Day 1 – ARRIVAL -
Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel (D) or Hotel Boulevard (D)

Day 2/3 – AMBOSELI -
Spend some hours exploring the Kenyan capital. Nairobi was established in 1896, on a plateau 1600 m above sea level as a direct result of the construction of the Mombassa - Lake Victoria railway line. Its name originates from a small river called `Enairobi', meaning ‘cool' in Maasai language. After a difficult start, the Kenyan capital is now a modern city with a population of over one million. The tar road leads us to the colourful, bustling border town of Namanga with Amboseli National Park just a short drive away on the dirt road. The white and crystalline snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro provide a majestic backdrop to a spectacular display of wildlife. Amboseli comprises several different wildlife habitats - a seasonal lake, swaps and marshes, open plains, woodlands and lava rock thorn bush country. Lion and cheetah are common, as well as, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, hartebeest, impala and gazelle. The park is renowned for its large herds of elephants.

Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge (BLD) or Ol Tukai Lodge (BLD) or Namanga River Lodge (BLD)

Day 4 - RIFT VALLEY - LAKE NATRON -
West of Monduli Hill, a small, almost invisible track, runs towards the tall volcanoes, standing out on the horizon. At the foot of Kitumbeine lies a wide basin, which is often flooded during the rainy season and constitutes a very important grazing area for cattle and numerous antelope and zebra. Oldonyo Lengai, the ‘Mountain of God’, a sacred mountain for the Maasai, dominates the nearby volcanoes and the salty waters of Lake Natron. We will have many encounters with the pastoralists as we cross the floor of the Rift Valley. Even for them, the environment is tough and inhospitable. The soda basin stretches for over 30 kilometres. The composition of the water favours the reproduction of microscopic algae, the favourite food of the flamingo. It is not unusual for the flamingos to number into the tens of thousands.

Overnight: Lake Natron Camp (BLD)

Day 5 - LAKE NATRON – NGORONGORO -
Just before sunrise, we venture down to the lake to feel the unique atmosphere of this mineral world. As we climb out of the rift valley up the steep escarpment several hundred metres high, we take a last look towards Mt Gelai and the shimmering surface of Lake Natron. As the dirt track winds its way across the plains, cattle and wildlife graze so harmoniously side by side. However, during February and March thousands of young wildebeest are born in this area. This is a veritable feast for the lions and hyenas that follow the Migration.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (BLD) or Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (BLD)

Day 6 – NGORONGORO -
The 600m deep caldera shelters the most beautiful wildlife haven on earth. Stunning views and scenic grandeur are the hallmark of this natural wonder. The crater is home to a microcosm of East African game, with a permanent population of 30,000 animals. It is one of the few places in Africa where you stand a very good chance of seeing ‘The Big Five’.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (BLD) or Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (BLD)

Day 7/8/9 – SERENGETI -
Visit the museum on the rim of Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered several Australopithecus, pre-historic man. The Serengeti National Park has the greatest concentration of game in Africa. Two million wildebeest, half a million Thomson's gazelle, and a quarter of a million zebra roam its endless plains. From November to May during the rainy season, wildebeest and zebra congregate on the open grasslands: this annual Migration through the Serengeti is one of the most wonderful sights in the natural world. Many carnivores such as wild dogs, lions, cheetah and hyenas follow the Migration, making sure that only the fittest survive. The diverse habitats of the Serengeti support some 30 species of large herbivores and nearly 500 species of birds. Some of the largest crocodiles in Africa can be seen on the banks of the Grumeti River. Bird life is everywhere. Eagles, marabous, ibis, storks, hornbills, and ostriches abound. Our daily game drives vary depending on the season and the concentration of animals. Crossing the reserve from the East to the West, we head up to Lake Victoria. Overnight:  Serengeti Serena Lodge (BLD) and Speke Bay Lodge (BLD) or Ikoma Bush Camp (BLD) and Speke Bay Tented Camp (BLD)

Day 10 - LAKE VICTORIA - WESTERN TANZANIA -

Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake, and one of the least visited parts of Tanzania. Spend several hours with fishermen drying or salting their catch of the day, namely Nile perch, tilapia, and ndagala. We pass through Mwanza, an important port with a lovely waterfront to the ferry that will take us to the southern lakeshore. Overnight: Lake View Hotel in Geita (BLD)

Day 11 - RUSUMO – RWANDA -
Heading south of Biharamulo, the red laterite track follows a steep plateau, passing through many villages, before starting to meander through the high rocky hills and the border post of Rusumo. Here, the sinuous river Akagera plunges into a spectacular waterfall. We cross into Rwanda, deep in the heart of Africa. This eastern part of the country is sparsely populated.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge (BLD) or Mission or Hotel Umbrella at Kibungo (BLD)

Day 12 – AKAGERA -
Seen from the Highlands, home to the shy oribi and to the elusive topi, the undulating hills, rolling grassland and an extensive series of lakes linked by papyrus swamps are breathtaking sight. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck are some of the game roaming this peaceful heaven. The many diverse habitats of the park ensure a remarkable variety of bird life, with over 500 known species.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge (BLD) or Mission or Hotel Umbrella at Kibungo (BLD)

Day 13 - THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS -
The countryside is patchwork blanket in various colours of green. From the bluish green of the eucalyptus trees planted on the hilltops, the dark green of the cypresses lining the narrow tracks, to the soft green of the rice fields in the wet valleys. The inhabitants, mainly a Hutu majority of Bantu origin and a Nilotic Tutsi minority, after years of terrible problems, have once again begun to appreciate the benefits of peace. An agreeable climate explains the extraordinary diversity of farming: coffee, tobacco, sorghum, potatoes, beans, and bananas.

Overnight: Gorillas’ Nest (BLD) or Village Touristique de Kinigi (BLD) or Centre de Charite de Remera (BLD)

Day 14 - MOUNTAIN GORILLAS -
As the first light of dawn breaks through the curtain of mist clinging to the summits of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyniyo, Gahinga and Muhabura, we make our way into the Parc National des Volcans. Tracking the gorillas through the unique vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet and muddy conditions. To see a gorilla, the trek will have been worth the hardship. After this unforgettable encounter, a short drive brings us to Gisenyi; a charming small town built on the shore of Lake Kivu.

Overnight: Sun Hotel (BLD) or Mission de Kigufi or Hotel Regina (BLD)

Day 15 – DEPARTURE -
Spend some hours on the superb shore of Lake Kivu. Travel back to Kigali. Transfer to the airport. (BL)