kenya & Tanzania Great Migration Safari

Overview

The Great Wildebeest Migration – the yearly migration of enormous herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya is a truly remarkable event. Over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara bio networks in search of green pasture, in a regular pattern. This is surely one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. Our guides will tell you the fascinating history of this great migration’s long development into East Africa and man’s involvement with it. They’ll schedule game drives based on where large sections of the migration appear to be preparing to cross the rivers. Of course, the Masai Mara is chock-a-block full with all the big game. It vies with Ngorongoro, for example, for the highest density of lion on earth.

Of course climate change can wreck havoc with these cycles. On the whole East Africa and all of the tropical world is becoming wetter. The dry seasons are shrinking; the wet seasons expanding into months never before seen. Ultimately the wildebeest might not have to leave the Serengeti to the south, but for the time being the last few years suggests the cycle continues.

So whatever your luck in actually seeing a river crossing, the game viewing is guaranteed to be among the best of the whole safari.

20 Days
Age 15+
Kenya, Tanzania

Included:	Accommodation as specified Meals as specified Light aircraft transfers as detailed in the itinerary All scheduled safari activities offered by the camps or lodges Road transfers as detailed in the itinerary National Parks and conservation entry fees
Excluded:	Gratuities Personal travel insurance Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation Visas and visa fees where relevant Beverages with the exception of all inclusive hotels International flights

Safari Itinerary

DAY 01 & 02. - ARRIVAL AT JKIA TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK.
Meet on arrival at JKIA our staff will give a detailed briefing about this section of your safari which will includes two of the famous parks in Kenya before moving to Tanzania. Thereafter you’ll be transferred to Amboseli National Park for afternoon game drive dinner and overnight Kibo Safari Camp. If at all you’ll arrive with Morning / afternoon flight for evening flight you’ll have to overnight in Nairobi.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 03. - AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK TO LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK.
Leave after breakfast with packed lunch drive through lush tea and coffee plantations near Limuru. Descend into the Great Rift Valley arriving at the famous animal and bird sanctuary of Lake Naivasha for lunch.In the Afternoon proceed for a one hour boat ride for bird watching and water animals. Later go for a game drive in the crescent Island famous for game viewing walks, before proceeding to your lodge or camp for the night.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 04. - LAKE NAIVASHA TO MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Today you’ll proceed with the drive to Masai Mara the animal kingdom via Narok the Masai capital, the Masai Mara offers wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super abundance as existed a century ago, Lunch is served at the Lodge. Relax and freshen up after lunch then set on afternoon game drive until Sunsets. All meals and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 05 - FULL DAY AT MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.
Spend FULL DAY along Mara river searching for Great Migration Crossing with an option of picnic lunches or Hot lunch back at the lodge. The Masai Mara Reserve is Kenya's most famous game park and certainly its best, a relatively small 280 sq. miles of rolling grassland plains bisected by several large rivers, including the great Mara for which the park is named. The southern edge is contiguous with the Serengeti, making it actually the northernmost part of the greater Ngorongoro/Serengeti/Mara biosphere which is about 6,000 sq. miles of pristine wilderness. Tourists are not allowed to cross between the Serengeti and Mara parks, however, and because the ecosystems are similar, many safaris that include the Serengeti will not visit the Mara, and vice versa. But as similar as the ecosystems may be, the rainfall patterns between this northern area and those to the south are quite different. The Mara is the wettest protected wilderness in East Africa. On average rainfall occurs almost every day of the year except in October and early November. It is exactly because of this that the game viewing is so good year-round, and this is also the reason that the Great Migration is normally found here from late June through mid-September. Meals, game drives and other activities at Mara Sopa Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 06. - MARA SOPA LODGE – SIRARI BORDER – NORTHERN SERENGETI.
Today you will be departing to the Northern Serengeti with packed lunch through the border of Sirari,so be prepared for a long drive, at the arrival here at the border you’ll have to clear everything with the immigration office. Thereafter we’ll proceed with the drive to the Northern Serengeti for dinner and Overnight at Kati Kati Mara Camp.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 07 & 08 - NORTHERN SERENGETI - NORTHERN SERENGETI
You’ll spend TWO FULL DAYS exploring the far Northern reaches of the Serengeti along Mara River and perhaps if you are very lucky you’ll be able to witness the dramatic Wildebeest CROSSING Mara River from this side. All meals and Overnight at Kati Kati Camp.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 09 & 10 - NORTHERN SERENGETI TO CENTRAL SERENGETI
Today you will leave after leisurely breakfast and drive to the Central Serengeti National Park known as Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species. We enjoy a game drive en-route to the lodge. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Central Serengeti national park, home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on earth. Non-migratory species include large prides of lions, solitary leopards, cheetah and graceful impala. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of open plains, punctuated by kopjes, rock formations that have survived from the Re-Cambrian period, and open woodlands. After a sumptuous dinner, relax by the campfire, under a canopy of stars. Meals and overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 11 & 12 - CENTRAL SERENGETI - NDUTU AREA
You’ll spend this day exploring the far South West reaches of Ngorongoro and perhaps if you are very lucky you’ll be able to witness large number of predators up close and personal. Dinner and Overnight at Ndutu Safari Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 13. - NDUTU AREA - NGORONGORO CRATER - KARATU TOWN.
After early breakfast you will start heading to Ngorongoro crater which is often described as Africa’s “Garden of Eden” classified as a World heritage site by UNESCO. It is the World largest intact Caldera and home to nearly 25000 large animals including the endangered black rhino, and is said to have densest population of predators in Africa within 265 Sq km. The dense concentration of wildlife in a confine area allows for incredible game viewing year round. The variety of large species found within the crater are similar to those found in the Serengeti with the exception of Impalas, Topi, Giraffe and Crocodile. Meals and overnight at Kudu Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 14. - KARATU TOWN - LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK - LAKE BURUNGE TENTED LODGE.
On this morning day we will start after breakfast to a small but wildlife-rich, Lake Manyara National Park — home to grasslands, forests, marshlands, scrub and parklands punctuated with acacia trees. This is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks but still offers a rewarding and diverse safari experience. The lakeshore at Manyara teems with birdlife, and while you are looking for the birds, you might spot one of the elusive tree-climbing lions. Overnight at Lake Burunge Tented Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 15. - LAKE BURUNGE LODGE - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK - LAKE BURUNGE LODGE
After breakfast at the lodge leave for 95KMS drive full day game drive with packed lunch in Tarangire National Park, there will be many opportunities for game viewing as we drive through the park. Tarangire contains a range of ecosystems from grassland and woodlands in the north, to scrub and wetlands further south. The Tarangire river cuts through the park and empties into Lake Burunge in the west. Tarangire boasts one of the largest and most conspicuous elephant populations in East Africa. There are large family groups with many calves being born each year as the population continues to recover from the devastating effects of poaching in the eighties. You will see herds of elephants and experience close contact with the matriarchs, the babies, teenagers, and bulls. Thanks to your guide, as he’ll get you in close contact and will help you understanding these incredible animals. Spend several hours surrounded by the herds and you cannot help but feel their wisdom. Tarangire is also known for its abundant baobab trees, most of which are over 400 years, old and the beautiful landscape. Stop for lunch in one of the picnic sites there after continue with game drive until later in evening drive to Lake Burunge Tented Lodge.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 16. - LAKE BURUNGE LODGE - ARUSHA AIRPORT - ZANZIBAR
Following breakfast, you will depart for Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar, upon arrival in Zanzibar you will be met at the airport and transferred to Mapenzi Beach Resort for Dinner and Overnight.
- Meal(s) : Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 17, 18 & 19. - MAPENZI BEACH RESORT
At your own leisure at the luxurious Mapenzi Beach Resort, Bed& breakfast included. Spend your days enjoying all the activities available at the hotel. Facilities include a Five-Star PADI Dive Center, a Fitness Center, Health Spa, and flood-lit tennis court. For water sport enthusiasts, you can remain as active as you wish; with the beach volleyball, Windsurfers, Single and Double Kayaks, Sail Boats, Peddle Boats, Hobie Cats, Water trampoline and Body Boards. Deep-sea fishing and day trips to Stone Town, Jozani Forest or Dolphin tours can also be arranged. For those of you longing to lie back and relax, forget about work, and enjoy the tranquility, there are endless stretches of white sand beaches and a beautifully clear Indian Ocean for you to enjoy.
- Meal(s) : Bed & breakfast
DAY 20. - ZANZIBAR - DAR ES SALAAM - NAIROBI
After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar Airport for the flight to Nairobi’s Wilson airport, scheduled to arrive around noon. You’ll be transferred back to a hotel in Nairobi for day for private rooms to prepare for your journey home. Most flights leave in the late evening from Nairobi, but the hotel is available for a complete overnight for those who don’t leave until tomorrow morning. Individual transfers are provided to take everyone separately if necessary back to the airport for the journey home.