This itinerary combines the high drama of the Wildebeest Migration on the majestic plains of the Serengeti with the majesty of the World Heritage listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
On your five day Wildebeest Migration safari you’ll track the movements of the vast herd while also visiting three of Tanzania’s most famous national parks. You’ll start in either Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park before spending three days in the Serengeti National Park following the movements of the Wildebeest Migration. You’ll then finish your drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
There’s no better way to see the 2019 Wildebeest Migration in action and see the amazing parks that have made Tanzania so famous.
DAY 1 – ARUSHA – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
You’ll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the approximately two hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa. Once you’ve entered Tarangire, you’ll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden Savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park’s large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes. A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you’ll have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your lunch! Driving through the park you’ll also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx. After your day’s drive is done, you’ll retire to your accommodation for the evening.
Overnight at Luxury lodge
DAY 2 – TARANGIRE/LAKE MANYARA – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Note: Dependent on the time of year and the location of the Wildebeest Migration, your accommodation and precise location within the Serengeti National Park may vary. The itinerary may change slightly to accommodate this. We’ll take an early breakfast, as we’ve got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us! We’ll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way we’ll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth. It’s a nearly four hour drive to the Serengeti park gates. After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
Overnight at Overnight at Luxury lodge
DAY 3 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
You’ll wake before dawn to take part in a sunrise game drive. As the sun sets fire to the savannah, you’ll have the best opportunity to see predators in action as they take advantage of the low light and cooler temperatures to look for an early meal. It’s an ideal time to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action as well as the early morning movements of the wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores. Alternatively, you may wish to take to the skies with a sunrise hot air balloon safari and champagne breakfast. Speak with your safari expert about adding this once in a lifetime experience to your safari. After your unforgettable morning, you’ll return to your lodge for a late breakfast and to freshen up before hitting the road again with a picnic lunch. Your driver will select the best possible route based upon the time of year and the kind of animals you’d like to see, catering your day so that your opportunities to see the Serengeti’s diverse wildlife are maximized.
Overnight at Overnight at Luxury lodge
DAY 4- SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators. You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion. Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
Overnight at Luxury lodge
DAY 5 – NGORONGORO CRATER- ARUSHA
After breakfast, you’ll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you’ll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It’s a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water. From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa’s most recognizable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, Cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park’s famous hippo pool. Thereafter, you will drive back to Arusha.
