9 Days Bucketlist Migration Safari
overview
An itinerary designed so travellers can witness one of nature’s most thrilling, chaotic events – the annual Great Migration – where life and death hang in the balance in this survival of the fittest. Picture thousands of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elands and antelopes as they make their way perilously across the turbid waters of the Grumeti River in search of greener pastures, while also contending with the river’s crocodiles and hippos scouring for prey.
Tour Information
Availability
June – July
Price
Starting from USD 4,664
per person sharing
Tour Highlights
Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Central Serengeti, Western Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
Duration
1 Night Arusha | 1 Night Tarangire | 1 Nights Lake Manyara | 2 Nights Central Serengeti | 2 Nights Western Serengeti | 1 Night Ngorongoro Crater
Day 1
Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha
Our guide meets you on your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha.
Located beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha City is the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit of national parks and marks the starting point of your safari into the African Bush.
Set out to explore the vibrant sights and sounds of local life in Arusha.
Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy popular coffee tours – weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, while learning about how beans are nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce myriad different blends which are exported and enjoyed all over the world.*
* These activities are an additional cost
Day 2
Arusha – Tarangire
Enjoy an early start to the day as your guide collects you from Arusha and takes you to Tarangire National Park to kickstart your adventure.
Situated in Tanzania’s Manyara Region, the Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for animals migrating into the park from surrounding areas – making wildlife sightings more likely as they congregate here in their masses.
Enjoy beautiful sunny weather while watching some of Tanzania’s best wildlife, including a 300-strong herd of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, eland and buffalo.
After an exciting day scouring the bush, your guide transfers you to your hotel in time for dinner.
As the African night comes alive, set out on a late-night safari to see nocturnal animals with the aid of our knowledgeable guide, including hyenas, leopards, honey badgers, white tailed mongoose, hippos and genets.*
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* These activities are an additional cost
Day 3
Tarangire – Lake Manyara
After a hearty breakfast, your guide picks you up and drives you to Lake Manyara.
While Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, its diverse vegetation, ranging from savannah to marsh and evergreen forest, supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. Expect to see large families of elephants, millions of flamingos, and even tree-climbing lions.
Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the baboons in this park which live in troops of up to 200 members.
Enjoy a trip to the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu Village and learn about the melting pot of cultures found here. Home to over 120 different tribes from across Tanzania, you will gain insight into daily life, visiting local farms, schools, churches, a milling machine and much more.*
After an action-packed day, your guide takes you to your accommodation for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* These activities are an additional cost
Day 4
Lake Manyara – Central Serengeti
It’s an early departure from Lake Manyara as we make our way to the Serengeti for a spectacular afternoon game drive.
On arrival, we begin to track the migrating herds as they prepare to make the treacherous crossing across the Grumeti River.
After an exciting day exploring the heart of the Serengeti, you are taken back to your accommodation inside the National Park to settle in, enjoy a gourmet dinner and an early night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5
Central Serengeti – West Serengeti
After breakfast, it’s a short drive to the Serengeti’s Western Corridor where we follow the migrating herds.
Around June the wildebeest migration is often halted on the south side of the Grumeti River – with its challenging channels often blocking and slowing their migration north. As a result, the animals congregate here in the Western Corridor, building up to a high density before finally crossing the river where crocodiles lie in wait.
After an eventful day, you are driven to your accommodation inside the national park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
West Serengeti
An early start to the day, as we head out for a full day game viewing in search of some more migration action.
Enjoy a full day exploring along the river banks, waiting for possible crossings and watching the build up of energy among the migrating herds.
Throughout June and July, the wildebeest migration continues moving north, with some animals heading through the Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo, while others venture north to the heart of the Serengeti.
After an eventful and emotional day, you are driven back to your accommodation inside the national park in time for a gourmet dinner.
Take to the African skies in a hot air balloon to appreciate the pristine natural beauty of this 14,763km2 savannah stretching as far as the eye can see.*
Cosy around the campfire and enjoy sharing stories of the day’s wildlife sightings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* These activities are an additional cost
Day 7
West Serengeti – Central Serengeti
After a hearty breakfast, we embark on our final game drive in the Serengeti.
Continuing to follow in the footsteps of the Great Migration, guests are able to follow the herds that have made it across the Grumeti River and are now heading to the heart of the Serengeti National Park in search of greener pastures.
It is estimated that just over 2 million animals in total make this migration from one country to another and back again – a round journey of just under 2,000 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8
Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, you checkout and depart with your lunch for a final game drive in the Serengeti.
Few predators hunting during the heat of the day and so early morning is often the best time to observe the thrill of the chase.
Enjoy your last few moments in the Serengeti National Park before we make our way to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Check-in to your accommodation in Ngorongoro and settle into your new surroundings.
Enjoy a guided walk around the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. In addition to seeing breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and the diverse wildlife, our expert guides will also teach you about its incredible indigenous flora and fauna.*
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* These activities are an additional cost
Day 9
Ngorongoro Crater – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Wake up early to panoramic views of the Crater, and after breakfast, head off for a day trip to explore the many fascinating species that are protected within its rim.
Once there, you’ll be able to see the Big Five in high concentration against the stunning backdrop of the crater walls.
After a morning of exploring, you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport – where we wave you a fond farewell.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
WHATS INCLUDED
- Return airport transfers to Kilimanjaro international Airport
- 8 x Nights of accommodation and meals as outlined above
- Your own professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Activities and game viewing as specified in the itinerary
- Evening sundowners (where applicable)
- Packed lunches on excursions with unlimited soft drinks and snacks
- Unlimited mileage in one of our custom 4 x 4 Toyota Land cruisers during safari game drives
- Government taxes and national park fees
- Flying Doctor Service
WHATS EXCLUDED
- International and domestic Flights
- Any items of a personal nature such as: telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips for drivers and guides etc
- Insurance
- Visas
Accommodations
From traditional tented safari camps to luxurious lodges, we work with a number of tried and tested accommodation providers to ensure your stay is truly unforgettable. Below are some of the camps that we highly recommend for this itinerary:
