Wildebeest Migration

DAY 1: ARUSHA

Upon your arrival, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your lodge in the lush forests surrounding the town of Arusha. If you arrive early enough, you will have an opportunity to explore the lodge grounds, take a dip in the swimming pool or partake in any of the offered additional activities available.

DAY 2: ARUSHA – MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – LAKE MANYARA

Your safari begins after breakfast this morning. Our first stop is Arusha town, for any last minute purchases before we head off on an exciting safari experience! We set off towards Lake Manyara National Park, with the drive being in the region of about 2 hours. The spectacular reserve is located at the north-western corner of Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. We enjoy a scenic drive in the park known not only for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions.

DAY 3: CULTURE TOUR – LAKE MANYARA

After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga family producing banana beer and passing by many different farms. On the way, your guide will introduce you to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mama’s home, we embark on a walking tour to Lake Papyrus. Here clients can view this magnificent lake filled with abundant birdlife and hippos. If time allows we can do some light trekking up to the waterfall. From here you will view the lake on top of the Rift valley wall; then onto the banana plantation and rice field, ending off the tour with a local village visit. Late afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Maasai Boma for the cultural encounter of a life time. The Maasai people are semi-nomadic herders, who choose to live a traditional lifestyle and are known for their distinctive traditional attire. On completion we return to the lodge for dinner & overnight.

DAY 4: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Today we set out to Tarangire National Park for a full day’s game drives. The breath-taking views of the Maasai Steppe, and the mountains to the south, make a stop at Tarangire a truly memorable experience. Tarangire is as well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra.

DAY 5: MANYARA – NGORONGORO – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

This morning we have an early departure for a game drive in the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many, this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of their safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch, we head towards the Serengeti through the stunning Southern Plains. This is the area that the Serengeti is best known for – the endless, undulating grass savannah with rocky outcrops that serve as isolated wildlife refuges.

DAY 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA)

Today you will be spending a full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: Seronera is the most central and accessible region and this is where the Park HQ is based, as well as most of the larger lodges and communal campsites. This part of the Serengeti is characterised by open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic drive
– Masindi

DAY 7: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA)

We have another exciting day of exploring the Serengeti National Park ahead of us. With lunch boxes provided we continue with game drives throughout the afternoon, scanning the endless plains, spotting many animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so famous. In the late afternoon we drive back to the lodge for overnight.

DAY 8: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – LAKE VICTORIA

After breakfast we make our way to Lake Victoria. We pass through the villages of the Sukuma tribe, who grow ground nuts, sorghum and cassava as well as keeping livestock. Life carries on here simply as it has done for ages, but with a few poignant reminders of the 20th century. Some leisure time in the afternoon, or to possibly take a bird walk along the lake shore.

DAY 9: LAKE VICTORIA – MASAI MARA

This morning you have the opportunity to take part in a boat excursion to one of the local fishing villages, before we bid Lake Victoria farewell and continue our journey northwards across the border into Kenya. Here we head to the Masai Mara, the traditional land of the Maasai people, who are permitted to graze their cattle in this area. The Masai Mara covers an area that includes the riverine forests along the banks of the Mara and Talek Rivers, acacia forests and the open plains of the savannah.

DAY 10: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Today we spend the whole day game viewing in the world famous Masai Mara National Park. Here the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is very abundant.

DAY 11: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI

After breakfast we head off towards Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. We have the afternoon at leisure or to explore the city. Time allowing, we visit the Kazuri Beads Centre and workshop for those interested in shopping. Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili and it describes each striking ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women employed at the Kazuri workshop. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan, lively and interesting city. Its central business district is nicely compact and it is therefore a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Later in the afternoon, we head to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12: NAIROBI – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we further explore Nairobi with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is the beautiful and historic farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, lived between 1917 and 1931 until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies. Thereafter, we head to the Giraffe Centre and the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage for a visit. The institution is named after the wife of the late famous Naturalist, David William Sheldrick who was the founder warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya from its inception in 1948 to 1976. At 11:00, the baby animals are brought from the national park for a mud-bath at the orphanage, where for an hour you can get close to them and sometimes touch them. Lunch will follow before driving down to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon.

DAY 13: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Today we will head into the Amboseli National Park for a full day of game viewing in one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks, which make for the ultimate safari picture with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

DAY 14: AMBOSELI – ARUSHA

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the border and then onwards to Kilimanjaro Airport. En route, we pass the Marangu waterfalls – which is a moderately strenuous walk (we do recommend sturdy shoes and a degree of walking fitness). We continue to KIA via Moshi town – the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park. Your lodge is situated close to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for an easy connection with your outbound flight tomorrow.

DAY 15: ARUSHA

The tour ends after breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.