Kenya, Rwanda & Tanzania

Take a game drives into one of the most unique game parks in the World, the Nairobi National Park.

Visits to see the orphaned elephants. Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Founded in 1979 as a core breeding centre of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe it further escalated its conservation efforts in 1983, opening up an outstanding environmental education centre. Take a tour around the Centre and feed the giraffes.

http://giraffecenter.org

Nairobi is just around the corner for those who need to get last minute items. Although our boutique is fully stocked, we would be happy to take you to any of the local shopping areas in Nairobi. Our driver guides are not only wildlife specialists, they also understand the art of bargaining.

An interesting project to deter large predators such as lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah, from killing livestock held in enclosures. This simple project was invented by an 11-year-old boy, Richard Turere whose family and neighbors were faced with predator incursions and livestock depredation on almost a daily basis in Kitengela (an area bordering the Nairobi National Park).

The ‘anti predator’ scheme involved a solar lighting system which charges batteries during the day and at night powers lights around the homestead. The lights are low power LED’s which flash continually throughout the night and have so far proved to be a great success. A study was carried out on this scheme and predator attacks and so far homesteads which this lighting scheme have not had one single predatory attack since their implementation.

The Emakoko has purchased twenty two units which have been given to 10 homes in the area – and so far those households have not been attacked. There are however more homes which desperately need these and if you would like to make a donation towards one of these units the community would be very grateful. The cost per unit to buy and install is $240.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Emakoko garden and Netty’s (daughter of Anton and Emma) tree project. Starting with just a handful, the garden has grown to over 3,500 seedlings! The trees are donated throughout Nairobi to anyone who would like to start their own Shamba (garden), and contribute to the reafforestation of Nairobi and the surrounding suburbs.

Enjoy a massage from the comfort of your room (additional cost - paid directly). Feel your jetlag dissipate as you listen to the animal sounds of Nairobi National Park.

Elephant, buffalo, Eland, Beisa Oryx, Grant gazelle, Impala, common and grevy Zebra, reticulated Giraffe, Lelwels Hartebeeste, Gerenuk, Greater Kudu, Water Buck, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Gunthers Dik Dik, Warthog, Wild dog, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion, spotted and striped Hyena: where else on earth can you go out for a drive in an open vehicle – with a Samburu guide and driver – and be virtually certain to see such a wide-ranging selection of elusive, wild game?

An experienced Samburu guides will take you on a nature walk to show you the Little Five – ant lion, leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, rhino beetle, buffalo weaver. Or you can choose to learn about the plants the Samburu use for medicine and food. Or stand in amazement at the sight of the 330 named species of birds found at Ol Malo.

Go horse or camel riding on the plains – a wonderful way to see the game, which won’t flee from horses and camels: you get very close to the action indeed. For the more adventurous – horse riding down towards the river; cross-country mountain biking; running with a Samburu warrior to set the pace. There's always time to try our home brew at the end of an adventurous day!

Pay a welcome visit to our neighbours, the Samburu people. Visit their local school or head to the market if you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday. Visit to the Ol Malo workshop to see the women beading and design a bracelet or anklet for your style (payable directly).

Enjoy Al Fresco dining

Day trip by helicopter from Ol Malo over the Suguta valley sand dunes to the Jade Sea, and return back to Ol Malo.

Half day trips or shorter are also available - head out at sunrise or sunset to a special location to toast the sun.

R44 and R66 choppers are flown with doors off for viewing maximization. Piloted by Andrew and his team who have been all over Kenya by air and know all the secret spots. Sundowners on granite outcrops, breakfasts by flamingo pools, fishing trips, and lunch in the deserts of the North…Kenya’s best-kept secrets are out there!

If you are here for long enough there are options for sleeping out: Spend a romantic night in the tree house under a blanket of stars (dependent on the weather), or sleep in the leopard hide and see what comes in to the waterhole. We can also organise for one to fly camp on the river.

Ol Malo is a working family ranch and tries to be as self sufficient as possible. Learn about livestock caring, grazing and husbandry in this harsh environment. Play with the lambs, collect freshly laid eggs for your breakfast and lend a hand at milking the cows.

Head out on a multi-day walking or riding safari with support by camels, exploring in the fashion safari started. Meals are cooked by open fire, and overnights are spent in pop up tents. Minimum of 2 people and 2 nights, ideal for small groups (max 4 on horseback and 6 by foot).

The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you, without the limitations of fixed schedules, or fitting in with other peoples’ plans. Nothing but personal desire need dictate what you do.

Our vehicles are specially customised to be a climbing frame, and a photographer’s extra tool. They are comfortable, able to handle the terrain, and cover the distance…. And were designed for sun, rain, wind, and above all, the feeling of having as little as possible separating you from what’s out there.

Our guides and spotters are intimately familiar with these special places, so they know all its secrets and the ways the animals interact with it, from the subtle changes of the seasons, to the stages of an animals lifecycle, to the flora that sustains it all – they are the key that can unlock it all for you.

Although ‘Walker’ really is Alex’s surname, being born to such an identity turns out to have been a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Spending his childhood days out on foot with his father’s trackers, then turning this into a full-time career as soon as he possibly could, Alex’s passion is walking, and it is without a doubt his preferred method of accessing the bush.

Walking safaris epitomise the golden chance to get away from the trails and beaten tracks, and immerse in the environment in a way that the noise and speed of vehicles don’t permit. Once you slow down, there’s a whole world that you never noticed before.

The beauty of walking is that it engenders an appreciation of an ecosystem’s sheer perfection: every tiny element has its place, and plays its role.

Stripping away the layers between you and an untamed setting beckons forth your primal instincts: your hearing, sight and smell all sharpen in response – and your appreciation of what you perceive is heightened as a result.

At Ngare Serian, we walk in our own private conservation area – a strictly no-vehicle zone that only we have access to. Here, you are likely to have close encounters with elephant, buffalo, hippo as well as more rare species like Chandler’s Mountain Reedbuck, klipspringer and oribi.

We employ scouts whose job it is to patrol the area and look out for snares, and walking in their company yields an insight into the land from the point of view of someone who roams it every day and knows it intimately.

First off, a disclaimer: flycamping has nothing to do with flying. Rather, it takes its name from sleeping in the bush under nothing more than a flysheet, as was the camping tradition before the luxury-laden era of ‘glamping’ arrived.

The premise is that you spend the days walking, and the nights sleeping out in light weight tents, in a makeshift camp that moves each day – the end of each day’s walk brings you to your new site for the night.

Flycamping can easily be incorporated into your stay with us, with some nights spent in our main camp before and after – and in fact, we can’t recommend it enough. It can add a whole new dimension to your experience, and a taste of the wilderness that few others ever encounter.

For so many, the definition of a night drive has come to be a quick scan around with spotlights en route back to camp after sundowners.

For us though, it’s an exploration of the enigmatic nightlife that we are oblivious to as we sit around the dinner table and proceed to bed. Nocturnal creatures emerge, the heavens are festooned with stars, and the landscape mutates into a whole other world by the light of the moon.

Take a flask of soup and a picnic dinner, and set out with a spotlight: if nothing else, the solitude and silence by starlight is reason enough in itself. Using red-filtered bulbs to avoid dazzling the animals, scan the plains for that pride of lion looking ready to hunt.

Once you’ve spotted them, switch to infrared floodlights, and watch the scene unfold through our infrared cameras. This is as close as you’ll get to invisibility, watching the wildlife without the fact of your presence affecting it.

An early morning departure from Ngare Serian will see you at your launchpad. Suspended in a basket beneath the balloon's canopy, you float over the plains and above the forest alongside the Mara River, checking out hippos, crocodile and elephant from high above.

The flight time is generally in the region of one hour and ends with a champagne breakfast in the open grassland within the reserve. An unbeatable start to the day!

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

This exclusive experience allows a total group of 8 guests to track a gorilla group in the forest on their own. This enables guests to have a deeper connection with these fascinating animals, accompanied by their own guide who can give them personal briefing. The cost is 15,000 USD per trek per day, for a maximum of 8 guests.

With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Characterized by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes, to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.

The group of Intore Dancers is made up of 24 dancers and two dance trainers.

The troupe perform the traditional Rwandan ballet called The Intore, also known as “The Heroes” for Volcanoes Safaris guests, which is based on the courtly victory dance of the Rwandan Mwami (kings). Being selected as an Intore in times of old was a great honour – they would receive a privileged education, intensive combat training and they held a high status within the court. Today, the dancers use traditional weapons such as spears and bows and wear brightly coloured clothes and long flowing white hairpieces.

Located in a beautiful meadow nestled between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes are the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her beloved research gorillas. For anyone interested in gorilla conservation in Rwanda, or interested in Fossey’s personal story, the trek to her grave is highly recommended. This trek starts early in the morning, can take 6-8 hours and is operated by the National Park.

Rwanda offers some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

Guests of Virunga lodge have easy access to the Virunga chain of volcanoes, which offer challenging hikes and stunning panoramas. The three most popular volcanoes to climb are Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo, and Mt. Muhavura. These hikes are of varying difficulty and typically take a full day. The treks starts at 7:00am from the park headquarters, from where visitors will have to drive / be driven to the base of the volcano.

On a free afternoon at Virunga Lodge we recommend taking advantage of the lodge’s unique position by meandering down the mountain slope, through local villages, and to Lake Bulera, which sits at its foot. Passing through the local communities offers a colorful peek into village life and opportunities to visit local schools and community centers.

Although it rains heavily around Virunga Lodge, there are very few facilities for water catchment and storage and in the dry season there is an acute shortage of water. The villagers in Sunzu village around the lodge, where 138 families live, do not have enough clean water for drinking or for growing crops.

Starting in 2016, Virunga Lodge has been providing plastic water tanks to the local community and with the support of our guests,

In June 2014 Virunga Lodge launched the “One Sheep per Family” project, to provide one sheep to each of the 140 families in the Sunzu community. The sheep manure provides natural and effective fertiliser for growing crops. As well as providing manure, selling lambs provide income for the family.

For the project to work effectively, the community is divided up into 14 groups and each group is given nine females and one male. After all females produce an offspring, the breeding males are rotated to a different group for genetic diversity. A new family takes over caring for the male and donates one female offspring back to the previous ram caretaker.

The Dian Fossey Map Room at Virunga Lodge has been built in honor of Dr. Dian Fossey, the pioneer primatologist who set up the Karisoke Center high in the Virunga volcanoes in 1967. The exploration and conservation of the Virunga volcanoes is a very interesting and unique story and has been brought together for the first time in the amazing exhibition at the Dian Fossey Map Room at Virunga Lodge.

The Dian Fossey Map Room was opened on 2 March 2017. A permanent exhibition has been set up in the Map Room charting the ‘Conservationists and Explorers of the Virunga Volcanoes’ from 1850 to 1985 when Fossey died.

Each booking includes a private guide and an open safari vehicle (up to 8 seats).

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Set off on game drives to explore our exclusive-use protected wildlife area or Tarangire National Park with your private guide and vehicle. Night game drives are only available in our exclusive-use protected wildlife area.

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Day trips to Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks as well as the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area are available at an additional cost (closed vehicle). Pre-booking is required.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

End your day on a high note with sundowners on the shore of Lake Manyara. Take a moment to reminisce about your time in the Tanzanian wilderness as you sit, drink in hand, and watch the sun paint the sky shades of pinks and oranges as it sinks behind the escarpment.

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Foster a deeper connection with the land on a silent walk through the wilderness, letting your senses take control as you soak up the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Break the silence over a traditional baobab drink with your Maasai guide.

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Set off on a morning or late afternoon walk with your Maasai guide, tapping into their endless knowledge of the landscape and wildlife, before ending with a delicious bush breakfast or sundowners on the shores of Lake Manyara.

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Invigorate yourself with a revitalising 6-10km walk through the wilderness with your Maasai guide.

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Get blood pumping as you join a Maasai warrior on an invigorating run across the plains for a one-of-a-kind fitness experience.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Witness the delicate balance between local communities and our protected wildlife area with a sunrise hike up the nearby Vilimia Vitatu Hill. Set out at dawn to scale the hill before stopping at the top to survey the vastness of the land we work to protect while sipping on a steaming hot drink.

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Visit a Maasai village for an interactive and engaging glimpse into this proud culture. Learn about the Maasai way of life and share experiences and stories.

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Explore Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage through an interactive visit to a nearby Barabaig boma. Immerse yourself in the Barabaig’s pastoral way of life, learning about their vibrant traditions and culture.

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Be united in a traditional Maasai ‘celebration of togetherness’. Dress in traditional clothing and experience a moving ceremony led by Maasai elders who perform ancestral prayers and songs. Available at an additional cost. For more information, please enquire with our reservations team.

Intimate Maasai Blessing
Includes roses, prosecco, and a Maasai choir of 15.
Grand Maasai Blessing
Includes roses, French Champagne, and a Maasai choir of 40.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Whether a child's birth, a wedding, or a rite of passage, traditional celebrations with song and dance are integral to Maasai culture. Join us for a vibrant Maasai celebration and listen in awe as the community choir brings their rich culture and stories to life through song.

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Rise with the dawn and glide over the tops of acacias and ancient baobabs as the sun climbs the sky. Available at an additional cost. Enquire for more information.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

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Chem Chem Lodge offers a selection of interactive and engaging activities to keep your children entertained.

Learn age-old survival techniques from a Maasai warrior. Identify bush food and learn how to make and use a fire, spear, bow, and arrow.

Beading and making a bracelet with Maasai women.

Decorate safari-themed biscuits.

Arts and crafts.

Board games.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Take to the skies to explore the Tanzanian wilderness from above. Enquire for more information on trips and rates. Booking prior to arrival is essential.

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The spa facilities comprise a treatment room and shower. A range of treatments are available at an additional cost.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge