The Serengeti Great Migration has been listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Not only does it offer incredible views of the plains dotted with huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, but the rivers are often infested with large Nile crocodiles lying in wait. Some of the best safari opportunities in the world are found here, across a landscape made up of volcanic grasslands and vast plains interrupted by rocky outcrops, rivers, and forests. Visiting the right area in the right season will treat travellers to astonishing sightings of this natural phenomenon. These migratory herds also attract the attention of some of the continent's most renowned predators, ensuring that if travellers are following the Migration; big cats, crocodiles, and hyenas will never be too far behind.
Itinerary
DAY 1 :
ARUSHA TO
NGORONGORO CRATER
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and you will be transferred to the Arusha airport for your flight. On arrival at the Serengeti North airstrip, you will be met by your guide and we’ll make our way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) where we will make the 600-metre descent in a 4WD vehicle into the Ngorongoro Crater often referred to as Africa’s Eden and the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and measures 22.5 kilometres across and a massive floor of about 260 square kilometres with rim walls that stand 600 metres high. Views from within the crater and from the rim are breathtaking. The crater houses 30000 animals and a large variety of birds and is home to black rhino, cheetah, lion, leopard, elephant, wildebeest, zebra and birds like ostrich, vultures and flamingos. Keep your camera at the ready as the crater will show you plenty of animal action. As night falls, we’ll head to the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for a delicious dinner and a good rest.
Meals: lunch, dinner
DAY 2:
NGORONGORO CRATER TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
A full day with the morning spent exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and then we head to Serengeti National Park. The afternoon will be spent on the plains of this famous national park. Serengeti actually means “endless plains” in Swahili. The Serengeti covers an area of 14,763 square kilometres and watching the grassland stretching out as far as the eye can see and eventually merging with the sky at the horizon is absolutely breathtaking.
The Serengeti is home to hundreds of thousands of animals and is a pristine and unique sanctuary. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa as well as Africa’s most beautiful animal – the impala. It is also home to the “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) The Serengeti is believed to hold the largest population of lions in Africa due in part to the abundance of prey species. More than 3,000 lions live in this ecosystem. After a beautiful Serengeti sunset, we’ll stay overnight at the Serengeti Acacia Camp.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3 & 4 :
NORTHERN SEREGNETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we’ll head out with our picnic lunch into the Wagakuria region of the Serengeti to view the full extent of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high in this area, with prides of lion up to 30 strong, however from August to October the area turns into a wildlife paradise. The key attraction is the Mara River and if we are lucky we will be witness to the full drama of a river crossing. We will return again to the Serengeti Acacia Camp for dinner and the comfort of our beds.
After breakfast on the fourth day, we’ll enjoy another full day of game viewing, this time at Kogatende. Game viewing up here is superb with river crossings pretty much guaranteed every day from August to October. The herds tend to cross back and forth over the river from day to day following the rains and fresh grasses. It is not uncommon to see different herds crossing in different directions on the same day. In the evening, we head back to the Serengeti Acacia Camp for our final night, dinner around a bonfire and a good rest.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5:
NORTHERN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
One last morning game drive in the Serengeti after breakfast and then you will be transferred to Kogatende Airstrip for your flight to Arusha. After this incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, it is time you bid your safari team goodbye. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your home flight or your hotel in Arusha
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation for your own account.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
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Accommodation in tents, lodges, and hotels on a full board basis
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English speaking driver/guide
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Toyota 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof and fuel
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All vehicle entry fees in parks and reserves
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Unlimited game drives in all national parks mentioned above.
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All park fees and other government charges.
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Airport transfers and pick-up
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Lunch box and water while on game drives
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Government levy per person per night
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Medical kit and binoculars
EXCLUDED FROM THE PRICE
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All alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at camps and lodges
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Staff gratuities, tips etc (tipping guideline: US$20.00 per person per day)
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Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
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Any newly-implemented government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
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Visa fees where relevant
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International airport departure taxes that are applicable from manned airports only, (these are to be paid in US$ cash upon departure unless included in your ticket)
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Any items of a personal nature
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Personal and travel insurance