Safari Overview
Have you ever dreamed of following millions of wildebeest across the far-reaching plains of Serengeti National Park? Have you ever wanted to photograph the lions, leopard, and cheetahs which hunt them? Utopia Safaris has put together this Week with the Wildebeest Safari itinerary so you can see the world-renowned Great Migration and its attendant spectacle for yourself.
While the wildebeest can be found in different regions of the Serengeti throughout the year, this itinerary is most suitable for the months of August, September, and October. This is when our game drives near the Mara River will be at their most rewarding. We’ll also take this opportunity to introduce you to some other highlights of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, including Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to discover what this incredible package has in store for you.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Villa Maua, Arusha.
Karibu Tanzania – Welcome to Tanzania. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by one of our staff members. After greet and meet services he will escort you to your accommodation in Arusha (approximately 60 Km) ready for the safari tomorrow. Accommodation: Villa Maua Arusha.
Day 2: Ngorongoro Farm House, Lake Manyara National Park.
After breakfast you depart for Lake Manyara National Park (approx. 90 Km) with en-route views. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, A beautiful park, Lake Manyara contains a diverse range of habitats and topographical features ranging from the rift wall, ground water forest, acacia woodlands and open grasslands to the shores of Lake Manyara and the lake itself. Have afternoon game viewing in the park searching for the diverse flora and fauna of the park. There are some 350 different bird species in the park. The park provides sanctuary to a variety of animals such as the gazelle, impala, buffalo, wildebeest, hyena, baboon, giraffe, hippo and the famous tree-climbing lions that are unique to the Lake. The park is generally recognized for its incredible beauty. Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House Mid-range lodge located on the near Ngorongoro.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Farm House, Karatu.
Visit Mto Wa Mbu village for a great cultural experience with an experienced, English-speaking guide who grew up in the village. Visit local farms (rice paddies, Banana Beer Bar and local activities), schools, a kindergarten, local homes, the food market and milling machines. We can include a local lunch for your guests that are served in a lovely banana plantation deep inside Mto Wa Mbu village, then followed by Biking around the village. Afternoon return to Ngorongoro Farm House for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Serengeti Kati Kati, Central Serengeti.
After breakfast we drive and descend some 610 meters into the crater, which is home to an abundance of wildlife and a photogenic paradise, for a full day of game viewing drive with picnic lunch at a private scenic site (hippos pool). Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world teams with an abundance of wildlife permanently resident on the crater floor. Prides of lions, herds of Cape buffalo, impala, Thompson gazelles, rhino, golden and black backed jackal, zebra, cheetah, leopard and the spotted hyena freely roam on the crater floor plains. Unmatched for its natural variety and breath-taking beauty, there are few places on earth where such a tremendous diversity of landscapes exists inside a region this size. Apart from its wildlife riches, the crater is also home to hundreds of bird species, refreshing in the small lakes in the crater floor. In the afternoon we drive to central Serengeti for our night stay at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp Mid-range lodge located on in the Serengeti.
Day 5: Serengeti Kati Kati, Central Serengeti.
Today we enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing drives on the vast Serengeti plains. In the early morning and evening light, the Serengeti landscape is stunningly beautiful. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, including more than three million large mammals. The park is one that can never disappoint. One is spoilt by the variety of bird and wildlife species in this game reserve. Depending with wildlife movement at different times, we may serve picnic lunch at a picnic site or take hot lunch from our lodge. Accommodation: Serengeti Kati kati Camp Mid-range lodge located on in Serengeti.
Day 6: Mara Kati Kati, Northern Serengeti.
The next 3 days you will follow the migrations paths depending with the location. We will spend the days following the great migration of about 1.5 million Wildebeests and 500,000 Zebras migrating through the Serengeti Ecosystem. Dangers is everywhere and packs of lion, cheetah and other carnivores are everywhere waiting for the right moment to strike. Crocodiles in Serengeti River does no mercy as the herds cross the river. The arrogant waters sweep thousands and the scenes are amazing. Later in the early evening Walking safari with armed ranger followed by Sundowner then drive to your mobile luxury camp for overnight rest. Accommodation: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp Mid-range tented camp located northern Serengeti.
Day 7: Mara Kati Kati, Northern Serengeti.
Following breakfast, you will spend the whole day on a game drive in the Serengeti National Park and have lunch at a picnic spot en-route. Depending upon the time of year, you might even have the chance to witness the great migration with hundred thousand of wildebeests, zebras and Thompson gazelles. During the small rainy season in October and November, you will typically see these herds moving from the Kenyan Masai Mara through the northwest of the Serengeti to the plains in the south. After the great rainy season in April, May and June, the herds slowly travel back through the western and north-western part of the Serengeti. With fluctuations in rainfall, this timetable can of course change, resulting in the animals migrating during different times and routes. Your guide will try his outmost to find the animals and will make sure that you can see them from the best spot in the national park. Naturally, the migration also attracts predators and with luck you might see a kill in action. You will spend another night at the Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp.
Day 8: End-
Day Itinerary
After enjoying breakfast and a morning game drive, you’ll be transferred to Kogatende Airstrip for your flight (booked by Utopia Safaris) back to Arusha airport and drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.
Inclusions:
- Service of an English-speaking professional driver/guide.
- Transport whilst on safari in a 4×4 safari Land cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing.
- All transfers upon arrival and departure as in the itinerary.
- Full Board Accommodations whilst on safari.
- All park entrance fees are as per the itinerary.
- All game drives as detailed in the itinerary.
- Drivers’ salary and allowances plus park fees for driver and vehicle.
- Government taxes & levies.
- Complimentary bottled drinking water whilst on safari.
Exclusions:
- International & internal flights.
- Airport arrival or Departure taxes.
- Tips and gratuities to driver/guide, hotel/camp and restaurant staff, and room service.
- Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, etc.
- Change in itinerary/accommodation rather than those specified.
- Activities, visits, and tours that are not mentioned in the package.
- Extra Expenses, insurances, Visa’s & validity of travel documents.
- Extra drinks and meals that are not mentioned in the package.
- Easter/Festival/High season/New Year’s supplements as per lodge/hotel policy.
