Serengeti & Gorilla Tracking

Take a guided walk around the workings of the coffee plantation to see how the coffee is grown, harvested, dried, and produced into the aromatic coffee that we drink every day, culminating in that all-important coffee tasting!

Tours are an additional cost to accommodation.

The Trader's Walk is a collection of 5 boutique shops and gourmet food places within the ground of Arusha Coffee Lodge showcasing some of the best creativity and ingenuity of Tanzania.

Shanga - A workshop creating gift arts and crafts.
Watch beautiful jewellery, arts and crafts being created out of recycled materials.

Soko - The gift shop
From safari clothing to wonderful keepsakes and gifts.

Jikoni - The authentic African kitchen
An open-to-air restaurant with traditional Swahili food on offer.

The Tanzanite Experience - The jewellery store
Tanzanite Experience specialises in authentic, ethically-mined Tanzanite gemstones and jewellery. Tanzanite, a beautiful blue stone, is said to be a 1000 times rarer than diamonds.

Kahawa - The cafe
A delightful gourmet cafe selling freshly ground coffee and fresh-baked cakes either 'to go' or served on Kahawa's shaded terrace.

Take a picnic lunch and enjoy an excursion to the slopes of Mt Meru where Arusha National Park is located. The park enjoys an abundance of birdlife, and quite a variety of wildlife. The landscape within its relatively small 137km2 is impressively varied and offers some spectacular views.

A day excursion to Arusha National Park is an additional cost to accommodation.

Arusha is a bustling town with one of the fastest growing populations in Africa. Shopping and cultural experiences are on offer, including Masai Markets, the Tanzanite Museum, Museum of Natural History and Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, plus a variety of boutique gift shops, cafes and restaurants.

City tour of Arusha is at an additional cost to accommodation.

Indulge in a pampering and relaxing treatment at Peaberries. Select from bouquet of treatments, including massages, pedicures, manicures, waxes and facials.

Spa treatments are not included in accommodation price.

Ngorongoro Crater is unofficially the "Eight Wonder of the World". Visitors will understand instantly when they reach the first viewing point on the lip of the crater and take in the majesty of the ecological wonder.

Descending to the floor of the crater, guests are treated a magnificent wildlife spectacle as they traverse a variety of landscapes, from open grasslands dotted with game, soda lakes coloured pink with flamingo and dense riverine woodland, with the rising walls of the crater framing every view.

A half-day or full-day gamedrive into the Ngorongoro Crater is included in a Game Package

Take a canter or a leisurely walk on a horse through the fertile grounds of the surrounding gardens and coffee plantation. The Manor has a stable of horses and ponies suitable for most ages.

Horse riding is at an additional cost.

Lake Manyara National Park is known for its astounding variety of landscapes for its relatively smaller size compared to other well-known parks on the Northern Tanzanian circuit. From dense forest, to soda lake wetland, open grasslands and acacia thickets, the variety is superseded only by the variety of wildlife found throughout.

Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in East Africa, and is famed as the place where Louis and Mary Leakey made some of the most important discoveries of early hominids. A still active excavation site, visit the place where some of the earliest hominids lived and breathed.

A full-day excusion is included in a Game Package

The Manor at Ngorongoro is located on a working coffee estate called Shangri-La. Take a tour to learn more about the world's most famous morning beverage!

Take on of The Manor's mountain bikes and explore the surrounding gardens and coffee estate at your own leisure.

Mountain biking included in Game Package.

When not exploring why not indulge in a pampering massage or treatment from The Manor's own spa.

Spa treatments not included in Game Package.

A nice refreshing dip in The Manor's pool also offers a wonderful way to relax while on safari.

Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp's prime location allows guests to be in the midst of the drama of the annual Great Migration calving season, which occurs January - March. An evolutionary phenomenon, in the short span of just a few weeks some 400'000 calves are born while the herds reside in the Southern Serengeti region. The event attracts numerous predators, and visitors to the area have the opportunities to witness one of the grandest shows in nature.

When the herds of wildebeest and zebra have left on their journey back north, what remains in the area is an abundance of wildlife and excellent game viewing year-round. The Serengeti is famed for its Big 5, and guests to Serengeti Pioneer Camp will be treated to some of the best game viewing opportunities in East Africa.

Take a breakfast or lunch hamper on a game drive and enjoy a delicious gourmet meal while taking in the views over the Serengeti.

Lake Magadi is a large soda lake, and seasonally home to thousands of pink flamingo, a sight to behold. Year round the lake is home to numerous bird species to be enjoyed, and is an easy drive from camp.

A rocky outcrop with great historical significance to the Maasai people, Moru Kopjes features ancient maasai paintings on many of its boulders. Another fascination of the kopje, are the gong rocks, a geological phenomenon of rocks that produce musical sounds when hit, which were used as a communication tool by the Maasai people.

Known locally as “Kandt House,” this museum celebrates the work of Dr. Richard Kandt, a German physician and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile River. A rich showcase of Rwanda’s natural treasures, the museum includes artifacts from Dr. Kandt’s expedition and also a ship that was sunk off the shores of Lake Kivu during the German troops’ surrender to the Belgian Army in World War I.

This museum is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Umuganda [community work] Day, which is the last Saturday of every month, the museum opens at 12:00 a.m. On 7th April, all museums are closed.

Established in 2007 by 18 women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali, the NWC examines Rwanda’s unfortunate history of violence, inequality and discrimination towards women. Today, the Center’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to disadvantaged women so that they can gain better opportunities for employment.

Located ten minutes from the city centre, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers guided tours of the exhibits and gardens commemorating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can choose to be guided by one of the staff, many of whom are survivors of the genocide, or purchase the KGM digital guide, which provides an audiovisual tour.

This collective of Rwandan creative artists showcases local works in contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance. In addition to exhibiting paintings, sculptures and mixed media expressions, the center conducts programs, projects and initiatives designed to expand the creative arts in Rwanda.

The legendary Virunga Mountains in north-western Rwanda 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 Sabyinyo 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 12 habituated gorilla families for an awe-inspiring one-hour encounter.

* Park fees are not included and are at extra cost.

Enjoy a short trek to view this beautiful primate, which is endemic to the area and lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.

* Park fees are not included and are at extra cost.

At Sabyinyo you can get up close to the stories of the land on a guided community walk, which offers fascinating insights into Rwandan rural life, as well as a glimpse into the struggles of the past.

Guests will learn how crops are grown, how milling and processing is done by hand, and learn more about how traditional medicines are used.

Rwandan dancing, an integral part of today’s culture, will be part of this fascinating cultural tour, which is one to three hours long.

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide at Sabyinyo is a truly enriching experience.

Sabyinyo extends across seven hectares (about 17 acres) and is a haven for over 40 bird species that do not otherwise easily thrive in the surrounding agricultural plots, where natural shelter is rare and human disturbance is high.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the nature trails on their own (armed with a good pair of binoculars), or are invited to enquire about our guided walks.

While staying at Wilderness Sabyinyo, we recommend enjoying a guided community walk, which offers fascinating insight into Rwandan rural life today, as well as a glimpse into life in the historical past. An enriching experience, guests are invited to understand the agricultural lifestyle of Rwanda, including how crops are grown, how milling and processing is done by hand, traditional medicines, as well as enjoying the frenetic activity of traditional Rwandan dancing, which is an aspect of the culture still very alive today.

A walk may range in duration between one to three hours.

The Gorilla Guardian Village is located about 15 minutes drive from Wilderness Sabyinyo and is an interesting cultural excursion. The village convinced ex-poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead showcase their customs and heritage.

Visiting the village guests can discover the traditional house of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, try their hand at bow and arrow shooting, or enjoy cultural dances and drumming performed by people from the local area.

A visit to Dian Fossey’s research camp, Karisoke, and her grave, is another highlight at Sabyinyo. The trek starts from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, and is located in the saddle area between two volcanoes, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke (from which the name Karisoke is derived). The camp site sits at an altitude of 3 000 metres (over 9 000 feet.) and was abandoned during the unrest of the 1990s. All that remains today is the grave of Dian Fossey and several graves of her beloved gorillas, buried alongside her. A poignant and cherished moment for all who visit.

A visit to see Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo is a must on any itinerary. Located between Musanze and the Ugandan border, the Twin Lakes offer magnificent views over the Virunga Volcanoes, while the surrounding hills create a picture-perfect frame around the deep blue waters. Guests can take a gentle walk around one of the lakes, and enjoy wonderful birding. However, due to the steep nature of the landscape, it is often preferable to drive up the small track leading to a lodge tucked away at the top of the hill: the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing drink and soak up the glorious vistas.

The Twin Lakes are 45 minutes by car from Sabyinyo, and are reached via a good tarmac road south to Musanze, and then back north towards Cyanika, or via a narrow but picturesque dirt road that follows the contours of the mountain.

The lakeside resort of Gisenyi makes for a wonderful contrast to the high altitude of the Virunga Volcanoes. Located 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sabyinyo (two hours by car) Lake Kivu offers a relaxing day out. Stroll along the sandy beach on the lakeshore, and take a refreshing swim in the cool waters, followed by a refreshing drink at one of the quaint cafes along the palm-tree fringed lakeside promenade. The mild tropical climate adds to the springtime mood, which not even the imposing Nyiarongo Volcano can dampen.

Guests will also enjoy strolling past the hotels, mansions and lush gardens that echo its opulent past.

Local markets are the lifeblood of any town and Musanze market is a prime example. A bustling place full of local character and virtually everything you may need under the sun. Found in Musanze town (formerly known as Ruhengeri) it is the most important town in Rwanda’s Northern Province and in the Volcanoes area. It serves as the area’s administrative, commercial and service capital. You can also find all sorts of interesting souvenirs and handicrafts, and a wide range of traditional Kitenge fabric.

Enjoy a guided walk to Iby’Iwacu cultural village either on foot (a one hour downhill walk from Sabyinyo) or by car, a 15-minute drive).

Here you’ll learn the fascinating story of how one village convinced ex-poachers to turn their backs on poaching. Visit the traditional residence of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, and try your hand at bow-and-arrow shooting.

Cultural dances and drumming performances are also on offer.

The guided walk takes around an hour and guests are free to take photographs. It is customary to leave a tip of USD 20.00.

Another very rewarding outing is a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was established in 1967 to protect and study gorillas and their habitat, as well as to empower the people in the community.

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 Volcanoes National Park, why not add this to your itinerary. Here you can stop in for a tour, grab a cup of coffee at the Gorilla Café, browse the gift shop and learn more about the gorillas and the important work done to help conserve them.

* The visit is an additional cost per person in USD and are subject to change without prior notification.

Known locally as “Kandt House,” this museum celebrates the work of Dr. Richard Kandt, a German physician and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile River. A rich showcase of Rwanda’s natural treasures, the museum includes artifacts from Dr. Kandt’s expedition and also a ship that was sunk off the shores of Lake Kivu during the German troops’ surrender to the Belgian Army in World War I.

This museum is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Umuganda [community work] Day, which is the last Saturday of every month, the museum opens at 12:00 a.m. On 7th April, all museums are closed.

Established in 2007 by 18 women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali, the NWC examines Rwanda’s unfortunate history of violence, inequality and discrimination towards women. Today, the Center’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to disadvantaged women so that they can gain better opportunities for employment.

Located ten minutes from the city centre, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers guided tours of the exhibits and gardens commemorating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can choose to be guided by one of the staff, many of whom are survivors of the genocide, or purchase the KGM digital guide, which provides an audiovisual tour.

This collective of Rwandan creative artists showcases local works in contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance. In addition to exhibiting paintings, sculptures and mixed media expressions, the center conducts programs, projects and initiatives designed to expand the creative arts in Rwanda.