LUXURY SAFARI PORTFOLIO - Diverse East Africa

Expert tips:

Relaxed yet elegant, the Kigali Serena Hotel is situated on a charming boulevard in the heart of Kigali. Here, guests can choose from the hotel’s exceptional selection of 148 contemporary rooms — each with a lovely ensuite bathroom, internet connectivity, flat-screen satellite television and personal bar.

Delicious, globally-inspired meals are served at the hotel’s first- class eateries. Choose from mouth-watering à la carte menus, themed dinners, scrumptious poolside lunches and a wide array of colourful cocktails served overlooking the pool and tranquil gardens. Guests can take a dip in the sparkling swimming pool or unwind with a soothing massage at the hotel’s health club. A full-equipped gym adds to guest delight.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT KIGALI SERENA HOTEL

• Take advantage of the hotel’s well-equipped gym and treat yourself afterwards to a pampering massage at the Maisha health spa.

• Lounge on the open terrace and enjoy your favourite sundowner, after a successful day of sightseeing.

Expert tips:

Set adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, which is home to the iconic endangered mountain gorilla, Bisate Lodge offers the perfect base for mountain gorilla trekking. Situated within the natural amphitheatre of an extinct volcanic cone, the lodge offers breath-taking views of the brooding Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno volcanoes. Setting a new standard of luxury in the area, the lodge offers just nine beautiful ensuite rooms, including a family suite. Designed in typical Rwandan style, the buildings are domed with an authentic draping thatch. The interiors are also characteristically Rwandan, using natural materials such as wood and volcanic stone, but there is also a contemporary feel with the addition of warm greys and splashes of vibrant green.

The lodge’s main attraction is the opportunity to trek to visit a family of mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. There are also plenty of other activities for guests, including visiting one of the habituated golden monkey troops in the area, trekking to the top of one of the volcanoes, hiking up to Dian Fossey's grave and former research station at Karisoke, or exploring the local villages and the stunning twin lakes nearby.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT BISATE LODGE

• Track a family of majestic mountain gorillas through their natural habitat, or follow equally rare golden monkey troops as they frolic through the trees.

• Enjoy stunning views of the magnificent Virunga volcanoes.

• Take a hike up to the grave of renowned primatologist and gorilla activist, Dian Fossey.

Included:

Your stay includes; all meals, all local drinks, laundry, complimentary in-room welcome massage, wireless internet connection, local Government taxes.

Included activities:

• Gorilla Trekking

Recommended activities (at additional cost):

• Guided Walks in Volcanoes National Park

Expert tips:

Perched on the edge of the Crater rim, andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s sumptuous safari suites present breath-taking views. Inspired in design by the Maasai mud and stick manyatta (homestead), this is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Africa. Three separate and intimate camps are reminiscent of a bygone era totalling just 30 suites in all. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques and grand chandeliers. The bedroom, sitting room and ensuite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Ensuite bathrooms, with a centerpiece of red roses, feature huge showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. Personal butlers discreetly tend to guests’ every need, bringing tea in bed, stoking fireplaces and drawing luxurious baths. Described as “Maasai meets Versailles”, each camp has its own guest sitting and dining areas and viewing decks. The domed dining room, with its grand fireplace, turns every meal into a special occasion.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT ANDBEYOND NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE

• Spend an afternoon learning how to create beautiful Maasai beadwork with Papai, one of our Maasai Mamas.

• Witness the resident zebra drinking from the water tap outside of the Safari Shop – they have taught themselves to open the tap themselves!

• You absolutely have to try the Lodge’s famous fudge (our chefs will share the recipe if you like!)

Included:

Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, scheduled safari activities, refreshments on game drives and laundry.

Included Activities:

• Game drives

Recommended activities (at additional cost):

• Private Sundowners on the Rim

• Empakai Crater Hike

• Maasai village visit

Expert tips:

andBeyond Mnemba Island offers a sheer unpretentious paradise – just ten rustic palm-frond bandas sit nestled in a tropical casuarina pine forest fringed by a white coral sand beach. Cooling ocean breezes waft in through glass-free windows that are open to the elements. A covered walkway leads to a shuttered ensuite bathroom with huge glass beaded shower. Built-in barazas on the veranda are perfect for afternoon siestas and private beach salas feature traditional Zanzibari loungers for languid hours on the beachfront. Thatched dining and sitting / bar areas have beautiful open views of the beach. Baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns are sailed into Mnemba daily on traditional ngalawa outriggers. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach with the waves gently lapping at one’s feet. Private beach dinners delight newlyweds and not-so newlyweds alike.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT ANDBEYOND MNEMBA ISLAND

• One lazy afternoon, ask one of the staff members to teach you how to play Mbao – a traditional wooden board game.

• During a full or new moon, be sure to take a walk along the beach at low tide, when the whole atoll is exposed.

• Watch turtles lay their eggs on Mnemba’s sandy shores. This happens year round, however, the laying season peaks between January and August and hatchings take place approximately two months later. This is a definite must-see!

Included:

Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits, water sport including scuba diving (2 dives per day - full PADI certification required), snorkelling, kayaking, flyfishing, sundowner dhow cruise, stand-up paddle boarding (all activities ) and return Zanzibar Airport transfers.

Included Activities:

• Snorkeling

• Kayaking

• Windsurfing

• Scuba diving ( two dives per day for guests holding a valid PADI diving certificate)