East Africa: The Ultimate Bucket List Trip

This is not your typical safari trip, and that is exactly the point. Rwanda and Tanzania together create one of the most complete and transformative travel experiences I have ever had, and it is one I recommend without hesitation to clients who want more than just a vacation. Perfect for family travel, honeymoons, or adventure seekers who want to come home genuinely changed.

We started in Kigali with one night at Hemingways Retreat: a perfect, relaxed landing spot with excellent food that eases you in beautifully before the trip really begins. The next morning, we visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. In my opinion, you cannot fully understand Rwanda, its people, or what makes this country so extraordinary without walking through it. What you leave with is not just the weight of their history, but a profound appreciation for the Rwandans themselves, some of the warmest, most welcoming people you will ever encounter anywhere in the world.

From there, gorilla trekking is in a category of its own. The trek can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the gorillas are that day, since they are constantly on the move through the jungle, and that unpredictability is part of what makes it so special. The moment you come face to face with a mountain gorilla, everything else disappears. It is one of the most emotional, breathtaking wildlife encounters on the planet.

Just an FYI: there are porters who can actually carry someone up the mountain on a bed if they are unable to make this difficult trek by foot. Super special for anyone that is physically unable to do it (also goes to show you how incredible these people are)!!

We flew in on a tiny 11 person prop plane, which sets the tone perfectly for what is ahead—adventure. The moment you land in the Serengeti, you are whisked straight into your first game drive, which is exactly the right way to arrive. I stayed at Singita Sabora, and it is the kind of property that earns its reputation. I was visiting in October and caught the tail end of the Great Migration, with thousands of wildebeest stretching across the plains as far as you could see. Every drive delivers something new, and the thrill of not knowing what is around the next corner never gets old. Some special highlights were breakfast in the bush, drinks every single day at sunset in the wide open plains (these sunsets are spectacular), and the guides. Our guides were so beyond incredible (shout out Neema and Clinton). They are so knowledgeable and know exactly where to find the animals and keep it thrilling.

Don’t skip out on the hot air balloon over the Serengeti. Floating above the plains at sunrise with animals moving beneath you is something no game drive can replicate.

Gorilla trekking

Wear long pants on the gorilla trek and pull your socks up high over them so you do not hit any stinging nettles on the trail. Many lodges also provide gear, so check with your advisor ahead of time because you may need to pack far less than you think.

Safari

For game drives, avoid navy and black clothing as those colors attract tsetse flies and stick to khaki and neutrals instead. All of my clients receive a free look book created in collaboration with a stylist, Amanda Stein Styling, and if you want extra help and more options, she also offers a free personal consult to help you pack perfectly for your trip.

It is worth discussing with your advisor whether you want private game drives or shared vehicles with other guests at camp, since private options are available but do come at an additional cost.

Don’t miss the massage at your lodge. After early mornings and full days in the bush, a massage at one of these properties is the perfect way to wind down, and it will be one of the best you have ever had.

Trip extensions

• Masai Mara, Kenya

• Tarangire National Park

• Arusha

• Ngorongoro Crater

• Giraffe Manor

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Rwanda and Tanzania pages.