Tanzania Great Migration

During the month of August, September and October the animals of the Great Migration are in the north of Serengeti National Park. The zebras and wildebeests are crowded along the Mara River. They want to move to the other side of the riverbank. But nervously the animals jump back with every little noise. A lion could jump out of the bushes or an urge crocodile could grab them from the muddy river. But the departure is a must. In Mara Area dryness will take over in a few weeks, while in the Serengeti fresh grass secures the future of the herd. Followed by the instinct the animals plunge into the unpredictable rapids and make their way.

The highlights of your Safari Great Migration

  • Great Migration in the Serengeti NP
  • Herds of wildebeest on the Mara River
  • Spectacular game drives to the big animal herds
  • selected lodges with high standard
  • Dream journey in the north of Tanzania

Itinerary and Highlights of Tanzania Great Migration

Day 1 Tanzania Great Migration, Arrival day – Kilimanjaro airport – Arusha

Our driver awaits you at Kilimanjaro Airport and takes you to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on the time of day you will have the opportunity to explore the surroundings, enjoy the view of Mount Meru or do some shopping before your trip to the wilderness.

Day 2 Tanzania Great Migration, Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park, game drive

In the morning you will be picked up by our driver at the lodge and leave Arusha, the second largest city in Tanzania. Once you have left the city, it becomes quieter along the way and the view of the beautiful countryside becomes clear. Acacia trees, colorfully dressed Maasai and mud huts become visible. After the last turn-off in Makuyuni you drive directly towards the steeply rising wall of the East African Rift Valley. Elephants, Giraffes or Zebras can be observed from the tarred road in a few months. The entrance gate is in the forest belt of Lake Manyara. Here your driver will uplift the photo roof of the safari car and clear the formalities at the National Park. And now, you are already in the middle of African wilderness. To the right stands a herd of elephants eats the sweet fruits of the wild gif tree. A guinea fowl is running hectically around. Monkeys fight for the best place in the treetop. Life is everywhere. Pelican and Flamingos show up while driving along the Manyara shore. Not far away is the Hippo Pool. The thick-skinned hippos lie sluggish in what the rainy season has left behind. The day draws to a close and you leave for your lodge.

Day 3 Tanzania Great Migration, Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park, game drive

Immediately after breakfast you set off for the journey to the Serengeti National Park. The way leads over the Ngorongoro Crater. Take a sweater with you, the temperatures can cool down quickly in the higher altitude of the crater rim. From the crater rim you can enjoy a clear view into the gigantic crater on cloudless days. We continue over the crater rim and then down towards the Nabi Park Entrance of the Serengeti. While your driver clears the formalities, you can climb Nabi Hill for a souvenir photo over den savanna. The golden-yellow plain of the Serengeti with the blue sky are fascinating. You don’t have to wait long until you see the first animals. There are Zebras, Giraffes, Elephants, Lions or Jackals. At Serengeti National Park there is always something interesting to be seen. Ask our driver, he will be able to tell you something about the behavior of the animals, while you make the first wildlife photos. Hippos also become visible once you reach Seronera Area in the center of Serengeti. Along the shore there are also many bird species. Shortly before sunset you reach your lodge.

Day 4 Tanzania Great Migration, Serengeti, Drive to Mara River

The coffee in your cups steams hot. It’s early. The first rays of sunshine appear on the horizon. In the clear air there is not only the need for coffee. It’s a new spirit of excitement in the lodge. Not only you want to use the early morning hours for a great game drive. Joyfully and full of expectations you will take your Afromaxx jeep to the north of the Serengeti. In the early hours the animals are very active. Lions, Hippos, Hyenas, Antelopes and many young animals – all are on their way. As if in a dream, the silhouettes of the acacia trees stand out before the first glowing rays of sunlight. After many photo stops and a long drive, you reach the lodge in the northern part of the Serengeti, not far from the Mara River. The Spot for the Great Migration crossing the River.

Day 5 Tanzania Great Migration, Game drive along the Mara River

In the Serengeti National Park, which is about as big as Northern Ireland, there is plenty to discover. About 1.5 million wildebeests, 500,000 Zebras, 300,000 Grant Gazelles, 2500,000 Thomson Gazelles, 1200,000 Impalas, 700,000 Topis, 200,000 Buffaloes, 9,000 Elan Antelopes, 8,000 Giraffes, 1,000 Lions and 800 Elephants share the green plains. The animal herds instinctively follow the rain and cover about 3000km annually. Witness wildebeests spread to the horizon, zebras face the daring river crossing, impalas run nervously from the waterhole and vultures clean the savannah of dead animals. Even if the animals do not cross the river in front of your eyes, the spectacle of the Great Migration will always be visible and will impress you.

Day 6 Tanzania Great Migration, Serengeti National Park, game drive – Ngorongoro

In the morning you set off for the long drive to the Ngorongoro Crater. You can’t get tired of the vastness and beauty of the Serengeti. The vegetation is changing. While the north of the Serengeti dominates the wide plains, a forest of Whistling Acacias spreads a little further south. Once you reach the center of the Serengeti, the hills of Seronera lie between the plains and along the way to Nabi Gate, enormous Kopjes Rocks are known as spots to see lions. In the morning hours they like to lie on the rocks to sunbathe and in the midday heat the lions rather stay at the bottom and prefer the shade of the rocks. The highlands of Ngorongoro become visible. A few clouds hang at their flank. Maybe there will be rain. The drive up to the Ngorongoro offers another great view of the impressive landscape of this magic region. In the evening you arrive at your lodge.

Day 7 Tanzania Great Migration, Ngorongoro, game Drive – Departure day, Kilimanajro Airport (JRO)

The best at the end. The Ngorongoro Crater is Tanzania’s flagship and most popular travel destination next to the Serengeti on the mainland. In the crater, which lies 600 meters below, there are about 25,000 large animals. The diameter of the Ngorongoro Crater is 20 kilometers and the bottom are surrounded by a crater wall over 360 degrees. Over one of the three road you can excess the crater floor only with an off-road vehicle. In contrast to the national parks of Tanzania, in Ngorongoro the Masai live with their herds of cattle in the immediate neighborhood with the of the East African Animals. The crater is the only place in Tanzania where you can see Rhinos regularly. Besides Zebras, Buffaloes, Hyenas, Lions and Cheetahs, the Elephants Bulls are especially impressive. Afterwards you drive on to the Kilimanjaro Airport, where the journey ends or you can connect another travel package of Afromaxx.

Tourcode: Q105752