Travel to Kenya, 10 days

Private Safari Details

The golden plains of Kenya are the very essence of wild Africa--teeming with herds of zebras and wildebeests, dotted with acacia trees, and inhabited by the fascinating Maasai people. Set off in open safari vehicles by day to discover a breathtaking array of animals with an expert guide, and spend three nights at our exquisite lodge in the Chyulu Hills. Take a bush walk with a tracker, get to know Maasai tribespeople, and ride horses against a backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Then head to the rolling grasslands of the legendary Masai Mara and experience some of the best game- and bird-viewing in Africa.

---

Trip Highlights

• Enjoy a variety of activities, including day- and nighttime game drives, walking safaris, horseback riding, and sundowners on a hilltop with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Stay in luxury lodges and tented camps known for excellent service and fabulous views, located on private concessions where vehicle traffic is limited.

---

Itinerary - 10 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Nairobi, Kenya

Depart on an overnight flight and arrive in Nairobi the following evening. Our local staff is on hand to greet you at the airport and take you to the tranquil Ngong House on the edge of the city for check-in and dinner. Ngong House (D)

Days 3, 4, & 5 — Chyulu Hills National Park

This morning, transfer to the regional airport for a scheduled charter flight to Chyulu Hills National Park. On arrival, take a short game drive on the way to Ol Donyo Wuas, a stunning lodge that looks out on Mount Kilimanjaro. Settle into your private suite and spend the next three days exploring the splendid Chyulu Hills area as you wish. Head out on daily safaris, spotting elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and much more. Ride over the hills on horseback or go mountain biking. Join a Maasai guide for a walking safari and learn how to track wildlife and identify some of the area’s less well known species. Visit a Maasai village and meet the villagers to learn about their everyday life and traditions. If you choose, take a day trip to Amboseli National Park and spend a night “fly camping” in the bush with only a mosquito net between you and the starry sky. Ol Donyo Wuas (B, L, D daily)

Days 6, 7, & 8 — Masai Mara Nature Reserve

After breakfast, take a scheduled charter flight to Mara Plains via Nairobi. A private concession adjacent to the legendary Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Mara Plains offers incredible wildlife viewing away from the crowds. Check into the Mara Plains Camp, a luxurious camp of spacious raised tents that open out onto the sweeping plain so that you can gaze at wildlife from the comfort of your private veranda. Set out on game drives to see throngs of wildebeests and zebras, leopards perched languidly in trees, and marabou storks and Abyssinian rollers, not to mention lions and rhinos. Venture into the bush on foot with a tracker, spot nocturnal creatures on nighttime game drives, and get to know the local Maasai and their culture. Mara Plains Camp (B, L, D daily)

Days 9 & 10 — Masai Mara Nature Reserve/Nairobi/U.S.

This morning, drive to the airstrip for a scheduled charter flight to Nairobi’s regional airport. Later, transfer to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home, arriving the next day. (B)

Safari in Southern Africa

Expedition Details

Soar over southern Africa’s splendid landscapes on an unforgettable journey by private air. Experience some of the world’s best wildlife viewing on safari, tracking lions, elephants, rare white rhinos, leopards, and cheetahs. Experience the thunder of beautiful Victoria Falls, and stay at luxury safari camps.

---

Trip Highlights

• Enjoy game drives in South Africa's MalaMala Private Game Reserve, and take a wildlife river cruise in Botswana's Chobe National Park.
• Discover Pete's Pond, a watering hole in Mashatu Game Reserve where National Geographic established a WildCam to capture footage of the area's animals.
• Explore the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve by land and water.
• Visit spectacular Victoria Falls — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great natural wonders of the world.

---

Itinerary - 12 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Johannesburg, South Africa/MalaMala Game Reserve

Depart on an overnight flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, board our private charter flight to the MalaMala Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger National Park. The distinctive habitat of the Lowveld Region is full of big game, including lions, leopards, and white rhinos. Our luxury safari lodge is situated amid shady trees on the banks of the Sand River. Take your first game drive in the afternoon, followed by a welcome dinner. MalaMala Main Camp (D)

Day 3 — MalaMala Game Reserve

Set off on an early morning safari with naturalist guides in open, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Enjoy time to relax at the camp before lunch. Embark on an afternoon game drive, and stop for sundowners in the bush. As night falls, search for nocturnal species and predators on the prowl. Gather for dinner around a large campfire in a reed-enclosed boma. MalaMala Main Camp (B,L,D)

Days 4, 5, & 6 — Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Fly by private charter to Mashatu Game Reserve, home to seven of Africa’s giants—the elephant, giraffe, eland, ostrich, kori bustard, lion, and baobab tree. Located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, this enormous tract of land comprises a diverse wilderness of savanna, riverine forests, marshlands, open plains, and sandstone outcrops. Go on a bush walk and morning and afternoon game drives accompanied by expert guides. Meet with on-site wildlife researchers who track the behavior and dynamics of local populations of elephants, endangered wild dogs, and predators. Stop to see Pete’s Pond, a watering hole where lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes converge during the dry season. National Geographic established a remotely operated WildCam here to capture around-the-clock footage of wildlife. To view highlights of this footage, click here. Pay a visit to a local village and its school, and stop to see the finds at an archaeological site. Mashatu Main Camp (B,L,D daily)

Days 7 & 8 — Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta

Fly by private charter to our luxury tented camp in Moremi Game Reserve. Our camp offers us the opportunity to discover the Okavango Delta’s untamed habitat by land and water. Take a trip to Gadikwe Island by flat-bottom boat to see hippos and breeding colonies of herons, egrets, pelicans, storks, and cormorants. Xakanaxa Camp (B,L,D daily)

Days 9 & 10 — Chobe National Park/Victoria Falls and Livingstone, Zambia

Our private aircraft takes us to Chobe National Park, known for its many elephant families. On a wildlife river cruise, watch for elephants frolicking at the water’s edge. Then continue on a short flight along the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers to Livingstone, Zambia; and check into the luxurious Royal Livingstone Hotel, just steps from Victoria Falls. On a sunset walk through the rain forest, look for bushbuck and vervet monkeys. Explore the falls with a local guide the next morning, venturing along suspended walkways into the mists. This afternoon, you may choose to visit a local village, stop by the Livingstone Museum, or browse the Maramba market. Enjoy an optional cruise on the Zambezi River, or experience the falls from a thrilling perspective on an optional flight-seeing excursion. Gather tonight for a festive farewell dinner on board the historic Royal Livingstone Express steam train. Royal Livingstone Hotel (B, L; B, D)

Days 11 & 12 — Johannesburg, South Africa/U.S.

Fly to Johannesburg and connect with your return flight home, arriving the next day. (B)

Moroccan Odyssey

Expedition Details

Morocco's mystique can be found in medinas that brim with color, soaring mountains that give way to endless desert, oases thick with palms, and stunning Moorish architecture. Discover the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Fez, venture into rose-colored casbahs, and visit little-known mountain villages. Listen to the strains of Berber music around a campfire in the Sahara, and stay at the glorious Palais Jamai in Fez.

---

Trip Highlights

• Explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the ancient adobe village of Aït Benhaddou, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Ride a camel at sunset to a tented camp nestled among the sculpted dunes, and watch the sun rise over the Sahara.
• Observe artisans plying their timeless crafts in the workshops of Fez.
• Learn about Berber culture while sipping mint tea and eating hearth-baked bread in a traditional home.

---

Itinerary - 11 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Casablanca, Morocco

Depart on an overnight flight to Casablanca. After time to relax the following morning, visit the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, whose 689-foot minaret is the world's tallest. Enjoy lunch before taking a stroll through the city’s Habous district and the mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace. Tonight, gather for a festive welcome dinner overlooking the sea. Sheraton Casablanca Hotel & Towers* (L,D)

Day 3 — Casablanca/Marrakech

Drive through the elegant Anfa neighborhood on the way to Marrakech, Morocco's legendary "pearl of the south." After a poolside lunch at the hotel, meander through the stunning Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, and pay a visit to the museum here. See the splendid Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs, and visit Bahia Palace. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; and soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where snake charmers and magicians captivate the passersby. Le Méridien N'Fis (B,L)

Day 4 — Marrakech

This morning, you may choose to delve back into the medina with a local guide or visit other sites, including the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrassa and the Museum of Marrakech. Take advantage of free time after lunch to explore on your own. Tonight, gather for a rooftop reception and dinner accompanied by traditional Gnaoua music in the heart of the old medina. Le Méridien N'Fis (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Aït Benhaddou/Ouarzazate

Cross the Atlas Mountains over the Tichka Pass, stopping for mint tea at a traditional Berber village. Proceed to Aït Benhaddou for lunch overlooking this ancient fortified village before venturing into its warren of twisting lanes and shops. Continue to Ouarzazate, a former colonial trading post now known for its movie studios, where films like Gladiatorand Lawrence of Arabia were shot. Le Berbère Palace (B,L)

Day 6 — Ouarzazate/Boumalne Dades

Learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Then set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs. Arrive in Boumalne Dades, a small town nestled amid the crags and plateaus of the semidesert landscape. After lunch, head out on a hike in the dramatic Dades Gorges and visit nearby villages. Xaluca Dades (B,L)

Day 7 — Erfoud/Rissani/Merzouga

Continue along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Erfoud, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations. In Erfoud, climb into 4x4s for the drive into the desert. Visit the well known suq in Rissani, a historic camel caravan stop. Later, ride into the dunes on a camel to watch the sun set on the Sahara. Return to our deluxe Berber tented camp to dine under the star-studded sky and enjoy an evening of Berber folk music and tales around the campfire. Bivouac Tented Berber Camp (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Merzouga/Erfoud/Fez

Awaken early for a walk across the sandscape as the rising sun paints the dunes orange and gold. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast. Then head north into the high-mountain plains on your way to Fez, stopping for a walk in a lush cedar forest. Arrive in Fez late this afternoon, and settle into your room at the legendary Palais Jamai, your home for the next three nights. Palais Jamai (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Fez

Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. Discover the 14th-century Bou Inania madrassa, characterized by its intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque. Delve into the lively medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Later, visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish quarter. Palais Jamai (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Fez/Volubilis and Meknes

Today you may choose to explore Fez at your own pace or take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a World Heritage site; and Meknes, Morocco’s 17th-century capital. Tonight, toast our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner and belly-dancing performance at the Palais Jamai. Palais Jamai (B,D)

Day 11 — Fez/U.S.

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Travel to Tanzania, 10 days

Expedition Details

Set out on a wildlife safari amid the incredible diversity of landscapes in Tanzania's most famous game parks. Take in extraordinary vistas of the Great Rift Valley and the rolling savanna, encounter wildlife in its natural habitat, venture into a Maasai village, and meet renowned anthropologist Meave or Louise Leakey* on a visit to Olduvai Gorge.

---

Trip Highlights

• Spot spectacular wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, a unique habitat sheltering almost 30,000 animals.
• Witness the great annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park.**
• Meet Meave or Louise Leakey — both National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence — at Olduvai Gorge, where their family discovered fossils that have shaped our understanding of human origins.*
• Join a Maasai elder on a visit to his native village to witness a traditional ceremony and learn firsthand about Maasai culture.

---

Itinerary - 10 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Arusha, Tanzania

Depart on an overnight flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam, and arrive late the next day. Serena Mountain Village

Day 3 — Arusha/Lake Manyara

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its elephants, hippos, giraffes, flamingos, and tree-climbing lions. This afternoon, set out on our first wildlife safari. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, enjoy a morning safari around Lake Manyara. Then continue to the Ngorongoro Crater and settle into our tented camp. This afternoon, a nearby Maasai community welcomes us into their village on a very special visit. Far from the tourist circuit, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with craftswomen and elders, stop in at the school, witness a Maasai initiation ritual, and learn about this fascinating culture from the village chief. Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater

Descend 2,000 feet to the base of the crater, where volcanic slopes shelter almost 30,000 animals. We may see elephants, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, hippos, wildebeests, and much more of East Africa’s spectacular wildlife. Then explore the area near the camp on a guided walk. Tonight, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Meave Leakey or her daughter Louise joins us for dinner and a discussion of the Leakey family’s research.* Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Olduvai Gorge/Serengeti

Drive to Olduvai Gorge where, on a National Geographic–sponsored expedition in 1960, Louis and Mary Leakey discovered Homo habilis, one of the earliest members of the human genus. Meave or Louise Leakey joins us on our visit here.* In 1999, Meave and Louise unearthed a 3.5-million-year-old skull and partial jaw believed to belong to a new branch of early hominid. Continue to the Serengeti, and on an afternoon safari, catch a glimpse of the wildebeest migration.** Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Serengeti

This morning, head out on safari, or soar over the plains on an optional hot-air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast under the shade of an acacia tree. After lunch, enjoy a talk by a local wildlife researcher. Then watch for wildlife as we travel through beautiful scenery on the way to our tented camp in the western Serengeti. Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Serengeti

Embark on a sunrise game drive and return to the lodge for breakfast and some time at leisure. Then observe the fascinating interplay of the Serengeti's legendary wildlife on an afternoon game drive. Look for herds of zebra or wildebeest eyeing a predator warily, and spot crocodiles as their snouts surface in the Grumeti River. Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti (B,L,D)

Days 9 & 10 — Serengeti/Arusha/U.S.

After an early morning safari, fly back to Kliimanjaro airport and connect with your evening flight home, arriving the next day. (B,L)

Travel to Rwanda , 8 days

Expedition Details

Known as the “land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda has treasures that belie its tiny size. Set out on a journey that combines Rwanda’s incredible wildlife with its inspiring human story. Meet Rwanda’s resilient people, from wildlife researchers and artisans to schoolchildren and genocide survivors. Then journey to its jungle-clad volcanoes for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.

---

Trip Highlights

• Track mountain gorillas in the splendid Parc National des Volcans and learn about conservation efforts.
• Hike to the original site of National Geographic grantee Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center.
• Get acquainted with Rwanda’s rich culture through music and dance performances.
• Visit a “reconciliation village” where survivors and perpetrators of the genocide live side by side.

---



Itinerary - 8 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Kigali, Rwanda

Depart on an overnight flight to Kigali. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure. Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 3 — Kigali

Having spent the past 15 years rebuilding, Kigali is now one of the most thriving and progressive capital cities in Africa. Spend the morning discovering Kigali on a tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, where a poignant exhibition testifies to how far Rwanda has come since the dark days of the mid-1990s. Stop for lunch at the legendary Hotel des Mille Collines—featured in the movie Hotel Rwanda—where more than a thousand Rwandans found safe haven during the genocide. This afternoon, meet with development workers to learn about a variety of initiatives aimed at improving life for Rwandans. Kigali Serena Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Kigali/Parc National des Volcans

Journey into the lush hills that surround Kigali on an excursion that traces Rwanda’s path from despair to hope. Begin the day with a visit to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial, a sobering tribute to the thousands who lost their lives while seeking refuge during the genocide. Then head to a “reconciliation village” supported by the Millennium Villages project, a unique development approach conceived by Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the United Nations Development Project. Here, survivors and perpetrators live side by side in an effort to heal the wounds of the genocide and build a brighter future for Rwanda. Listen to the moving testimonies of both a perpetrator and a survivor, and discuss the challenges—and the promise—of former enemies living as one. Visit the village health center and the primary school, fruits of the Millennium Villages project. This afternoon, travel north through the beautiful countryside to Parc National des Volcans. Virunga Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Parc National des Volcans

Spend the day tracking mountain gorillas in the forested hills of Parc National des Volcans. Follow local guides through thick undergrowth and dangling vines in search of gorilla families. Once we find them, sit among these gentle giants, observing their interactions; listening to their distinctive grumbles; and viewing one of the planet’s most endangered creatures from an awe-inspiring, up close perspective. This afternoon, pay a visit to a local primary school. Virunga Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Parc National des Volcans

Venture back into the jungle for a second day of tracking the gorillas or an opportunity to track golden monkeys, a distinct species of primate often found in thick bamboo stands. Or hike to the original site of the Karisoke Research Center, where the late Dian Fossey, a National Geographic grantee, carried out mountain gorilla research for 18 years. In the afternoon, meet experts at the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to learn about ongoing efforts to protect and care for the region’s gorillas. Tonight, toast your wildlife adventure at a farewell dinner. Virunga Lodge (B,L,D)

Days 7 & 8 — Parc National des Volcans/Kigali/U.S.

Experience Rwanda’s colorful culture at a nearby village that employs locals and former poachers who have been trained in regional arts such as basket weaving and woodworking. Watch drumming and dancing performances, meet with a traditional healer to learn about indigenous medicine, and try your hand at shooting a bow and arrow. Head to Kigali this afternoon for your flight home, arriving the next day. (B,L)

Travel to Egypt, 9 days

Expedition Details

With its pharaohs, myths, and mysterious temples, Egypt is a wonderful destination for young explorers. Introduce your family to the rich culture of Egypt on an expedition to Cairo, Abu Simbel, Aswân, and Luxor. Experience the excitement of a lively bazaar, sail a traditional felucca, and come face-to-face with mummies as you delve into the history and mythology of ancient Egypt.

---

Trip Highlights

• Ride a camel past the Pyramids and a donkey along the west bank of the Nile.
• Step back in time to the age of the pharaohs during a sound-and-light performance at Karnak.
• Try your hand at pottery, engraving, or woodworking at a crafts workshop.
• Encounter mummies, island temples, ancient fortresses, and colossal statues.
• Enjoy dinner with an Egyptian family in their home.

---

Itinerary - 9 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Cairo, Egypt

Depart for Cairo, arriving the next evening. Conrad Cairo Hotel

Day 3 — Cairo

At the Egyptian Museum, see the treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamun and face a lineup of historic pharaohs in the Royal Mummies Room. Enjoy lunch on a traditional felucca, or sailboat, on the Nile River. Explore the minarets and courtyards of Islamic Cairo’s mosques. Tonight, gather for a festive welcome dinner. Conrad Cairo Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Gîza/Cairo

Encounter the great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Gîza. Ride a camel and see the funerary boat of King Cheops at the Solar Boat Museum. After lunch, visit a crafts workshop and try your hand at pottery, engraving, or woodworking. Conrad Cairo Hotel (B,L)

Day 5 — Abu Simbel/Aswân/Luxor

Fly to Abu Simbel to view the towering Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to Nefertari. Continue by air to Aswân and trace the history of the Aswân High Dam. Then take a boat ride to the island of Agilika to explore the majestic Philae Temple. Drive to Luxor and settle into your hotel. Sonesta St. George Hotel (B,L,D)

Days 6 & 7 — Luxor

Discover the incredible sights of the west bank of the Nile. Kids may take a donkey ride before descending into the tombs at the Valley of the Kings. Stop at the Luxor Museum to see its fabulous collection of pottery, jewelry, furniture, and statuary. Explore the Temple of Luxor, built during the reigns of three pharaohs. Then wander among the columns of the awe-inspiring Temple of Karnak. Meet the director of Luxor antiquities. On our second night in Luxor, ancient Egypt comes alive at an enthralling sound-and-light performance. Sonesta St. George Hotel (B; B, D)

Days 8 & 9 — Cairo/U.S.

Return to Cairo and explore the ruins of the Fortress of Babylon. Later, venture into the lively bazaar of Khan El Khalili. Experience local hospitality at a farewell dinner in a private home. The following morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home.