Rwandan gorilla trekking & Zanzibar beach

Head to your chosen UK airport where you’ll be treated to lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Kigali.

Flying into Kigali, you’ll immediately understand why the country is named “The Land of a Thousand Hills” with its green, rolling expanse stretching out beneath you. And, you’ll be met on arrival for a private tour of the surprisingly modern and leafy capital, learning how it’s the the most pristine in Africa thanks to community cleanups and the banning of plastic bags. Between an included lunch at a local restaurant, it all culminates with a visit to the Genocide Memorial Museum – a truly moving experience. It sheds light on Rwanda’s tragic past, making its optimistic present all the more impressive.

You’ll then be brought through the undulating countryside to your luxury accommodation in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. Here, views of volcanic peaks are showcased by fireplace-heated cottages, where you’ll be treated to full-board gourmet dining.

Today, you’ll enjoy one of the great highlights of world travel – the chance to come face to face with a family of mountain gorillas. You’ll be brought out into the depths of Volcanoes National Park before setting off to trek through its forested slopes. The walk alone is a magical experience, with your expert guides and trackers leading the way through the dense jungle.

You’ll then have a full hour to immerse yourself among the family, marvelling at the impossibly cute babies, the all-too-human faces of the mum and the rippling muscles of the 25-stone silverbacks. It’s a truly humbling experience. Then, returning to your luxury lodge, you’ll have some time to relax by the fire and enjoy your full-board dining.

You’ll have this morning and afternoon to explore the Virunga Volcanoes. Perhaps you’d like to track the gorillas again or explore the park further, trekking out to discover golden monkeys, volcanic lakes and the tomb of Dian Fossey – the celebrated primatologist and conservationist that all but lived with the gorillas for nearly two decades. Then, after lunch, your private driver-guide will bring you back past coffee, tea and banana plantations to Kigali.

Here, you’ll spend the night in one of the city's finest hotels, complete with spa, sundeck and piano bar. You might also want to visit a local market or try out traditional Rwandan cooking at one of the many fine restaurants.

It’s time to finish on your very own tropical-island idyll. With your included flight bookended by private transfers, you’ll arrive at one of Zanzibar’s most exclusive properties, its infinity pool and your private-terrace seafront accommodation all set just off a near-private beach. There’s even an overwater restaurant, where just-caught seafood is served up to sunset views.

And, in between your included half-board dining, you’ll want to relax on the white sands or with the spa treatments. You’ll also be able to explore with the world-class snorkelling and diving on offer, while kayaking, trips to local villages and visits to UNESCO-listed Stonetown’s medieval rabbit warren add further intrigue.

After a last indulgent breakfast, you’ll be brought to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.