Embark on an unforgettable 10-day safari across Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. This adventure will take you through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, and the renowned Serengeti National Park, with a special focus on the wildebeest migration and the spectacular river crossings that occur during this natural marvel.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Transfer to Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge in Tarangire
Highlights:
- Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha.
- From Arusha, you’ll drive to Tarangire National Park, a landscape known for its ancient baobab trees and large herds of elephants. A game drive in the afternoon offers an early glimpse of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Full Day Safari
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge in Tarangire
Highlights:
- Enjoy a full day safari in Tarangire. This park is famous for its migrant wildlife, especially the elephant herds and birdlife.
- Explore the Tarangire River, where wildlife gather for water.
Look for predators like lions and leopards as well as a variety of bird species, including the endangered Abdim’s stork.
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara – Safari and Scenic Views
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Lake Manyara
Highlights:
- Depart from Tarangire and head to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley.
Take a game drive to witness the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, herds of buffalo, and flamingos that flock to the lake. - Enjoy stunning views of the lake and the escarpment, along with the chance to spot elephants, giraffes, and hippos in the park’s diverse ecosystems.
Day 4: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Highlights:
- Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world.
Spend the afternoon enjoying a game drive on the crater floor, home to a variety of wildlife, including the - Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros.
- The crater is also known for its dense population of animals, including zebras, wildebeest, and hippos.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Full Day Safari
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Highlights:
- Continue your safari with a full day game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, exploring the diverse habitats of the caldera. Visit the Giant’s Forest, Lake Magadi, and Hippo Pool.
- Watch for predators like cheetahs, lions, and hyenas.
- The crater’s natural beauty and concentration of wildlife make it a photographer’s paradise.
Day 6: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge in Serengeti
Highlights:
- Transfer to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, known for its exceptional wildlife and the annual Great Migration.
- Begin your exploration with a game drive in the Serengeti. The park is home to vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Watch for big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Day 7: Serengeti – Migration River Crossing Safari
Accommodation: Overnight in Serengeti (optional: mobile camp near the river)
Highlights:
- Witness the great wildebeest migration as they make their perilous river crossings. Depending on the season, you’ll have the chance to see the wildebeest as they cross the Mara River or Grumeti River, providing a dramatic spectacle.
- Spend the day in prime migration areas, such as the Western Corridor or northern Serengeti, where the herds converge before the river crossing.
- The excitement of the crocodiles, lions, and hyenas adds to the dramatic scene.
Day 8: Serengeti – Full Day Safari in the Heart of the Migration
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or mobile camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- Enjoy a full day safari exploring more of the Serengeti. You’ll visit areas where the migration is particularly active and can witness the animals’ behaviors up close.
- During the game drive, keep an eye out for predator-prey interactions, as well as stunning landscapes like the Seronera Valley and Sirikwa River.
Day 9: Serengeti – River Crossing Drama & Big Cat Sightings
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or mobile camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- Continue following the migration route and witness the river crossing drama. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to watch wildebeest make their dramatic journey across the rivers, often pursued by predators.
- Explore the southern Serengeti, where herds are known to gather during calving season, providing excellent opportunities for photography of baby animals and predators.
Day 10: Serengeti to Arusha – Departure
Accommodation: None (departure day)
Highlights:
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti before transferring back to Arusha.
Depending on your flight time, you may enjoy a scenic flight or a road transfer back to Arusha for your departure.
Price Includes:
– All park entry fees
– Concession fees
– Flying Doctor Service
– All park camping fees
– Airport pickup
– Ngorongoro Crater service fees
– Accommodation at hotels, lodges, tented camps, or campsites as per the safari program
– Chef services
– Meals as per the itinerary
– English-speaking driver/guide
– Transport in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
– Bottled drinking water (1.5 liters per person per day during the safari)
– One-night complimentary hotel accommodation in Arusha upon arrival, including breakfast
– Camping equipment, including tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, chairs and tables
Price Does Not Include:
– International and domestic flights
– Fees for passports, visas, immunizations, and insurance
– Tips for staff, including driver-guides, chefs, and porters
– Personal expenses such as souvenirs
Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time for this safari is during the dry season (June to October), when the river crossings are at their peak and the wildlife is more concentrated around water sources. For those interested in witnessing the calving season, the months of January to March are perfect for observing baby animals and predator-prey interactions.
This itinerary provides a comprehensive experience of the Serengeti Migration with a focus on the river crossings, while also allowing for exploration of other iconic parks and wildlife destinations in Tanzania.
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