An African Wildlife Odyssey
The ultimate itinerary of Africa's best wildlife, physical wonders, sights and experiences
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
What's included
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All internal and regional flights
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All private ground transfers
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Fully inclusive safaris throughout, including all meals, activities and selected drinks
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Two gorilla trekking permits
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Private tour of Victoria falls
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Private tour of Cape Town and the Peninsula
At a glance
This epic tour spans the length and breadth of Africa, taking you to some of its best locations for some of its most awesome wildlife and physical experiences.
You’ll get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, track game in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park, experience the majesty of Victoria Falls and witness the raw power of Africa’s biggest predators in the Okavango Delta. Once you’ve had enough thrills and adventure for a lifetime, you’ll end your trip in what is arguably Africa’s greatest city, Cape Town, for some urban relaxation and cultural highlights before you head home with a more comprehensive and privileged understanding of this vast continent.
We’ve handpicked each part of this trip to ensure that each moment goes as smoothly as possible, from the chartered flights to the private transfers into the heart of the bush and jungle.
Example trip itinerary
Volcanoes National Park
Transfer
Meet and greet at Kigali Airport
Transfer
Private transfer to your lodge in Volcanoes National Park
Lodges and Camps in Volcanoes National Park
- 8 guest cottages
- Main lodge with restaurant, bar & lounge
- In-room massage
- WiFi (in main lodge only)
- Gift Shop, Library
Seated in the foothills of the Virunga mountains there are three things to look forward to when staying at the Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: breath-taking views from every angle, warm and helpful staff, and seeing the captivating mountain gorillas in their wild natural habitat on your daily treks.
The eight spacious standalone cottages are decorated in a homely style and their seclusion really adds to the ample and individual privacy here. On the other hand the big fireplaces, appealing lounges, library, dining area and curio shop of the main lodge give the whole property a warm and convivial personality, and where guests can relax and talk excitedly over the exploits of their day.
Again, the staff do their utmost to assist you in whatever way they can and the food served at Sabyinyo is delicious and surprisingly elegant for its far-flung setting. On the whole Sabyinyo is a fantastically sophisticated and friendly base to explore this very poignant part of Africa.
- Six forest villas
- Dining area and bar
- Spa
- Tree nursery
- Gorilla treks
- Forest hikes and village walks
- Golden monkey treks
- Tree planting
- Visit Dian Fossey's research camp
Utterly unique in its design, six sumptuous forest villas are luxurious while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of the surrounding country. Each has a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, heated by a central fireplace and a private deck looking out to Mount Bisoke.
The spherical stone and thatch architecture, said to be inspired by the Royal Palace of traditional monarchs, continues through to the communal areas such as the dining room, bar and spa, detailed with a variety of woven materials, local crafts and more modern touches.
Wilderness Bisate is a short drive to the national park’s headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily, and you can also embark upon forest hikes to see rare Golden Monkeys and other wildlife. Visit the site of Dian Fossey’s research camp and grave, meet the community on guided village walks, plant a tree as part of the Wilderness Bisate’s reforestation project or perhaps tag along with the chef to the local market to buy ingredients for dinner.
- 8 stone cottages
- Restaurant
- Bar & lounge
- Gorilla trekking and tracking
- Dian Fossey hike
- Golden Monkey tracking
- Climb Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes
- Cultural visits
- Walk to Lake Bulera
- Hike the Crater View Trail
- Visit Lake Kivu
The lodge sits atop a 2,300-metre hilltop with panoramas of the ‘twin lakes’ of Ruhondo and Bulera and the string of Virunga volcanoes laid out in front of you.
Eight ‘naturally’ stylish banda cottages (4 double, 4 twin) are set out in this property’s beautiful terraced gardens, affording each a share of the superb views and a good helping of privacy too. En suite bathrooms and running solar hot water allow you to enjoy luxurious comfort with always a minimal environmental impact too. Paved pathways converge on the property’s main lodge for dining, massages, the curio shop, bar and lounge, and all with stunning views.
Apart from the truly personable level of luxury and staff hospitality here at Virunga the lodge also excels in a wonderfully diverse and extensive menu of daily activities and local cultural excursions.
- Eight suites
- Four-bedroom villa
- Main lodge
The much anticipated Kwitonda Lodge opened in August 2019, and is Singita’s first foray into Rwanda, bringing with it their celebrated philosophy of sustainable luxury.
Located in a prized 178-acre parcel of lush meadows and wetlands right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park with magnificent views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes, there are eight suites and a four-bedroom villa, Kataza House. Architects and interior designers are selecting locally sourced and produced materials while the local community has been engaged in building using traditional techniques. A light footprint is central to the project, embodying the gentleness and humility of the great silverback from which the lodge takes its name. Singita has a long-term approach to conservation, and part of the plan is to plant thousands of trees around the lodge.
As well as treks into the park to spend time with the gorillas, for which the Kwitonda Lodge is ideally located, you will be able explore the montane forests of Nyungwe National Park, see the rare Golden Monkey and visit the local community. Guests will also have the chance to expand the gorillas’ habitat by helping out with the lodge’s tree planting and habitat restoration project. And, with Tanzania’s Serengeti just a short hop across Lake Victoria to the east, Kwitonda Lodge brings the opportunity for a ‘Singita only’ safari experience combining gorillas and the astounding Grumeti Reserve.
- Chimpanzee treks
- Mountain biking
- Cultural experiences
- Yoga
- Spa and fitness centre
- 22 rooms and suites
- Tea lounge, bar and restaurant
Low and wide amid the leaves of its very own tea plantation surrounded by ancient rainforest, Nyungwe House’s modern architecture is a wonderful contrast to its verdant setting.
There are 22 rooms and suites split between six wooden villas, with vast windows and private decks opening up into the forest. There are open fireplaces in each and every room and suite, with interiors and artwork inspired by the nature and traditions of Rwanda.
The main lodge building is home to lounge areas, bar and dining space where you can enjoy sun-rise breakfast (or, for late risers, all day à la carte brunches in your room) and mouth-watering, organic, garden-to-plate menus at dinner, with lunches usually enjoyed while out exploring.
Nyungwe Forest, an ancient place of majestic mahoganies, giant ferns and delicate orchids, is renowned for its wide diversity of animal species and the lodge has a variety of treks available for those wishing to see chimpanzees, white colobus, grey-cheeked, golden and rare Mangabey monkeys. You can also take to the heights of the nearby canopy walk, ride mountain bikes, take a day trip to the waters of Lake Kivu or immerse yourself in the local culture on a range of tailored experiences that will give you an insight into crafts, cuisine and more.
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Three nights in Volcanoes National Park
Spend your days here in the magnificent Volcanoes National Park tracking the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas with expert guides and trackers. In Rwanda there are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park, with a maximum of 8 tracking permits per group per day. Other activities to enjoy whilst in this magical terrain are; trekking to volcano craters, tracking golden monkeys, cultural tours and the Dian Fossey Hike. Speak to your travel designer about how you wish to spend your time here.
Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy close personal encounters with Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The forested slopes of the Virunga massif – a chain of ancient volcanoes – are home to over half the world’s 880 remaining gorillas. There are, in total, 10 habituated groups available for tracking by tourists in Volcanoes National Park, and each morning eight permit holders are allocated one group.
You will hike to the spot where your gorilla family was last seen the previous day. All tracker guides are experienced in looking for signs of the gorillas’ location, for example, footprints, dung, chewed bamboo and celery stalks, as well as nightly abandoned nests.
Once the gorillas are located, probably smelling them before seeing them, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the family. You are likely to reach their location during their long midday rest and play period. At this time of day, the dominant male (usually a silverback) generally lounges on the ground or against a tree while youngsters roll in the vegetation and climb on trees, vines, and each other. Females nurse and play with their infants. It is entirely possible that you will find the gorillas quite quickly and be back at your hotel for lunch; or you could face a three or four hour hike (sometimes even longer) each way.
Transfer
Private transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali Airport
Flight
Flight from Kigali to Nairobi
Transfer
Private transfer from Nairobi airport to Wilson airport
Flight
Light aircraft flight from Wilson to the Mara
Maasai Mara
Transfer
Transfer to your lodge in the Maasai Mara
Lodges and Camps in Maasai Mara
- Nine tents
- Morning and afternoon game drives
The interiors are spacious with comfortable beds and each tent enjoys river views from the veranda. The rear of the tent leads to a tented bathroom with a flush toilet, a sink and a safari shower.
A team of safari chefs prepare fresh and tasty home-style meals for guests during their stay. Meals are enjoyed out on game drives, by the water’s edge under the shade of an African Pepper tree or by candlelight in the open mess tent higher up the bank.
The area plays host not only to an extraordinary concentration and diversity of wildlife but also to one of mother nature’s greatest spectacles: the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra across the Serengeti/Mara eco system. Even when the migration is not here, there is plenty of resident game to ensure that even in low season it is still one of the finest wildlife locations in Africa.
Rekero’s bush guides are widely recognised to be among the best in East Africa. They undergo a long period of professional training beyond the learning of guiding skills to fully understand the complexity and demands of delivering quality service at the very highest level. Game drives in the park are all done in the company of these experts who can also share their culture in this extraordinary setting.
- 8 Luxury safari tents
Private. Absolutely yours. Right on the river. This superb camp offers you the chance to be completely and entirely alone on the bend of the river that attracts some phenomenal game.
For a minimum of four guests up to 16, you will be looked after by the best guides and trackers to make the most of your experience here in this famous Kenyan reserve. Listen to the sounds of the bush from your canvas tents and wait for the game to come to you. Your hosts will give you their undivided attention and the dining experiences are superb.
With access to the big five on your doorstep, you can enjoy three game drives a day to maximise your viewing opportunities. Even if you stay here when the migration are down in Tanzania, you will still have a huge host of excellent game to see including the big five.
If you feel like the vehicles and drives are a bit much, you could always opt to do a guided bush walk instead and see the smaller details of the African bush than can often get overlooked while sitting perched up high on a cruise. See the tracks of the beasts who roam this wilderness and feel humbled by the experience.
- Morning, afternoon and night game drives
- Visit to Maasai homesteads
- Traditional craft making with local Maasai women
- In-room massage on request
- Swimming pool
- Fitness centre
- Two libraries
- African art gallery
- Private indoor/outdoor dining options
- Two camps of 15 tented suites each (interconnected family tents also available)
Towering high on the Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment with direct and private access to the Mara Triangle, this lodge’s name was inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. It’s not only its location that makes it stand out, but also its commitment to education, health and conservation in the region.
Each of the 30 luxury tented suites echo the traditional Maasai culture with splashes of red and tartan print throughout, coupled with minimalist design, so as not to disrupt the dramatic, 180° panoramic views. Soak up your surroundings with provided binoculars from the comfort of your own room, equipped with 10 metre wide, floor-to-ceiling glass windows or on the private wooden decks that hang above the Mara below.
The Pavilion, which sits between the two campsites, is the perfect place to unwind after a day on safari. Catch the sun setting over the reserve with a drink at the cosy pit fire. Other luxury amenities include a fitness centre, swimming pool and art studio where you can meet local Maasai women, and watch their talented craft-making.
Angama Mara also includes Angama Safari Camp which operates seasonally, between July and the end of September. This luxury tented camp accommodates eight guests in four stunning ensuite tents (doubles or twins). The exclusive, private camp is positioned in a small forest, south west of the Mara Triangle and with views looking onto the plains and the heart of the mega herds of the Great Migration.
Three nights in the Maasai Mara
Spend your time exploring the world famous Maasai Mara National Reserve with morning and afternoon games drives. During the Migration season you'll also be on the look out for the famous river crossings. The exact activities available will depend on your lodge and our travel designers will help pick the one that suits you best.
Transfer
Transfer from your lodge to the airstrip in the Mara
Flight
Light aircraft flight from the Mara to Wilson Airport
Transfer
Private transfer from Wilson Airport to Nairobi International
Flight
Flight from Nairobi to Livingstone
Victoria Falls
Transfer
Transfer from Livingstone airport to hotel
Three nights in Livingstone
Discover the majestic Victoria Falls during your time in Livingstone - just make sure you've charged the camera.
Boat and Road Transfer from Livingstone Hotel to Kasane Airport
From your Livingstone hotel you will be driven to the boat launch site that will take you across the border. Your driver will meet you and drive you to the immigration office very close to the boat launch site. It is usually a very busy area with lots of locals trying to sell you souvenirs. Take your time; if you want to buy something then you can but if you don't, simply pass them by and say 'no thank you'. They tend to leave you alone once you dismiss them. After you have got your passport stamped (and your visa if you needed to buy one on arrival). The boat journey across the river takes approximately 5 minutes. On the other side of the river you will be met by another driver, who will take you to the immigration office (approximately 40 minutes from the airport) and wait for you to get your 'exit' stamp. This border is very busy but please don't worry! Clients do this all the time. Welcome to Botswana!
Okavango Delta
Flight
Light aircraft flight from Kasane airport to lodge in Okavango
Lodges and Camps in Okavango
- Eight suites with private plunge pools
- Dining room
- Candle-lit boma
- Spacious deck
- Massage sala
Organic and hand-woven, private and intimate, Sandibe is an architecturally unique hideaway deep in the mighty Delta. Dressed in shades of copper and wood, the lodge’s grand and high interiors open out to even grander views, with spacious decks offering a spectacular spot to drink in the resident wildlife.
Emerging among riverside trees in a private concession come the eight elegant suites, each exuding a sense of laid-back luxury. Filled with giant king-sized beds, outdoor showers and sparkling private plunge pools, they provide the perfect comfort after a day of spotting the Big Five on exhilarating game drives.
An alfresco banquet of Pan-African cuisine is then cooked up by expert chefs, while the relaxed but attentive butlers ensure you enjoy an entirely seamless stay.
- Five tented suites
- Private plunge pool
- Gym
- Spa treatments available
- Boutique
- Wine cellar
- Outdoor viewing deck
- Dining room
One of the most unforgettable safari experiences in Botswana, this is the area where Dereck and Beverly Joubert have spent years filming and photographing the amazing lions and buffalo that inhabit this part of the Delta. What makes the lions of this area so special, is their tendency to hunt during the daylight hours for the buffalo, meaning that you have a much greater chance of seeing the hunt (and the kill) in action that in other areas. This makes for dramatic, exciting game viewing when you are lucky enough to witness these amazing creatures in action.
This is a private 77,000 acre private reserve, helping to protect and conserve the amazing wildlife of the area. The lodge itself has just 6 comfortable tents with a maximum of 12 guests. The tents are comfortable and cosy, decorated with brass fittings and period pieces, harking back to the style from the 1920’s. Photos of the Joubert’s work adorn the walls of the lounge and bar area, where guests are encouraged to mingle and exchange stories of the day’s viewing.
- 14 spacious rooms (including two family rooms) split into two seperate camps of seven each.
- Private plunge pools
- Lounge and dining area
- Morning, afternoon and night game drives
- Bush walks
- Mokoro trips
- Boat trips
- Seasonal fishing on catch and release
- Birding
- Cultural visits
Botswana’s mesmerizing Okavango Delta is now brighter than ever with the newly transformed (as of 2022) Vumbura Plains. Nestled in a large private concession of 60,000 hectares in the far north of the Delta, the camp is enveloped in some of the most incredible landscapes, home to some of the best wildlife encounters in the area.
Inside, the camp celebrates its sense of place and culture, with design elements that pay homage to its wonderful setting with patterns, textures and colours bringing nature inside. Rooms at the lodge are amongst the biggest in the delta, all open plan, with a sunken seating area, private shaded deck and swimming pool outside as well as indoor and outdoor showers. There is an amazing sense of space here, in keeping with the wide-open plains that the rooms face onto. The rooms are open on three sides (with netting) giving a feeling of being closer to the nature and wildlife whilst still remaining is absolute comfort.
The local connections continue throughout the camp experience.The menu celebrates seasonal produce sourced directly from local farmers, suppliers and artisans.
Activities here are a mixture of game drives and water activities which will vary according to the level of the water and the time of the year. You will find day and night drives, walks and mekoro (dugout canoes) activities, with hot-air ballooning – from April to September each year – as well as scenic helicopter flights, making Vumbura an exclusive destination for the discerning adventure-seeker.
- Nine spacious tents
- Library
- Plunge pool
- Dining area
- Bar
- Morning and afternoon game drives
One of the most famous camps in all of Africa, Wilderness Mombo rightly deserves its reputation due to its remarkable game viewing experiences coupled with the service and luxury of the camp.
Rebuilt in 2018, the camp is made up of nine spacious and elegantly appointed tents, each built on a raised platform giving fantastic views across the plains. To reduce the environmental impact, most of the original material was used in the rebuild. Set in a thicket of giant mangosteen and fig trees, the eight suites boast sweeping views out over the floodplain which attracts a large number of animals. Each suite has a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, indoor and outdoor shower, plunge pool and wrap-around veranda. Enjoy watching the passing wildlife and panoramic sunsets from your ‘sala’.
Head to the main communal area where you’ll find a small library and a plunge pool to relax in during the afternoons. Enjoy delicious meals in the dining area that overlooks the plains.
The camp is committed to conservation, with much of the power provided by a solar farm and donations made to preservation projects for each guest.
Four days exploring the Okavango Delta
You will spend your days going on day and evening game drives to experience the beauty of the Okavango Delta and the magnificent wildlife that lives here. Your expert guide will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the environment and wildlife as you are privately driven across the Delta. Depending on which lodge you choose to stay at there will be a number of different activities that you can choose from to immerse yourself in this incredibly diverse, natural environment.
Flight
Light aircraft flight from the Okavango to Maun
Flight
Flight from Maun to Johannesburg
Flight
Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town Airport
Cape Town
Transfer
Private transfer from Cape Town airport to Cape Town hotel
Accommodation in Cape Town
- 11 rooms, two suites, two villas
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spa
- Restaurant
- Contemporary art gallery
- Sommelier-led wine tastings
Ellerman House is a class act throughout. It feels very much like your own home but with top class service befitting a five-star hotel. Perched in one of the most spectacular and privileged settings in Cape Town overlooking Bantry Bay, it is the epitome of comfort and class with a relaxed, elegant style. Decoration is colonial, with a nod to the contemporary and recently refurbished to provide thoroughly modern comforts.
Where Ellerman House excels above others is the excellent house staff, who in these grand surrounds create such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Taking a (complimentary) evening cocktail from the lounge and strolling out onto the peaceful gardens overlooking the sea for sunset is the perfect end to a day in Cape Town as one feels both special and relaxing.
There are just 11 rooms, two suites and two private contemporary villas. Communal areas include a spacious lounge, large garden area (with outdoor pool) and a huge spa. There is an open kitchen you are invited to visit, a pantry that you can raid as well as the complimentary evening cocktails.
A particular feature of the property is its private art collection. This is simply outstanding, one of the best in South Africa with works from African masters inside the main building and then, underneath is a contemporary gallery. For anyone interested in art this will add an extra element to their stay.
Guests are also able to book Sleep Rooms at Ellerman House. A concept created by wellness expert Harry Jameson, each of the 13 rooms at the property can be converted into wellness rooms specially designed to optimise both sleep and recovery.
- 14 one-bedroom apartments
- Two two-bedroom apartments
- Wi-fi access
Whether you live in an apartment in a city or a four-bedroom house, More Quarters can give you that ‘home from home’ feel while still being immersed in the cultural centre of Cape Town.
Nestled in a residential suburb away from the main tourist bustle, the Kloof Street area is often referred to as the heart of Cape Town by the locals. Enjoy the privacy and homely feel of your own apartment styled in a rare combination of historic exteriors with classic modern bohemian interiors, with all the conveniences and amenities of a hotel experience staffed by a family of professional, passionate people.
With the ability to safely walk to local restaurants and boutique shops, you really feel as if you are a Cape local and experience the local cosmopolitan lifestyle. All the other amazing opportunities that the Mother City offers are an easy traffic free drive away.
Three nights in Cape Town
Spend your time relaxing and exploring this wonderful city. You have our top recommendations for activities, restaurants and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise your time here with a privately-guided tour, according your interests, we can do so.
Cape Town City & Table Mountain tour
Today you have a half day tour of the city and Table Mountain. Your tour is with a private guide and at your own pace picking out the attractions which interest you. Typically highlights include, the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula (depending on the weather). On the descent, you can stop at the Bo Kaap, traditionally home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses. Note that this tour can be done in the morning or the afternoon - the choice is yours.
The best of the Cape Peninsula, full-day tour
Take one of the most scenic journeys in the world in this wonderful, full-day privately guided tour. Enjoy the scenic drive up Chapman's Peak with incredible views of the ocean to your right as the road winds around narrow corners. The typical highlights of this tour include quaint villages such as Noordhoek, the bustling fishing suburb of Kalk Bay, the penguins in Simonstown and of course Cape Point, the 'tip' of Africa.
Transfer
Private transfer to Cape Town airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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An African Wildlife Odyssey
How we work
This epic tour spans the length and breadth of Africa, taking you to some of its best locations for some of its most awesome wildlife and physical experiences. You’ll get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, track game in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park, experience the majesty of Victoria Falls and witness the raw power of Africa’s biggest predators in the Okavango Delta. Once you’ve had enough thrills and adventure for a lifetime, you’ll end your trip in what is arguably Africa’s greatest city, Cape Town, for some urban relaxation and cultural highlights before you head home with a more comprehensive and privileged understanding of this vast continent. We’ve handpicked each part of this trip to ensure that each moment goes as smoothly as possible, from the chartered flights to the private transfers into the heart of the bush and jungle. | Whats included?
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Days 1-4 |
Volcanoes National Park |
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Flights & transfers
Meet and greet at Kigali Airport |
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| Private transfer to your lodge in Volcanoes National Park | |
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Lodges and Camps in Volcanoes National Park
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Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge - $$$$$
Seated in the foothills of the Virunga mountains there are three things to look forward to...
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Wilderness Bisate Lodge - $$$$$
The spectacular Wilderness Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded...
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Virunga Lodge - $$$$$
Sitting atop a 2,300-metre hilltop with panoramas of the ‘twin lakes’ of Ruhondo and...
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Singita Kwitonda Lodge - $$$$$
The much anticipated Kwitonda Lodge opened in August 2019, and is Singita’s first foray into...
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One&Only Nyungwe House - $$$$$
Low and wide amid the leaves of its very own tea plantation surrounded by ancient rainforest,...
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| Three nights in Volcanoes National Park Spend your days here in the magnificent Volcanoes National Park tracking the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas with expert guides and trackers. In Rwanda there are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park, with a maximum of 8 tracking permits per group per day. Other activities to enjoy whilst in this magical terrain are; trekking to volcano craters, tracking golden monkeys, cultural tours and the Dian Fossey Hike. Speak to your travel designer about how you wish to spend your time here. |
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| Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy close personal encounters with Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The forested slopes of the Virunga massif – a chain of ancient volcanoes – are home to over half the world’s 880 remaining gorillas. There are, in total, 10 habituated groups available for tracking by tourists in Volcanoes National Park, and each morning eight permit holders are allocated one group. You will hike to the spot where your gorilla family was last seen the previous day. All tracker guides are experienced in looking for signs of the gorillas’ location, for example, footprints, dung, chewed bamboo and celery stalks, as well as nightly abandoned nests. Once the gorillas are located, probably smelling them before seeing them, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the family. You are likely to reach their location during their long midday rest and play period. At this time of day, the dominant male (usually a silverback) generally lounges on the ground or against a tree while youngsters roll in the vegetation and climb on trees, vines, and each other. Females nurse and play with their infants. It is entirely possible that you will find the gorillas quite quickly and be back at your hotel for lunch; or you could face a three or four hour hike (sometimes even longer) each way. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali Airport |
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| Flight from Kigali to Nairobi | |
| Private transfer from Nairobi airport to Wilson airport | |
| Light aircraft flight from Wilson to the Mara | |
Days 4-8 |
Maasai Mara |
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Flights & transfers
Transfer to your lodge in the Maasai Mara |
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Lodges and Camps in Maasai Mara
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Rekero Camp - $$$$$
Rekero is a peaceful nine-tent camp that lies in the heart of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, on the...
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Governors’ Private Camp - $$$$$
Private. Absolutely yours. Right on the river. This superb camp offers you the chance to be...
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Angama Mara - $$$$$
Towering high on the Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment with direct and private access to the...
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| Three nights in the Maasai Mara Spend your time exploring the world famous Maasai Mara National Reserve with morning and afternoon games drives. During the Migration season you'll also be on the look out for the famous river crossings. The exact activities available will depend on your lodge and our travel designers will help pick the one that suits you best. |
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Flights & transfers
Transfer from your lodge to the airstrip in the Mara |
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| Light aircraft flight from the Mara to Wilson Airport | |
| Private transfer from Wilson Airport to Nairobi International | |
| Flight from Nairobi to Livingstone | |
Days 8-11 |
Victoria Falls |
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Flights & transfers
Transfer from Livingstone airport to hotel |
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| Three nights in Livingstone Discover the majestic Victoria Falls during your time in Livingstone - just make sure you've charged the camera. |
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| Boat and Road Transfer from Livingstone Hotel to Kasane Airport From your Livingstone hotel you will be driven to the boat launch site that will take you across the border. Your driver will meet you and drive you to the immigration office very close to the boat launch site. It is usually a very busy area with lots of locals trying to sell you souvenirs. Take your time; if you want to buy something then you can but if you don't, simply pass them by and say 'no thank you'. They tend to leave you alone once you dismiss them. After you have got your passport stamped (and your visa if you needed to buy one on arrival). The boat journey across the river takes approximately 5 minutes. On the other side of the river you will be met by another driver, who will take you to the immigration office (approximately 40 minutes from the airport) and wait for you to get your 'exit' stamp. This border is very busy but please don't worry! Clients do this all the time. Welcome to Botswana! |
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Days 11-15 |
Okavango Delta |
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Flights & transfers
Light aircraft flight from Kasane airport to lodge in Okavango |
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Lodges and Camps in Okavango
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Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge - $$$$$
Organic and hand-woven, private and intimate, Sandibe is an architecturally unique hideaway...
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Duba Plains - $$$$$
One of the most unforgettable safari experiences in Botswana, this is the area where Dereck...
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Wilderness Vumbura Plains - $$$$$
Botswana’s mesmerizing Okavango Delta is now brighter than ever with the newly...
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Wilderness Mombo Camp - $$$$$
One of the most famous camps in all of Africa, Wilderness Mombo Camp rightly deserves its...
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| Four days exploring the Okavango Delta You will spend your days going on day and evening game drives to experience the beauty of the Okavango Delta and the magnificent wildlife that lives here. Your expert guide will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the environment and wildlife as you are privately driven across the Delta. Depending on which lodge you choose to stay at there will be a number of different activities that you can choose from to immerse yourself in this incredibly diverse, natural environment. |
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Flights & transfers
Light aircraft flight from the Okavango to Maun |
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| Flight from Maun to Johannesburg | |
| Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town Airport | |
Days 15-18 |
Cape Town |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer from Cape Town airport to Cape Town hotel |
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Accommodation in Cape Town
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Ellerman House - $$$$$
Ellerman House is a class act throughout. Not to mention a wonderful piece of history that...
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More Quarters Apartments - $$$$$
Whether you live in an apartment in a city or a four-bedroom house, More Quarters can give you...
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| Three nights in Cape Town Spend your time relaxing and exploring this wonderful city. You have our top recommendations for activities, restaurants and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise your time here with a privately-guided tour, according your interests, we can do so. |
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| Cape Town City & Table Mountain tour Today you have a half day tour of the city and Table Mountain. Your tour is with a private guide and at your own pace picking out the attractions which interest you. Typically highlights include, the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula (depending on the weather). On the descent, you can stop at the Bo Kaap, traditionally home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses. Note that this tour can be done in the morning or the afternoon - the choice is yours. |
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| The best of the Cape Peninsula, full-day tour Take one of the most scenic journeys in the world in this wonderful, full-day privately guided tour. Enjoy the scenic drive up Chapman's Peak with incredible views of the ocean to your right as the road winds around narrow corners. The typical highlights of this tour include quaint villages such as Noordhoek, the bustling fishing suburb of Kalk Bay, the penguins in Simonstown and of course Cape Point, the 'tip' of Africa. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Cape Town airport |
