11 Day Great Migration
JULY - OCTOBER
Arrival Day
ARUSHA
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. After passport control, you will be met by your safari guide (who will be with you for the rest of your safari) outside the arrival lounge and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha (Approx. 60 minutes). Enjoy a great meal and a relaxing evening before starting your Tanzania safari the next day.
Sample Accommodations:
Arusha Planet Lodge
The African Tulip Hotel
Arusha Villa
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Day 1
TARANGIRE NP
After breakfast you will set off from Arusha and make your way through beautiful tribal areas en-route to Tarangire National Park (2h) with picnic lunch boxes and enjoy a game drive before you check in at your accommodations in the late afternoon.
After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania. In the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. The river of the park is full of wildlife ranging from a large variety of birds to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and, of course, elephants. In fact, the park has the largest concentration of elephants in the whole country and provides unique chances to observe the interaction between elephant families. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is particularly known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains to the south.
Sample Accommodations:
Maramboi Tented Lodge
Tarangire Safari Lodge
Ndovu Tented Lodge
Mpingo Ridge
Day 2
KARATU
In the morning after breakfast you will drive towards Karatu, stopping en route at Mto wa Mbu, a culturally vibrant town for a market visit.
The Karatu area gives you the opportunity to experience a variety of different activities. You will have the option of biking or hiking, or including one or several of our SABABU EXPERIENCES. You will learn about a multitude of things and see a different side of Tanzania before checking into your accommodations close to the Ngorongoro Crater rim for an overnight stay.
Sample Accommodations:
Marera Valley Lodge
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Lion’s Paw Camp
Day 3
NGORONGORO CRATER to CENTRAL SERENGETI
In the morning after an early breakfast you will be one of the first vehicles descending the six hundred meters into Ngorongoro Crater for superb game viewing with picnic lunch boxes. The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural enclosure supporting 20,000-30,000 animals at any one time making it virtually a Noah’s ark and inhabiting almost every species of wildlife that is indigenous to East Africa. The Crater is considered one of the natural wonders of the world and has the highest densities of predators in Africa such as lions, hyenas and leopards. It is also one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered black rhino. In the afternoon, slowly begin the climb out of the crater and head toward Central Serengeti for dinner and an overnight stay.
Sample Accommodations:
Nyikani Central Camp
Sametu Camp
Ole Serai Turner Springs
Nanyukie Tented Lodge
Day 4-5
CENTRAL SERENGETI
You will enjoy two full days in the very beautiful and productive Central Serengeti, which is famed for its terrific cat sightings. As you progress well into the Serengeti, you will see why the name means, in local language, ‘endless plains’. The Serengeti, together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park, form Africa’s most famous wildlife parks. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomizes Africa for many, and when you add a Masai warrior and some cattle to the picture the conversation needs to go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with almost two million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; you will encounter large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become almost essential.
We are completely flexible with your preferences and the days will be organized according to your wishes. On every day of the safari, your guide will discuss with you the best timings for you, including the game drives and the wake up time. For example, you could do a morning game drive, return to the camp for lunch and relaxation and finish with an afternoon game drive, or you could do a full day game drive with picnic lunch.
Sample Accommodations:
Nyikani Central Camp
Sametu Camp
Ole Serai Turner Springs
Nanyukie Tented Lodge
Day 6-8
NORTHERN SERENGETI
Travel to Northern Serengeti by the Mara River where the grass is nutrient-rich and capable of offering the migratory herds a proper supply of food and water. This is the time and place to witness the famous Mara River crossings. See giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, waiting patiently in the water for the big migration to enter the area. You will have opportunities to catch thrilling game action or perhaps even witness a river crossing, as the wildebeests and zebras face one of the most difficult parts of their migration journey and cross over to Masai Mara. Spend three days exploring.
Sample Accommodations:
Nyikani Migration Camp – Kogatende
Mara River Post
Serengeti River Camp
Kuria Hills Tented Lodge
Day 9
NORTHERN SERENGETI to ARUSHA
This is your last morning in the Serengeti. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps head out early for a short morning game drive before traveling to Kogatende Airstrip to catch your scheduled flight back to Arusha. Upon pick-up, you can either be transferred to The Plaster House which enables children from all over Tanzania to recover after surgery, or to Neema Village, an orphanage caring for abandoned, orphaned and at risk babies. End your day with dinner at a hotel in Arusha or at Original Maasai Lodge in West Kilimanjaro (additional days recommended).
Sample Accommodations:
Original Maasai Lodge
Day 10
WEST KILIMANJARO
End your safari with a stay at Original Maasai Lodge – a magical place where you immediately will come to rest and reflect on the essentials. At the foot of Kilimanjaro and in the middle of the wilderness of the Maasai steppe are bungalows with hand crafted furniture with great views of Kilimanjaro, Africa‘s highest mountain. Behind it is the savanna, home to the Maasai people. This is the right place to get to know them and their traditions and rituals, together with a slowing-down of your own life’s pace. It‘s all about being together, sharing traditions, stories and learning from each other. Stay in a traditional Maasai Boma, experience cultural activities and learn about the Maasai customs and traditions.
Origiginal Maasai Lodge is built on 400 acres of protected wildlife territory which was gifted by the villagers of Ngabobo to honor the organization (Africa Amini Alama) for its constant charity work. The main purpose of the lodge is to empower the community and generate income for the social, educational, conservation and medical projects. As an authentic Maasai project, the lodge offers people from all over the world a unique and in-depth Maasai experience. The Maasai themselves consider the lodge as an essential part of their village and like to warmly welcome tourists in their home place.
Sample Accommodations:
Original Maasai Lodge
Day 11
DEPARTURE
Have breakfast and spend your day at leisure. In the afternoon, meet your private transfer to Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO), and catch your departure flight back home.
LET’S START PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZING YOUR TRIP TOGETHER TODAY!