Itinerary

1. Arusha

   Welcome to Tanzania. Your expedition begins at the airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel, a peaceful retreat situated in the verdant foothills of Mount Meru. Take time to settle into the rhythm of East Africa. If you arrive early, you may wish to explore the area — perhaps visit a local coffee estate to trace the bean from berry to cup, wander through colourful markets brimming with crafts and produce, or simply relax by admiring the views of Mount Meru in the distance as the sun dips behind the peaks.

2. Arusha/Tarangire National Park

   After breakfast, meet your fellow travellers and National Geographic Expedition Leader. The adventure opens with an inspiring talk by a conservationist from African People & Wildlife, co-founded by National Geographic Explorer Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld. Then, travel to Tarangire National Park, a landscape defined by sweeping savannahs, the bulbous silhouettes of towering baobabs, and the rumble of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds. Watch for giraffes, lions, and a whole host of birdlife as you make your way to the lodge. Upon arrival, check in to your inviting haven and enjoy lunch. Later, head out on an afternoon safari drive, watching the bush come alive in the amber light of dusk, before returning to the lodge to refresh and enjoy a warm welcome dinner served against the backdrop of the wild.

3. Tarangire National Park/Ngorongoro

   Ascend towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area this morning, climbing from the dry plains into the cool, mist-shrouded forests of the highlands. The drive offers chances to spot wildlife as you transition from Tarangire’s savannas into the lush hills. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, engage with the KopeLion Project, meeting conservationists dedicated to protecting lions in this shared landscape. Learn how the Maasai coexist with predators during a visit to a nearby boma, hearing stories of resilience and respect. Return to the lodge to refresh, then gather for sunset drinks and dinner overlooking the crater rim as the vast caldera falls into shadow.

4. Ngorongoro

   Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, you enter a lost world — one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife havens. On a morning safari across the crater floor, the density of wildlife is staggering; watch for elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, and grazing herds roaming against the dramatic backdrop of sweeping volcanic walls. Pause for a scenic bush brunch set amidst the acacia, surrounded by the sounds of the wild and the cool morning breeze. Returning back to the lodge, spend the afternoon at leisure, soaking in breathtaking views of the crater from the rim. As the light softens, gather for sundowners and an engaging talk on conservation through tourism, before ending the day with dinner at the lodge.

5. Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park

   Travel across the highlands to Olduvai Gorge, the dusty ravine where a National Geographic– supported expedition led by Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered Homo habilis. Explore the museum and drive into the gorge to learn about this groundbreaking discovery that rewrote history. Continue into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch under the open sky. This afternoon, enjoy your first safari drive through the Serengeti’s iconic landscapes — a sea of gold grass alive with wildebeest, zebras, impala, and the big cats stalking the herds. Arrive at the lodge to check in and enjoy dinner beneath the stars, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild.

6. Serengeti National Park

   Rise to the sounds of the savannah — the dawn chorus of birds and the low grunts of hippos — and set out early for a morning safari drive across the Serengeti’s golden plains. Watch the drama of the bush unfold: elephants stripping bark from trees, lions seeking shade, and herds of antelope bounding through the tall grass. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed morning before gathering for a talk to deepen your understanding of the Serengeti’s intricate ecosystem. After lunch, enjoy time at leisure before venturing out again for an afternoon safari drive to track predators on the move. As dusk settles, return to the lodge for dinner and share the day’s stories around the fire.

7. Serengeti National Park

   Wake early and set out on a safari drive across the park’s sweeping savannahs, seeking out the elusive sightings: lions, elephants, cheetah, and other wildlife moving against the endless horizon. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then enjoy free time to relax or explore the lodge’s surroundings, perhaps watching wildlife from your private deck. This afternoon, gather for high tea — a refined pause in the wilderness — then venture out on one last wildlife drive in the national park as the sun paints the sky in hues of violet and orange. Return to the lodge for a farewell dinner, celebrating the sights, sounds, and memories of your Serengeti adventure.

8. Serengeti National Park/Nairobi

   Take to the skies for a flight back to Arusha, watching the sprawling ecosystem shrink to a patchwork of green and gold below. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and some time to refresh at the lodge — a final moment of calm — before your onward transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Nairobi. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel to settle in and relax. In the evening, join a reception to welcome any new travellers joining the tour for the next leg of the expedition.

9. Nairobi/Samburu Game Reserve

   Gather for a welcome breakfast with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers. Next, board a short flight over the sweeping, rugged landscape to the Kalama airstrip in Samburu. After checking into your lodge and enjoying lunch, enjoy an insightful presentation over high tea. As the heat of the afternoon fades, embark on your first wildlife safari drive. Search for majestic elephants and lions, keeping a keen eye for the rare species that call this rugged northern frontier home. Watch the sun dip low, painting the sky in deep shades of crimson and orange, before gathering for a spectacular dinner under a canopy of stars.

10. Samburu Game Reserve

    Wake to the early morning calls of the wild before departing for Reteti Elephant Sanctuary — the world's first Indigenous-owned African elephant sanctuary. Photographer and National Geographic Explorer Ami Vitale has documented Reteti's pioneering community-led conservation model for global audiences, and today you experience it firsthand. Meet a researcher to learn about the sanctuary's vital work, then witness a private feeding session with rescued calves. Savour a picnic lunch near the sanctuary before an afternoon safari drive back to the lodge, tracking elephants and leopards through the brush.

11. Samburu Game Reserve

    Set off on an early morning safari drive as the wilderness awakens, stopping to scan the brush for unique wildlife. Return to the lodge for a hot breakfast, followed by a quiet morning at leisure to soak in the serene surroundings. After lunch and high tea, return to the savanna for an afternoon wildlife drive. Pause as the shadows lengthen to enjoy private sundowner drinks, watching the landscape turn to gold. After dinner, a resident naturalist guides you to a special clearing to decode the night sky, revealing how the Maasai and Samburu use constellations as a living calendar.

12. Samburu Game Reserve/Masai Mara

    Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before boarding a flight to the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve. Transfer to your new lodge, where lunch awaits. In the afternoon, attend high tea before setting out into the Maasai Mara for a thrilling afternoon safari drive. Feel the gentle breeze across the open grasslands and listen to the distant wildlife as you track the great herds before returning to the lodge for a refined dinner.

13. Masai Mara

    Venture out on a morning safari drive as the golden light of dawn washes over the endless plains. Watch prides of lions stirring and herds of zebras moving across the savannah. Return to the lodge for a restful midday break and a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on another wildlife safari drive through the reserve, scanning the horizon for cheetahs pacing through the tall grass or hippos wallowing in the river channels. As dusk falls, return to the comfort of your lodge to share stories over a beautifully prepared dinner.

14. Masai Mara

    Savour coffee and fresh fruit before an early morning safari drive, capturing the wilderness at its most active. Return to the lodge for a hot breakfast and a peaceful morning at leisure. During high tea, reflect on the incredible wildlife and heritage uncovered. Embark on your final afternoon wildlife safari drive in the Maasai Mara, soaking in the cinematic vistas of the acacia-dotted plains one last time. Celebrate the end of your Kenyan safari with a festive farewell dinner at the lodge.

15. Masai Mara/Kigali

    Enjoy breakfast before flying back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, transfer to Amani ya Juu, a remarkable community social impact success story. Tour the workshop to see how local women achieve economic independence by handcrafting beautiful, culturally symbolic textiles. Engage in warm conversation to learn about their history and share a locally sourced lunch prepared by the community youth. Afterward, transfer to the international airport to catch the flight to Kigali, Rwanda where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Join a reception in the evening to welcome any new travellers joining the tour.

16. Kigali

    Gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome gathering to set the stage for the next leg of your exploration. Next, experience a moving private tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, gaining deep insight into the nation’s history before a powerful Q&A session with a survivor. This afternoon, sit down to a traditional community lunch at the Nyamirambo Women's Centre and experience the tangible impact of community tourism during a walking tour and hands-on weaving activity. Conclude this inspiring day with reflection and a delicious dinner.

17. Kigali/Nyungwe

    After breakfast, leave the capital behind for a scenic drive through the breathtaking cultural corridor of Rwanda, where emerald tea plantations paint the hillsides. Stop along the Heritage Trail to visit the Nyanza Cultural Open Air Museum. Step into the past as you explore the beautifully reconstructed King’s Palace, learning about ancient royal traditions. After a flavourful local lunch in Nyanza, continue your drive through the spectacular changing landscapes. Arrive at your lodge bordering the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe, checking in just as the evening mist begins to blanket the canopy before a delicious dinner.

18. Nyungwe

    An early coffee wake-up call rouses your senses before you venture deep into the emerald wilderness of Nyungwe National Park, a protected sanctuary teeming with life. Trek beneath the ancient canopy in search of wild chimpanzees, listening to their echoing calls and watching them swing through the high branches. Enjoy a packed breakfast surrounded by the sounds of the forest, followed by a hot brunch back at the lodge. This afternoon, join your Expedition Leader for an interactive tea-picking experience and tasting at a community-focused estate, or choose to relax by the pool as the sun dips below the verdant horizon.

19. Nyungwe/Volcanoes National Park

    Travel north toward the dramatic peaks of Volcanoes National Park, tracing the scenic shores of Lake Kivu along the magnificent Congo-Nile trail. Marvel at the sparkling blue waters over a hot local lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a private meeting with dedicated scientists at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Gain a profound understanding of their ongoing conservation projects and the legacy of the pioneering researcher. Retreat to your lodge nestled in the Virunga Mountains for sundowner drinks, watching the peaks turn purple in the twilight before gathering for dinner.

20. Volcanoes National Park

    The morning air is crisp as you prepare for an unforgettable encounter within the spectacular Virunga Mountains. After a safety briefing, trek into the misty rainforest of Volcanoes National Park to track majestic mountain gorillas in the very wilderness where National Geographic Grantee Dian Fossey dedicated eighteen years to research. Spend an idyllic hour quietly observing a gorilla family before returning to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. This evening, settle in for a performance by local Intore dancers then dinner in the historic Dian Fossey map room.

21. Volcanoes National Park

    The primate exploration continues with another exhilarating morning in the national park. Set out on a hike through the bamboo forests to track rare golden monkeys, watching their playful antics as they leap through the branches. Savour a packed lunch en route back to the lodge to refresh before an extraordinary culinary evening. Gather at a premier culinary school on the shores of the Twin Lakes, where pioneer chef Dieuveil Malonga hosts you for a special eight-course African fusion food and wine pairing. Learn about his community work before returning to the lodge for final cocktails and reflections with your Expedition Expert.

22. Volcanoes National Park/Kigali

    Enjoy a well-deserved, relaxed morning at the lodge, watching the mist clear from the volcanic peaks one last time over breakfast. Return to Kigali, driving through the verdant countryside. Gather with your fellow travellers for a final group lunch at the hotel, sharing stories and memories of your time in Rwanda. With day rooms available to refresh before your onward travel, your profound exploration comes to a close with transfers to the airport.