Tanzania's Great Migration

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport (JRO), where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel by private car.

Arusha

Nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru and serving as the gateway to some of the continent's most iconic natural wonders, Arusha is a vibrant city with a unique blend of modernity and traditional charm. The bustling market offers a kaleidoscope of colors, showcasing local crafts and textiles. Outside of the city unfolds in to numerous small holder farms for coffee, bananas and all types of fruits and veggies. For nature enthusiasts, a safari to the nearby Arusha National Park, with its diverse landscapes and scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, provides a perfect setting for hiking and birdwatching. While it's a bustling safari town, one will instantly see the warmth and hospitality of the Tanzanian people, ranked one of the worlds happiest countries.

Transfer to the Arusha airfield this morning for a light aircraft flight to the Serengeti. Typically, this flight is operated with a 12-seater Cessna Caravan and includes multiple stops on it's way out to the Northern Serengeti, which is the last stop.

*There is a 15kg (33lb) weight limit (inclusive of handbag, camera, etc.). Soft-sided luggage (wheels are okay) must be used for all domestic and light aircraft flights as baggage compartments are cramped.

Serengeti National Park

Derived from the Maasai word ‘siringet’ meaning ‘endless plains’, is home to the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle undertaking the long trek to new grazing grounds. The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. The essential features have changed little in a million years; Serengeti’s famous plains are interspersed with wooded hills, towering termite mounds, rocky kopjes and rivers lined with acacia trees. This is habit supports not only the “great migration” but hundreds of species from the mammoth African elephant and sprawling prides of lion and but a plethora of other creatures like the playful bat-eared fox. The boughs of acacia trees make the perfect vantage point for leopards and the plains offer the perfect open stretches for cheetah to reach peak attacking speed.

The Great Migration

Tanzania's Great Migration is an awe-inspiring natural spectacle that unfolds across the vast savannas of the Serengeti ecosystem. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores embark on a remarkable journey, driven by the search for fresh grazing lands and water sources. This epic migration is a cyclical pattern, with the animals traversing the Serengeti in search of green pastures during the wet season and then heading towards Kenya's Maasai Mara in the dry season. The migration is not only a testament to the resilience of nature but also a dramatic display of predator-prey interactions, with lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles taking advantage of the abundance of prey. Witnessing the Great Migration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, attracting travelers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world to witness this extraordinary phenomenon and the breathtaking landscapes that serve as the backdrop to this remarkable natural event.

Serengeti Safari

A typical day on safari includes an early wake up, because that's when the wildlife are on the move! After a quick bite and some coffee, head out in the cool of the morning and before the heat of the day sets in. Look fro fresh tracks from the night before, and survey the landscape with your guide to figure out the best direction head. After several hours, return to your accommodation for breakfast and then relax during the heat of the day before heading out again in the afternoon. There’s always something going on and with the trained eyes of your guide you’ll be sure to have numerous sightings of big game. Evenings are spent either fire side with a warm beverage, swapping stories' with other guests and hearing about your guides adventures in the area. (This service is on a group basis.)

Explore the Northern Serengeti

Head out on another full day of safari today exploring the Lamai Wedge and Wogakuria Kopjes. The Lamai Wedge is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, and vibrant wildlife. The Wogakuria Kopjes, ancient granite formations that dot the landscape, provide elevated vantage points for observing the surrounding plains and the diverse array of wildlife that inhabits this region. From these kopjes, visitors can witness the drama of the Great Migration as wildebeest and zebras traverse the sweeping savannas. The Lamai Wedge and Wogakuria Kopjes present an opportunity to encounter not only the iconic members of the Big Five but also elusive predators and an abundance of birdlife. Return to camp for one last campfire before departing your next destination in Tanzania.

Serengeti Safari to the Ngorongoro Crater

Depart camp after breakfast for a long drive and safari to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. En route, pass through the central Serengeti, renowned for its year-round game viewing. In particular, large prides of lions inhabit the areas, sometimes lazing in the acacia trees as well as large herds of Elephants, which frequent this area for it's main water source, the Seronera River. Cheetah and Leopard sightings are also possible. Enjoy a picnic lunch, before continuing the drive out of the Serengeti and climbing up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and to your new home, strategically perched along the western rim with stunning views and few neighbors.

HIghland Walk with the Maasai

Welcome your Maasai guide with "Sopi" (Hello in KiMaa) this morning and lace up your walking shoes. Today is a chance to explore the scenic beauty of the crater rim, under the protection and guidance of a Maasai warrior and your guide. The highlands environment is quite a unique mixture of plants, animals and people. Learn about the area from your Maasai Morani (warrior), understanding their peoples use of the land and interaction with the wildlife. If your lucky you'll even be able to spot some giraffe or elephants foraging on the lush vegetation found near the crater rim. After your walk return to camp for some rest and relaxation.

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

After breakfast descend into Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive. Entamanu's location on the Western Rim, means that we can be first at the gate in the morning to descend into the crater, to see the wildlife when they are most active and avoid the crowds that come later in the day.

Ngorongoro Crater

Considered the 8th wonder of the world, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is unique in that over 40,000 Maasai pastoralists with their cattle goats and sheep to live alongside the abundant wildlife in this natural setting. The conservation area gives you a rare insight into how people lived in harmony with nature and wildlife in ancient times all over the world.

Lunch at Gibbs Farm and transfer Tarangire National Park

Make your way down down the highlands, passing though the bustling agricultural towns of Karatu and Mtu Wa Mbu. Here we'll break for lunch at a Gibbs Farm. Both an accommodation and a working farm, you'll taste the freshness in every bite, most grown from their own gardens. Pass through town and visit the market or artisanal shops if you're in the mood for some shopping, before continuing on to Tarangire National Park, the final stop along our migration safari.

Optional Activities at Mpingo Ridge

Choose to head out on one final game drive today to explore Tarangire National Park and marvel at the massive heads of elephants that migrate into the area during the dry season. Alternatively, choose to take a day to relax and enjoy some of the spa services offered at Mpingo Ridge. Additionally, we can arrange canoeing trips out on Lake Manyara or a visit back into town for some shopping and cultural exploration.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is a gem within the country's rich tapestry of wildlife reserves. Renowned for its diverse landscapes, the park is characterized by vast grasslands, acacia woodlands, and the meandering Tarangire River, which serves as a vital water source during the dry season, attracting a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Iconic baobab trees dot the horizon, adding to the park's distinctive scenery. Tarangire is celebrated for hosting one of the largest elephant populations in East Africa, especially in dry season when massive herds migrate to the Tarangire River from all over the region. The diverse ecosystems support a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and an abundance of bird species. Beyond the extraordinary wildlife, Tarangire offers a more secluded and intimate safari experience compared to some of its neighboring parks. The park's natural beauty, coupled with its rich biodiversity, makes Tarangire National Park a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and safari-goers seeking an authentic and immersive African wilderness experience.

Check out after breakfast and return to Arusha this afternoon. We'll have time to stop in town prior to heading to the airport for your international departure.

Optional Island Extension

For those with more time, consider an extension to the blissful beach islands of Zanzibar or Pemba. A short flight will take you to the Swahili coast for some proper relaxation and excellent snorkeling or scuba diving. Please enquire for more details and pricing.