Tanzania: following the great migration

Your flight will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport during the morning, from here, we will head straight to our charming lodge in Arusha for some rest and relaxation. In the afternoon, we will have a short Arusha city tour in our comfortable Land Cruiser, which will be our partner throughout the journey. During your free time You will have the chance to swim under trees in the pool of your accommodation, or just enjoy the beautiful garden around us. A delicious dinner awaits you at the lodge’s restaurant, followed by a breakfast the next morning to prepare you for the adventure.

After an early breakfast and check-out, our local driver will pick us up with the Land Cruiser for our very first safari drive in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park is known for its majestic elephant herds and iconic giant baobab trees. The park's diverse landscape offers an unforgettable experience, featuring seasonal swamps and expansive savannas. At the heart of the park flows the Tarangire River, it sustains a stunning diversity of wildlife throughout the year. In the dry season, it becomes a gathering place for elephants, zebras, and countless other species, offering visitors unforgettable wildlife encounters. We will enjoy a packed lunch within the park, immersing ourselves in the surroundings before continuing our safari adventure. After our whole day safari, we’ll leave Tarangire and journey towards our next accommodation in Karatu. Here, you can relax and swim in the pool before enjoying a delicious dinner at the lodge's restaurant.

After breakfast we will start our 3 hour journey to the world famous Serengeti National Park. The drive takes us through the hills of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, surrounded by lush green forests. As we descend from the hills, the landscape transforms into the golden savanna, a sure sign that we are getting closer to the Serengeti. As we travel, keep an eye out for wild animals, and numerous Masai villages alongside the road. The name Serengeti means "endless plains" in the Masai language, perfectly capturing the vastness of this incredible landscape. Upon arrival, we will head to the Central Serengeti, one of the best regions for spotting elusive predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. This area is filled with gazelles, buffaloes and other prey species, providing excellent hunting grounds for the predators throughout the year. We will enjoy a packed lunch within the park, surrounded by its breathtaking scenery. For the night, we will stay in a luxurious tented camp in the heart of the Central Serengeti. Here, you will experience the magic of spending a night in the African wilderness, surrounded by the sounds of majestic animals. After a delicious dinner, we will gather around the campfire to watch for the animals that often visit the camp at night. It is not uncommon to see antelopes, buffaloes, hippos, or even hyenas near the tents. On my last visit, a herd of elephants came to feed on the small acacias right next to the camp.

After an early breakfast, our Land Cruiser will take us north to the Northern Serengeti, home to one of the most iconic wildlife events on Earth: the Great Migration river crossing. The Great Migration is the largest movement of wildebeests and zebras on Earth. To reach the Kenyan Masai Mara National Reserve, the migrating animals must cross the Mara River, teeming with hungry crocodiles. Here, we will have the rare opportunity to witness this extraordinary event with our own eyes. As we approach the Mara River, the number of animals around us begins to grow. Soon, the landscape is completely transformed, zebras and wildebeests everywhere you look, stretching as far as the eye can see. Being surrounded by over a million migrating animals is a truly awe-inspiring experience, and witnessing this natural wonder is something you will remember forever. We’ll enjoy our packed lunch in the bush, surrounded by the breathtaking savanna. For the night, we will stay at our luxurious tented camp close to the Mara River. Here, you’ll spend the night immersed in the African wilderness, surrounded by the millions of migrating animals. Wildebeests often roam just a few meters from the camp. After a delicious dinner, we’ll gather around the campfire, watching for animals that may visit the camp during the night. When you retire to your tent and turn off the lights, the wildebeests often come closer to graze on the fresh grass between the tents. Falling asleep to the sound of their chewing and noisy feeding is a fascinating experience.

After an early breakfast, we’ll continue our safari. Today, you can choose whether to stay in the Northern Serengeti, following the herds of zebras and wildebeests, or head south, back to the Central Serengeti, to continue our search for the elusive big cats. We’ll enjoy our packed lunch in the wilderness. For the night, we will return to our Central Serengeti tented camp. After a delicious dinner, we will gather around the campfire, watching and listening for animals that may visit the camp under the starlit sky. Finally, you will retreat to your tent, immersed in the enchanting sounds of the Serengeti. After an early breakfast we will embark on a full-day safari in Central Serengeti. This is the best area to find all the elusive predators of the national park. We will dedicate the day to tracking leopards, cheetahs, lions, and hyenas. For lunch, we will stop next to a shallow river, a favorite resting spot for the local hippos. The river will be teeming with these giants, and you will hear their playful grunts and splashes as you enjoy your meal. Afterward, we will take some time here on foot, taking in the unique opportunity to observe the hippos in their natural habitat up close. Watching a hippo open its massive jaws, displaying its enormous tusks during a fight or play, is always a highlight of any safari. After spending the whole day exploring the wilderness, we will return to our Central Serengeti tented camp. After a delicious dinner, we will gather around the campfire one final time, soaking in the sights and sounds of the animals moving around our camp. Finally, you will retreat to your tent and spend your last night in the Serengeti wilderness, falling asleep to the distant roars of lions.

After an early breakfast, we’ll begin our journey back to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During the first part of our travel, we’ll continue exploring the Serengeti, keeping an eye out for more wildlife along the way. Our next destination is the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera. The crater was formed when a large volcano, about the size of Mount Kilimanjaro, erupted and collapsed over 2.5 million years ago. Today, the crater is a sanctuary for approximately 30 black rhinoceroses, one of the world’s most endangered and majestic species. With a little luck, we will have the chance to spot one of these prehistoric giants. The crater is also home to a wide variety of species, including lions, hyenas, buffalos, zebras, gazelles, and elephants. We can also spot flamingos in the crater’s saltwater lake. We will enjoy our packed lunch inside the crater, beside a lake full of noisy hippos. For the night, we will head to our accommodation in Karatu, where you can enjoy some well-deserved rest. After a delicious dinner, you’ll spend your last night reflecting on the unforgettable experiences of your Tanzania safari.

After an early breakfast, we will head to our final safari destination: Lake Manyara National Park. This park offers a completely different experience compared to the habitats we have explored before. Approximately 60% of the park is covered by the waters of Lake Manyara, surrounded by a dense forest of acacias and scattered baobab trees. This lush forest is home to blue monkeys and large families of baboons. In fact, this safari will be a special treat for monkey enthusiasts, as baboons are particularly abundant here. The park is also inhabited by elephants, antelope, buffalos, and an incredible variety of bird species, making it a haven for wildlife lovers. For lunch, we will stop at a breathtaking viewpoint on a hill, where you can enjoy your meal while gazing out at the vast Lake Manyara on the horizon. A perfect conclusion to an unforgettable wildlife adventure. Afterward, we’ll begin our journey to Kilimanjaro Internatinal Airport, making sure you arrive in time for your afternoon flight.