15 days - Kenya to Tanzania to Rwanda

Samburu, the Serengeti and the gorillas

Three countries and three distinct worlds: the arid north of Kenya, the short-grass plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, then the montane forest of the Virungas.

3 Countries

7 Stops

14 Nights

Luxury Service level

The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.
The legsRead the images left to right: each panel is one leg, in the order you travel it, and each is set out in full below.

The journey

When to go

Game viewing

Great Migration

Gorilla trekking

Game viewing Great Migration Gorilla trekking Avoid

July Primary window

Mara River crossings begin and gorilla trekking is at its driest. Excellent, and marginally less contested than August.

Crossings begin Driest trails

The route

Kenya

Nairobi, then the arid north at Samburu.

Arrival in the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. VIP airport meet & greet, go through all formalities and meet the driver who will take you to the hotel.

After a late breakfast, transfer to Wilson Airport from where you will fly to Samburu Reserve on a private jet King Air 350. The flight takes only 40 minutes. Upon arrival in the National Park, our safari guide will meet you and take to the lodge for lunch.

Today, a whole day to explore the park is at your disposal! Samburu is the smallest park in Kenya, but it is also one of the most interesting. Many animals come to the river Evaso-Ngiro for watering, and from there it is convenient to observe different animals at the same time. Also at your disposal is a SPA lodge, where you will be given a 30-minute massage as a compliment, and you can have breakfast, or lunch, or dinner among the savannah. You will have night safaris and sunset cocktails.

Tanzania

Serengeti plains, the Mwiba private reserve, the Ngorongoro Crater.

Today, after breakfast, your guide will take you to the airstrip from where you will depart for Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Once you land at the Seronera Airstrip, our safari guide will greet you, and with him, you will go to the lodge for your rest. On the way to the lodge, we will start the safari game drive.

Today we will take you to the skies at sunrise in a hot-air balloon and have a champagne breakfast! Early rise and check out of the lodge around 5:00 am. Upon arrival at the gathering place, we will give you a briefing and go for the adventure! You will have a bird's-eye view of the animals for a full 50 minutes! And after landing, we'll celebrate with a glass of champagne or juice. Next, we will take you to a colourful place where you will be treated to a fresh breakfast. When the tour ends, our guide will take you back to the lodge to rest.

You'll start your day with a memorable sunrise drive through the Serengeti. Watch the sunset in the savannah on fire while predators like leopards and lions hunt for their morning meal. After breakfast, you'll head out for an afternoon walk through the park. Your guide will choose a route designed to give you the best chance of spotting the Big Five and the migration of the wildebeest.

It's time to say "Serengeti, see you soon!" and take the Beechcraft 1900D Private Jet to the Mwiba Private Reserve. It's only a 25-minute flight and you're there. Incredible views, amazing food, and extraordinary hospitality from the staff await you! Overnight accommodations: Mwiba Lodge.

Keep enjoying the private sanctuary! At this lodge, you have activities to choose from or you can try them all: - Hiking Safaris - Unlimited Safari Drives - Night safari drives - Walking with Hadzabe (the last bushmen) - A visit to the village of Datoga - Sundowners Overnight accommodation: Mwiba Lodge.

After a hearty breakfast, it's time to move on, so we move on to Ngorongoro Crater National Park - the 8th Wonder of the World! You will land at the Manyara airstrip, from where our guide will pick you up and take you to the lodge.

After breakfast, we head into the heart of the Ngorongoro Crater. You will see thousands and thousands of animals in herds: wildebeest and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, leaping antelopes and gazelles, mighty African elephants, and the most respected group of animals: predators. You will have a chance to see skinny cheetahs and shy leopards, hyenas, and finally, the lion king himself.

Rwanda

Kigali, then Volcanoes National Park for the gorillas.

After a good rest at the lodge, we will depart by private jet from the Manyara strip to Kilimanjaro international airport, from where we will fly to Kigali at 18:30, Rwanda air (business class). Upon arrival in the Rwandan capital, you will be met by an Akagera aviation representative and escorted through all the formalities. And on your way out of the airport, you will meet your driver, who will take you to your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer back to the airport for a helicopter flight to Volcanoes National Park. On the way, you will have an hour-long sightseeing tour. Your helicopter will then land at the Singita Lodge.

This is a day to remember for a lifetime: you will take advantage of a rare opportunity to go to a rainforest in the mountains and spend some time with the famous "gorillas in the fog". After an early breakfast, you'll be given a preliminary trekking briefing before being assigned to groups and hiking in the forest. There are no assumptions as to how long or short our hike will be, as it depends on the gorillas and the weather, so you may be in the park for one hour to six or more. Regardless of how long the hike is, the reward at the end is the same: a magical hour of watching these magnificent animals as they rest, play, and eat in the heart of the jungle. At the end of the hike, you'll return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Depending on what your international flight will be, our team will organise a transfer.

The detail

About this trip

If you're in search of the best safari in Africa, you should definitely visit the Three African Pearls – Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The eastern region of Africa has the best conditions for a classic safari. Your journey starts in Kenya, with a visit to Samburu National Park. This northern region of the country is famous for its wildlife and rare animals, which you won't find elsewhere. You will also get to know the Samburu tribes and how people live in this rugged land. You will then proceed to Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park. It is the epitome of all of Africa. Enjoy a classic game drive experience and a bird's-eye view of the Serengeti from a hot-air balloon at sunrise. It will be the most memorable sunrise of your life. You will then have a few days of relaxation at Mwiba Lodge. It is a truly exclusive and luxurious place. At the end of the tour, another exciting adventure awaits you – a trek to the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. Three African Pearls is a trip you will talk about for years.

What is included

Samburu Safari – rare wildlife in Kenya’s remote north and riverside game-drives.
Balloon at Sunrise – gliding above the Serengeti National Park with champagne breakfast.
Luxe Lodge Retreat – private sanctuary stays at Mwiba Reserve for ultimate relaxation.
Crater Big-Five Encounter – explore the legendary Ngorongoro Crater teeming with Africa’s majestic species.
Gorilla Trek – face-to-face time with mountain gorillas in misty Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Curated Transfers – private jets and seamless travel between Kenya → Tanzania → Rwanda.

What is not included

International flights (From/ home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.
Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for Three African Pearls?

July, August and September score highest: Mara River crossings begin in July, the Virunga gorilla trails are at their driest, and August is the best month but the first to sell out. February is a strong alternative with peak calving. April is the wettest month, with deep mud on the gorilla trails and many camps closed.

What does the gorilla trek involve?

After an early breakfast and a briefing you are assigned to a group and hike into the forest. The hike may last from one hour to six or more, depending on the gorillas and the weather, and ends with an hour with them. Treks start around 2,500m and climb from there. It is not technical, but it is not a stroll either.

What does Three African Pearls cover, and what is left out?

The trip combines a Samburu safari, a sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti with champagne breakfast, a stay at Mwiba Reserve, the Ngorongoro Crater, a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, and transfers between the three countries. Not included are international flights, extra accommodation before or after, tips, and personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance and visa fees.

Can the Three African Pearls route be changed?

It is a starting point that we tailor. Rwanda gorilla permits are capped daily and everything else bends around them, so we settle the permit date first, then hold the Serengeti camps and internal flights. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.

Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?

Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.

What meals are included on safari?

Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.

Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?

Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.

What should I pack for an African safari?

Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.

How do I stay safe on safari?

Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

What is a typical day on safari?

A safari day usually has an early game drive, time to rest at camp in the heat of the day, and an afternoon activity before sundowners and dinner. Some camps add walks, boat trips or cultural visits. Your itinerary sets out the plan for each day.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Herd of zebras and wildebeest gathered in the shade of an acacia tree

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

Visas

Most visitors to Kenya need an eTA, an online travel authorisation granted before departure. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda but not Tanzania, which has its own visa, usually arranged online, and Rwanda has its own entry rules too. Requirements differ by nationality, so confirm current requirements with the embassy before you travel.

Yellow fever

A yellow fever certificate is required for entry to Rwanda and Tanzania when you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Carry the original card. Confirm current requirements with your travel clinic.

Malaria

Prophylaxis is advised for all three countries. Begin before departure according to your doctor’s schedule, and confirm current requirements with your travel clinic.

Luggage

Light aircraft between camps carry about 15 kg per person including hand luggage, and soft bags are strongly recommended over hard cases. We confirm the exact limit for your flights at booking. Plan on laundry at camps rather than volume.

Trekking kit

Waterproof boots with ankle support, gaiters, and gardening gloves for grabbing vegetation. The forest is steep, wet and full of nettles.

Altitude

Volcanoes National Park treks start around 2,500m and climb from there. It is not technical, but it is not a stroll either.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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