7-Day Serengeti Wildebeest Migration River Crossing

OVERVIEW

This is a very special tour that concentrates in the Serengeti, to follow the Great Migration. You will spend at least 3 nights in the park, one in the Central Area (the largest concentration of big cats) and two where the Migration will be taking place depending on the time of the year. We have designed this particular tour so that you get to finish the safari in the world Heritage site of the Ngorongoro Crater where you will get the opportunity to witness the Big 5.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival at the airport

After arrival at the airport (Kilimanjaro / Arusha), your private driver guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation for dinner and overnight awaiting for your safari departure on the following day.

Accommodation	Ilboru Safari Lodge
Meal Plan	Bed & Breakfast

DAY 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast, we depart for Tarangire National Park. The Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass, acacia woodlands. The Park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head to the Ngorongoro highlands arriving late afternoon for dinner and overnight at Eileen’s Trees Inn.

Accommodation	Eileen’s Trees Inn
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: Serengeti National Park

Early morning after breakfast, we depart to Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest National Park and it is also one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. Its climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years. Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest; accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The precise timing of the Migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our Tented partner lodges for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation	Embalakai Camp
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: North Serengeti (following the Migration)

After breakfast we head towards the far northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria. We will do a game drive en-route from the Lobo area to the Wagakuria area. As we head north, good sightings of giraffe, plain game, herds of buffalo and elephants can often be seen. Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest; accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The precise timing of the Migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year. During End of July to September the Migration can be found in the Northern Serengeti where they are crossing the Mara River following the greener pastures of Maasai Mara where the provide the Mara river resident Nile crocodiles with annual fist.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our partner tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation	Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp (Kogatende)
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: North Serengeti National Park

Early Morning after breakfast you will continue with your game drive in the Northern region. Mara river crossing is one of the must see in Serengeti and totally one of the most spectacular events in Serengeti. Many wildebeests perish trying to reach the mineral rich grass of Maasai Mara where they will spend at list 2 months before they start to migrate again to their ancestral birthing Ground Southern Ndutu where it will all start again. After a full day game drive and hopefully a sight of the crossing we will be back to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation	Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp (Kogatende)
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: North Serengeti National Park

Early morning after breakfast, we continue with our en-route drive inside the Serengeti National Park before we depart to Ngorongoro crater. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland and glistening lakes and swamps.

Arriving at our accommodation in the late evening, we will have our dinner and overnight stay at one of our carefully selected lodge.

Accommodation	Rhino Lodge
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

After early breakfast, you will descend down the crater which is almost 600m deep.

The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. It is famous for both its geological delights and for being a natural reserve which is home to some of the densest large mammal populations in the whole of the African continent. The drive down the into the Crater is an adventure in itself and when you reach the Crater floor, you quickly find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive inside the crater, we head straight to Arusha or at the airport to catch your onwards flight.