four properties
trekking, Rwanda
concession, Tanzania
between countries
One hour with a mountain gorilla family. Five days on the Serengeti.
This journey begins in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, where dense bamboo forest and volcanic slopes lead to one of the world's rarest wildlife encounters. Time with a habituated mountain gorilla family is limited to a single hour, carefully managed to protect the animals while allowing an extraordinary opportunity to observe them at close range.
Only 80 gorilla trekking permits are issued each day across the park, with permit fees supporting ranger patrols, veterinary care and long-term conservation. The journey then continues to Tanzania, where five days in the Serengeti allow time to follow the rhythms of the landscape, from early morning game drives to unhurried afternoons spent observing wildlife in one of Africa's great ecosystems.
An hour spent quietly observing a habituated mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat, one of the world's most remarkable wildlife encounters.
The vehicle stops on the open plains as the day draws to a close and a fire is lit. Nothing demands your attention except the changing light, the vastness of the Serengeti and the quiet that settles over the landscape.
It often happens around the fourth day. The landscape becomes familiar, you begin recognising the same wildlife, and the Serengeti reveals patterns that are impossible to see on a shorter safari.
The itinerary in full
Four Properties. One Thoughtfully Planned Journey.
Each stay has been selected for the experience it unlocks. A peaceful first night in Kigali before the highlands, Singita Kwitonda with direct access to Volcanoes National Park, then a choice between Singita Sabora Tented Camp and Singita Faru Faru Lodge in the Grumeti Reserve. The guides and wildlife are shared, but the experience differs: canvas on the open plains or floor-to-ceiling glass beside the river. Many guests choose to divide their stay between both.
The Retreat by Heaven
Kacyiru, Kigali, Rwanda
A peaceful retreat in one of Kigali's leafy residential neighbourhoods, small enough to feel personal and quietly attentive throughout. It offers a calm beginning to the journey, allowing guests to arrive, unwind and prepare for the days ahead.
Room Type
Pool Villa. A spacious villa with a private plunge pool and garden terrace, offering a more secluded and residential feel than a traditional hotel room.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Set at the edge of Volcanoes National Park, Singita Kwitonda is perfectly positioned for Rwanda's mountain gorilla treks. Built from locally sourced volcanic stone and surrounded by lush gardens, it offers a peaceful retreat where exceptional dining, thoughtful hospitality and restorative spaces bring each day in the forest to a gentle close.
Room Type
Suite. Spacious and light-filled, with a fireplace, deep soaking tub, private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Virunga Mountains.
Singita Sabora Tented Camp
Grumeti Concession, western Serengeti, Tanzania
Nine canvas tents set across the open plains, where little separates you from the surrounding wilderness. Inspired by the classic East African safari camps, the interiors combine rich leather, handcrafted timber furnishings and canvas with contemporary comfort.
Room type
Tented Suite. A spacious canvas suite with a separate sitting area, claw-foot bathtub, outdoor shower and private veranda overlooking the Serengeti plains.
Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Grumeti Concession, western Serengeti, Tanzania
Set beside the Grumeti River, Singita Faru Faru offers a contemporary safari experience where wildlife is never far away. Floor-to-ceiling glass, private plunge pools and open living spaces blur the boundary between the lodge and the surrounding landscape, with animals regularly passing through the grounds.
Room type
Suite. An open-plan suite with a private plunge pool, outdoor shower and spacious deck overlooking the waterhole, where elephants, giraffes and other wildlife are frequent visitors.
Second gorilla trek permit
Experience a second gorilla family in a different part of Volcanoes National Park, with new terrain, group dynamics and another hour in the forest. Subject to permit availability and recommended at the time of booking.
Helicopter scenic flight, Tanzania
See the Serengeti from the air, revealing the rivers, plains and wildlife corridors that shape one of Africa's great ecosystems. Subject to weather and aviation approvals.
Private photographic guide
Explore with a specialist wildlife photographer, offering expert guidance for guests wishing to capture the journey through thoughtful composition and fieldcraft.
Extended Tanzania stay
Add two or three nights in the Grumeti Reserve, allowing more time to follow the rhythms of the landscape and its wildlife.
Best Time to Travel
June to September and December to February offer the strongest conditions across both countries. Rwanda's dry season means firmer ground and better visibility in the forest. In Tanzania, the Great Migration moves through the western Serengeti and Grumeti area typically between May and June, though annual rainfall patterns shift the timing. Calving season in the southern Serengeti falls in January and February, and resident wildlife in the Grumeti concession is strong year-round.
Planning Your Trip
Gorilla permits across Volcanoes National Park are capped at 80 per day, and Singita properties keep guest numbers deliberately low. For peak periods, 6 to 12 months ahead is the reality rather than a suggestion.
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