Luxury Singita-Centered Tanzania Safari + Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Extension

Located in the quiet, upscale suburb of Karen, Hemingways Nairobi is a 5-star boutique luxury hotel with views of the nearby Ngong Hills. It’s conveniently situated about 40 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and close to the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Nairobi National Park. The hotel has 45 spacious suites, each with a private balcony, large marble bathroom, walk-in closet, and personal butler service. Rooms are bright and airy, with classic furnishings and garden or hill views. On-site amenities include a full-service spa, outdoor heated swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, and a terrace for afternoon tea.

Set amidst 140 acres of protected forest in Nairobi, Giraffe Manor looks like a grand, Scottish hunting lodge. The Manor is home to rare Rothschild’s giraffes who often stick their long necks into the windows, checking in on guests! Only ten rooms, all feature elegant four-poster beds and are named after the resident giraffes. Additionally, Giraffe Manor is close to Nairobi National Park and the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage. 

Set on the 350,000-acre private Grumeti Reserve in the Serengeti, Singita Sasakwa Lodge is a grand colonial-style luxury lodge with exclusive access to private game drives across this rich wildlife ecosystem. The property is perched high on a hilltop and offers sweeping views of the endless plains below, which fill with migrating herds during the Great Migration season, and resident wildlife year-round.

Designed to resemble an East African manor house, Sasakwa features wide verandas, high ceilings, antique furnishings, and crystal chandeliers, yet remains deeply connected to its surroundings, with large windows and terraces that bring the outdoors in. The main lodge includes cozy lounges, a formal dining room, a library, a billiards room, a fitness center, a spa, and a wraparound lawn with a croquet pitch and tennis court. An infinity pool overlooks the Serengeti for uninterrupted views.

The ten cottages (including one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom option), along with a private four-bedroom villa, each come with a private plunge pool, spacious sitting room, fireplace, en-suite bathroom with clawfoot tub, and a large veranda with panoramic views.

Set on the 350,000-acre private Grumeti Reserve in the Serengeti, Singita Sabora Tented Camp is a contemporary take on a classic safari camp, offering under-canvas luxury with access to private game drives across this rich wildlife region. Positioned right on the plains, Sabora puts guests close to the action, with wildlife frequently roaming just beyond the nine tented suites.

Each suite features a private deck, daybed, outdoor dining area, and secluded plunge pool. Inside, you’ll find a calming, open-plan space with a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom that includes both indoor and outdoor showers.

Built with a minimal yet elegant safari aesthetic, Sabora incorporates natural materials, canvas walls, and earth-toned interiors. The central guest area includes indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a curated gallery and concept store, a wellness area, a fitness center, and a tranquil meditation deck overlooking the savanna.

The camp offers a wide range of curated experiences: twice‑daily game drives, guided walking safaris, bird‑watching (over 500 species), hot‑air balloon safaris at dawn, and visits to Singita Grumeti Fund’s anti‑poaching observation posts, as well as community outreach experiences. Additional options include stargazing, archery, mountain biking, and croquet. 

Located along the Grumeti River in the Serengeti, Singita Faru Faru combines traditional African design with modern comfort. The lodge is built around a nearby waterhole, offering frequent wildlife sightings right from the main areas!

Faru Faru has nine suites in total: seven one-bedroom suites, one family suite (ideal for two adults and two children), and one two-bedroom suite with its own private infinity pool. Shared spaces include both indoor and outdoor lounges, an interactive kitchen, and Singita’s signature bar-deli stocked with snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Guests enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, with spot-lit evening returns to show nocturnal wildlife. Guided walking safaris are available for guests aged 16 and older. Additional experiences include yoga, wine tastings, birdwatching, cooking classes, stargazing, and community visits. Hot air balloon safaris can also be arranged at an extra cost.

Located within an ancient forest on a remote hillside, Singita Kilima is a private-use villa with sweeping views across the Serengeti plains. The villa accommodates up to 10 guests across five unique suites, each with its own character and color palette.

Inside, Kilima features contemporary interiors with earthy tones and textured materials. This includes spacious living areas with floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces, cozy lounges, a media room, and a fully equipped fitness center. Outside, the villa offers alfresco dining in the boma, an infinity pool overlooking the plains, and a variety of outdoor lounges perfect for taking in the views. Both the main and junior suites include private heated plunge pools, and guests have 24/7 access to a bar-deli stocked with healthy snacks and drinks.

Kilima comes fully staffed with a dedicated team, including a private field guide, chef, butler, and housekeeping staff. Wildlife encounters are a highlight, with twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks. Regular sightings include buffalo, cheetah, colobus monkeys, elephants, gazelles, leopards, lions, Maasai, giraffes, topi, and wildebeest. After a day on safari, we recommend unwinding with a holistic wellness treatment in the privacy of your suite.

Situated on the slopes of Sasakwa Hill and surrounded by 350,000 acres of protected savannah, Singita Milele is a private-use villa for families or groups of up to 10 guests. Milele features five individually styled suites, each inspired by one of the Serengeti’s species: giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra, and rhino. The interiors reflect the surrounding wilderness and incorporate curated African art and contemporary design elements. Each suite includes a private deck, outdoor shower, bar-deli, and en-suite bathroom, with unique layouts that include lounge areas, dressing rooms, and workspaces.

Additional amenities include an expansive rimflow swimming pool, heated spa pools, a fitness center, media room, outdoor sala, and a picturesque boma and firepit for starlit meals. Guests can enjoy flexible scheduling and personalized experiences, thanks to a full-time field guide, private safari vehicle, and dedicated staff. Similar to Kilima, Milele includes twice-daily game drives, guided walking safaris (for guests aged 16+), stargazing, community visits, and wellness treatments inspired by ancient African rituals round out the experience!

Situated close to park headquarters, convenient for your morning gorilla trek rendezvous, the Bistate property covers 103 acres. Due to its location within the amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone, the main areas and villas are perched atop the raised elevation of the slopes of Mount Bisoke (12,175 feet), though often shrouded. Based on Bisate’s restorative conservation projects and real local engagement, the lodge has become woven into the local community. During the lodge’s building phase, an amazing 15,000 trees were planted, with more being planted each week to promote reforestation. As part of your stay here, you are encouraged to plant a tree in the lodge’s nursery before your departure. With only six suites (each one being 980 square feet), Bistate is one of Africa’s most exclusive luxury eco-lodges. Each suite includes an indoor shower, bath, and fireplace (nice on chilly nights!). The main lounge dining area and bar are the perfect place to meet and reflect on your day’s gorilla experience. The in-villa massage treatments are a great way to relax after a day of trekking!

Beyond a 5-star luxury category, we consider the new One&only Gorilla’s Nest Rwanda to be among the top luxury adventure properties we have experienced anywhere! Somewhat similar to our experience at the 12-suite Deplar Farm in Iceland, Gorilla’s Nest combines unique adventure travel activities (gorilla trekking!!) with Aman standards of understated luxury. We were grateful and lucky to be among the paying guests experiencing the lodge’s soft opening. Kudos to Craig Storkey and his staff for their personal, heartfelt service in this very special luxury lodge.

Though we love the six-suite Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, we are also big fans of the luxury Singita Kwitonda Lodge. Based on the high demand for high-touch, luxury Rwanda lodges, Singita Kwitonda is a fairly recent addition set on 178 acres of picturesque land, right on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. More than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude dense cloud forests. Using local materials, the Singita Kwitonda is built with volcanic rocks, river stones, handmade ceramic tiles, and oven-red clay bricks all connecting the structure to landscape and culture. The lodge is set up with a central hub, that includes both indoor and outdoor living spaces, featuring lounges, dining areas, an outdoor fire pit, an interactive kitchen, a bar, a deli, and a wine cellar. The Lodge’s eight suites (seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom) and a four-bedroom villa, Kataza House which sleeps eight, are off the main lodge via a network of volcanic rock pathways. The accommodations offer indoor/outdoor baths and showers, fireplaces, plunge pools, and verandas. Carefully designed interiors are curated with a focus on handcrafted pieces like woven panels, handmade tiles, and clad feature pots.