9 Days Wildebeest Migration Crossing the River
Overview
The great wildebeest migration crossing the river is one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on Earth. It occurs annually across the Serengeti national park in Tanzania and the Maasai mara in Kenya involving 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of Thousands of Zebra and gazelles. The rive crossings are some of the most dramatic moments in this migration.
As the dry season begins, the wildebeest move from the Serengeti southern plains to the western corridor. They first face the Grumeti river, where the crocodiles await, and the crossing are perilous but crucial for reaching better grazing lands. These crossing can stretch over several days, depending on heard movement and weather patterns. The park included to visit are Tarangire national park, Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area and Lake manyara national park.
Best time to visit: July to September (depends on the year)
Included/Excluded
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- Accommodations
- Safari Jeep (4X4 safari land cruiser)
- Roundtrip to Airport transfer
- Mineral water
- International flights
- Items of personal nature
- Travel insurance and medical repatriation
- Personal items (visa fees, souvenirs etc.
- Tips
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
A staff and professional guide of Tanzania Songbirds Safaris will pickup you from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, from there you will be driven from the airport to a hotel in Arusha and to get a brief you on your upcoming safari.
Depends on Arrival time but of the plane but on the day after the rest to the hotel later we offer our clients the short tour in the city of Arusha just to experience from the local people about the culture, traditional, lifestyle and history of the people of Arusha. Beyond its role as a safari hub, Arusha is a multicultural city with rich history. It played a significant role in the East African coutries communities. With its diverse population, bustling markets, and stunning natural beauty, join the local guide from our staff who will lead you on the tour around the city.
Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel
Meals: L & D.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast you will be driven to Tarangire national park, it takes about one hour and half until 2 hours and these depends on the Traffic jam. Tarangire national park is mostly famous for the largest tree of baobab and is known as home of elephants especially on the dry season.
Activity on the day is a game drive on the park where you can have a chance to spot some of the animals that are found in the park and these includes the big mammals, variety of birds, reptiles, plants and small animals like insects.
Some of the animals that are common in the park includes lions, Zebras, Giraffe, Oryx, Gerenuk, Elephants, Kudus, and some birds like Ostrich, guinea fowl, hornbill, starling and others animals and park is common for many visitors to get chance to spot the climbing python. Our clients they will have a bush lunch on the day in the park.
Accommodation: Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 3: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park (central Serengeti)
After a breakfast, we will set off for Serengeti National park, enjoy the wildlife sightings along the way. Arrive Serengeti in time for an afternoon game drive, explore the vast savannahs teeming with wildlife and you will have a chance to see the big five along with other resident animals.
Accommodation: Acacia Seronera Luxury Camp
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 4: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
Depart Central Serengeti in the morning and you will be driven to the northern Serengeti where you will witness the thrilling river crossings as the part of the Greatest show on earth (The Great Migration) and the areas are offer excellent see large animals including the herds of wildebeest and zebras as they cross the mara river facing the crocodile in the mara river, and others predators behind like vulture who waits for the dead body.
Accommodation: Acacia Migration Camp
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 5 – 6 Full game drive in Northern Serengeti
Witnessing the Mara river crossing that you will spend 2 days tracking the migration herds as they prepare for an attempt river crossing. The drama unfolds as wildebeest and zebras’ brave crocodile-infested waters while predators lurk nearby.
Accommodations: Acacia Migration Camp
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 7: Northern Serengeti to southern Serengeti
Instead of a long drive to the area of Ngorongoro you will be able to enjoy a more comfortable journey by returning to the area of central Serengeti, it will allowed you to spot different species include the famous big five animals and explore the Kopjes (rocky outcrops) for big cats and other wildlife.
Accommodation: African safari Southern Serengeti
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 8: Southern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After a breakfast you will be driven to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and you can get to see the view of the Ngorongoro crater and it one of the largest inactive volcanic calderas in the world and its known as the home of the big five animals. The crater offers a unique ecosystem with a high concentration of wildlife including rhinos, elephants, lions, wildebeest, hippo, flamingo and others. You will get a chance to visit a traditional Maasai Boma to learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Accommodation: Karatu acacia farm lodge
Meals: B, L & D.
Day 9: Karatu to Lake Manyara National park and return to Arusha
On your final day enjoy the game drive in Lake Manyara national park, the park is heaven of wildlife and a feast for the eyes, offering a unique blend of diverse habitats and incredible animal encounters. The park is mostly famous for Tree-climbing lions, over 400 different species of birds and others big animals include hippos, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and others animals.
Accommodation: will be arranged for the extra cost
Meals: B & D.