East Africa with an Island Twist Adventure of a Lifetime

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Etienne and Jasmine were met by a representative of A Thousand Hills Africa, who assisted them through customs and immigration clearance. They were then connected with their driver and guide for a transfer to their hotel.

After an overnight stay in their hotel, the couple returned to the airport to catch their flight to Kihihi Airstrip, where a driver was waiting to take them to Gorilla Forest Camp. After lunch, they enjoyed a three-hour community walk accompanied by their guide, learning about the local culture, the tea project and visiting the home of the Batwa (pygmies). They also did some bird watching, as Uganda plays host to over bird 1,000 species. Day three of their trip saw Etienne and Jemima head out early for a half-day gorilla trek with experienced gorilla trackers to lead the way. After lunch they went for a forest walk to see the magnificent Muyanga Waterfalls. Day four was dedicated to a second gorilla tracking encounter.

Queen Elizabeth National Park was a five-hour drive away, where the couple checked in at Kyambura Gorge Lodge in time for an afternoon game drive. With nearly 100 species of mammals including hippos, elephants, leopards, lions, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, Uganda kob (a type of antelope) and 600 bird species, they were in for a wildlife viewing treat over their one-night stay. With regular game drives, a two-hour private boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and guided walks in Maragambo forest, the pair had plenty to keep them enthralled.

Day seven for Etienne and Jasmine included two flights to depart Uganda and enter Tanzania, with a short stop in Mwanza for immigrations and custom clearance before reaching Ruaha Airport. On arrival they were met and transferred to Jabali Ridge where they stayed for four nights. Jabali Ridge offered guided game drives twice a day in six-seater, open-sided, game-viewing vehicles with canvas roofs, where canvas sides could be rolled down in case of rain (rain ponchos were provided). All vehicles had power points where the couple could recharge their devices, and were fitted with fridges to keep guests’ drinks deliciously frosty. The pair spent their stay choosing between relaxing at the lodge or joining walking safaris, night game drives or photographic safari experiences in specialised photography vehicles that have been modified to allow photographers to capture low, eye-level photographs.

Etienne and Jasmine then moved on to stay on Rubondo Island off the coast of Tanzania. A rare privilege to set foot on Rubondo Island, only a handful of park wardens, wildlife researchers and camp staff inhabit the area, barring the local flora and fauna. Blanketed in pristine equatorial forest, the island is a sanctuary for 16 rescued chimpanzees bring reintroduced to their wild state. The only lodge on the island, Rubondo Island Camp offered a base for the travellers to experience Grzimek’s Noah’s Ark Project firsthand, with a guided trek into the pristine tropical forest to track the primates.

The next leg of the couple’s African adventure took them on a private charter to Dar Es Salaam Airport where they received a VIP meet and greet on arrival, including assistance with COVID-19 procedures, a visit to the VIP Lounge, assistance with immigrations, customs and luggage collection and guidance to their transfer to the Oyster Bay Hotel for one night’s accommodation.

A full day of travel awaited the couple on Day 16 as their transfer collected them from their hotel at 01h30, depositing them with a VIP manager who assisted them with the check-in process including COVID-19 procedures, immigrations, customs and luggage. Catching a scheduled flight from Dar Es Salaam to Addis Ababa and then Antananarivo, Madagascar, the couple obtained visas on arrival.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, Etienne and Jasmine met with the guide then drove east towards Perinet National Park, arriving in Andasibe where they settled at their hotel for two nights. They also visited the community-run reserve during an evening walk to spot the local nocturnal animals in their natural habitat, including the smallest species of lemurs, chameleons and frogs. With many rare species of mammals, reptiles and birds, and an abundance of birds, a visit to Mantadia National Park for a day of adventure and a picnic lunch was a must. A morning walk in the rain forest with a local guide revealed fasincating species, including the largest lemur – the Indri Indri.

The couple enjoyed a final breakfast at the hotel before checking out for a leisurely drive to Tana, stopping en route at Pereyras Reptile Farm for a short visit. They stopped at the largest artisan market on the island to purchase souvenirs for family and friends at home, eventually arriving at their hotel for a one-night stay.

Days 21 and 22 were spent on another part of the African island and featured a sunset and sundowners experience at Giorgio’s Window, as well as a breathtaking hike through impressive landscape, canyons, natural pool and magic rock erosions. Their pair visited Isalo ruins with the massif featuring many rock formations with different shapes. The park has a different ecosystem, endemic rupicolous flora such as Aloe, Euphorbia, Pachypodium and Kalanchoe .

A private flight to Morondava Airstrip on a 8-seater plane saw Etienne and Jasmin departing for Kirindy Reserve, the dry forest with the largest number of lemur species of the island. They explored the forest’s fauna and flora with a local guide, heading back to Morondava’s famous “Allée des Baobabs” in the midafternoon to soak up the splendid scenery and enjoy the sunset.

After a relaxed morning the couple transferred to the airport for a private charter to Antanarivo Airport, flying over one of the most extraordinary sites called Tsingy of Bemaraha massif. On arrival, the couple transferred to their hotel close by to the airport.

The pair then flew from Morondava Airstrip to Anjajavy Airstrip, arriving at their hotel to a welcome drink as they checked in for five nights with the afternoon free to explore the hotel and relax on its beautiful beach and tropical garden. They spent their stay choosing between absolute rest and a variety of exotic activities including: the Giant ride and the Alley of the Kings; The path of Crabs; the Sakalava cave, from cove to cove; sailing the wild and beautiful Moramba Bay to see the unique rock formation in the middle of the ocean; floating in a rimflow swimming pool; sailing on a catamaran, snorkeling; mangrove kayaking; windsurfing; badminton; volleyball; bowls; billiards; or relaxing in the blue crystal lagoon or simply working on their tans.

The couple transferred from the hotel to the airport for another flight to Antananarivo Airport where they checked into a hotel for one night.

After a glorious and life-changing trip, Etienne and Jasmine enjoyed their final hotel breakfast and began their journey back home.