Overview
Every year, the vast herds of wildebeest embark on a long-distance migration that coincide with the annual rain fall patterns and grass growth. Following the short rainy season in November, the herds of wildebeest arrive to the short-grass plains of the Serengeti around November. The short-grass plains are located in the area east and south of the Seronera, around Ndutu and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation area. Herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen across these plains as they feed on the nutrient rich grasses. The majority of the wildebeest calve around February. They normally stay in the area till April and then start moving west towards to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park.
Our 10-days Ndutu Migration wildlife safaris, tours, holidays and travel packages, have been designed specifically to focus on and to increase your chance to see the great Serengeti wildebeest migration. We have designed the itinerary to include the Lake Ndutu area, southern Serengeti and central Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found from December through to April. To save on unnecessary travel time and to increase your game viewing time, this itinerary has been designed that you fly from the Serengeti National Park to Arusha town on the last day. The itinerary also include a visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater.
ARRIVAL:
Picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport with English speaking / (French, Spanish, Italian, Germany, or any other international language according to the requirements). Then drive to Arusha for dinner and overnight at your hotel
DAY 1 – ARUSHA – NGORONGORO
Pick up from Arusha and transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and after lunch we will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for an afternoon safari tour.
Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park, is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the south western corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually been seen here.
Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 2 – NGORONGORO – NDUTU
After breakfast we will head to the Lake Ndutu area, situated in the Ngorongoro conservation area, part of the southern Serengeti eco-system. Lake Ndutu is alkaline, like most of the other Rift lakes, however the water is still drinkable and used by a wide array of local wildlife.
We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge or camp, and after lunch we will do an afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game.
Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 3 – NDUTU
After breakfast, enjoy a full day game drive in the Ndutu area. Explore the range of different habitats that include swamps, woodland, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. See great herds of wildebeest and zebra. During a short time frame around February, normally lasting for about 3 weeks, the majority of the wildebeest calve. The sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 4 – NDUTU
The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game. After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our tented partner lodges for dinner and overnight. You will spend 3 nights at Ndutu.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 5 – NDUTU – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we head towards the central Serengeti National Park, also known as the Seronera. We descend into the heart of wild Africa – the Serengeti National Park – with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti national park.
Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 6 – SERENGETI PLAINS
After breakfast enjoy a full day game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The majority of the wildebeest migration normally passes through the Seronera in late November to middle November, when they migrate from Kenya’s Maasai Mara in north to the Ndutu area in the south. The migration then passes through this area again in April when they move west to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park. The Seronera area is also an ideal starting to point to visit the eastern and southern short-grass plains of the Serengeti National Park.
Dinner and overnight in the Serengeti area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
DAY 7 – SERENGETI FULL DAY GAME DRIVE
After breakfast at the lodge, your driver guide will know the best route for you to view a number of animals at large with picnic lunch after hours.
Late evening you will return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – SERENGETI – KARATU
After morning breakfast you will collect your things then driver guide he will take you with on route game drive to Karatu where you will have enough time to relax at your hotel. During dinner time you will be briefed about the next day schedule with you guide, then you will have your time up to bed.
DAY 9 – TARANGIRE GAME DRIVE
Transferred to Tarangire National Park with your picnic lunch. Tarangire derived its name from the Tarangire River which crosses along the center of the park and which provide permanent water for the wildlife and birdlife of the park round the year. It is here where a large group of different species of animal concentrate during the dry season and the best place to take many pictures.
Its natural vegetation mainly consists of Acacia woodland and giant African Baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south. The Tarangire National Park is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. Also it is in Tarangire by chance you can see the tree climbing African pythons. Tarangire National Park accommodated migratory and resident birdlife and believed to be a paradise of birdwatchers as more than 350 different species have been recorded todate. Other wildlife that Tarangire accommodates includes the rare Oryx, impala, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard and different types of gazelles.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and do two exciting morning and afternoon game drives, along the Tarangire River. Late afternoon you will be transferred to the Lodge for dinner and overnight
DAY 10 – TARANGIRE TO ARUSHA
This will be the last day for you to experience some of northern circuit national parks, after breakfast you will start your journey to Arusha, on the way you will pass through Maasai Boma and curio shops for the short cultural activities. You will reach Arusha town during Lunch, having lunch at the hotel. After lunch you will have enough time to relax and enjoy the beauty of our partner’s properties. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 11 – ARUSHA TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
This will be the end off African tour, you will be transferred to airport to catch your flight back home.
