7: Days Migration Safari (Ngorogoro Crater / Ndutu / Serengeti)
6-Day migration safari overview – recommended from November to April
Every year, the vast herds of wildebeest embark on a long-distance migration that coincide with the annual rain fall patterns and grass growth. Following the short rainy season in November, the herds of wildebeest arrive to the short-grass plains of the Serengeti around November. The short-grass plains are located in the area east and south of the Seronera, around Ndutu and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation area. Herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen across these plains as they feed on the nutrient rich grasses. The majority of the wildebeest calve around February. They normally stay in the area till April and then start moving west towards to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park.
Our 7-day Migration wildlife safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages, have been designed specifically to focus on and to increase your chance to see the great Serengeti wildebeest migration. We have designed the itinerary to include the Lake Ndutu area, southern Serengeti and central Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found from December through to April. To save on unnecessary travel time and to increase your game viewing time, this itinerary has been designed that you fly from the Serengeti National Park to Arusha town on the last day. The itinerary also include a visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater.
The travel itinerary below is a suggested or sample Tanzanian migration safari itinerary – it can be adapted to suite your own personal needs and preferences or to any seasonal changes and migratory animal movements. As with all our Tanzanian Africa safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages, we have offered you a wide variety of accommodation options – directly impacting on the total safari travel costs – in order to offer you the widest possible tour budget options. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our travel consultants directly, should you require any further assistance or more detailed information, regarding any of our Africa safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages.
Please note that it is difficult to predict the exact timing and location of the migration at any time, as this can vary considerably from year to year, depending on factors such as rainfall, water availability, food abundance, predators and the phosphorus content in the grasses.
Itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Arusha.
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).To Arusha at Moivaro Lodge, where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at Moivaro Lodge, which is beautifully located on the coffee farms and is a perfect place to prepare for your adventure.
We will gather in the hotel for a pre-safari briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Moivaro Lodge: Half board
We will gather in the hotel for a pre-safari briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Moivaro Lodge: Half board
Day 2: Arusha – Ngorongoro
Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
Distance: 190 km
Distance: 190 km
Pick up from Arusha and transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and after lunch we will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for an afternoon safari tour.
Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park, is it’s dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the south western corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually been seen here.
Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Ndutu
Non game-viewing travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 90 km
Distance: 90 km
After breakfast we will head to the Lake Ndutu area, situated in the Ngorongoro conservation area, part of the southern Serengeti eco-system. Lake Ndutu is alkaline, like most of the other Rift lakes, however the water is still drinkable and used by a wide array of local wildlife.
We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge or camp, and after lunch we will do an afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game.
Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Day 4: Ndutu
After breakfast, enjoy a full day game drive in the Ndutu area. Explore the range of different habitats that include swamps, woodland, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. See great herds of wildebeest and zebra. During a short time frame around February, normally lasting for about 3 weeks, the majority of the wildebeest calve. The sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Day 5: Ndutu – Serengeti Plains
Non game-viewing travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 80 km
Distance: 80 km
After breakfast we head towards the central Serengeti National Park, also known as the Seronera. We descend into the heart of wild Africa – the Serengeti National Park – with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species.
We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti national park.
Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Day 6:Serengeti Plains
Be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a Hot Air Balloon over the Serengeti Plains (available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement). Floating silently above the awakening bush, while spotting wildlife and enjoying the amazing scenery of Africa, across rivers and over numerous small villages. After breakfast enjoy a full day game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The majority of the wildebeest migration normally passes through the Seronera in late November to middle November, when they migrate from Kenya’s Masai Mara in north to the Ndutu area in the south. The migration then passes through this area again in April when they move west to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park. The Seronera area is also an ideal starting to point to visit the eastern and southern short-grass plains of the Serengeti National Park.
Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Day 7: Serengeti Plains – Arusha
After breakfast at the lodge, we depart to the Seronera airstrip and enjoy a game drive en-route to the airstrip. The group should tip the guide around $20 to $ 30 a day
Around mid morning join a scheduled flight from Seronera airstrip to Arusha airport. Upon arrival to Arusha airport, meet our driver and transfer to Arusha town. On arrival in Arusha will we have lunch and then we will end our African safari adventure. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our safari services.
Departure dates
The departure dates for all our Africa safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed information, as well as information on our Africa safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages into Tanzania.
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
- Airport Arrival/Departure Meet and Greets at the airport
- On safari – Vehicles equipped with ice chest with mineral water, wildlife guidebook, karibuni welcome packet with useful information for all guests
- Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
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.