|
Wildebeest
Migration cycle in Serengeti
The endless
plains of east Africa are the setting for the world's greatest
wildlife spectacle - the 1.5 million animal ungulate
(wildebeest) migration. From the vast Serengeti plains to the
champagne colored hills of Kenya's Masai Mara over 1.4 million
wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked
by Africa's great predators, migrate in a clockwise fashion over
1,800 miles each year in search of rain ripened grass.
There is no
real beginning or end to a wildebeest's journey. Its life is an
endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water. The
only beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000
wildebeest calves are born during a six week period early each
year - usually between late January and mid-March in Tanzania
Hence the best period to take a wildlife Migration safari in
Tanzania is in the months of December through to March.
Serengeti
and Ngorongoro conservation areas.
The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area is
arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world.
During the months December through March the seemingly unending
plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are
inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. The great
herds graze on rain ripened grass. In the calving season (late
January through mid March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutu
and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation
Area) attracting the attention of predators like lion, cheetah
and hyena.
8 Days
Tanzania wildlife migration safari package
Day 1:
Nairobi - Arusha
Board a shuttle bus to Arusha from Nairobi via Namanga boarder
to arrive Arusha by 1400 hrs. Drop off at Kibo Palace Hotel for
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2:
Arusha - Lake Manyara
Leave Arusha at 0800 hrs and proceed to Lake Manyara national
park for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight Lake Manyara
Serena lodge
Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the
edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers
varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views.
Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to
pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the
world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their
home during the rainy season, and are a well-known but rather
rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the
national park is also home to the largest concentration of
baboons anywhere in the world -- a fact that makes for
interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.
Day 3 – Lake
Manyara – Serengeti
After breakfast depart for Serengeti passing through Olduvai
Gorge, the archeological site of the Leakey family. Meals and
overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.
Day 4:
Serengeti
A full day with morning and afternoon game drives to explore the
plains, Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Serengeti is
easily Tanzania’s most famous national park, and it’s also the
largest, at 14,763 square kilometres of protected area that
borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Game ParkIt is the Migration for
which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million
wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern
hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October
and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains
in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to
move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold
them back. The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks,
reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat.
Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and
landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their
most fascinating inhabitants
Day 5:
Ngorongoro
After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro, one of the natural
wonders of the world. Meals and overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa
Lodge.
Day 6: Ngorongoro crater
after early morning breakfast leave with picnic lunch for a full
day crater tour. You will be taken 2000ft down the crater by a
4wheel drive vehicle, explore the crater before ascending back
to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.
The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the
‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a
main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite
world-class attraction. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA)
is home of Ngorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5 million
years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking due to inactivity,
and was initially thought to be higher than Tanzania’s famous
Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral
part of Tanzania’s eco-system. The crater is actually a caldera,
measures 22.5 km’s across and the rim walls stand 600m high.
Views from within and from the rim are breathtaking (as can be
seen from the picture). The crater houses 30,000 animals and a
large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to
the availability of water through wet and dry seasons
Day 7
Ngorongoro - Tarangire
After breakfast drive to Tarangire. Afternoon game drive. Dinner
and overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge./Sopa Lodge
Tarangire National Park, one of the hidden jewels of Tanzania.
This park measures 2,600 sq km’s and boasts a concentration of
wildlife second only to Ngorongoro Crater. It features an
impressive amount and array of bird life and plant life.
Situated only 160km’s from Arusha, the park is nestled to the
south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasailand. It
is named after the Tarangire River, which runs directly through
the center of the park and is the only permanent water source
for the animals. Along the banks of this river you will find
herds of wildebeest (or gnu) and zebra, followed by Grant’s
Gazelle, Thomson ’s gazelle and many others. Lurking in the
background lion and leopard keep a watchful eye on a possible
meal. The park offers views of grass and floodplains with
impressive baobab and flat topped acacia trees scattered
throughout. During the dry season the park may look quite
ordinary, but activities continue even more earnestly due to the
now increased competition.
Day 8: Tarangire - Arusha
Early morning game drives, and then return to the lodge for
breakfast .Drive to Arusha to arrive by lunch time. Board an
after noon shuttle bus to Nairobi to arrive by 1800 hrs.
Cost per
person sharing
2 Pax US$ 2430
4 Pax US$ 2290
Package includes
- Full board accommodations while on safari in a twin
-
Nairobi/Arusha/Nairobi shuttle bus
- 1 night
hotel accommodations in Arusha on Bed and breakfast basis
- Service of an English speaking driver guide
- Transport based on a 4WD Safari vehicle with pop up roof for
game viewing
- Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver /park
entry fees
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Government taxes
Excludes:
- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
- Entry Visa
- Tips to porters and drivers
- Hotel accommodations in Nairobi before and after the safari.
|
