Drive Into The Wild

To explore the very best of East Africa’s spectacular wildlife, landscapes, activities, people, culture and history, Travulous offers its customers a selection of exciting, one-of-a-kind self-drive expeditions of discovery. There are two safari options to choose from, either escorted or un-escorted:

Our 8 escorted self-drive safaris (see below) are operated as group trips led by our founders, Richard and Kristin, supported by their on-the-ground expedition crews and travel specialists located in our regional offices in Kigali and Kampala.

Our un-escorted self-drive safaris are led by you, supported remotely by our office teams in Kigali and Kampala. We plan an itinerary especially for you, make all the accommodation bookings, and create a mapped out route for you to follow.

**Richard Pfäffli**
For the last 25 years, Richard has travelled the length and breadth of the African continent. He first visited Africa in 1996 whilst participating in a conservation project in Ghana, and first started working in East Africa in 2003, as one of the pioneers of mountain gorilla eco-tourism in Rwanda and Uganda. With a family history of living in the region, Richard currently resides in East Africa, dividing his time between the Travaleur Group’s Kigali, Kampala and soon-to-open Nairobi office. As CEO and Co-Founder of the Travaleur Group, Richard manages all aspects of the business.
Prior to launching the Travaleur Group, Richard worked for a number of leading travel companies. As Founder of Baobab Expeditions (awarded 'Best Adventure Travel Companies' by National Geographic and nominated 'Best Specialist Tour Operator' by the British Travel Awards), he designed specialist conservation-based travel itineraries to Africa and India in collaboration with the Born Free Foundation, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Richard loves nothing more than to share his passion for the natural world. An avid explorer and travel enthusiast, he's completed several overland trips including an 18-month self-drive journey in an expedition equipped 4x4 vehicle from London to Cape Town (return), explored more than 25 countries throughout the African continent, and set up a luxury tented-camp project in the Zanzibar Archipelago. A dual national, Richard speaks English, German and Swiss German.

**Kristin McGee**
Curious by nature, Kristin has always been on the lookout for new and exciting adventures. From growing up in a small town in Canada to travelling the world and living a big city life in Toronto and London (UK), she has always loved seeking out the extraordinary.
From a school age, Kristin loved all things Africa. The nature and its wildlife fascinated her, and she knew, one day, she will explore and live on this alluring continent. After rising through the ranks of a corporate career in investment banking organising the logistics of client marketing roadshows for C-suite individuals of blue-chip / global 500 companies, the call of the wild and unknown remained.
Having travelled extensively across Africa since 2005, and realising sabbaticals and holidays were not enough to satisfy her wanderlust, it was time to make a career change and do something inspirational where she could use her skills and apply them to her passions.
As a result, the Travaleur Group was born. As Co-Founder, Kristin lives with her partner in Kigali managing the business with a special focus on reservations, operations, and product development. Offering a high-touch service and specialising in creating one-of-a-kind luxury travel experiences in East Africa for both the travel trade and direct customers alike, she and the team curate meaningful moments for the curious, adventurous and those seeking to make a positive impact to support conservation and local communities.

View our itineraries via the slider below:

Big 5, Mountain Gorillas & Nile River

Country: Uganda | Duration: 11 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Enjoy a boat trip to the base of the Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a narrow gorge
• Go in search of Kibale National Park’s 13 primate species, including its elusive chimpanzees
• Discover the Ishasha sector’s famous tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, one of Uganda’s best national parks
• Embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla tracking experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable NP

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The Allure of the Swahili Coast

Country: Kenya & Tanzania | Duration: 15 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Explore Chyulu Hills NP and go in search of its magnificent Big Five, comprised of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant
• Uncover the wonders of Lamu Old Town, one of the oldest and best preserved Swahili Towns on the African continent
• Visit Saadani, the only national park in East Africa which boasts a beautiful beachfront on the Indian Ocean
• Discover the charm of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and relax on Zanzibar’s stunning white sand beaches

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The Great Migration

Country: Kenya & Tanzania | Duration: 15 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Visit the Maasai Mara NR or Serengeti NP and go in search of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles, the Great Migration
• Enjoy a hot air balloon flight and spot the Big Five in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti from the air, followed by breakfast and a glass of bubbly
• Discover the prolific wildlife of the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive and empty volcanic caldera
• Explore Amboseli NP, famous for its majestic herds of elephant and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain

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The Majestic Mountain Gorillas

Country: Uganda & Rwanda | Duration: 15 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights
• Enjoy up to 2 magical mountain gorilla tracking experiences in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable NP
• Go in search of playful golden monkeys who are endemic to the high-altitude forests of East Africa’s Volcanoes NP
• Discover the Ishasha sector’s famous tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, one of Ugandas best national parks
• Learn about conservation and spot the magnificent Big Five in Akagera NP, the largest protected wetland area in the region

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Off The Beaten Path In East Africa

Country: Uganda & Kenya | Duration: 15 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Discover Meru NP, famous for being the setting of Joy Adamson’s book ‘Born Free” which featured Elsa the lioness
• Visit Reteti, a Samburu community owned and run wildlife sanctuary that releases elephants back into the wild
• Explore the Great Rift Valley’s Lake Nakuru NP, which was established in 1960 to protect its bird species, including the colourful flamingos
• Spot an abundance of wildlife in the lesser visited Kidepo Valley NP, one of East Africa’s finest wilderness areas

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Exploring Tanzania's South

Countries: Kenya & Tanzania | Duration: 15 days | Price: Based on time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Visit Nyerere NP, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and witness the majesty of the park’s large herbivores and predators up close
• Explore the pristine and untouched wilderness of Ruaha NP. Brimming with wildlife it makes for a very exclusive safari experience
• Discover Arusha NP, one of East Africa’s most underrated wilderness areas, via game drives, walking or canoeing safaris
• Visit Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and relax on Zanzibar’s picture perfect white sand beaches

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In Search of Lake Tanganyika

Country: Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda | Duration: 21 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Enjoy a scenic boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River thunders its way through a narrow gap
• Explore Bwindi Impenetrable NP and embark on 2 unforgettable mountain gorilla treks
• Visit Gombe Stream NP, where conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall carried out her ground breaking research on chimpanzees
• Spot the Big Five in Katavi NP, a relatively untouched wilderness paradise which ranks as one of East Africa’s best parks

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Circumnavigating Lake Victoria

Country: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda | Duration: 28 days | Price: Based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions
Highlights:
• Visit the Maasai Mara NR or Serengeti NP and go in search of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles, the Great Wildebeest Migration
• Spot chimps at Rubondo Chimp Habituation, located on a remote island in Lake Victoria, which is Africa’s largest lake
• Enjoy up to 2 gorilla treks in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP and Uganda’s Mgahinga NP, including meeting the local Batwa community
• Encounter crocodile, elephant and hippos on a Kazinga Channel cruise in Queen Elizabeth NP

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