8 DAYS SERENGETI MIGRATION NORTH SERENGETI
There is something truly remarkable about the mass calving of wildebeest between late January and early March. Within a matter of weeks, most female wildebeest drop their calves in a synchronized birthing that sees the There is something truly remarkable about the mass calving of wildebeest between late January and early March. Within a matter of weeks, most female wildebeest drop their calves in a synchronized birthing that sees the Serengeti’s southern plains filled with over 400 000 young.
Estimates are that 8 000 wildebeest are born a day – that is 300 every hour! While lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog certainly eat their fill of these gangly baby gnus, the synchronized calving is an effective survival mechanism for the species: there is simply too much food for the predators to consume.
Day 01: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our VIP Visa Specialist will meet and welcome you to East Africa. He guides you through the entire Tanzania Visa application process and skips long immigration queues. With Africa Joy Tours, you will be escorted from arrival to departure, making your arrival to Tanzania completely worry-free. Upon exiting the airport, our representative will be holding a poster with your name who will transfer you to Arusha (45 minutes) for the Serenity retreat of Kili Villa Retreat set on a picturesque coffee plantation; this charming lodge has beautiful views of Mount Meru and is the ideal place to acclimatize to Africa. After settling into your cottage, take a stroll through the plantations, visit the markets of nearby Arusha, or simply relax in the poolside gardens with a chilled drink. On cool winter evenings, get cosy next to a fireplace and sip one of the best coffees you will ever taste.
Day 02: Tarangire National Park – Elephants and Baobab Trees on Your First Game Drives.
Depart 08h00 from Arusha with 4x4x and drive to Tarangire National Park is a unique place and absolutely fantastic at this time of the year. Viewing some of Tanzania’s largest populations of elephants and enjoying the diverse scenery, including the dramatic baobab trees that are so typical of the park. Enjoy a delicious Picnic Lunch near the stretch of Tarangire River. More game drive until the end of the day you drive to Tarangire Eco Science Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 03: Lake Manyara National Park – Game drive – Sundowner
Breakfast with a best fine view and you leave the camp and with an en-route game drive to Tarangire gate for exit and drive the short distance to Lake Manyara National Park for Full Day game viewing to this unique park with an alkaline lake and breathtaking views. Here you will view a wide variety of wildlife and the acacia woodlands offer the best overall wildlife viewing in the park. Enjoy your picnic lunches under the Acacia trees. This habitat is favoured by the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, leopards and giraffes and can claim the greatest elephant concentration in East Africa. Algae thrive in the high saline content of the lake. Huge and colourful flocks of birds gather in the water to feed, including many different varieties of birds that coexist together. In fact, well over 300 different species of birds have been recorded here and later drive to the Lush retreat of Lions Paw Camp Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight.
Day 04:Ngorongoro Crater Africa’s “Garden of Eden”.
Early breakfast and today you will explore the famous Ngorongoro Crater during a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater often described as one of the Wonders of the world. It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest animal populations. It is one of the few places where the rare black rhino can be observed in their natural setting. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, Zebras, Hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. With a bit of luck, the ‘Big Five’ can be spotted during one game drive only. Drive back to Lions Paw Camp Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight.
Day 05: Ndutu Plains – Southern Serengeti to see the Wildebeest Migration.
Breakfast, drive towards the Ndutu plains is a seasonal location tucked between the NCAA and Serengeti which allows off-road game drives, perfect for migration viewing. The Great Migration is a perpetual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, antelope and other migratory wildlife in search of fresh food and water. From January to February, Ndutu is expected to have a dense concentration of migratory herds as it hosts the highly anticipated calving season. With the gathering of the Great Migration along with thousands of baby calves born every day, predators such as lions, cheetah, leopard, and hyena will also follow in a desperate fight for survival. Be alert for the striped hyena, a rare carnivore that prefers the Ndutu area and is often spotted at dusk or dawn. Dinner and overnight at Lake Masek Tented Camp.
Day 06: Witness the most amazing wildlife spectacle in Africa, the Great Migration-Sundowner + Cocktails.
Sunrise Safaris Ndutu Plains & Southern Serengeti Plains enjoy bush breakfast. You proceed entirely dictate the pace of your day, in discussion with your guide. Search for lion or cheetah along the edge of the woodland or head out into the vast plains to get in amongst the wildebeest migration, along with herds of zebra and gazelle at every turn. The fabulous variety of birdlife in this area as well as the carpet of flowers that develops with the first rains will surprise you. Equally impressive are Tanzania’s magical sunsets, which out here are celebrated at traditional “sundowners”… like those you’ll enjoy at your Camp on your final night on safari, followed by a festive farewell dinner and overnight at Lake Masek Tented Camp.
Day 07: Central Serengeti Plains to see Big Cats & Large Mammals – Sundowner + Cocktails.
Early breakfast, Full day game drive in Central Serengeti you proceed entirely dictate the pace of your day, in discussion with your guide. Search for lion or cheetah along the edge of the woodland or head out into the vast plains to get in amongst the wildebeest migration, along with herds of zebra and gazelle at every turn. The fabulous variety of birdlife in this area as well as the carpet of flowers that develops with the first rains will surprise you. Equally impressive are Tanzania’s magical sunsets, which out here are celebrated at traditional “sundowners”… like those you’ll enjoy at your Camp on your final night on safari, followed by a festive farewell dinner and overnight at Kubu Kubu Tented Camp.
Day 08: Seronera Airstrip – Fly to Arusha – Kilimanjaro Airport – Departure.
Early start today for an early morning game drive to see also nocturnal predators returning from hunting and animals waking up in early morning light or breakfast at the lodge, and the morning goes on your final game drive en-route keep your eyes open for any elusive wildlife that you may not have seen, transfer to Seronera Airstrip in time for Check-in (Luggage free weight each person is 33 LBS & 11 LBS on Handbag), and Schedule flight to Arusha Airport. REGIONAL AIR flights depart Seronera Airstrip at 11: 00 AM and arrive at Arusha Airport at 12: 15 PM.
On your arrival at Arusha Airport, you will be Meet our safari driver and drive a short distance for a fare well-deserved Lunch at BUTTER & SCOTCH SABLE SQUIRE. Here you will have a variety of English – African taste meals with soft drinks & juices. After lunch, we transfer back you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for check-in for the departure flight.
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI INCLUDES:
1. Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
2. Private safari guide
3. Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
4. Transfers in both directions between the International Airport
5. Park fees
6. Flight to and from Kogatende in Serengeti to Arusha
7. Serengeti Balloon Safari
8. All meals while on safari
9. Airport Arrival/Departure Meet and Greets at the airport
10. On safari – Vehicles equipped with ice chest with mineral water, wildlife guidebook, Karibuni welcome packet with useful information for all guests
11. Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI EXCLUDES:
1. Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival, USA and Canada passport holders USD.100
2. Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
3. Meals not listed above
4. Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 500 per person etc)
5. Tips and any items of personal nature.
