Gorilla Trekking & Safari

The legendary Virunga Mountains in the north-east are home to volcanoes, swathes of cloud forest and half the world’s total population of endangered mountain gorillas. The primates of Rwanda are unparalleled, and Wilderness Bisate is the perfect base for mountain gorilla trekking. This thrilling excursion takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters where guests are allocated to one of the twelve habituated gorilla families for a one-hour awe-inspiring encounter.

* Gorilla Trekking Permits, per person, at an additional cost.

View this beautifully-coloured primate, which is endemic to the area and lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.

Set on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, and an easy drive to the park gate, Wilderness Bisate is located in a vantage point that feels part of the park, offering breathtaking views of six volcanoes, including Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno.

A full-day guided hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3 711 metres) can be strenuous, however, is well worth the effort, offering sweeping views of the rainforest and crater lake. Explore the diversity of habitats, and visibly discover the flourishing wildlife.

One of the Wilderness Bisate agronomists will show you around the tree nursery and help you plant a sapling as part of our visionary reforestation project. Includes a visit to the Bamboo Greenhouse to see our greater indigenous tree nursery efforts.

Guided visit to the nearby community and members of the cooperative, including the farmers who cultivate and sell their vegetables to Wilderness Bisate.

A spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s burial site and the ruins of her Karisoke Research Centre, set in the saddle of Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes at an elevation of some 3 000 metres.

Bisate Kwanda accommodates early arrivals and later departures, providing more flexibility with transfers in and out of the lodge. Further enhancing our guest experience, the offering at Bisate Kwanda will allow guests to shower, change, have a light meal, visit the Wilderness Bisate Boutique stocked with items from Rwanda (purchases at an additional cost), have a massage (treatments at an additional cost), or simply relax in the informal lounge with fireplace, while enjoying the sweeping views overlooking the organic vegetable garden and the reforestation efforts towards Volcanoes National Park.

Kwanda is a Kinyarwanda word meaning growth or expansion; a place to gather; a gift – all three of which perfectly sum up the day lounge’s unique offering. Located close to the main lodge, tucked out of sight, Bisate Kwanda has local craftspeople to thank for its uniquely Rwandan flavour. From hand-tooled wooden utensils and food boards to delicate crockery, striking entrance floors and hallways, volcanic rock walls and facings, hand-woven baskets and placemats, and garden pots, everything has been designed and hand-crafted by Rwandans to create a truly authentic ambience.

* All Volcanoes National Park activities require permits (per person) at additional cost. The private gorilla trek is at a further additional cost.

Wilderness and Olympus have joined forces to use their high-end services and combined passion for wildlife photography to ensure the ongoing conservation and protection of Africa’s remote wilderness areas, whilst contributing to the empowerment of local people through conservation education.

We are proud to partner with a like-minded company like Olympus. Together we not only share a love of wildlife photography, we hold a similar set of values and ideals about making a bigger, positive impact on the world and our place in it.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 camera is the ultimate partner for the most challenging adventures, like gorilla trekking or any other activities in Volcanoes National Park. The Olympus Tough! Camera is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freeze proof, and dustproof for adventure travels. It features 4K video and RAW capture for the perfect pictures, and videos, whilst exploring. The waterproof performance allows one to take the best pictures in the rainforest, and the camera is robust with an interior protective structure. The cameras ability to deal with low light is key to a great image of the gorillas, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The camera is lightweight and easy to operate, ideal for hiking or to use during a community village visit at Bisate.

* Olympus Photo Hub experience dependent on camera availability.

Established in 1967, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund works to protect and study gorillas, and their habitats, as well as to empower people who live near their forest home. With a team of hundreds working in Rwanda and the DRC, the Fossey Fund is the world’s longest-running and largest organisation dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.

In 2022, the organisation moved to its first permanent, purpose built home, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Nestled in a beautiful, reforested landscape near the Volcanoes National Park it is worth visiting, with a stop at the campus easy to add during a stay at Wilderness Bisate or Wilderness Sabyinyo.

https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/

* No additional costs besides the entrance fee, and may be experienced either on arrival or departure, or in the afternoon after gorilla trekking.

At Mwiba, taking the opportunity to get out on foot is highly recommended. The terrain lends itself to walking, and the chance to get out of the vehicle, stretch one's legs, and zone in on the smaller things is one to be embraced.

Walks are always accompanied by an armed ranger, and for safety reasons we stipulate that we leave it to the discretion of the walking guide to determine whether a child is permitted on the walk or not.

At Mwiba, each party is allocated a private vehicle and guide, and guests are free to decide their own schedule. Spacious, open game viewing cars enhance the feeling of proximity to nature, and for keen photographers there is plenty of room for equipment and manoeuvring for that perfect angle.

Free access to Maswa Game Reserve allows clients to roam further afield, and for anyone staying three nights or more, entry to Ndutu or Southern Serengeti is complimentary. All in all, there is no shortage of game-viewing opportunities, and the chance to explore a variety of different terrains is guaranteed.

Unlike many reserves and parks, Mwiba grants guests the freedom to explore the nocturnal element of safari: under the light of the moon, the landscape seems magically different, and a different array of species come out of hiding.

The Hadzabe are a hunter-gatherer tribe indigenous to the area, and live in perfect symbiosis with their environment, which provides them with all their needs for food, medicine and shelter.

Guests have the incredibly special opportunity to accompany them for a morning as they move through the wilderness, foraging for food and following honey-guide birds to sweet treats.

With one of Mwiba's guides as an interlocutor, the Hadzabe can demonstrate their tradition of bow-and-arrow making, and share their folklore and history.

The Datoga are a warrior tribe with a lifestyle akin to the Masai, and therefore ancient enemies of theirs. The opportunity to visit them in their village is a magical way to gain insight into a proud and vibrant culture that is as much part of Mwiba's landscape as the wildlife is.

Dropping by late in the afternoon, guests are treated to the buzz of domesticity as the herders return home, and women busy themselves about their homestead in exquisite beaded and copper jewellery. They are delighted to show off their dwellings and rhythmic, joyous dancing in what is always a vibrant cultural exchange for all parties involved.

There is no better way to salute the end of a day on safari than with an ice-cold G&T in hand, watching the sun go down from somewhere beautiful.

The ultimate means of soothing away the bumps and bounces of hours on safari, for many this first massage is the beginning of many more...

Elevate your safari experience to a new level of excellence with the inclusion of our private helicopter, exclusive to Legendary Expeditions.

Revel in the freedom to explore hundreds of of thousands of acres of unspoiled wilderness: from the wide-open plains, dramatic volcanoes and mirror-like lakes to the spectacular geological formation of the Great East African Rift Valley which tears through 7000km of Africa’s most ancient landscape.

Available for private transfers between properties, stunning scenic excursions, or as the ultimate aerial adventure for your entire safari circuit.

Max 4 adults OR 2 adults & 3 children (luggage restrictions apply).

Guests staying at Mwiba Lodge have the option to experience a night under the stars in true expeditionary fashion. Fly-camping is the perfect off-grid getaway for those seeking a full immersion into the wilderness and, with no distractions, get closer to nature than anywhere else.

For couples, fly-camping offers a truly remote and romantic experience, and for families or groups of friends, this makes for an unforgettable adventure with nothing but canvas between you and the wild.

A bucket shower with warm water and a long drop loo are the facilities available to guests while fly-camping, and there is also the option to arrive or depart via a bush walk.

Journeying into the heart of Africa’s most untouched and remote wilderness areas, Singita’s twice-daily game drives present the opportunity for intimate connections with nature and discovering the raw beauty of the continent’s most magnificent creatures up close.

Each tailormade exploration with your personal Field Guide celebrates the freedom to spend unfiltered time in wide-open spaces and while no two Singita game drives are ever the same, you are bound to be enchanted by vivid encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife – which flourish and thrive through the tireless efforts of Singita’s non-profit conservation Funds & Trusts.

From rolling grasslands where giraffe and elephant meander in peace to riverine woodlands where shy creatures suddenly appear from lush foliage; and from rocky outcrops favoured by big cats to hidden valleys where large herds of antelope roam and graze, each game drive traverses landscapes that are as rich in scenery as they are in wildlife.

As the warmth of the African sun slowly starts to light up the treetops and grasslands, our early morning game drives are filled with an energy that’s simultaneously exciting and soothing. Never knowing what’s around the next corner, the sense of adventure for what lies ahead for the rest of the day welcomes a continuous unfolding of magic as the bush wakes up to reveal its secrets.

And when the sun dips on the horizon, bringing the day to a close with a brightly painted sky, idyllic sundowner stops in exclusive settings encapsulate the romance of safaris deep into the bush. Accompanied by a cool evening breeze and the beauty of the clear night sky above, the tranquil journey back to the lodge often reveals the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa, making for a fitting finale.

Warmth & wisdom

Imparting a wealth of knowledge and intuitively responding to each guest and group’s interests, Singita’s expert Field Guides and Trackers exude an unlimited passion for Africa’s wildlife and wilderness. Their in-depth knowledge of the area – and the inherent role of every plant, insect, bird, mammal, predator and season in its unique ecology – makes every encounter and sighting all the more meaningful, and elevates each connection with nature.

Key Species You Are Likely to See

During your stay at Singita, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife, including cheetah, bearded wildebeest, Bat Eared fox, Maasai giraffe, lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and the rare Colobus monkey.

When Is the Peak Time to See the Wildebeest Migration?

There is no real beginning or end to the wildebeest’s constant search for food and water. The only beginning is when calves are born – almost 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a 6-week period usually between late January and mid-March. The migration path varies from year to year depending on weather and other environmental factors.

What Time of Year Can We See the Wildebeest Migration and in Which Area?

It's difficult to predict exactly where the migrating wildebeest will be in a given month because movements depend so much on weather patterns. Generally over the year the animals move from the wet southern and eastern plains of the Serengeti from November to March through the western and central region to the dryer north of the Serengeti National Park, both north and south of the Mara River, from the end of May through October.

Perhaps Africa’s greatest beauty is its people and, as part of Singita’s deep commitment to community development, guests are invited to visit the nearby
communities.

The Grumeti Fund Community Outreach Program works with residents of the 21 villages bordering Singita Grumeti to realise their development goals.

We partner with these communities to address issues of education, natural resource management, enterprise development and water management. We encourage guests to visit these communities to experience the success of these projects firsthand.

Not your regular curio shop, you will find original treasures that have been gathered from all corners of the African continent. A range of collectable sculptures, home-ware and furnishings will allow you to recreate ‘the safari dream’ within your own home. Artefacts, as well as authentic carvings and jewellery created by local craftsmen are just a few of the treasures you may find to take home as gifts. Amongst beautiful museum quality, fine-art prints and works by some of the most respected artists on the continent, there are many pieces especially designed for Singita. Here too you can find a range of quality branded Singita safari wear.

We offer a worldwide shipping service so you may make your purchases at the lodges with the option to send them straight home.

As one of Africa’s most influential buyers of wine, Singita’s cellars are home to some of the most sought-after private reserves and vintage wines the country has to offer. Whether you are a connoisseur or just enjoy the occasional glass of wine, our experienced sommeliers delight in introducing guests to a vast selection of varietals from all over the world.

Through Singita Premier Wine Direct guests may purchase wines from our cellars: either to be taken home at the end of their trip or conveniently delivered to their door. As an addition to cellar purchases, we have secured allocations of highly limited, sought-after wines, including ‘Icons’, ‘Single Vineyard’ and ‘Limited Release’ wines, directly from leading wineries in South Africa. Stored in temperature-controlled cellars, these wines are unlikely to be available anywhere else.

The Singita wellness philosophy takes personal rejuvenation to a level well beyond any pampering you’ve previously experienced. All of our peaceful lodge spas, where nature provides its own special calm, present the ultimate escape, sure to restore equilibrium and peace to body and mind. Guests staying at Singita Serengeti House are welcome to reserve treatments at the spa at Sasakwa Lodge or arrange for private treatments at the house itself.

Fully equipped gyms are available for guests’ convenience. Each facility provides picturesque views of the plains, allowing you to keep an eye on the action outside while you work out. Guests staying at Singita Serengeti House are welcome to use the gym at Sasakwa Lodge.

Serengeti House boasts a 25 metre swimming pool with spectacular views of the Serengeti plains.

Visitors to Singita Grumeti in Tanzania have the unique opportunity of chartering a hot air balloon for an unforgettable ride over the treetops of the Serengeti. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes game viewing to new heights and gives photography buffs an amazing new perspective on the world below. You’ll skim above the grasslands and acacia forests, and at other times ascend to 1 000 feet to see the enormity of the reserve. The Singita Balloon Safari is a romantic and evocative way of experiencing the wilderness as you gracefully and silently glide over the plains, observing the wide variety of wildlife below.

The Singita Grumeti Fund anti-poaching team is made up of 120 dedicated scouts. These scouts patrol the 350,000-acre private concession and are based in 12 scout camps and in 12 observation posts (OP) dotted across the reserve. Each OP is manned by two scouts who are constantly surveying the area for any unusual activity. This could be poachers coming through the protected area or vehicles that do not belong to the company or a herd of cattle entering the area or an animal in distress.

The scouts are responsible for quickly identifying any incursions and reporting them to the rest of the anti-poaching team who can then act accordingly. Two scouts are stationed at the OP for one week at a time. They share responsibilities of cooking, cleaning and most importantly making sure that one person is on the look-out at all times.

Guests have the opportunity to visit OP 7, situated atop a hill with an incredible sunset view over the vast grassy plains below.

The experience for Singita guests includes meeting the Singita Grumeti Fund game scouts and seeing how they live and work. At the OP there is an infographic board which your guide can talk you through. It shows the main areas of focus for the Singita Grumeti Fund, as well as specific facts and figures associated with the success of protecting this area. The combination of a morning coffee or late afternoon drinks stop makes it a great location to truly absorb the beauty of the landscape but also take in the scale and importance of the work of the Singita Grumeti Fund anti-poaching unit.

Note: The walk up to OP7 is on a steep dirt path. Good walking shoes are recommended.

Enjoy a game drive in one of the most game-rich areas in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater. Explore the vast 300km2 floor with an experienced guide and stop for lunch in a shady spot under the trees, maximising your time in this unforgettable landscape. Our seven-seater closed vehicles are fitted with power points so you’re able to charge your devices, as well as a fridge to keep your drinks deliciously frosty.

The Olmoti climb follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail through mountain forest, grasslands and rocky outcrops. Make the most of outstanding birding opportunities and the chance to see a vast array of butterfly species. At the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the crater below.

Descend into the Empakaai crater accompanied by an NCA ranger and walk to the sparkling soda lake on the crater floor, famous for the pink flamingo that congregate on its shores. Because of the camp’s proximity to Empakaai, it is the only property that gives you the opportunity to make this a half-day excursion.

Guests will have the opportunity to join a Maasai staff member on a visit to a local community. Many of our staff members are drawn from the surrounding communities and are always eager to share their experiences, providing a richer understanding of the culture that defines this corner of East Africa. Guests will be invited to a Maasai boma to gain an insight into the traditional cattle-herding practices and school visits will also be available depending on the time of year.