On this 8 days Ndutu migration safari, you will get a unique opportunity to experience the most 4 incredible parks of the northern circuit of Tanzania which are Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Lake Ndutu which is our main target from December to April and during February it is the best time to witness the calving, Ngorongoro crater which is also known as unbroken caldera and Lastly Lake Manyara which is well known for its bird life and tree climbing lions.
You will be picked up from the airport by Our representative and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come.
Accommodation: Ilboru Safari Lodge / / Masai Land Safari Lodge
In the morning you will be collected from your lodgings in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park on a good tarmac road across gently rolling Masai plains with scattered acacia trees. As we zip along we pass many Masai in their colorful dress walking on the roadside, riding bicycles, herding cattle and driving donkey’s carts. Tarangire National Park, well known for its large elephant herds, is also host to a multitude of other creatures. From the open roof of our state of the art safari jeep we experience the seasonal swamps, savanna and life giving Tarangire River endeavoring to encounter a multitude of creatures from zebra to wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, and giraffe, to name but a few. It is possible we will glimpse lion stalking prey or leopards watching, relaxing in the trees above. After our extensive game drive, we depart to drive to one of our carefully selected accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Mid–range: Eileen’s Tree Inn / Marera Valley Lodge
After breakfast we journey on heading up towards the fertile highlands where wheat, coffee, and corn, are grown by the Iraqw people. Passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we will be afforded a view of the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater before traveling onwards to the Serengeti National Park which we will reach by midday. The Serengeti National Park is the largest park in Tanzania covering an astounding 15,000 kms squared with diverse landscapes and habitats such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah and mountain. Here the great migration of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope takes place and, depending on the season, we may have the opportunity to witness thousands of animals on their search for food and water.
After an extensive game drive, we drive to the Seronera Valley for an evening meal and overnight stay at your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp// Into Wild Africa Luxury camp
This entire day is set aside for game drives upon the Serengeti. The Serengeti, the habitat of an abundance of wildlife such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, is more well-known for its great migrating herds of zebra, antelope, and wildebeest. The animals’ trek is determined by the rainfall and varies from year to year. In November and December the animals move from the northern region, dominated by woodlands and hills, to the grassy plains of the south. During the longer rainy season from April to June they return to the north. Apart from the migrating herds, we may have the opportunity to see the resident predators, leopard, cheetah, and lion, fulfilling their role in the circle of life.
After an unforgettable day, we will return to our carefully selected partner tented camp for relaxation, dinner and our overnight sleep on The Endless Plain.
Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp// Into Wild Africa Luxury camp
After breakfast we will head to the Lake Ndutu region, situated in the Ngorongoro conservation area, a sublime landscape of the southern Serengeti eco-system. The drive takes approximately 3 hrs.
Lake Ndutu, alkaline like most of the other Rift Valley Lakes, is however a viable source of H2O and is frequented by a wide array of the myriad wildlife here inhabiting.
We arrive in time for a delectable luncheon at the lodge or tented camp, and, with appetites sated, we undertake our afternoon game drive in the Ndutu region. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April.
The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, giraffe, over four hundred species of birds and a plethora of other resident game.
After an unforgettable day, we head for The Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp to dine and unwind by a fire on the plain under the star bright endless African night sky.
Accommodation : Serengeti Heritage Ndutu / Ang’ata Ndutu Camp
After our hearty breakfast, we head out to enjoy a full day game drive in the Ndutu region. We will endeavour to explore the range of different habitats found here that include swamps, woodland, soda lakes, and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. We will see the awesome sight of the great thronging herds of wildebeest and zebra. During a short time frame
around February, normally lasting for about 3 weeks, the majority of the wildebeest calve, dropping in the region of half a million young in this awesome act of synchronised birthing. The sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for a variety of predators, with
cheetah being particularly active, alongside simba or leo panthera, our friend the lion, hyena, and the illusive leopard. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
With our day of adventure drawing to a close, as the shadows of the African night beginning to descend we went our way back to The Heritage Camp to once more take our ease and seek vivification in conversation and a casting of our minds eye back over the sights and sounds of the day upon the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Ndutu / Ang’ata Ndutu Camp
After breakfast you will head out for an en route game drive through the Ndutu Area before embarking on your journey to Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO world heritage site, formed millions of years ago, is 600 m deep and covers roughly around 260 square kilometres. Due to its dense animal population of approximately 25 000, the Crater offers the best game viewing of all the parks in Tanzania. You will arrive at the Crater rim before lunch. You will descend into the Crater and very quickly, you will be able to see wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants and some of the more than 500 bird species in the area. With a little bit of luck you might catch a glimpse of the endangered black rhino through the grass.
After lunch and a full afternoon inside the Crater, you will head to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn / / Marera Valley Lodge
After breakfast, you will drive to our final destination on this epic safari – Lake Manyara
National Park. This, a relatively small but diverse park, 120km west of Arusha is so named for the shallow salt lake that covers some seventy percent of the surface area, flooding and drying with the seasons and home to thousands of flamingo and in the extraordinary region of 500 other bird species. On our exploration of the park we will see monkey, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest,
buffalo, elephant and, with some luck, lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes; not only open grassy plains, but also primate-filled woodlands and baobab dotted cliffs. After lunch, we head back to Arusha where we will arrive in the late afternoon, our adventure at its inevitable end, with all the sites and sounds of wild East Africa tucked away in
our mind for our adventure in life’s journey.