Safari Overview
In Tanzania National parks there is wildebeest and other wildlife sanctuaries migration in their habitats. The Wildebeest Migration is an annual migration of wildebeest from Ndutu region of the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara Game reserve in southern Kenya crossing different areas within the sanctuary. In the plains the rainsarrive in different times being long rains or short rains that leave the stunning caldera reserve with an abundance of grass for zebra and wildebeest to feast upon, and it is the time the wildebeest calving season begins. It is also an opportune time for predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and even hyenas to pick off weak and confused calves. When the rains end in April/May, the zebra begin the process of heading north towards the Maasai Mara crossing the endless plains in Serengeti. Where the wildebeest go, the zebras follow. The vast herd crosses the Grumeti River in June/July and the Mara River between August and November, and it is at this time that some of the most spectacular photographs and video footage can be captured during this migration. The swollen rivers sweep away members of the herd, predators harry the stragglers, and the opportunistic Nile crocodiles have a feast as animals venture into the water seeking to cross. It is a bloody, dazzling display of the food chain at work of nature. Once the crossings the plains and rivers are complete, the herd settles in the Maasai Mara game reserve. After remaining in the more fertile Maasai Mara for the duration of the dry season, the migration heads south back again to Seregeti plains in preparation for the calving season in the New Year. There is other migration of animals in other national parks crossing the wildlife corridors. This is the most safaris you won’t miss; we welcome you to inquire this safari with us.
Day 1 –> Arrival to Tanzania
Welcome to Tanzania. We will pick you up at Kilimanjaro international airport and overnight at hotel in Arusha city.
Day 2 –> Arusha to Lake Natron
After breakfast at the hotel the driver will pick you up, load the vehicle and drive to Lake Natron. On the way you will pass the Maasai villages while seeing the most images of African faces and the plains full with wildlife and Maasai domestic animals. On the way you will have lunch box at the famous God Hole as it is called by the natives Maasai but it is a foot of the magma according to the geologists. Driving towards Lake Natron you will see Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) according to the Maasai. The mountain is the active volcanic mountain. Arrivals to Lake Natron you will settle at the campsite or lodge and get an opportunity to visit the lake shore to see the breeding site of flamingos. Overnight at the camp near the volcano area.
Day 3 –> Lake Natron to Serengeti
After finishing up a good breakfast, you will head out towards the Serengeti National Park and travel in the midst of the never ending plain grasslands. The Serengeti is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. You will have an afternoon game drive in the endless plains of the Serengeti for a chance to see the great herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles or a pride of lions lounging in the shade. A picnic lunch will be done during the day long game drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation of lodge in Serengeti. Serengeti Park is the most famous park of all Africa, more than 15,000 square kilometers of savannah full of lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants and many other wild animals. Dinner and overnight at the camp or lodge in northern Serengeti.
Day 4 –> Northern Serengeti
After an early morning breakfast or packed breakfast drive with lunch boxes for Big heads of Wildebeest Migration and more big Cats preying in the plains. The humble leader of the migration is the wildebeest, known to be lacking in intelligence, earning its affectionate behavior of clown of the plains. In its defense, the wildebeest is a successful team player and as a herbivore it reaches up to 1.5 million in numbers as part of their migration. Its intelligence and ability to survive in such a harsh environment as the East African bush lies in its strength in numbers a super herd in the seemingly never ending circle of life of the Serengeti national park and Maasai Mara game reserve. Dinner and overnight at north camp in northern Serengeti.
Day 5 –> Central Serengeti.
After early morning breakfast the driver will drive you towards central Serengeti while exploring more in the game drive of the Serengeti plains and you have a full day exploring the Serengeti National Park. The day is dedicated to game drives in the park and you can experience early morning game drive. Serengeti is the endless plain and there is a lot you can see and explore. You will explore the central portion of the Serengeti on this day. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards, and the central portion of the Serengeti – known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features 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. During the off season of the migration, one must really look out for the many lion pride that thrive in this region. The interactions and survival of these lion pride provide an excellent game viewing experience to your adventure in the Serengeti plains. Along with a picnic lunch during the full day game drive, the day will come an end. Dinner and overnight at the Seronera camp or lodge.
Day 6 –> Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park towards the Ngorongoro conservation area and later depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world which it could be larger than the Kilimanjaro. The crater is fourteen kilometers long of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day comes to an end you will arrive to Nainokanoka campsite for overnight.
Day 7 –> A walking safari to Empakai and Ormoti Craters in Ngorongoro Highland
After breakfast at the campsite we take a walk to Ormoti carter with a ranger and the Maasai warriors. On the way we will pass the forest of Ngorongoro highland and get an opportunity to see different animals and explore Ormoti forest, rivers and waterfall. After Ormoti walking safari you start again another adventure to Empakai Crater as the driver will drive you a bit then start another walk down Empakai crater with warriors and a ranger. Going to Emoakai is a way to crossing Emburbul depression as you will see wildlife and domestic animals and beautiful landscapes. Upon exploring Empakai crater we drive back to the campsite for our last overnight in the Ngorongoro conservation Area highland.
Day 8 –> Ngorongoro Crater Game drive
Work up very early in the morning after breakfast leave for Ngorongoro crater for game drive the place enrooted with wildlife. Soon after descend into the crater floor for an incredible wildlife in one of the most stunning places on Earth. After the game drive, there will be time for a picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo pool. After lunch, you will have time for a short game drive and then ascend the crater and exit Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight in Karatu.
Day 9 –> Karatu to Lake Manyara National Park
You’ll depart in Karatu after breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa’s most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.
Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delightful and amazing nature place with a huge variety of birds on display in the park even the voice of nature can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey and the brightly colored lilac breasted roller. You will explore the large family of elephant’s falling shrubs for their food; pass a thick forest with streams of water feeding the lake and natural vegetation. Overnight in mto wa mbu.
Day 10 –> Biking and Maasai Village Experience in Mto wa mbu
After morning breakfast you will start your day biking in mto wa mbu. Mto wa mbu is agricultural and fresh produce market place and it is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hustlers paradise. While on the way biking you will get to see the banana and rice farms in mto wa mbu including red bananas, you will meet the local farmers in the area. After biking you will meet Oloiboni. Oloiboni is the Maasai diviner with prophetic powers who oversees the future of the Maasai people their rituals and livestock. He will be giving you experience of the guard he uses for prophesy. The narratives of oloiboni are an extra ordinary experience you will enjoy in the fabric of Maasai culture and spirituality. At the boma you will help women for plastering their huts with the mixer of cow dung and clay soil, fetch water and collect firewood. You will also go herding with Maasai men after some chores of the boma. At the afternoon come back to the boma to have lunch and after lunch you will see beading experience with Maasai women. After seeing women making beads you will get a chance to talk with Maasai elders for wisdom and narratives of ancient tales. Overnight in mto wa mbu.
Day 11 –> Waterfall, African Art, banana beer and Ngoma dance
After morning breakfast you will go trekking to Wiwaleni waterfalls in Mto Wa Mbu village then after experience of swimming you will eat a picnic lunch at the waterfalls then after that you will visit a Chagga- village where you will see how Chagga people making traditional banana beer and you will have a chance to taste banana beer. You will also get an inside look into Chagga culture and traditions as another perspective of your adventure. After the water fall and chagga beer experience you will join the people to discover African arts by attending two visual culture workshops in mto wa mbu. We believe there is no prior knowledge or skill is required for you to practice the visual art of painting under canvas. The first workshop you will sojourn is painting with a local artist who will tell you about Tinga Tinga visual painting tradition. Then after the visual art and painting experience you will go to African dance workshop where you will have fun by learning rhythms and dancing with Ngoma (the drums). Overnight in mto wa mbu.
Day 12 –> Mto wa mbu – Tarangire National Park – Arusha
You will depart from mto wa mbu after breakfast to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.
Once you’ve entered Tarangire, you will begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park’s large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes. A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you will have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your meal.
Driving through the park you will also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx. After your day’s drive is done, you will leave the park to Arusha to catch up later with your flight back home.