10 DAYS SERENGETI WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI
The Seronera Plains, which lie in the southeast of the National park and extend into the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area, form the main ungulate calving grounds of the Serengeti. In January, the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are to be found on the plains of the southern Serengeti.
In February the wildebeest begin foaling and they do this at roughly the same time with all the predators in close attendance. The period between March-April, Heavy rains are approaching and the grazing is starting to get worse. The herd begins to move northwards along the western corridor of the Serengeti.
The actual migration might start any time from late April to early June, with a herd of more than a million migrating animals marching in a braying column of up to 40Km long, one of the most impressive spectacles in the world.
The herd moves towards the Grumeti controlled area where there is still good grazing and they begin to cross the Grumeti river where crocodiles lie in wait for their annual feast and you find the scenes occurring that has made the wildebeest migration famous in so many wildlife documentaries.
From July to October, the ungulates disperse again, with about half of them crossing the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara Game reserve, and the reminder spreading out through the northern and western Serengeti.
From July to October, the ungulates disperse again, with about half of them crossing the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara Game reserve, and the reminder spreading out through the northern and western Serengeti.
itinerary
Day 1: arrival in Arusha
Arrive Kilimanjaro and transfer to Arusha at Ilboru Safari Lodge. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your flight, laze by the pool or explore the town.
Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
After your breakfast, start your safari by driving to lush and beautiful Manyara National Park for game viewing. At 1300 hrs take your lunch in the park picnic area, evening drive to Lake Manyara at NsiyaTented Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
Morning breakfast at NsiyaTented Lodge. Game drive enroute to the great Serengeti Plains via Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After a picnic lunch proceed with your game drive in the central Serengeti national park around Seronera or trace the direction of the migration.
Dinner and Overnight Ikoma Bush Tented Camp.
Day 4: A full day game drive in Serengeti National Park
Depending on the time of the year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffe, zebras, Monkey, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes as well as a multitude of birds. Evening drive to Ikoma Bush Tented Camp.
Day 5: another full day game drive in the Southern of Serengeti
After breakfast we will take the packed lunch with us and proceed with the game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The migration can be seen on a long chain approximately 40 Km heading to the south western direction. Around 1230 and 1300 break for your lunch. After having our lunch we will proceed with our game viewing following the move of the migrants on the southwest of the park. Approximately 1.3 million wildebeest, 250,000 gazelles and 200,000 Zebras have been recorded sharing the short grass.
Dinner and overnight at Ikoma Bush Tented Camp.
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro
An early morning game drive in the Serengeti followed by picnic lunch on the way to Ngorongoro crater. We will stop at Olduvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries. Their findings include some of man’s earliest known ancestral remains.
Dinner and overnight at Rhino Lodge.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater
Today we will descend 2000 feet (over 600 meters) to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for your crater tour. Here you we will explore the forest areas inhabited by monkeys and elephants, the lake area, where we may see flamingos. We will also visit the open savannah where the lions hunt. Picnic lunch will be served in the crater. Dinner and overnight at Rhino Lodge.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park
Today we drive to Tarangire National Park, for excellent game viewing. Tarangire is a small park which offers some excellent sights. Generally in the dry seasons Tarangire comes alive as wildlife and birdlife congregate on the Tarangire River, which is a permanent source of water. We spend the night in our lodge beautifully set inside the park with stunning views and a unique atmosphere. In the late afternoon we drive to Tanzania Safari Lodge.
Day 9: Tarangire Cultural Tour
Morning breakfast at Tanzania Safari Lodge the rest of the day is free to relax and or explore the maasai cultural experience, you will go on a walk to visit datoga tribes. The Maasai live in the areas as well as the Datoga. Learning about their history is as fascinating as the views are breathtaking from several hilltop peaks in the area.
Dinner and overnight at Tanzania Safari Lodge.
Day 10: Tarangire to Arusha
After breakfast, leave Tarangire with your packed lunch to Arusha town. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for you flight back home.
Safari Include:
- Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
- Private safari guide
- Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Transfers in both directions between the International Airport
- Park fees
- Crater fees
- All meals while on safari
- Airport Arrival/Departure Meet and Greets at the airport
- On safari – Vehicles equipped with ice chest with mineral water, wildlife guidebooks
- Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
- Flying Doctor Service
Safari Exclude:
- Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival, USA and CANADA passport holders USD.100
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 500 per person etc)
- Tips and any items of personal nature.