This itinerary takes you to the north of Serengeti for a chance to witness the Great Migration. While the sight of hundred thousands of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains is spectacular, the Mara River crossing is absolutely one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in Africa. Dust exploding, lions stalking a moveable feast, gigantic crocodiles and fast flowing wild rivers await. It is sensational, impressive and dramatic at the time.
Arrival at Kilimanjaro
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Tulia Lodge in Arusha for dinner and overnight. Settle into your accommodation, ready to start your safari proper in the morning. If time permits, a complimentary town tour can be arranged.
After breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a nature walk at the edge of the Rift Valley Rim and Woodlands of acacia with an Army Ranger. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about different plants with their medicinal uses, animal tracks, insects, flowers and to see flamingos in Lake Manyara and other animals. It awakens your senses, as you become part of the wilderness. After a few hours, you hop into the safari vehicle and continue with a game drive. In this small, but beautiful park with the dense forest you can spot lots of monkeys, giraffes, elephants, impalas, hippos, flamingos, and if you are lucky you may spot the rare tree-climbing lions. In the late afternoon, you drive to Country Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Depart this morning for a game drive in the central part of the Serengeti. This part is famous for the abundance of lions and leopards that can usually be seen quite easily. Game viewing in this central area is spectacular all year round. Enjoy the views of endless plains and stunning wildlife like cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippos, ostrich, aardvark, pangolin and many more. Dinner and overnight will be at Serengeti Domel Camp.
After breakfast, you drive to the northern part of the Serengeti for a game drive along the Mara River. Depending on rainfall, the spectacular crossings of the Mara River can begin as early as June or as late as August. The wildebeest and zebras must survive the Nile crocodiles and fast-flowing water before facing the lions waiting on the other side. This time of the year game viewing is sensational, impressive, and dramatic. All your meals will be at Domel Tented camp in Kogatende.
Rise up early for a morning game drive along the Mara River. It is truly an amazing experience to see all those hoofed mammals in search of water and greener pastures, followed by iconic predators. A journey full of danger where only the strongest survive. You may also see hippos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, warthogs and if you are lucky the endangered black rhino. After the afternoon game drive, you head back to Domel Mara River Camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you will embark upon another incredible game drive in The Serengeti before travelling to the Ngorongoro Crater. Arriving at the edge of the crater in the afternoon, you will have your first glimpse of what awaits you the following day – glistening streams, open grassland and an infinite number of animals. You will spend the night at a nearby lodge on the rim of the crater.
Today you set off towards the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive with picnic lunch. It shelters close to 20.000 animals including the Big Five. The crater teems with zebras, buffaloes, lions, wildebeest, warthogs, baboons, elephants, flamingos, ostriches, hippos, cheetahs and a small population of the rare black rhino. The beautiful colours and dancing clouds make the crater almost surreal. Because of its natural beauty the Ngorongoro Crater is chosen as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. In the late afternoon you drive to Sangaiwe Tented lodge for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy a game drive in Tarangire National Park with picnic breakfast. This lovely park boasts the largest concentrations of elephants in the world and the highest number of breeding bird species. Especially during the dry season, Tarangire National park is packed with wildlife. Big cats like lions, cheetahs and leopards, but also the seldom seen Kudu, Oryx and Gerenuk. If you are lucky you can even spot the tree-climbing python. Return to the lodge for dinner. In the evening you depart for a night game drive in the park. Discover nocturnal animals like porcupines, pangolin, aardvark and others. Overnight will be at
Sangaiwe tented lodge.
On this last day of your safari, you drive back to Arusha for lunch and then continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure.
END OF SERVICE
After each day of eye-opening adventures, rest in Africa’s best lodges or, on certain Tanzania safari vacations, retire to a luxurious Mobile Tented Camp.
These are the timeless sights and sounds of the Serengeti, and on Vervet Safari, they signal the start of each thrilling day. A safari features the continent’s finest guides, who expertly reveal your destination’s countless wonders.