DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Rwanda
Depart for Rwanda

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Kigali
Arrive in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda, and transfer to your hotel. Time to settle in before dinner tonight
Overnight: Kigali
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Tuesday - Kigali City Tour
This morning, take a tour of the city. Visit the Kandt House Museum, explore the local craft market and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site where you learn about Rwanda's genocide. Later, travel to Musanze. Upon arrival, head to the Karisoke Research Center (Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund) for a guided tour. Following your visit proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday - The Gorilla Trek
After breakfast, assemble for a briefing by experienced rangers before embarking on the gorilla trek. Your group will be guided through the rough terrain of the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes in search of one of the park's habituated gorilla families. The trek will last up to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. When a gorilla family is found, you'll be allowed an hour in their company to watch them eat, preen and play. Later, after a coffee tasting experience return to the lodge for dinner
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Thursday - Golden Monkey Tracking
Today, head to the highland forests of Volcanoes National Park in search of the endangered Golden monkeys that live in the bamboo vegetation toward the base of the volcanoes. During the trek, you will come across other types of wildlife. Upon encounter, you will have time to observe the playful and inquisitive monkeys before returning to the lodge. In the afternoon, participate in a cooking lesson with tasting of the dishes prepared. At dinner tonight, bid farewell to Rwanda
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday - Flight to Nairobi
This morning, travel back to Kigali and arrive in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Arrive and check into the hotel, followed by time at leisure
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Saturday - Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
After an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, depart for a visit to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage* to learn about how the orphan elephants, raised by the orphanage, are later released into the wild. Elephant calves are brought here from all over the country to receive specialized care from highly dedicated staff. Perhaps, you'll arrive there just in time to see them being exercised and bathed. Then, drive towards the Ngong Hills for a tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, once the farmhouse of the prominent author of Out of Africa. After lunch on your own, continue to Kazuri Beads Workshop, which started in 1975 as a tiny workshop making ceramic beads by hand. Today, this center produces fine examples of genuine African jewelry out of clay gathered from nearby Mt. Kenya. End the day at the Giraffe Centre where you hand-feed the Rothschild Giraffe, an endangered species, from an elevated feeding platform and learn more about their extensive conservation efforts. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant*Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage may be substituted with Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Sunday - Evening Game Drive in Samburu National Park
Travel north this morning towards Samburu National Park, a spectacular 60-square-mile reserve known for its unique wildlife, rarely found in other Kenyan parks. Here, view different species of giraffe, zebra, beisa oryx and the long-necked gerenuk, along with lion, cheetah, and leopard. Besides the numerous varieties of wildlife found in this game reserve, the park is also a bird haven. En route, stop for lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant, built in an enormous fig tree below Mount Kenya. Arrive in Samburu, with its arid hills leading to the lush forested ravine of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Along these river banks, the majority of the animals gather for the promise of water. This evening, set out on your first game drive, returning to the camp in time for dinner
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Monday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Samburu National Park
Morning game drive today in the midst of this rugged and beautiful semi-arid desert of northern Kenya. Perhaps you'll see a lion, ostrich, or even a family of elephants wandering the hills. After lunch at the lodge, an afternoon drive takes you to a different area of the park. Return to the lodge for leisure time. Tonight, after dinner, an interesting lecture and discussion with a Samburu naturalist. You'll learn more about the principles and tribal traditions of the villagers living in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Tuesday - Game Viewing in Aberdare National Park
Today, travel southwest to the heart of Aberdare National Park. Arrive at The Ark, one of Kenya's iconic tree lodges. The Ark is designed with layers of decks overlooking a floodlit watering hole and salt lick that attracts a huge amount of wildlife all day and night. The many different balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you up-close to the animals; see elephant, buffalo, bushbuck and occasionally a rhino
Overnight: Aberdare National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday - Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
Today, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, dominated by the shallow waters of the lake at its center, best known for its pink flamingos, white rhino, lion, and the elusive leopard. The birdlife here is absolutely superb, with over 450 species recorded - at certain times of year there are over a million flamingos. Drive to the edge of the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water, see the sweeping view from the top of Baboon Rocks, then look for warthogs and waterbucks. Nakuru is also one of the best places in Kenya to see black and white rhino, and for making daytime leopard sightings. Afterward, continue to your lodge where you will spend the remainder of the evening at leisure
Overnight: Lake Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday - Lake Naivasha Boat Tour, Cooking Class
This morning, embark on a boat ride on the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha, a bird lover's paradise. You will encounter hippos wallowing in the water and an abundant number of birds. Afterward, return to your lodge and attend a cooking class, led by a chef. Learn how to cook local dishes and later taste your own creations. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Lake Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Friday - Afternoon Game Drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Early drive to the magical Masai Mara National Reserve in the southwest corner of Kenya, renowned for its spectacular game viewing. The breathtaking savannahs of the park are a stunning backdrop to a diverse and abundant wildlife population throughout the entire year. Lunch at the camp, before going out on the afternoon game drive
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Saturday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve
A fabulous sunrise experience! Arise before dawn to participate in today's optional Hot Air Balloon Safari. Take off in a hot air balloon as you watch the breathtaking sunrise over the Masai Mara. Drift above the beautiful landscape, watching wild game roam the vast plains below. The finale is a sumptuous champagne breakfast before returning back to camp. Today's game drives through the spectacular Masai Mara reserve focus on the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino), as well as antelopes, gazelles, hippos and a variety of birdlife. A dinner tonight celebrates your final night in the Mara
Optional: Sunrise Balloon Safari & Breakfast (AM)
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Sunday - Travel to Nairobi
Depart the Mara this morning and return to bustling Nairobi. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, bid farewell to your Kenyan guide. Spend the rest of the day and evening at leisure in this energetic city
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 16, Monday - Stone Town, Sunset Dhow Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Stone Town, where you will be introduced to the historic capital of the Zanzibar Archipelago by your local host. The afternoon is at leisure to stroll through the town, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or simply rest, relax and enjoy the myriad delights of the hotel. This evening, board a traditional dhow in time to watch the fiery golden sun setting beyond the horizon. Enjoy the peacefulness of the ocean as the dhow silently glides through the water, while savoring a glass of chilled wine**The dhow ride may be impacted by local weather conditions
Overnight: Stone Town
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 17, Tuesday - Tour of Stone Town, Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park
This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Stone Town, famous for its Swahili architecture, a maze of narrow alleyways, ornate wooden doors, and many historical buildings*. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, home to a number of endemic species including the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. Embark on a guided tour along the nature trails of Jozani Forest, keeping an eye out for some of the forest's other residents, including the Sykes' monkey, chameleons and a variety of birdlife. Then, follow a boardwalk deep in the mangrove swamps and learn how this fascinating ecosystem protects the island's coastline. After your visit, return to your hotel in Stone Town*Please note that during the walking tour of Stone Town, you will go through part of the city with a large number of merchants who may try to aggressively sell their merchandise.
Overnight: Stone Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18, Wednesday - Mtoni Palace Ruins, Spice Farm, Kidichi Persian Baths
Journey to the western coast of Zanzibar to visit the ruins of Mtoni Palace, birthplace of Princess Salme, the youngest daughter of Sultan Said. Tour the grounds of the palace and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony. A short drive takes you to one of the beautiful old Omani houses which once belonged to the Sultan's nephew. Then explore a lush spice farm, where your guide will introduce you to the various culinary and medicinal uses of the spices grown on the island. After lunch at a local house, visit the impressive Persian baths in Kidichi, which were built for Sultan Said's second wife, Sheherazade. Continue to your beachfront hotel for an evening at leisure
Overnight: Nungwi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19, Thursday - Day at Leisure
Today is at leisure to discover on your own. Relax, rejuvenate, enjoy your beautiful surroundings and treasure your last day in this paradise. This evening, savor a delicious dinner at the resort
Overnight: Nungwi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 20, Friday - Depart Tanzania
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam, where you will connect to your departure flight. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 3 PM
Meals: Breakfast