‘Luxury is access’ and Bushtracks Expeditions private aircraft safari brings the very best of Africa together in one stunning 15-day trip.
Masai Mara
Taking guests from the cloud forests of the Volcanoes National Park to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, this ultimate safari brings together the magic of mountain gorillas and African wild dogs with the classic Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino).
Mountain gorilla
The trip is rich in educational content and unique experiences. Guests travel by private chartered plane along the path of the Great Rift Valley, enjoying exclusive access to remote wildlife habitats and a unique ariel perspective as they move from place to place.
An ariel view of Victoria Falls
Hosted by Tara Stoinski, (president, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) the itinerary includes witnessing one of the natural wonders of the world: the great wildebeest and zebra migration in the Masai Mara.
The Great Migration
Accommodation is in some of Africa’s finest lodges including Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta plus an option to upgrade to the new and exclusive Bisate Lodge.
Vumburu Plains in the Okavango Delta
In keeping with the company’s ethos of sustainability and community involvement, for every booking, Bushtracks will pay for a year of secondary education for a student at a school in Zambia or Rwanda.
Rwanda, previously torn apart by genocide, is now one of the most talked about safari hotspots in the world. This remote, intimate and peaceful East African country is still essentially under-the-radar of mass tourism. To come here on safari feels like having Africa all to yourself; just you and the wilderness.
Mountain Gorilla
The environment is pristine and spectacular. Mountains meet savannah amidst the glittering tin roofs of unspoilt villages, forests rich with mahogany and cedar, vertiginous hillsides, deep valleys, bamboo groves and rice paddies. The rehabilitation of this country is everywhere to be seen. Largely driven by the strength and determination of local communities, wildlife numbers are recovering and conservation is of key importance.
Rwanda
Trekking to see mountain gorillas is a truly authentic safari experience. These wonderful primates live in the lofty cloud forests of Virunga, amongst the volcanoes created where Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo collide. Fiercely protected by a rigourous conservation policy, only a small number of guided treks are allowed to visit each day.
Mountain Gorillas
These social animals enjoy long lunches, grazing on shoots and leaves continually to satisfy their need for substantial calories. For the human observer, they display so many similarities to ourselves; from the expressive eyes to the hand gestures, hugs and playfulness. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a unique and life-changing experience.
Bisate Lodge as Night Falls
Bisate Lodge is one of Africa’s most exclusive safari lodges. As part of the stable of eco-pioneers, Wilderness Safari, Bisate sits just outside the Volcanoes National Park. It’s a mere twenty minutes drive from the park headquarters and starting point for daily mountain gorilla excursions.
Bisate Lodge Balcony
Designed by Johannesburg-based architect Nick Plowman, the design follows the fluid lines and traditional materials of the former Royal Palace in Nyanza. The lodge has close links with the local community, using local artisans to create many of the beautiful furnishings and accessories decorating the space as well as employing many local people to work in Bisate.
Bisate Lodge Bedroom
Guest accommodation is in six thatched round villas nestling on the steep hillside with balconies looking out over Mount Bisoke. Luxury is as much an element of Bisate Lodge as the authenticity of the experience. Living spaces have custom-made armchairs, log-burning fireplaces and huge bathrooms with black oval resin bathtubs and walk-in showers.
Bisate Lodge Bathroom
In the communal areas, fine dining brings together European and African cuisine paired with fine wines and intellectual company. Evenings are often spent curled up at the fire talking to the other guests or resident experts about conservation or wildlife.
Bisate Lodge Fireplace
When not out visiting the gorillas, you can walk through the national park with a local guide, join the reforestation project planting trees, visit local farmers or trek to seek out the golden monkeys.
Bisate Tree Nursery
Rwanda is a place to be humbled, inspired and nourished.
Our top reasons to go to Bisate:
access to exclusive areas of African wilderness
opportunities to contribute to the local biodiversity, community and conservation through hands-on projects
easy to combine with other African experience camps as part of a purposeful itinerary
