The Savannas & Silverbacks Safari

Touch down in East Africa, where your cross-continental journey begins with a warm welcome from a Thomson Safaris representative upon arrival. A comfortable transfer carries you into town to check into the Gran Meliá Arusha, a luxurious haven set amidst lush coffee plantations with sweeping views of Mount Meru.

Unwind from your long flight by taking a dip in the infinity pool, strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens, or simply relaxing in your room away from the city's lively streets. Enjoy a restful, quiet evening amidst these serene surroundings, preparing you to board a bush flight into the wild Eastern Serengeti tomorrow morning.

Take off on a short, scenic flight to a private 10,000-acre sanctuary set aside exclusively for Thomson guests, where wildlife roams freely and frequently gathers around the camp’s watering hole. Starting your safari in this private refuge outside national park boundaries grants you the rare freedom to explore on foot; step out into the open terrain alongside expert Maasai guides to learn tracking techniques and encounter giraffes, zebras, and gazelles from a ground-level perspective. When darkness settles over the savanna, venture out again on a night drive to search for elusive nocturnal species using spotlights.

Beyond the wildlife viewing, your first days in Tanzania give you an introduction to the people and traditions that are woven into the landscape around you. Visit vibrant markets run by the Enjipai Women’s Group and gather around the campfire as Maasai storytellers share stories passed down through generations. Together, these experiences immerse you in the sights, sounds, and traditions of East Africa from the very beginning, setting the stage for a deeper connection to the landscape and a love of Tanzania that will grow throughout your safari.

Journey into the heart of Serengeti National Park, spending three full days navigating an endless ocean of grass, acacia woodlands, and towering granite kopjes. Your expert guide interprets every detail of the landscape, tracking lion prides lounging on rocky outcrops, cheetahs scanning the horizon from termite mounds, and leopards resting in the high branches of riverine trees.

Bear witness to the epic scale of the Great Migration as vast columns of wildebeests and zebras move together across the savanna in search of fresh grazing. With an unhurried daily pace, you can pause to watch young animals play or observe predators on the prowl before returning each evening to your Nyumba camp, sleeping comfortably to the soothing soundtrack of the African night.

Fly from the Serengeti to Lake Manyara Airport, then drive into the Ngorongoro Highlands to Gibb’s Farm, where you’ll arrive in time for lunch and spend the afternoon settling into your surroundings. Set on the edge of the highlands, the farm began as a coffee estate in the 1920s. Today its ten acres of organic gardens supply the kitchen with vegetables, herbs, and fruit, and everything you eat at the farm is grown on the property.

The following morning, your guide takes you to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descend 2,000 feet to the crater floor, a 100-square-mile area that holds roughly 25,000 large animals year-round. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five in a single day, from lions and leopards to massive elephants, Cape buffalo, and the elusive black rhino. Hippos crowd the crater’s pools while herds of wildebeest and zebra move across the grasslands below. A picnic lunch on the crater floor breaks up the day before you head back up the rim and return to Gibb’s Farm.

During your three-night stay, enjoy time to explore the farm at your own pace. Tour the gardens, walk to the Elephant Caves, meet the artists in residence at their studios, or spend an afternoon relaxing by the pool or indulging in a wellness treatment. Each guest stays in a private cottage with garden views and mountain scenery, complete with a fireplace, a soaking tub, and an outdoor shower.

After your safari adventure in Tanzania, a short flight brings you to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital.

Set among rolling hills, Kigali offers a thoughtful introduction to the country’s history, culture and remarkable transformation. Visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore colorful markets or sample the city’s thriving culinary scene before continuing north toward the misty mountains and extraordinary wildlife experiences ahead.

Journey into the lush foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, where mist-shrouded forests and towering volcanic peaks provide the setting for one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Set out on foot through the ancient forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas, following your expert guide along rugged mountain trails. Spending time quietly observing a gorilla family in its natural habitat is a rare and deeply moving experience — one that stays with you long after you leave the forest.

Enjoy a final scenic drive down from the Virunga Mountains, returning to Kigali as your grand East African expedition comes to a close.

Following your send-off, check into your private day room at the Kigali Serena Hotel. Spend the restful afternoon taking advantage of the hotel's peaceful amenities, using the time to pack, wash off the forest dust, and reflect on an extraordinary adventure before meeting your transfer driver for the final trip to Kigali International Airport.