Rwanda • Ngorongoro Crater • Serengeti • Arusha
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 the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the Maasai and Big 5 in Ngorongoro Crater. With vast wilderness areas that teem with incredible wildlife, unbelievable cultures and some of the most iconic landscapes on the planet, Rwanda and Tanzania offer a safari experience like nowhere else.
We’ve assembled a sample itinerary below – but we can tailor the experience to your preferences and duration. Let us plan the perfect gorilla trekking and luxurious migration tour for you. Your unforgettable adventure awaits!
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. Also trek the Golden Monkeys and Chimpanzees.
The Singita Kwitonda Lodge, about a 3-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.
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.
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.
We will be on 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.
