephants often walk through camp and the lions’ roar can be heard. The views out over the wilds of Tarangire National Park are magical – especially at sunset.
Surrounding the ancient volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, this region is rich with unique wildlife habitats. This will also be a great opportunity to visit local tribes to experience ancient traditions still being practiced today.
Our first day will be exploring inside the caldera with the possibility of seeing black rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, lions, gazelles, hyenas, flamingos, grey crowned cranes and many other species. This unique habitat is unlike any in Africa and has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A well-groomed network of roads crisscrosses the caldera allowing us to explore the multiple habitats inside the crater.
Day 2 we will focus on the rich cultural sites located in the region. Our morning will be spent with the Hadzabe tribe where we will have the opportunity to get an inside look at one of Africa’s last remaining nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes. Our focus will be education of a disappearing way of life, intimate tribal portrait photography and the possibility of experiencing a hunt. After lunch we will visit another tribe famous for jewelry making and crafts, the Datoga.
Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge is located in Ngorongoro Crater, a breathtaking 8,000m² natural oasis due to its stunning biodiversity, with more than 20,000 herbivorous mammals and a significant concentration of major predators. Ngorongoro Lodge is part of a unique collection of lodges in the so-called “crater highlands” area in the Arusha region in northern Tanzania, 180 km from the city of Arusha, with access to Kilimanjaro Airport and Lake Manyara.
Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, the Northern Serengeti is a vast, rolling savannah, known as the hub of the great migration. This landscape is interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands, offering views of wildlife along the Mara River, where a million wildebeest migrate, dodging predators. Common sightings include buffalo, zebra, gazelles, and predators like lions and leopards. Bird watching, hot air ballooning, and game safaris enhance the visitor experience.
Lamai Serengeti is strategically positioned to observe this spectacle. From the Kogakuria Kopje, guests have a panoramic view over the plains, watching over a million wildebeest traverse below, navigating the perilous Mara River, making it an exceptional location for witnessing this dramatic natural event.
Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 m above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options. It also offers a collection of restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous shops.
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali is just 5 km from the bustling city center and Kigali International Airport (KGL). The hotel is in an office park that features Kigali Convention Centre with room for up to 5,000 delegates. It’s within 2 km of several government embassies, the British High Commission, the Parliament and the Supreme Court. The hotel’s plush 292 rooms and suites pamper guests with amenities that include private balconies and free high-speed, wireless Internet. Two on-site restaurants, including one with all-day dining, serve up continental and Rwandan favorites as well as the Super Breakfast Buffet. For a lighter fare or a relaxing nightcap, visit the Lounge Bar.
We’ll get settled into The Bishop’s House and prepare for our gorilla and golden monkey trekking adventures. The name of this very charming property comes from its history as actual home for an area Bishop many years ago. It retains the feeling of a colonial outpost with spacious, well-appointed rooms – each one different with its own character. Spend some time at the pool as you prepare for the climb.
Here, you will be getting up close and personal with a family of gorillas on lush green hills. Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat.
The Singita Kwitonda Lodge, about a 2-hour drive away from the city, has breathtaking views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes and is surrounded by high-altitude forests. With its exceptional natural beauty, environmentally conscious luxury and transformative, purpose-driven experiences, the lodge was designed in response to this remarkable location, and the eight contemporary suites (as well as the private four-bedroom villa – Kataza House) are linked by volcanic rock pathways to the central lodge. The interiors emphasize local design and handcard details adorn the carefully planned spaces. Layered textures and colors enhance the reflective quality of this tranquil haven and an experimental enclave offers free-flowing indoor and outdoor areas. A convivial fire pit, interactive kitchen, bar-deli and wine cellar complete the picture.
Day 19 begins as you depart from the serene embrace of Singita Kwitonda Lodge, nestled among the high-altitude forests and volcanic beauty of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains. After unforgettable encounters with the rare mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, where guests are privileged to observe these majestic creatures within their natural habitat, you will journey back to the vibrant city of Kigali. Settling in for the night at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre.
On your final day, as you prepare to leave from Kigali, reminisce about the enchanting encounters with the mountain gorillas and the serene beauty of the Virunga Mountains. Reflect on your stay at Singita Kwitonda Lodge, nestled amidst lush high-altitude forests and volcanic landscapes, offering you a tranquil retreat. Carry these precious memories of Rwanda’s natural wonders with you, treasuring them for years to come.
