Welcome to Kenya. Your expedition begins in Nairobi, where the energy of a bustling city meets the edge of the wild. You will be met upon arrival and transferred directly to your hotel to unwind. Take this evening to rest and settle into the rhythms of East Africa, letting the anticipation build for the wildlife encounters and cultural connections that await you.
Gather for a welcome breakfast to meet 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 welcome dinner under a canopy of stars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 for the next leg of the expedition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
