Tanzania & Kenya

8 Day Tanzania Crater and Serengeti Migration Safari

Under the vast blue skies of East Africa, which are painted with wisps of white clouds tinged pink and gold by the rising sun, you awake to the sounds of the birds in Tanzania, where the Arusha Coffee Lodge welcomes you to Big 5 country.

There is even more to see and do on this 8-day holiday: venture to Lemala Ngorongoro on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most famous places and a World Heritage Site. The crater’s caldera is filled with about 30 000 animals, making for some of the easiest game viewing anywhere on the continent and the place where you are most likely to see all of the Big 5 in a single game drive.

Then, between December and March, set up camp at Lemala Ndutu at the permanent marsh in Ngorongoro Crater, which boasts the best seats in the house for the Great Migration. From July to October the camp moves to Lemala Mara in the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River. Here, you get an uninterrupted view of the great herds of wildebeest and zebra splashing across the crocodile-infested river.

PACKAGE INFORMATION

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Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Arusha | 1 Night

Welcome to Arusha and arrive at the Arusha Coffee Lodge, for the overnight before beginning your Africa adventure, check into your plantation room set amongst the coffee bushes opening up to the lush gardens of the hotel. Arusha Coffee Lodge is set on a working farm and during your stay take advantage to learn more about the coffee making process. Learn more about coffee, as move around the lodge, the original farm house was built in the 1900s, reliving the bygone era of luxury, touch and feel the coffee plants and their cherry red beans, walk among the fields taking in the aroma with your guide at hand to answer any questions, later take the optional massages and treatments available to relax. From the lodge you can also take popular excursions to the nearby town of Arusha, visit the bustling Maasai markets, and if you like jewelry the Tanzanite Museum, dedicated to the rare deep blue precious stone only found in Tanzania, or get onto your 4×4 vehicle and head out for a game drive to Arusha National Park.

Days 2 - 4: An Ancient world in the Crater | 3 Nights

Breakfast and head out to Lemala Ngorongoro, hidden in an old acacia forest in a less visited part of the Crater. The camp has wonderful views of the surrounding plains. Built to have minimal impacts of on the environment, the 12 tents, each en-suite with a flush toilet and hot water bucket showers, looks out to the wonderful views ahead. At night gas heaters heat the tents to ensure you have an arm night. The tents are only 12, ideal for couples, there are 2 tents ideal for families with teens, Meals and drinks can be had in the main mess that has a comfortable lounge and bar. You begin your game drives at half past six in the morning, as the distance to the gate is short. 10 minutes and you are within the crater, and as the day breaks over the crater, take the best photos before the rest of the world rushes in, take guided bush walks with your expert Maasai guide along the crater in the sights and whispers of the wind blowing over the animal rich plains. A game drive in the crater is the most rewarding experience, this is the only place in the world where you can see the big 5 in a single game drive. A full day game drive is recommended – enjoy the breathtaking views going amidst herds and herds of plain game – remember the predators are not too far off. The Ngorongoro Crater was declared a world heritage site in 1979, and there is evidence its was inhabited by various hominid species for over three million years, the Maasai pastoralist settled in the area in about the 1800, a hospitable people always ready to share their knowledge of the crater and its secrets.

Days 5 - 8: Time stands still on the Serengeti | 3 Nights

Breakfast, and head off to either Lemala Ndutu, located in the Ndutu area where the birthing season of the wildebeest begin, or to Lemala Mara, located in Northern Serengeti right on the path of the wildebeest migration as it roars past toward the Maasai Mara, more than a million wildebeest accompanied by zebra, impalas and gazelles partake in this treacherous journey. The wildebeest birthing season is in February and March, when a million wildebeest are born almost all at the same time, the predators lying in wait for an easy hunt, from November to April, the camp sets up in a marsh near the crater. Each of the 12 tents at the camp, is solar powered and has a flush toilet and with a bucket shower, and are set out the plains of the Serengeti to ensure you immerse yourself to experience the best of the Serengeti. A camp fire is set up in the evening by the sides of the main mess that has a lounge and a bar, take your cocktails next to the crackling fire as you swamp stories of the day’s sightings, later enjoy a sumptuous dinner under the African stars. And for your full day safaris, take packed lunches and breakfast to enjoy your meals, alfresco, in the plains, with the plain game within view. July to October the camp moves to Lemala Mara in northern Serengeti to wait for the wildebeest to arrive. Lemala Mara is set on a secluded hills and view of the plains below, the vantage point to watch the herds crossing the crocodile infested Mara river. Experience some of the most unforgettable sights and experiences in the wild of the Serengeti, as the large Euclea trees shades you from the hot sun, later take your flight from Kogatende back to Arusha, and carry with you the memories of an unforgettable African safari.