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RWANDA, UGANDA, KENYA & TANZANIA
Tailor-made Itineraries and Small Group Tours
Our Services
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We conduct regular site inspections in every destination to ensure all properties and suppliers featured in our itineraries adhere to and maintain the service levels as expected by our clients.
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Agents and Operators can opt for our white-labelling service for tailor-made itineraries, where the company’s branding can appear on the uniforms of our guides, safari vehicles, and welcome packs.
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We have access to the best locally contracted industry rates available, and we regularly compare our prices against those of our competitors to ensure we always offer a competitive service.
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Within our experienced team, we have more than 20 years of luxury travel industry and bespoke event management experience. We assign a dedicated Travel Specialist to each of our clients.
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We provide your clients with a unique Behind The Scenes insight into Mountain Gorilla Conservation, Big Five Conservation, Endangered Wildlife Sanctuaries, Educational Experiences and History, Customs and Traditions.
Travulous delivers a seamless process with best-in-class on the ground services for Tour Operators, Travel Advisors, and Meetings, Incentives & Events Companies.
Get in touch if you would like to discuss any one of our services in greater detail.
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Tailor-made Itineraries
These sample itineraries are designed to provide an insight into the types of luxury travel experiences we can create. These suggestions can be treated as standalone programs or incorporated into a longer itinerary. Alternatively, you may wish to start with a blank canvas, to handcraft a personalised itinerary based on exactly what your client wants and nothing more.
In The Footsteps of Dian Fossey
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Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet your Travulous guide and transfer to your accommodation in Kigali.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying your accommodation's facilities or head out and explore Kigali, either on your own or on a guided city tour.
Some sites to consider visiting are the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Centre, 1000 Hills Distillery, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Caplaki Craft Village, and Umusambi Village, to name a few.
In the evening, there are many charming restaurants in Kigali to choose from for dinner, many featuring panoramic views over the city.
Meals: All meals at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing on a scenic drive through the Rwandan terraced hillsides towards Musanze, the base for gorilla tracking at Volcanoes National Park.
Check in to your accommodation in time for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation or take an optional tour of the new Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
In the evening, enjoy an after-dinner talk with a renowned conservation organisation to learn more about their work to protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a short briefing before meeting the rangers who will guide you to your assigned gorilla family.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult (regardless of age), although the altitude and terrain can be demanding.
Tracking can take anywhere from two to six (or more) hours, with the guides frequently stopping to allow people to rest.
After the trek, return to your accommodation and spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, we hike to Dian Fossey's original Karisoke Research Camp in Volcanoes National Park, located between two volcanoes, Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke. Dian's original camp set-up consisted of a tent, converted over time to small cabins.
Today the cabins lie in ruins, but as you explore the area, you imagine what it must have been like for Dian when she arrived in Rwanda to set up her research camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas back in 1967.
Before departing, you will have the opportunity to pay your respects at Dian's grave and that of her favourite gorilla friend, Digit.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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In the morning, you can enjoy an optional second gorilla trek or visit the golden monkeys before returning to your accommodation for lunch and heading back to Kigali for your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
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Prices will range based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions.
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The Gorillas of Rwanda & Uganda
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Meet your Travulous guide at your hotel or upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Set off for Mount Gahinga Lodge and cross the border into Uganda.
As Uganda’s smallest park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located at an altitude range of 2,227m to 4,127m. Home to one habituated gorilla group, the park was declared a game sanctuary in 1930 and gazetted as a national park in 1991.
After checking in at your accommodation, spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the property’s facilities, including the terrace which boasts stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Listen to after-dinner talks by your Tour Leader, who lived and worked with Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center.
Meals: Lunch and dinner included, breakfast at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, we set off gorilla tracking accompanied by your Tour Leader. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga National Park can take from 1 to 3 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest. Once the gorilla family has been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for a late lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, we visit the Gahinga Batwa Village to experience the culture and history of one of Africa’s oldest tribes.
Participate in a visit to their new village, community centre and the Batwa Heritage Trail. You will learn about their traditional life as hunter-gatherers in the forest and their use of medicinal plants. Enjoy seeing the Batwa Dance Group perform their traditional dance and visit the Batwa Vocational Center.
Return to your accommodation for lunch, after which we drive back across the border into Rwanda and towards Musanze, the base for gorilla tracking at Volcanoes National Park.
Check in to your accommodation in time for dinner. Spend the evening relaxing at your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, we transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park staff, before meeting the rangers who will guide you to your assigned gorilla family. With 12 fully habituated gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National Park, only 96 gorilla permits are issued to tourists per day. Advance booking is essential.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking can take from 2 to 6 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure, or take an optional tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Today you can choose optional activities including participating in a second gorilla trek, going in search of golden monkeys who are endemic to the high-altitude forests of Volcanoes National Park, or visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
You may also be interested in hiking to Dian Fossey's original Karisoke Research Camp in Volcanoes National Park, located between two volcanoes, Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke. Dian's original camp set-up consisted of a tent, converted over time to small cabins. Today the cabins lie in ruins, but by listening to the stories of your Tour Leader, you will gain a good understanding for what it must have been like for Dian all those years ago, when setting up camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas. You will also see Dian's grave, and that of her favourite gorilla Digit.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before departing for Kigali International Airport and your onward travel arrangements.
Time permitting, consider visiting optional Kigali highlights including Caplaki Craft Village for some last-minute souvenir shopping, Umusambi Village which is a beautiful nature reserve home to over 50 endangered Grey Crowned Cranes, or Kigali Genocide Memorial which is a moving testimony to this country’s past.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
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Prices will range based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions.
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Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas
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Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your Travulous representative and transfer to your accommodation for check-in.
Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying some of Entebbe’s sites or relax at your accommodation.
Meals: All meals at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Lake Victoria sunset boat cruise, birdwatching in Mabamba papyrus swamp, Entebbe Botanical Gardens nature walk, visit to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC).
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After breakfast, meet your Travulous guide and transfer to your accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is also home to one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, protecting roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, including several habituated groups for tourists to visit. The park offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying your accommodation's facilities, followed by dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, depart for mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The activity starts with a briefing at 8am at the park headquarters. After the briefing you depart with the guide and rangers to find the mountain gorillas. The time spent tracking gorillas in Uganda depends and varies from half an hour to eight hours depending on the gorilla movements.
Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience. Once the gorilla families have been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Today you have the option to go on a second gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Though the National Park is best known for its outstanding gorilla tracking, it also provides refuge to forest elephant, chimpanzee, monkeys and various small antelope. Bwindi is also home to around 350 bird species, of which 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift and at least 14 are found nowhere else in Uganda.
After your gorilla trek you return to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure enjoying the facilities, followed by dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, there is time for a guided forest walk, before departing for Entebbe airport and your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
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Prices will range based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants, and inclusions.
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Small Group Tours
Our tailor-made itineraries can also be operated as Small Group Tours. Led by our inspiring and knowledgeable Tour Leaders who are experts in their particular field, our Small Group Tours provide a unique insight into specific areas of interest, such as Wildlife Conservation, Culture, History, and Humanistic and Philanthropic legacies. Ian Redmond, Craig Sholley, John Fowler and Peter Veit are the former research staff and colleagues of the legendary gorilla primatologist, the late Dian Fossey.
Send us an enquiry if you are interested in a Small Group Tour escorted by one of our inspiring tour leaders.
To learn more about them, click on their photos below:
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Tour Leader
Ian is a tropical field biologist and conservationist, known for his work with great apes and elephants. For more than 35 years he has supported mountain gorillas, through research, filming and conservation work. Ian first travelled to Africa in 1976 where he joined Dian Fossey, studying and protecting the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Zaire (now DR Congo). In 1978, he introduced David Attenborough to the gorillas for the BBC’s ‘Life on Earth’ series, and has advised in the making of more than 100 documentaries. Ian has been a conservation advisor for organisations including the Born Free Foundation, the Gorilla Organization, the Orangutan Foundation, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. He established and chairs the Ape Alliance, the African Ele-Fund and the UK Rhino Group. Ian was Chief Consultant and Envoy for the UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Partnership and continues advising on matters pertaining to apes and environmental issues.
Tour Leader
Craig's passion for African wildlife and conservation began in 1973 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire (now DR Congo). As an L.S.B. Leakey grant researcher in the late 1970s, Craig studied mountain gorillas with Dian Fossey and, in 1987, became Director of Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla Project, of which African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) was a sponsor. He has worked and travelled extensively, providing conservation expertise, leading tours and photographing throughout Africa. Craig has acted as Scientific Advisor for the award-winning IMAX film, "Mountain Gorilla," and with the National Geographic Society, he surveyed the conservation status of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and DRC in 1995. Craig’s direct involvement with AWF began as a Senior Associate and member of its Board of Trustees. Operating as a full-time employee of AWF since 2001, he now serves as Senior Vice President. He has also served on the Board of the Ecotourism Society.
Tour Leader
Rose-Marie is an independent researcher, historian and language expert specialising in traditional Rwandan oral literature, myths and rituals. She is a member of the Rwandan Academy of Language and Culture and regularly moderates informal study groups for cultural heritage. These groups typically attract young professionals, who have dubbed the effort as a ‘School of Rwandan Wisdom.’ Rose-Marie gives regular talks on Rwandan Culture Tourism including the Civic Education Programme known as Itorero ry'Igihugu, to train Rwandans on customs such as Umuganura (annual First Fruits Festival), and the Rwanda Women's Network, on traditional marriage rites and ceremonies. Rose-Marie participates as a key resource person in orientation seminars to educate newly appointed members to the Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO, on Intangible Cultural Heritage, Oral Literature, Heritage Sites and Cultural Industries. Rose-Marie speaks Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, English and French.
Tour Leader
In the legacy of the late Dian Fossey, Dr. Gladys has become one of the leading conservationists and scientists working to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas of East Africa. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a 20-year old nonprofit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of people and wildlife to enable them to coexist in and around protected areas in Africa. She became an Ashoka Fellow in 2007 for merging Uganda’s wildlife management and rural public health programs to create common resources for both people and animals. Dr. Gladys trained as a veterinarian at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College. Between 1996 and 2000, she set up the first Veterinary Unit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority. From 2000 to 2003, she completed a zoological medicine residency and masters in specialized veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park.
Tour Leader
Peter is a conservationist and Director of the Land and Resource Rights initiative with the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington. For more than 35 years, Peter has worked on environment and development issues, in 70+ countries. Early in his career, Peter studied animal behavior and wildlife conservation at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This work inspired him to study wildlife in Africa. In 1978, Peter met Dian Fossey in the San Francisco Bay area, after which he was invited to study the behavior of mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Peter lived in the park and worked with the mountain gorillas for more than 2 years from 1979 to 1981, serving as the director of the Karisoke Center whilst Dian moved back to the US to teach at Cornell University in New York. Peter has worked for WRI for more than 30 years, specialising in the links between natural resource management, human rights and democratic governance.
Tour Leader
John holds a BS in Zoology from the University of Georgia and an MS in Technology and Science Policy from Georgia Tech. After completing an undergraduate study program in Kenya, John got the rare opportunity that would become, “A Forest in the Clouds: My Year Among the Mountain Gorillas in the Remote Enclave of Dian Fossey”— his memoir of life and work in the Virunga Volcanos of Rwanda with National Geographic’s famous gorilla behaviourist. John also appeared in the pages of Fossey’s own, “Gorillas in the Mist” as well as Farley Mowat’s story, “Woman in the Mists”. Upon his return from Africa, John began a 21-year career in zoos in the U.S. and Australia, and met fellow zookeeper, Janet, who became his wife. His zoo work included leading tours to Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Now retired from zoo work, John is a research coordinator in human behavioural healthcare. In addition to writing, John is an artist in nature-based abstract painting.
Special Offers
These Special Offers are only available to Travel Advisors and Operators who are signed up to our Agent Portal.
Get in touch if you would like to take advantage of any special offers listed below:
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Familiarisation Trips
There is no doubt Mountain Gorillas and the Big Five will be the big highlights of our safaris in 2024 and 2025, so why not experience these for yourself?
In late 2024 and early 2025 Travulous will be offering Familiarisation Trips for the Travel Trade to visit Rwanda and Uganda.
If you are interested in joining, please complete the FAM Trip Application forms below:
Rwanda
The Volcanoes National Park segment of this trip will be guided by Ian Redmond. Ian worked with Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center in the 1970s, introduced Sir David Attenborough to the mountain gorillas, and taught Sigourney Weaver to grunt like a gorilla for her award-winning role in 'Gorillas in the Mist'.
Site inspections will include luxury properties in Kigali, Akagera NP and Volcanoes NP (including The Retreat, Magashi, Kwitonda Lodge, Bisate, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and Gorilla's Nest).
FAM TRIP 1
(with Volcanoes NP)
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Uganda
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park segment of our two trips will be guided by Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. In the legacy of the late Dian Fossey, Gladys has become one of the leading conservationists and scientists working to save mountain gorillas. Gladys is the founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).
Site inspections will include luxury properties in Entebbe, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
FAM TRIP 1
(with Murchison Falls NP)
FAM TRIP 2
(with Queen Elizabeth NP)
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March 2025
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ARCHIVED
Property Videos
To embed our accommodation videos on your website or to use them for social media purposes, please copy the relevant video links below.
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Akagera Game Lodge: https://vimeo.com/735183585
Akagera Safari Camp: https://vimeo.com/735147529
Magashi: https://vimeo.com/735222670
Ruzizi Tented Lodge: https://vimeo.com/735176664
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Buhoma Lodge: https://vimeo.com/794510363
Bwindi Lodge: https://vimeo.com/794529792
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge: https://vimeo.com/794540115
Gorilla Forest Camp: https://vimeo.com/794514341
Mahogany Springs Lodge: https://vimeo.com/794526380
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge: https://vimeo.com/794533676
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Four Points by Sheraton: https://vimeo.com/745091240
Kigali Marriott Hotel: https://vimeo.com/745084894
Radisson Blu: https://vimeo.com/745152808
Serena Kigali: https://vimeo.com/745123633
The Retreat: https://vimeo.com/745104850
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Kivu Marina Bay Hotel: https://vimeo.com/776695595
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel: https://vimeo.com/725638325
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Angama Camp: https://vimeo.com/803097423
Bateleur Camp: https://vimeo.com/803106631
Il Moran: https://vimeo.com/803170043
Kichwa Tembo: https://vimeo.com/822530519
Little Governors’ Camp: https://vimeo.com/822530867
Mara Plains: https://vimeo.com/803216240
Ngare Serian: https://vimeo.com/822531767
Olonana Camp: https://vimeo.com/803217692
Richard’s Camp: https://vimeo.com/822531202
Sand River: https://vimeo.com/822531202
Serian ‘The Original’: https://vimeo.com/822531478
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Nyungwe House: https://vimeo.com/776704032
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel: https://vimeo.com/776716315
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Grumeti Serengetii River Lodge: https://vimeo.com/813710889
Kichakani Serengeti Camp: https://vimeo.com/813708865
Namiri Plains: https://vimeo.com/813700698
Serengeti Pioneer Camp: https://vimeo.com/813713180
Serengeti Safari Lodge: https://vimeo.com/813704768
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Bisate: https://vimeo.com/725735641
Gorilla’s Nest: https://vimeo.com/725683773
Jack Hanna’s Cottage: https://vimeo.com/751696295
Kwitonda Lodge: https://vimeo.com/725674000
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: https://vimeo.com/725676796
Virunga Lodge: https://vimeo.com/725766984
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Baraza Resort & Spa: https://vimeo.com/765759116
Kilindi Zanzibar: https://vimeo.com/765772800
Matemwe Retreat: https://vimeo.com/765786534
Park Hyatt Zanzibar: https://vimeo.com/765813203
White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa: https://vimeo.com/765802444
Zanzibar Serena Hotel: https://vimeo.com/765841469
Zuri Zanzibar: https://vimeo.com/765827472
Contact us if you would like us to apply your own company logo to any of these videos.
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