On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration you will be met and transferred to Rivertrees Lodge where you will stay for one night.
Breakfast
Lunch, dinner and Drinks
This morning following breakfast you will be transferred to Arusha airport for your scheduled charter flight to Serengeti south airstrip, departing at 10:45AM.
On arrival at 11:45AM, you will be met by a camp representative and transferred to Roving Bushtops where you will stay for three nights. Arrive in time for an afternoon game viewing activity.
Serengeti Bushtops is a unique five star safari experience within Tanzania’s glorious Serengeti, a Unesco world heritage site. A Tanzanian haven for serious safari seekers, Serengeti Bushtops is a luxurious oasis within one of the world’s most magical settings. Picture yourself gazing out over the stunning scenery of the Serengeti. Imagine returning from safari and watching the sun set from the comfort of your tent’s private hot tub. Consider the thrill of watching the annual migration thunder across the mighty Mara river. Or simply revel in the thought of being pampered by your butler and our friendly staff, before enjoying our fabulous cooking and fine wines in the comfort of our restaurant and shared spaces. This combination of safari adventure, first class facilities and blissful relaxation has delivered Serengeti Bushtops’ unwavering promise of Wild Luxury. Under Serengeti Bushtops canvas lies the finest in seductive luxury and twelve of the lrgest, most impressive tented en suites imaginable. None are overlooked, but all look over the Serengeti. Each faces the sunset and is open on two sides, revealing heart-stopping vistas of timelss beauty. This is a magical place, in which to reconnect with what really matters.
Partake in some of the many activities on offer at Roving Bushtops
Game Drive
There are no better game viewing locations on earth than the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
We believe our converted 4×4 vehicles, expert guides and eagle-eyed spotters are without peer or parallel.
The combination makes any Bushtops safari simply unforgettable. This activity is included in the price for the ground package rate and is not included in the price for those who are paying for the full board package.
Walking Safari
You leave Camp at around 6 am for a game drive en route to the walking venue at Wayo near Mara river. The walk takes around one hour and is accompanied by your Ranger and an armed Tanapa (Tanzania National Parks) Ranger, who’s expertise means you can safely approach herds of impala, zebra and giraffe. They will also spot and interpret the animals tracks left from the night before and identify the flora and fauna. All you need is a pair of good walking shoes and a sense of adventure!
After the walk you head back to Camp for breakfast or continue with your game drive.
Minimum age requirement for children on a walking safari is 16 yrs and above. Charge Per Person is USD 50.
Sundowner
It’s a classic moment, immortalized in films, fantasies and a million great safari adventures: watching the sun set over the African bush. There’s simply nothing like it. You may see a burnished disk slip gracefully from view. If not, the clouds will diffuse an amazing palette of colour, flooding the horizon. Either way, you’ll be part of an incredible experience which will live on in your mind’s eye, for ever.
Serengeti Bushtops isn’t just the perfect place for a safari: it includes the ideal spot for a sundowner. We call it Simba’s rock. The reason is simple. Simba means lion and our favoured sundowner location is theirs too! Needless to say, if they are there first, our advance team swiftly detours to prepare one of several alternative options. Usually, though, we’re able to look across the Serengeti plains from Simba’s Rock, watching the sun set on paradise.
Sundowners are private at Serengeti Bushtops, meaning they are exclusive to you as an individual, couple, family or group. The charge is 50 USD per person. Sundowners can also be enjoyed for free in the privacy of your own luxury tent. Each tent has a sunken lounge or you could enjoy the sunset from your hot tub.
What a way to end the day!
Enjoy your last full day in Southern Serengeti.
Hot Air Ballooning
There is nothing quite like soaring high above the herds in a hot air balloon, as the sun rises over Serengeti. If this prospect appeals, and you decide to add a balloon safari to your itinerary, do let us know in advance, so we can arrange a booking with our local hot air balloon operator, based near Kogatende.
You will be picked up from Serengeti Bushtops before dawn, ready to take off as the sun makes its appearance. The flight lasts an unforgettable hour, before your balloon is brought gracefully back to earth – and a celebratory Bush champagne breakfast.
You can then head off on a full day’s day game drive, or return to camp for a more leisurely morning and even a return to bed, to catch up on lost sleep.
Please note that a balloon safari lies outside your Serengeti Bushtops booking and our direct control: you should allow around US$550 per person for the flight.
Bushtops Bushcraft Challenge
If you are bringing younger members of the family with you, there's something new and exciting awaiting them at Bushtops. Our Bushcraft Challenge. This introduces youngsters to basic survival skills, local culture, the importance of conservation and (of course) local flora and fauna.
Activities include learning to make fire without matches or a lighter; completing animal spotting checklists (assisted by our rangers); identifying animal tracks and making a memento plaster cast of their favourites (we can even arrange to have a Bronze made out of your cast. This will be sent to you via courier); learning about animal bones; practicing archery; trying out bead making skills; baking Swahili cookies and more!
Completing the challenge leads to a Bushtops Bushcraft Certificate, authenticating unique skills and a sense of real achievement. This activity carries no additional cost.
Bisalalah School Visit
Education is the greatest gift – and helping out local schools is very much part of the Bushtops way. It’s fundamental to our belief that luxury safaris must go hand in hand with care for the land, its wildlife and the communities who were there long before us.
Our local schools are proud of what we achieve together, so the headmaster or a teacher is always happy to give our guests a tour. In around 45 minutes you get to meet the students, see them in class and note some of the projects we’ve funded, built or worked on.
A visit always creates an unforgettable impression: it’s a captivating experience, seeing how children in less fortunate communities take every chance they can get to learn – creating new opportunities for their future.
To take part in a school visit, just let us know before you arrive. If not, we may still be able to arrange things once you join us. There is no cost.
Private Bush Breakfast
Picture this: an early morning wake-up call, followed a mysterious drive into the wilderness. Then, as the sun rises and light
floods the landscape, you find yourself in an oasis of tranquility.
You hop from the truck to survey this wonderland. Moments later, your table awaits you. This is your Private Bush breakfast.
It’s highly unlikely that you have ever started the day in such a glorious location, or in such splendid isolation. No fellow diners: just you, our chef and your driver, serving a hot meal and an array of delicious buffet delicacies. A glorious day in the Bush has begun …
We recommend you pre-book your private bush breakfast with us before you arrive. The cost is 50USD per person – but the experience is priceless.
Klipspringer Dining
The perfect end to the perfect day: total privacy in your own illuminated corner of the darkening Serengeti. That’s what our Klipspringer dining experience delivers, within a setting of charm and intimacy.
The surrounding rocks, of the sort favoured by local Klipspringer antelope, form a natural amphitheatre, adding intimacy for honeymooners or families (the 130USD cost covers up to six people).
Within this magical haven, lanterns and a bonfire turn beauty into wonder, creating the ideal spot for a sumptuous meal, prepared by our executive chef.
As day turns to night in the Serengeti, has life ever been this good?!
Aromatherapy Massage
When you visit us, we want you to be exhilarated by the wildlife, but relaxed by everything else. You can book an Aromatherapy or Deep Tissue massage with products from Terres d’Afrique.
As you contemplate the delights of the safari you have just completed or the dinner about to be enjoyed, what better way to let the cares of the world slip from your shoulders? These treatments and massages carry an additional cost.
Full Day Game Drive & Picnic Lunch
During a full-day game drive your ranger will find a nice spot under a tree to set up a picnic lunch. Dining in the middle of nowhere with nobody to disturb you except for the noises of animals nearby also enjoying their lunch is an experience one cannot easily forget. This carries no additional cost.
The walk takes place in the early morning hours and is conducted by your ranger. Apart from flora and fauna, we look at the previous night's droppings and tracks.
Following breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Seronera airstrip. On arrival you will be met and game view en route to One Nature Nyaruswiga where you will stay for three nights.
Uniquely located in the heart of the Serengeti and surrounded by breathtaking views of endless plains that are embraced by the Nyaruswiga Hills, this magical destination provides an almost surreal backdrop for the more than 1 million animals annually migrating through this valley.
One Nature Nyaruswiga is tucked in a secluded area in the popular Central Serengeti that has the richest amount of wildlife and offers year round game viewing. This ideal location offers the best chance to see the great migration for the longest time.
Each of One Nature Nyaruswiga’s 14 units (including all main areas) offer a full savannah view as far as the eye can see. Staying here is a tented experience that offers the highest end furnishing and amenities from leading luxury brands, with the finest attention to detail that include:
- Three (3) bathing options (indoor shower, outdoor shower, bathtub) and en-suite bathroom behind a wall with a lockable door
- In-room fire stove
- Personalised butler service
- All inclusive premium spirits
One Nature Nyaruswiga’s open safari vehicles are all photography-ready and are only four-seater for extra leg space and privacy. These vehicles are also equipped with extra suspension for each seat for enhanced comfort, binoculars for each guest available by each seat, WiFi , charging sockets for cameras and phones, mini fridge and clean water tank.
Enjoy some of the many activities on offer:
Safari Game Drives
Embark on an unforgettable African safari with One Nature’s expert guides, in our bespoke luxury open safari vehicles. Home to the Great Migration, Africa’s iconic Big Five, the largest population of lions and hundreds of bird species, the Serengeti, is a wildlife haven like no other.
The Great Migration
Witness the Great Migration, the greatest wildlife show on earth, where millions of wildebeests, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, make their way through the Serengeti in search for greener pastures. The sheer scale and synchronized movements of this migration create an unforgettable experience.
Bush Breakfast
Indulge in a bush breakfast, where nature serves as your dining companion. Start your day bounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Serengeti’s endless plains while enjoying an abundance of freshly prepared dishes. Embrace the fresh morning air, the singing birds, and the stunning sights that emerge in front of you. Amid nature's embrace, savor a truly wonderful breakfast.
Bush Dinner
Savor an exquisite bush dinner under the stars as the sun have set. Delight in the warm glow of lanterns, the crackling bonfire, and the symphony of nature while relishing incredible cuisine prepared with passion and expertise. Let the untamed beauty of the bush and the company of loved ones create unforgettable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Enjoy your last full day of game viewing activities in Central Serengeti.
Balloon Safari
Drift above the Serengeti's majestic landscapes on an amazing balloon safari adventure. As the sun rises over the savannah in golden hues, soar into the sky and witness the world below from an entirely different perspective. Glide peacefully over the vast plains, observing the diverse wildlife and the breathtaking scenery. Capture stunning photographs and create lasting memories of this remarkable experience. (Added cost)
Walking the Serengeti
Traverse the vast landscapes, guided by our passionate experts who unveil the secrets of the plant and animal kingdom. Feel the earth beneath your feet and the gentle breeze on your face as you witness wildlife in their natural habitat. Gain deep understanding of the delicate ecosystems that sustain life and appreciate the sheer magnificence of nature's untouched beauty.
Sundowner
Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Serengeti as the sun gracefully sets, casting a breathtaking display of colors across the horizon. Raise a toast to the stunning views that surround you, enveloped by the untouched wilderness. Delight in the enchantment of a sundowner, a captivating experience that will leave you spellbound by the natural wonders that embrace you.
Intimate Private Dinner
Experience a romantic evening with our intimate private dinner. Customized to suit your occasion, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, or engagement, our team creates a magical setting just for you. Indulge in exquisite cuisine, while surrounded by the enchanting beauty of the Serengeti. Let the ambiance, personalized service, and unforgettable moments kindle the romance and create cherished memories.
Following breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled regional charter flight to Kigali International Airport, departing at 9:15AM.
On arrival at 11:30 AM, after clearing customs and immigration you will be met and transferred to the Retreat by Heaven hotel where you will overnight. Enjoy lunch a Heaven's restaurant. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure before having dinner at Fusion.
Town & Country and The New York Times describe The Retreat in Kigali as one of the top boutique hotels of the world. The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 20-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport. 8 new luxury pool villas and a new wine lounge and deck are now open and recently hosted Prince Charles! The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation deck, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center. Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for first 2 nights or several days as visitors enjoy innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities onsite and around Kigali. Josh Ruxin co-owner, is the author of the book "A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope & a Restaurant in Rwand,a" which shares the whole of the Ruxin family story.
Lunch and dinner, includes 1 welcome complimentary 30mins massage – Subject to availability and valid 1 time per guest on their first night only - (Our Spa operates from 10AM – 7PM daily); if staying 2 nights consecutive stay includes one ½ Day Retreat Experience (Fashion, Culinary or Art Experience ) - need to pre-book.
This morning after breakfast you will be met at 8AM for your Genocide Museum visit . At 10AM you will continue to Volcanoes National Park (Approx. 3 hrs.). You will stop at the Diane Fossey Gorilla Foundation for your self guided tour before continuing on to the One & Only Gorilla Nest Lodge where you will stay for three nights. Arrive in time for lunch and enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.
All meals, Genocide Museum visit , Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers), Two daily activities per person (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice). Nespresso machine, tea & coffee facilities. Turndown amenities. Laundry, within reason. Daily water and personal pantry in the room. Complimentary Wireless Internet Access. Access to the Fitness Centre – Open daily. For your nature experiences – our team provides complimentary trekking equipment, including ponchos, gaiters, backpacks, and shoe cleaning. All the room inclusions. Personalised in-room check-in. Meet & greet by Resort Manager. Fresh flowers throughout the suite. Personal pantry with a selection of 5 different snack jars. Selection of gin, whiskey, and red and white wine in the suite. One&Only Tea Box departure gift.
Spa
This morning after breakfast, your Driver/Guide will drive you to the park headquarters where you will check in and meet your trackers. You will then continue to the respective trail head to begin your first Gorilla trek. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Gorilla Viewing Protocol
Twelve habituated groups can be tracked and observed in the Volcanoes National Park. While tracking expeditions do not necessarily cover enormous distances, they can range in length from 1-8 km (0.5-5 miles) over very steep country at high altitudes. The undergrowth can be thick, the ground beneath muddy, and, including the time spent with a gorilla group, excursions can last between 2 and 8 hours.
Gorilla viewing protocol is based on the guidelines issued by the IUCN for great ape viewing. Such protocols are designed specifically to limit stress and behavioural impact and also potential disease transmission from humans to gorillas. They are critical for gorilla conservation.
Maximum viewing duration of any group is 1 hour per day.Maximum number of guests per gorilla tracking excursion is 8.No food or drinks can be consumed close to the gorillas.Smoking is not allowed.Do not litter.Spitting in the Park is strictly prohibited.While gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and tracking conditions.When with the gorillas, please keep your voice low. Do not make rapid movements that may alarm them.Should you need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.If a gorilla should charge or vocalise at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s instructions.Minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years – this is for reasons of safety but also for possible disease transmission, with children under this age more prone to infection.
All meals, 1 X Gorilla Permit per person, Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers), Two daily activities per person (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice). Nespresso machine, tea & coffee facilities. Turndown amenities. Laundry, within reason. Daily water and personal pantry in the room. Complimentary Wireless Internet Access. Access to the Fitness Centre – Open daily. For your nature experiences – our team provides complimentary trekking equipment, including ponchos, gaiters, backpacks, and shoe cleaning. All the room inclusions. Personalised in-room check-in. Meet & greet by Resort Manager. Fresh flowers throughout the suite. Personal pantry with a selection of 5 different snack jars. Selection of gin, whiskey, and red and white wine in the suite. One&Only Tea Box departure gift.
Spa
This morning you will have your second gorilla trek. Return to the lodge for lunch, dinner and overnight.
All meals, 1 X Gorilla Permit per person, Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers), Two daily activities per person (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice). Nespresso machine, tea & coffee facilities. Turndown amenities. Laundry, within reason. Daily water and personal pantry in the room. Complimentary Wireless Internet Access. Access to the Fitness Centre – Open daily. For your nature experiences – our team provides complimentary trekking equipment, including ponchos, gaiters, backpacks, and shoe cleaning. All the room inclusions. Personalised in-room check-in. Meet & greet by Resort Manager. Fresh flowers throughout the suite. Personal pantry with a selection of 5 different snack jars. Selection of gin, whiskey, and red and white wine in the suite. One&Only Tea Box departure gift.
Spa
This morning following breakfast you will be met by your guide for your transfer back to Kigali. Enjoy lunch in Kigali at a local restaurant before arriving at the airport for your flight back home.
Breakfast, Lunch
