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Golden morning light over the Tanzania landscape

Great East Africa Migration

Example 12 Day Tour
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East Africa's Great Migration is an enduring spectacle of one of the world's greatest wildlife phenomenons. Each year millions of wildebeest circle through Tanzania and Kenya in search of of greener pastures, and this tour offers a unique opportunity to witness this incredible spectacle in the Serengeti National Park. Also visit East Africa's other notable national parks and wildlife reserves on the 12-day tour, such as Amboseli, Ngorongoro Crater, and the beautiful Masai Mara. Watch for families of elephants thunder through diverse ecosystems, look on as lions stalk the massive herds of wildebeest, and learn about the important cultural history of East Africa. Leave East Africa with a greater appreciation for the magnificence of the planet's incredible wildlife and people. 
Wildebeest crowd a vehicle during the Great MigrationExplore the spectacular ecosystem of the savannaLion in CraterAdventures in Tanzania! Appetizers with a view!Elephants crossing the vast savannaGolden morning light over the Tanzania landscape
Highlights
  • Witness the Great East Africa Migration
  • Visit the Olduvai Gorge, often called the "Cradle of Mankind"
  • Search for the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater
  • Experience game-viewing in a private reserve of the Masai Mara
Places Visited
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Nairobi

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi on the flight of your choice today. After clearing customs and baggage claim, meet your safari representative and transfer to Nairobi's Eka Hotel. Settle in for a peaceful evening in Kenya's cosmopolitan capital city. 

Day 2-3: Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, you depart Nairobi and head southwards to Amboseli National Park to arrive for lunch.

Amboseli National Park lies at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft). The mountain dominates every aspect of the park, and you can get the best views of its snow-capped peak from Amboseli. The park's fragile ecosystem supports a variety of game, and be amazed by the large herds of elephants it is famous for. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow, offer a watering place for wildlife and birds during the dry season. There's plenty for you to do other than game-viewing drives. You can opt for a visit to the Maasai village or the Amboseli Research Centre, the longest study of wild elephants in the world (these incur an extra cost payable directly).

After lunch, time for a siesta or a swim in the pool before an afternoon game-viewing drive. Then, you return to the lodge for dinner and a chance to share the day's highlights.

On the following day, enjoy morning and afternoon game-viewing drives and with luck, catch sight of the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, creating a spectacular backdrop to the peacefully grazing animals. 

Wake up early so you can head out on an early morning game drive to catch the animals as they wake up to start the day. The early morning is also when the animals are at their most active before the heat of the day sets in. Back at the lodge, breakfast is served with a wonderful view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After lunch, relax and enjoy your surroundings before heading for your afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner and your final evening in Amboseli.

Day 4-5: Karatu

Today, your journey takes you to Namanga, the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Upon arrival, cross into Tanzania, where an Albatros driver guide eagerly awaits your arrival. Once you've completed customs and immigration procedures, you'll continue your drive to Arusha, reaching the Arusha Coffee Lodge just in time for lunch. Following a delicious meal, your adventure continues as you leisurely travel to Plantation Lodge, ideally situated just a short drive away from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

On the next day, rise early to seize the day in the Ngorongoro Crater. This geological wonder is a deep, volcanic crater, boasting the title of the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera globally. Stretching approximately 20 kilometers across, plunging 600 meters deep, and covering an area of 300 square kilometers, its sheer size is awe-inspiring. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), you'll discover not only this remarkable crater but also significant archaeological and paleontological sites at Olduvai Gorge, as well as early human footprints at Alaitole in the Ngarusi area. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is celebrated for its unique blend of wildlife and human inhabitants coexisting harmoniously for generations.

The towering walls of the crater create a natural enclosure, providing a sanctuary for an abundance of wildlife. Here, you'll encounter a diverse array of ground game, with the thrilling possibility of witnessing the iconic "big five" animals. Keep an eye out for remarkable bird species such as the Lammergeyer, Vereaux's Eagle, and Egyptian Vulture soaring above the crater walls. On the plains below, you might spot the captivating Rosy-breasted Longclaw after rainfall, along with occasional visits from flocks of lesser and Greater Flamingos gracing the crater lakes.

As the day draws to a close, return to your lodge before dusk, allowing ample time to refresh before enjoying a delightful dinner.

Day 6-8: Seronera

Today, the highlight of the safari begins as you bid farewell to your lodge and head to the renowned Serengeti National Park. Here, you are welcomed to a camp nestled in the Central Serengeti, promising an immersive experience in the heart of the wilderness. En route, explore one of the world's most significant prehistoric sites, Olduvai Gorge, with a guided tour and informative lecture.

Serengeti National Park holds the distinction of being Tanzania’s oldest and most beloved national park, its name translating to 'endless plain' in the Masai language. It's from this vast expanse that immense herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other wildlife embark on the annual Great Migration, a spectacle of nature unmatched anywhere else in the world. Here, you can witness golden-maned lions stalking the migrating herds, catch glimpses of leopards resting in trees at dusk, and even partake in a breathtaking hot-air balloon tour at dawn, as the sun's golden rays cast a luminous glow upon the landscape.

Upon arrival at Siringit Camp, situated amidst the Serengeti's heart, check-in, freshen up, and indulge in a delicious dinner, setting the stage for an unforgettable stay in this iconic wilderness setting.

On the next two days, enjoy morning and afternoon game-viewing drives in an area, world-renowned for having plentiful wildlife, including big cats, African plains game, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and even a remarkable array of birdlife.

One of the most breathtaking ways to experience this part of Tanzania is to float high above the plains in a hot-air safari balloon. (This incurs an additional cost)

Day 9: Fly to Masai Mara | Mara North Conservancy

After breakfast, transfer to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Tarime Airstrip near the Tanzania-Kenya border. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted and taken by road to Migori Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara.

Please note: The baggage allowance is 15 kg / 33lbs in soft-sided bags. Any excess baggage incurs a fee charged by the airline during check-in.

Upon landing, meet the Camp's driver guide, who escorts you on your inaugural safari en route to the camp. Upon arrival, check-in and receive a briefing from the staff, followed by lunch while observing the hippos in the Mara River.

After lunch, you can opt for a siesta or relax while watching the resident hippo pod frolicking in the water or grazing along the banks. You may also enjoy birdwatching through your binoculars or observe zebras coming to drink.

Later in the afternoon, venture on a game-viewing drive in the conservancy. As evening approaches, gather around the campfire with fellow guests to share and discuss the day's sightings.

Day 10-11: Mara North Conservancy

Today, you can enjoy game drives through the conservancy or choose to participate in other activities such as visiting the on-site cooking school, planting a tree, or taking an 'eco walk' to learn more about the environmental initiatives in place. Night game drives in the conservancy are also available.

For an additional cost, you can participate in a walking safari accompanied by a guide and an armed ranger, or take a leisurely nature walk to discover more about the smaller animals and plant life in the area. You can also go on a dawn hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara, or visit a local Maasai manyatta (village).

On the next day, awake to the sounds of the African bush and have an early breakfast. Depart on a full-day safari to look for the Big Five in the Masai Mara National Reserve (with a picnic lunch). Return to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 12: Nairobi | Departure

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. On arrival, you are met and transferred to Nairobi Airport for your onward flight.
 

Accommodations

Ol Tukai Lodge

Enjoy your stay at Ol Tukai Lodgge
Enjoy your stay at Ol Tukai Lodgge
Enjoy your stay at Ol Tukai Lodgge

Eka Hotel Nairobi

Enjoy a comfortable stay in Nairobi's Eka Hotel
Enjoy a comfortable stay in Nairobi's Eka Hotel
Enjoy a comfortable stay in Nairobi's Eka Hotel

The Plantation Lodge

Rest while on safari at the Plantation Lodge
Rest while on safari at the Plantation Lodge
Rest while on safari at the Plantation Lodge

Karen Blixen Camp

Experience luxury at Karen Blixen Camp
Experience luxury at Karen Blixen Camp
Experience luxury at Karen Blixen Camp

Siringit Serengeti Camp

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$9,214 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Holiday Supplement: Please note a holiday supplement applies on a per-night basis for Christmas and Easter travel.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 10 Dinners, 2 Box Lunches
  • 11 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Internal scheduled flights as indicated in itinerary
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Tourist Visa

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

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