TANZANIA GREAT MIGRATION SAFARIS
Calving season experience
This journey lets you cherish the best of the Serengeti, From its exciting wildlife to its stunning landscape, matching the season of your visit, ensuring you experience the great Wildebeest Migration in its full splendor.
All Year Round
11 Days | 10 Nights
Day 1 :Your Journey start at Kilimanjaro International Airport
After you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team will be ready to welcome you and help with customs clearance. Then, we’ll make sure you have a comfortable ride to your accommodation in Arusha. There, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and get a good night’s rest. This is a perfect time to relax and prepare for the exciting safari ahead while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Lodging
Mt Meru Game Lodge or Similar
Day 2: Arusha National Park: A Peaceful Wildlife Retreat
After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll set out on a drive to Arusha National Park, a beautiful area with many different ecosystems and amazing views of Mt. Meru. This park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, along with the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and lush forests that cover the lower parts of the mountain.
As you explore the park, you’ll get to see a wide variety of wildlife and use the flash techniques you learned during the briefing. Around the peaceful Momela Lakes, you’ll likely encounter large flocks of flamingos and many other bird species. The calm atmosphere around the lakes offers a great chance to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace.
In the forested areas, keep an eye out for the rare Black & White colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops. These playful monkeys are a highlight of any visit to the park. After a day filled with wildlife and beautiful scenery, you’ll return to the lodge in the late afternoon to relax and reflect on your adventure.
Lodging
Mount Meru Game Lodge or Similar
Day 3: Maasai Village-Cultural Tour- Ngorongoro
This morning, after breakfast, you will embark on an enriching visit to a local Maasai village, where you will gain insight into the traditions and way of life of one of the few tribes that have preserved their cultural heritage with pride. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to observe their daily activities and learn about their customs.
Following your visit, you will take a short drive to Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural tour, exploring its vibrant banana and rice plantations. Here, you will enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family, savoring authentic African cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting.
In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving in time to settle in and prepare for the next phase of your adventure
Lodgings
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Day 4: Explore the basin of the Ngorongoro Crater
Avery early start at around 5:30am, we collect our luggage’s, breakfast and lunch boxes before proceeding with the drive to Ngorongoro conservation area Authority where we will descent into the crater for an in-depth exploration of this distinctive ecosystem. Enjoy abundant wildlife viewing set against this impressive backdrop. These drives provide one of the best opportunities in Africa to view black rhino, which tend to spend their time on the crater floor. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles; its magical setting and abundant wildlife never fail to enthrall visitors. Another big draw card to this picturesque Caldera, is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, and if Lucky enough you will have chance to see the small cats like the Rare Caracal, Serval cat as well as the African wild cat which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. Picnic Lunch will be served at one of the picnic sites at the crater floor, followed by another game viewing visiting the hippo pool near the Mandusi Swamp, Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner which is one of the main features of the crater, the lerai forest as well as other parts of the crater.in the late evening you will drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodgings
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Day 5: Journey Through Time at Olduvai Gorge – Drive to Ndutu Forest
After a delightful breakfast at the camp, set out on a fascinating journey to Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites. This renowned archaeological treasure, famously excavated by Louis and Mary Leakey, has unveiled nearly 60 hominid fossils, dating from 2 million to 17,000 years ago. Additionally, the remains of approximately 7,000 extinct animal species have been discovered, offering a remarkable glimpse into the distant past.
During your visit, enjoy a privately guided tour of the ancient excavation sites, led by a knowledgeable museum docent. Explore the on-site museum, where you can view detailed molds of these extraordinary artifacts and gain insight into humanity’s early origins.
After your time at Olduvai Gorge, set off toward the enchanting realm of Ndutu.
The journey transitions to the Ndutu forest and the southern plains of Serengeti, a transition that encapsulates the expansive beauty of this region arriving the camp for lunch.
After lunch, set out on an exhilarating evening game drive through the Ndutu region, a stunning area located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the southern plains of the Serengeti. Known for its seasonal short grass plains, Ndutu is a prime location for the Great Migration from December to March, when vast herds of wildebeest gather for calving season. This attracts an abundance of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, leading to dramatic wildlife encounters. The region is also home to a diverse range of wildlife year-round, including giraffes, elephants, and numerous bird species.
As the sun sets over the open savannah, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the African wilderness before returning to camp for a relaxing evening under the starlit sky.
Lodgings
Canopy Migration Camp - Ndutu
Day 6 and 7: Two Days in Ndutu: A Journey Through the Wild Heart of the Serengeti
After breakfast, set out on an unforgettable journey to Ndutu, where the vast southern Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area come alive with the rhythm of the Great Migration. From December to May, this region transforms into a sanctuary for massive herds of wildebeest and zebras, offering an extraordinary wildlife spectacle.
Your adventure takes you through diverse and untamed landscapes. Explore the shores of Lake Masek, where shimmering reflections blend with the movement of wildlife. Traverse the woodlands of Lake Ndutu, where towering acacia trees provide shelter for elephants, leopards, and countless bird species. Discover the secluded Hidden Valley, a peaceful haven teeming with life, and take in the stunning vistas of the Kusini Valley. Venture across the sweeping Kakesio Plains, where the endless horizon captures the true essence of Africa’s wilderness.
Ndutu is renowned for its high predator concentrations, making every game drive an exhilarating experience. Cheetahs, the fastest hunters of the savannah, roam these open plains, skillfully pursuing their prey. Lions, both resident prides and nomadic males, follow the migration, drawn by the abundance of wildebeest and zebras. Hyenas lurk in the shadows, ever watchful for an opportunity to strike.
During the calving season, the plains of Ndutu become a nursery of life, as thousands of wildebeest and zebras give birth to their young. Witnessing the first steps of a newborn calf amidst the raw wilderness is a humbling experience—a testament to the resilience of nature.
As the sun sets, return to camp for a relaxing evening under the vast African sky, reflecting on the day’s breathtaking encounters. With another day of exploration ahead, immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Ndutu, where every moment is a reminder of the Serengeti’s enduring magic.
Lodgings
Canopy Migration Camp - Ndutu
Day 8, 9 and 10: Exploring the central eastern Serengeti.
After an early breakfast at the camp, you’ll start your day with a sunrise game viewing session at Ndutu forest and the southern plains of Serengeti. Then, you’ll journey towards Serengeti through Gol Kopjes, an area known for its rocky outcrops and abundant wildlife. Next, you’ll continue to the central-eastern part of Serengeti, where an intimate camp awaits you for a delightful lunch.
The central-eastern Serengeti and Seronera River Valley boast an incredible diversity of wildlife. This area serves as a transition zone where the plains and woodlands merge, allowing various species to coexist. Here, you’ll encounter elephants, giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, topis, reedbucks, buffaloes, baboons, and vervet monkeys. Predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs can also be spotted among the scattered kopjes.
During your time in the Serengeti, you’ll have the option to split your days into two sessions: one in the early morning and another in the late afternoon. In the mornings, you’ll explore the central Serengeti in the golden light of dawn, seeking special wildlife interactions and photo opportunities. In the afternoons, you’ll venture out again for more game viewing, exploring the Seronera Valley for additional incredible photo opportunities.
Overall, your time in the Serengeti promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife sightings, and countless photography opportunities.
Lodgings
Canopy Wilderness Camp – Eastern Serengeti
Day 11: A Scenic Farewell From Serengeti
Start your day with an early breakfast at the camp, soaking in the peaceful morning ambiance before heading toward Seronera Airstrip. Along the way, enjoy one last opportunity for wildlife viewing as the Serengeti’s vast plains and remarkable animals bid you farewell.
Afterward, board a scenic bush flight from Seronera to Arusha, taking in breathtaking aerial views of the Serengeti and surrounding landscapes. Upon arrival, you will visit a nearby cultural heritage site, where you’ll have the option to browse for authentic Tanzanian souvenirs—an excellent way to bring a piece of your adventure home.
A short drive will then take you to Airport Planet Lodge, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a tranquil setting, offering the perfect moment to relax and reflect on your incredible journey. Later, unwind over an early farewell dinner, savoring your final evening in Tanzania before your onward travel arrangements.
Day Use Room
Airport Planet Lodge
Safari Enhancement choices
Option Early arrival
Arrive a day before your scheduled trip to unwind, explore the area at your own pace, and fully immerse yourself in the journey ahead.this extra time allows for a smooth start, ensuring you're refreshed and ready for the adventure that awaits.
