8 Days Wildebeest Migration Safari - River Crossing

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport:

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by one of our guides and transfer you to the Hotel in Arusha for an overnight stay. Located below Mount Meru, the city is close to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.

• Accommodation: Summit Lodge Arusha.
• Meals: Dinner

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire national Park:

Depart after breakfast and then drive to Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive with picnic lunch and enjoy the beauty of Tarangire.  In the evening, drive to Karatu to the lodge for dinner and overnight. The park is located slightly off the main safari route; Tarangire National Park is a lovely quiet park in Northern Tanzania that is most famous for its elephant migration, birding and quiet authentic safari atmosphere. The majority of travellers to the region either miss out on Tarangire altogether or venture into the park for a matter of hours leaving parts of Tarangire virtually untouched.

• Accommodation: Marera Valey Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 2: Karatu to Serengeti National Park:

Leisure breakfast at the Lodge and then departs for a game drive en route to Central Serengeti. A hot lunch will be saved in the afternoon. We’ll continue to Serengeti safari in the evening, check in to the lodge for the overnight stay.

A million wildebeest… each one driven by the same ancient rhythm, fulfilling its instinctive role in the inescapable cycle of life: a frenzied three-week bout of territorial conquests and mating; survival of the fittest as 40km (25 mile) long columns plunge through crocodile-infested waters on the annual exodus north; replenishing the species in a brief population explosion that produces more than 8,000 calves daily before the 1,000 km (600 mile) pilgrimage begins again.

• Accommodation: Heritage Tented Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 3: Central Serengeti National Park to Northern Serengeti Safari:

Enjoy your breakfast at the camp and then depart for the northern part of Serengeti, North Kogatende. In the evening, enjoy the river crossing viewing of the great migration. 

River crossings at Kogatende start to occur every day in August as the mega herd settles into the area.  For August, September and October, game viewing up here is superb with river crossings pretty much guaranteed every day.  There is no distinct movement as the herds tend to cross back and forth over the river, following the rains and subsequent fresh grasses.  It is not uncommon to see different herds crossing in different directions on the same day.

• Accommodation: Heritage Tented Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 4-5: Full Days at Northern Serengeti Kogatende Area:

Two full days will be dedicated near the river for river crossing luck find! Early breakfast at the camp, followed by an early morning river game drive to view the great migration on crossing movement, with picnic lunch. In the evening back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

The park is well known for its healthy stock of other resident wildlife, particularly the “big five”, named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters: Lion: 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. African Leopard: these reclusive predators are commonly seen in the Seronera region but are present throughout the national park with a population of around 1,000.

• Accommodation: Heritage Tented Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 6: Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti:

Early morning, enjoy a hot air balloon safari (Optional at extra cost). After breakfast, depart for enroute game drive in Northern Serengeti to Central Seronera. In the evening, drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Heritage Tented Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 7:  Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater:

After breakfast, you will drive to Ngorongoro conservation area, and  descend to a morning game drive in Ngorongoro crater floor.  It’s a full day game drive with a picnic lunch. Late afternoon, we’ll be back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

The jewel in Ngorongoro’s crown is a deep, volcanic crater, the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. About 20kms across, 600 meters deep and 300 sq kms in area, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually be seen here.

• Accommodation: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge.
• Meals: Full board.

Day 8: Mto WA Mbu cultural Activities (3hours) – Arusha – Departure:

Morning After breakfast, you will wake up from crater rim and drive outside the park to the local village of Mto Wa Mbu to experience local cultures on a 3-hours tour, you will go through the farming village of Mto Wa Mbu. You visit Maasai Boma for best Maasai traditions, local farms, schools, church, milling machine, a local bar and enjoy the sights and sounds of this vibrant village. You will go through the Rift Valley Wall and small herds of wildlife. After the tour you will drive you to Arusha, where you will have shower and lunch at the hotel and then drive you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.