IT11-Tanzania - Northern Circuit : Serengeti Migration

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IT11-Tanzania - Northern Circuit : Serengeti Migration - 8 nights

This itinerary is aimed at the end of January / February and June: The annual migration of up to two million ungulates - predominantly wildebeest but also large concentrations of zebra and lesser numbers of Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle and eland - through the greater Serengeti ecosystem is undoubtedly the greatest spectacle of its type in Africa. Dictated by local rainfall patterns, the Serengeti migration does follow a reasonably predictable annual cycle, though - as with the timing of the rainy seasons - there is a fair amount of variation from one year to the next.

The wildebeest typically disperse into the Seronera Plains during the short rains, which fall in late November or early December, before calving in January and staying put until the end of the long rains, generally in early May. You will not see the big herds on the move, but it's not uncommon to see herds of 10 000 animals, the scenery is lush and green and predator concentrations around Seronera are at their peak.

Towards the end of April, the wildebeest and their entourage start to congregate on the southern plains in preparation for the 800 km northward migration. The actual migration might start any time from late April into early June, with a herd of more than a million migrating animals marching in a braying column of up to 40 km long, one of the most impressive spectacles in the world. The major obstacle faced by the wildebeest on this migration is the crossing of the Grumeti River through the Western Corridor, which typically occurs from June into July. A great many animals die in the crossing many of them taken by the Grumeti's ravenous and prolific population of outsized crocodiles, and the first herds to cross are generally at the greatest risk.

From July to October, the ungulates disperse again, with about half of them crossing the Mara River into Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve and the remainder spreading out through the northern and western Serengeti.

By late October, the animals have generally started to plod back southward to the Seronera Plains, to arrive there in late November, when the cycle starts all over again.

We offer 5 different price ranges: camping location (basic), wildlife location, Sopa location, Serena location and the luxury location.

Itinerary - 8 nights

DAY 1: Fly to Dar Es Salaam. On arrival proceed through customs and immigration and make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met by our agents and transferred by road to Arusha (1/2 hour). Overnight stay at the Arusha Hotel (B&B).
DAY 2: Depart from Arusha and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Game viewing and packed lunch by the hippo pool. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel or camp of your choice (Full board).

Camping location: Karatu Camp Site *
Wildlife location: Lake Manyara Hotel **
Sopa location: Eunoto Lodge***
Serena location: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge ***
Luxury location: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge *****

DAY 3: Depart from Lake Manyara and drive to the Serengeti National Park for game viewing. Full board accommodation in the Serengeti National Park at the hotel or camp of your choice.

Camping location: Seronera Camp Site *
Wildlife location: Seronera Wildlife Lodge **
Sopa location: Serengeti Sopa Lodge ***
Serena location: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge ****
Luxury location: Grumeti River Camp *****

DAY 4: Today is spent in the Serengeti National Park with morning and afternoon game drives. Full board accommodation in the Serengeti (Accommodation as day 3).
DAY 5: Today is spent in the Serengeti National Park with morning and afternoon game drives. Full board accommodation in the Serengeti (Accommodation as day 3).
DAY 6: Final game drive in the Serengeti heading towards Olduvai Gorge for sight seeing where a packed lunch will be served. Proceed to Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight at the hotel or camp or your choice.

Camping location: Karatu Camp Site *
Wildlife location: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge **
Sopa location: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge ***
Serena location: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge ****
Luxury location: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge *****

DAY 6: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing and packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro at the hotel or camp of your choice.
DAY 7: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing and packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro at the hotel or camp of your choice.
DAY 8: After breakfast drive back to Arusha. Overnight stay at the Arusha Hotel (B&B).
DAY 9: Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport and fly out.

Prices include

International and internal Tanzania flights (ex Johannesburg), airport transfers, transportation to and from the parks in 4x4 safari vehicle with English speaking diver/guide with game drives and a Crater Tour. Camping fees and camping equipment see camping note below. All accommodation and meals as indicated.

Prices Do Not include

Visa fee, meals not indicated, drinks, tips, personal expenses, Christmas & New Year holiday supplements, Serengeti balloon safari, travel insurance and airport taxes.

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2008)

Camping location: USD4200; EUR2700; ZAR32 000
Wildlife location: USD4900; EUR3200; ZAR37 500
Sopa location: USD5000; EUR3250; ZAR38 000
Serena location: USD5400; EUR3500; ZAR41 000
Luxury location: USD10 500; EUR6800; ZAR80 200

Links:: International based travel agents, tour operators and residents click here for an accurate online quote; South African based agents, operators and residents, please click here for online quoting in Rand.

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