Saudi Arabia
Riyadh | Ha’il | Jubba | Al-Ula | Mada’in Saleh | Medina | Jeddah
Our Discovery Saudi Arabia tour embodies the most magical cultural highlights, and Riyadh is where the story of Saudi Arabia began. This is an ideal point from which to begin your exploration of the Kingdom. Characterized by gleaming skyscrapers and multi-lane highways, the Saudi capital sprawls across the Najdi plain and has a very modern face; but it is also home to history, museums, art and culture.
Cradled by the rugged mountains of the Jabal Shammar, visit Ha’il, dominated by the restored 17th century A’arif Castle, a mudbrick citadel that sits atop a strategic hill that can be seen for miles around. The Discovery Saudi Arabia journey continues to Al-Ula, an area which will reveal one of Saudi Arabia’s most exceptional heritage sites. This oasis of great natural beauty is surrounded by wondrous terracotta-hued mountains. Your journey to Al-Ula is followed by a visit to Medina, the second most holy city in the Islamic world. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Medina’s central Haram area, where the main places of pilgrimage are located; but you can pass by sites such as Al Madinah Province, Al Masjid an Nabawi, Jannatul Baqi and many more.
The last stop for the Discovery Saudi Arabia tour is Jeddah, commonly known as the “bride of the Red Sea”, as it has for centuries been a gateway for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. For the western visitor, the highlight of any visit to Jeddah is exploring Al Balad – the city’s old quarter founded in the 7th century. On entering this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are immediately taken by Al Balad’s unique architecture of towering houses built of coral stone with their distinctive latticed rawsheen balconies. Then, winding your way through an evocative rabbit warren of narrow lanes, you’ll be immersed in history as you explore the incense-infused souqs, traditional houses, and antique mosques, including the Shafi Masjid – the oldest in Jeddah. There is nothing quite like it in Saudi Arabia! For a taste of the modern city, take a stroll along Jeddah’s beautiful seafront promenade and admire the city’s iconic King Fadh Fountain – the tallest in the world.
Tour Length: 9 days, 8 nights
Group of 10 Land rate: From $5,295 per person.
Discovery Saudi Arabia Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – 2 Riyadh
On arrival at King Khaled International Airport, you will be met by a Great Safaris Guide who will assist you to the vehicle for the private transfer to your city hotel.
Your explorations begin with a full day tour of the city. Highlights includes a visit to Riyadh National Museum, Murabba Palace and Masmak Fort. The day concludes with a visit to Dira Souq Traditional Saudi market and the famous landmarks of Riyadh, the Kingdom Tower and the Faisaliah Tower, both great architectural achievements.
Day 3 Riyadh to Ha’il by train
Depart for Riyadh’s railway station and board the train for Ha’il with lunch on board. On arrival at Ha’il train station, you will be warmly greeted by a Great Safaris representative followed by a transfer to your reserved hotel.
Spend the afternoon visiting A’Arif Fort and the nearby heritage museum, followed by a walk to the traditional market where local delicacies are found. Pass by the Ha’il Regional Museum. Return to the hotel, to unwind and unpack and enjoy dinner.
Day 4 Ha’il to Jubbah (4X4) to Al-Ula
Today start the journey to Jubbah, which lies on an ancient lake. Whilst traveling, you will be mesmerized by the region between Ha’il and Al-Ula, which offers some of the best desert experience in the world. Pass through the famous desert of Nefud Al Kabir, which literally means the “great extent of sand dunes” and enjoy lunch on route. Continue to the famous Al-Ula area, arriving in the early evening at this beautifully-located permanent desert resort.
Day 5 Al-Ula
Following breakfast, explore Al-Ula, an ancient oasis in the desert valley, visiting two ancient carving sites in Al-Ula and passing by the ancient city of Dedan. Touring continues to the Old city of Al-Ula, which, at the beginning of the Islamic era, became an important staging post along the pilgrimage route to Mecca. Visit the ancient sites of Ekma and Abu ‘Aoud, where the people of the oasis wrote texts in ancient scripts. Finish this special day on top of the Harrat Al-Uwayrid for an amazing viewpoint of the oasis of Al-Ula. Return to you resort after a day’s touring.
Day 6 Al-Ula to Mada’in Saleh to Medina
Today’s journey begins with a visit to the famous Hegra (Mada’in Saleh) which is the first site of Saudi Arabia to be listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Following lunch head towards Jibal Al-Rukkab and Leopard trail and visit Jebel Al-Fil to spend some time next to the “Elephant rock”. After an informative day of touring, a 3-hour drive takes you to the holy city of Medina.
Day 7 Medina to Jeddah
After breakfast, depart on a morning half day Medina visit. Pass-by well-known sites in Al Madinah Province such as Al Masjid an Nabawi, Jannatul Baqi, Grave of Hamzah, Dar Al Madinah Museum, Al-Madina Museum, Masjid Al Ghamamah and Abu Bakar Masjed. Enjoy lunch in the city before continuing with a 4-hour drive to Jeddah.
Day 8 Jeddah
Following breakfast, start today’s touring by visiting the Old Jeddah called Al-Balad which was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Bait Nassif (outside), one of the prominent renovated houses of the old city which dates to the mid-1800s, the Old Market and the old Mosque. End the days touring by driving to Jeddah Corniche, which is a 30 km coastal resort area in the city of Jeddah. There will be photo opportunities at King Fahd’s Fountain, the highest fountain in the world.
Day 9 Depart Jeddah
The final day of your Discovery Saudi Arabia journey ends with a leisurely breakfast before transferring to Jeddah International airport for your departure flight.
On arrival at King Khaled International Airport, you will be met by a Great Safaris Guide who will assist you to the vehicle for the private transfer to your city hotel.
The day begins with a departure to the old city of Diriyah, Wadi Hanifa with lunch in the city. In the afternoon, take an off-road drive to the most famous natural wonder of Riyadh Province: Edge of The World before returning to the hotel.
Begin your History of a Dynasty Saudi Arabia tour upon arrival at King Khaled International Airport, where you will be met by a Great Safaris representative who will assist you to the vehicle for the private transfer to hotel located in the vibrant Tahlia Street.
When you think about safaris you first think of Kenya – the home of the African safari. Kenya is an amazing land, rich in wildlife and culture. Kenya has game parks filled with an incredible variety of animals year round, including more than a million and a half wildebeest which visit the Masai Mara during the annual migration. The Kenya Romantic Safari game viewing is in modern 4 x 4 safari vehicles, with each client enjoying a window seat for viewing a panorama of wildlife.
Full day at leisure (with optional activities), overnight at the 
After breakfast transfer, your Kenya Romantic Safari continues as you bid farewell to Masai Mara as you are transferred to the airstrip, with a picnic lunch, for a scheduled flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport; connecting with another scheduled flight to Mombasa Ukunda. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Kenya Coast and your beach resort for four nights on all-inclusive basis in a superior ocean front room.
For many people, a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and East Africa is the perfect choice for the ultimate romantic getaway, whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary, or simply the joy of spending quality time together. Africa is made for romance and for romantics.
Early morning your safari begins with a game drive in the park led by a trained and specialized guide. The perfect way to learn more about the bush, wildlife and how Akagera National Park has been transformed over the past 20-years.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Nyungwe Forest National park and visit Nyanza and Butare, the kings historical Palace, the traditional seat of Rwanda’s kingdom. The ancient palace has been reconstructed to be explored by you. Learn about the evolution of farming and building through the centuries, and then venture into the grounds to meet the long-horned cows, known as Inyambo. They’re beautiful to look at, with a stately elegance you don’t generally expect from cows, until you learn they’re part of the royal heritage, used in many important ceremonies.
Early morning you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing of your gorilla trekking experience and allocation of your trekking porters. Start your gorilla trekking adventure at the foothills of the Virungas with stirring views in all directions. Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for an hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing and resting. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife adventures!
To wrap up this amazing Rwanda Primate & Wildlife Adventure, an activity that is highly recommended is the Golden Monkey trekking adventure. An endangered species living in the Bamboo vegetation towards the base of the Virunga mountains. Return to the lodge for a quick freshening up and then depart for Kigali and on arrival, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Our Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla & Chimpanzee Adventure safari tour allows you to immerse yourself in Uganda’s untamed playground, home to the world’s most spectacular animals and experience the thrill of gorilla trekking. The most affordable of its kind, this best-selling itinerary includes intimate encounters at three national parks filled with quintessential African wildlife, two incredible forests that are home to the great apes and authentic cultural experiences. This ‘once in a lifetime’ trip is neatly woven together by the charm and charisma that exudes from the Ugandan people you will meet along the way on our Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla & Chimpanzee Adventure safari.
After lunch, it is time for a boat ride along the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, allowing you to feel the awesome power and beauty that comes when the world’s longest river is forced through a 7-meter gap before dropping 40 meters as is continues its journey to the Mediterranean Sea. This unforgettable trip on the River Nile harks back to the days of the intrepid explorers of days gone by.
Enjoy a morning game drive in the park followed by one of the highlights of visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, a 3-hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George.
With the Kazinga Channel and the game drives in the northern part of the park experiences ticked off your list, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a parting gift for you as you head south. The Southern Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is called the Ishasha Sector. Ishasha Sector is famous for the fig tree climbing lions that inhabit this area. Driving this way will give you an opportunity to catch a glimpse of these lions, which make a great photo.
Locating the gorillas can take a few hours or the whole day depending on how far they have moved from the place they spent the previous night. Once they are found, for conservation purposes, the amount of time allowed with the gorillas is one hour. As you trek through the forest you will appreciate why the forest is often called impenetrable.
Gorilla & Wildlife – Big 5 Safari – 7 Days is an all-in-one destination safari exploring primates, carnivores, antelope, birds and the diverse habitats of Rwanda in Akagera National Park. Quite frankly, this safari is not to be missed!
Covering a diverse number of locales, our Kenya & Tanzania Overland Adventure aims to showcase what these places have to offer. Starting in Nairobi, Kenya, we travel to the Aberdares National Park. The park provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks among others. Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat and the blue duiker. Next, it’s off to Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha on the floor of the Great Rift Valley surrounded by wooded and bushy grasslands. Crowds of flamingos famously line these lakes’ shores and are often joined by other larger wildlife, attracted to the cooling breezes of the lakes.
Our first stop in Tanzania is Lake Manyara National Park, located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views.
Next up, enjoy a true “Out of Africa” experience on the plains of the Serengeti. The fabled Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequaled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game, wildebeest and zebra, in Africa. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive.
Experience Namibia’s entirety from an Eagles perspective. Visit the surreal dunes at
Welcome to the ‘fairest Cape in the World’ as your begin your Authentic South Africa – Cape Town & Greater Kruger Park adventure. Colonial monuments co-exist with delightful modernity in the glorious city of Cape Town. Basking in a Mediterranean climate for most of the year, veteran travelers insist this setting tops even the trendiest resort in the south of France; certainly, the wines are just as delicious! Relax and enjoy guided sightseeing: a tour of the delightful city, a glimpse into the colorful Malay Quarter and an excursion along the full length of the Cape Peninsula.
Bucket List Bush Safari & Ocean Stay – Tanzania Tour Highlights
After breakfast, depart overland for Lake Manyara National Park for your first wildlife experience. Two thirds of the park is taken up by the lake, which is a mass of moving pink from the flamingos which make the soda lake their seasonal home during the wet season. Aside from the largest concentration of baboons in the world, other notable park residents include the tree-climbing lions. As one of the smallest parks in Tanzania, it is a microcosm of the Tanzania safari experience. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
