Serengeti & Beyond – The Great Migration Safari
Travel Period: December – March
15 days 14 nights Safari
Daily Programme:
Index: L=Lunch, D=Dinner, BB=Bed/Breakfast, HB-FB=Half-Full board
Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Meet and greet at the Airport with your driver guide then transfer to Mt. Meru Game Lodge for dinner and overnight. HB
Day 2
Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
After your safari briefing with your driver/guide set off for a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Stop at Mto Wa Mbu, and enjoy an assortment of tropical fruits, papayas, mangos, bananas and more. Continue a little further to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its spectacular bird life that dwells close to the water’s edge. Its magnificent woodland is home to forest elephant and timid antelopes, and it is not uncommon to see lion or leopard amongst the shaded branches up high.
Dinner and overnight: Kirirumu Luxury Tented Camp FB
Days 3/4
Lake Manyara National Park – Lake Eyasi
We will take you to meet the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers that live in a very desolate pocket, close to the shores of Lake Eyasi. Though this area is isolated and little visited, it is situated conveniently close to the route between some of Northern Tanzania’s most popular National Parks. Their tongue resembles the click languages of the Bushmen further south in the Kalahari, and they are traditionalists to the core – flatly refusing to change their culture and lifestyle for any part of our modern existence. Hunting involves ancient skills, tracking with bows made from giraffe tendons and lethal arrows laced with poison from a secret tree root. Their natural cures heal snake and mosquito bites, cuts and bruises faster than our modern alternatives, and the harsh environment is both a home and a classroom to all tribe members. Joining these skilful Bushmen on a morning hunt is a rare and precious glimpse into another world.
The beautiful Kisima Ngeda Luxury Tented on the shore of Lake Eyasi offers luxurious accommodation under canvas, amidst an oasis attracting plenty of colourful, tropical of birds. It is safe for walking and swimming and the room tents face the soda lake, at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Views across the lake are superb, especially at sunset, from the huge granite boulder behind the camp.
Dinner and overnight at Kisima Ngeda Luxury Tented Camp FB
Day 5
Lake Eyasi – Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater and after a refreshing lunch decent 2000 feet onto the crater floor, where you will experience the great variety of wildlife that lives in the second largest Caldera on earth. Experience a solitary game-drive in the late afternoon, as most people have left the crater-floor. Silent beauty beneath soft rays highlights increased animal activity as the sun fades. Wrap up warm as nights on the Crater Rim are always chilly.
Dinner and Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge FB
Day 6
Empakai Crater
Very few people experience this extraordinary crater, secretly nestled beyond Ngorongoro’s main Caldera, hidden amongst fertile grasslands that unfold into a prehistoric landscape. Olmoti Crater, the Embulbul Depression and Loolmalass lead to the secret crater of Empaki (2700m). The Caldera is lined with a 600m steep, forested wall; its floor covered with an emerald lake – the seasonal home to millions of flamingos, pelicans and other tropical, water birds. Old, reclusive buffalo drink peacefully below; whilst beyond the rim, a magnificent view spreads across the Great Rift Valley. This rugged, untouched environment is testimony to a time when the world was a bubbling cauldron long before mankind. An armed ranger will accompany the adventurous that wish to descend onto the crater floor (for protection from wildlife).
Dinner and Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge FB
Important: Unforeseeable events like heavy rain leave the track to Empakai impassable. In these cases we will explore Olmoti Crater.
Days 7– 11
Serengeti National Park
Passing Ngorongoro crater rim descend through the really impressive landscape down to Oldupai Gorge, known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind,’ where man first footsteps were discovered. Continue on to the heart of the Serengeti plains via the shifting sands, entering the Park at Naabi Hill Gate and proceed to camp with an en route Game Drive.
You have plenty of time to explore the Serengeti, one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world, boasting an incredible selection of wildlife. Your game drives will follow the wildlife’s seasonal movement, which during this period offers spectacular viewing of approximately 2.5 million animals heading south to the rains and fresh grass. Also enjoy visiting Ngong Hill and the Moru Kopjes – known as the ‘Islands in the Sea of Grass’.
Our safaris have no limit on mileage and time on game drives.
Dinner and Overnight: Special Campsite In the Serengeti (Private Campsite) FB
Serengeti Excursion
On request we book balloon safaris in the Serengeti, which take-off early morning, offering a spectacular sunset from an eagle’s viewpoint, an exhilarating flight and unforgettable adventure. After your flight (of approx one hour) enjoy a champagne breakfast on the Serengeti plains before returning to your camp at about 09.30hrs.
Day 12
Serengeti National Park
After breakfast say farewell to your camp crew, before proceeding on a game drive across the Serengeti, with picnic lunch boxes in hand. Meanwhile the crew will move camp to Nasera Rock.
Dinner and Overnight: Serengeti Sopa Lodge FB
Days 13
Serengeti National Park – Nasera Rock
After breakfast set off for the Serengeti’s Kusini region (if the road is passable and not bogged by rain). There are good chances of sighting Rhino before proceeding on to explore the Ndutu Woodlands – before heading for Nasera Rock. This is a very special place. Huge, stripped rocks guard the camp and lions are often seen sunbathing and snoozing on its sun-baked surface. The view will capture your breath and it truly is one of the most stunning locations for camping on the Great Serengeti plains.
Dinner and overnight: Nasera Special Campsite FB
Day 14
Nasera Rock
After breakfast walk Oldupai Gorge, known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind,’ where man’s first footsteps were discovered. Along a dusty, solitary track facing north, and lost in the wilderness, is an area where a giant fig tree stands – over 1000 years old. Here a Masai will tell you the folklore and traditions that evolve around the ancient tree – providing a glimpse into his tribal culture. We found the tree 24 years ago and have accumulated many hours talking with our particular Masai friend, who guards and christened it the ‘Cathedral Tree.’
Important: The track to the Fig tree is extremely dusty and impassable if it is raining making the excursion a real adventure. You may well find the Great Migration there.
Dinner and Overnight: Special Campsite Nasera Rock. FB
Day 15
Nasera Rock – Lake Natron
A stony track over black soil leads through wild and cliffy landscape. Reaching the ‘Seven Corners’ offers a remarkable view over Lake Natron surrounded by Shompole in Northern Kenya. In Tanzania the lake fringes ‘Gelai’ and the smoking volcano ‘Oldonyo Lengai.’ Steep and towering it is the local Maasai’s holy mountain. A tough track leads to our tented Lodge at Ngarasero River.
Dinner and overnight: Sengo Tented Camp FB (Basic Lodge).
Day 16
Lake Natron – Arusha
Today’s drive long and exhausting; and its best to relax in your vehicle seat, watch the passing scenery and drift away! Following the vertical wall of the Great Rift Valley our track takes you back to Arusha.
Dinner and overnight: Mt Meru Game Lodge.
