15 Days – Big Cats & Great Wildebeest Migration
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.
Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.
Best time to visit
End of May to June May is the mating season for wildebeest and the males do fierce battle for a mate. Throughout the rut, the journey continues as some herds head west into the Western Corridor and cross the Grumeti River.
July The herds head towards the north of the Serengeti. The river crossings, considered by some the most exciting events of the Great Migration, usually start in July, but timing all depends on the rains.
August to October The herds can be found in the Northern Serengeti as well as in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Daily river crossings can be seen at the Mara and Talek rivers. This is often the base of the most exciting crossings!
End of October to November The herds usually cross back to the Serengeti from the Mara and head towards the now fertile Ndutu Area. The herds travel fast and cover long distances in a single day. By the beginning of December, Ndutu starts seeing the herds return to calve, and for the whole process begins again.
Safari Highlights
● Double occupancy lodging (single available, just ask
● Private row in safari vehicle for best photo opportunities
● Profession Safari guide for Photographers
DAY 1
Arrival in Tanzania
Arrive on evening flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will be met by our Leader and transferred to Mount Meru Hotel
- Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel
- Meals: {B&B }
DAY 2
Arusha National Park
Safari briefing with Picnic lunches at the hotel and thereafter drive to Arusha National park for a full day of game drive including canoe, the park is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace with lots of Flamingos and other birds around.
- Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 3 – 4
Tarangire National Park
After Breakfast, we will load the luggage to your safari car and Drive south through Arusha to prehistoric-looking Tarangire National Park and you will arrive at your safari lodge in time for lunch, You will have the afternoon game viewing into a landscape dotted with baobab trees and umbrella-thorn acacias, visiting the Silalei Swamp and Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. In the dry season large numbers of animals congregate along the life-giving river that provide the only permanent water for wildlife in the area.
- Accommodation: Nimali Luxury Tented Camp
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 5
Tarangire-Ngorongoro Conservation Area
We will have a stop at the Maasai village for a cultural experience to see how the Maasai people are living and we will have the opportunity to do the beadwork with the Maasai women’s. After the Maasai village experience, we will proceed with our drive and stop for lunch box on the way to ngorongoro. Ngorongoro Crater is about 12 miles wide and its rim rises 1,200-1,600 feet off of its expansive 102-square-mile floor. The steep descent into the crater along winding roads takes 25-35 minutes from the crater rim. The crater floor is predominantly grasslands (making game easy to spot) with two swamps fed by streams, and the Lerai Forest. The walls of the crater are lightly forested.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 6
Full Day Game Drive at The Ngorongoro Crater
We will have a very early start and we will have early breakfast at 06:00 and then collect lunch boxes, at around 06:45 we will leave the lodge and descend into the crater for an in-depth exploration of this distinctive eco-system. Enjoy abundant wildlife viewing set against the impressive backdrop of the Ngorongoro Crater, the heart of the conservation area.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 7
Central Serengeti Plains
After Breakfast, you will collect the lunch boxes, pack the luggage at the safari car and leave the southern Serengeti plains and forest and continue with the drive to Central Serengeti Plains & Kopjes via the Gol Kopjes. This area linking the Central and southern plains of Serengeti is a fragile habitat consisting of ethereal kopjes and short grass plains.
- Accommodation: Nimali Luxury Tented Camp
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 8 – 10
Serengeti
After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will have a full day of a game drive visiting differents ecological sites at central Serengeti and explore the many kopjes, massive granite outcropping that dot the plains and home to a variety of species of animals and a favourite hangout for lions and Leopards. Spend the day game driving the central Serengeti and the seronera valley.
- Accommodation: Nimali Luxury Tented Camp
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 11
Drive to Northern Serengeti Kopjes & Mara River Crossing
Following an early breakfast, we will transfer to the Northern Serengeti. On the will you will continue with game drive, You will have lunch box break on the way to North Upon arrival at north you will have opportunity to enjoy the accommodation at luxury tented camp including house wine.
- Accommodation: Kenzani Luxury Tented Camp
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 12 to 14
Northern Serengeti
We will continue to explore the northern areas of the Serengeti, from the Mara River to the rolling hills of the northern plains we will focus on photographing the game that is unique to this area. If luck is on our side, we will also have a chance to capture a river crossing, as the wildebeest and zebra return to Tanzania from Kenya. We will be out most of these days for full days and will have a wonderful picnic lunches with us to further enjoy our surroundings. Returning in the late afternoons with plenty of time for charging batteries, image downloading, and image review in our dedicated camera tech tent, your days will be filled with excitement and photographic opportunities.
- Accommodation: Kenzani Luxury Tented Camp
- Meals: {1B,1L,1D }
DAY 15
Serengeti – Arusha
Enjoy your last views of the North before catch your departing flight. Before your international flight, there will be an opportunity to stop at the Cultural Heritage Center for some shopping before getting Kilimanjaro International Airport, followed by a wonderful lunch. We will also visit the adjoining Shanga workshop, where physically challenged artisans create remarkable jewelry, learn glass-blowing, and sell their work. Prior to transport to the Airport, a day room will be provided for you to freshen up, repack, and ready yourself for your journey homeward.
- Accommodation: Mt.Meru Hotel
- Meals: {1B,1L}
Want to travel with a group?Click the button to Book your departing day