9 Days Migration River Crossing
This 9 Days Migration River Crossing is specially designed to follow the great migration. It takes us to the heart of this majestical earthly event. With four nights on the Serengeti, we are afforded the opportunity to take in the vast Serengeti plains. We also get to spend some days witnessing the great migration. Found in the region of the northern tip of the Serengeti from August to October.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
On your day 1 of 9 Days Migration River Crossing you will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come. Ilboru Safari Lodge, is an oasis of calm and aesthetic pleasure.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
In the morning you will be collected from your lodgings in Arusha by your private safari guide. You will drive to Tarangire National Park on a good tarmac road across gently rolling Maasai plains with scattered acacia trees. On the way, you will pass many Maasais in their colourful dress walking on the roadside, riding bicycles, herding cattle and driving donkey carts. Tarangire National Park, well known for its large elephant herds, is also host to a multitude of other animals. From the open roof of your safari jeep you will see seasonal swamps, savanna and the life giving Tarangire River. You will see zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant and giraffe, to name but a few. It is possible you will see lion stalking prey or leopards watching and relaxing in the trees above.
After your extensive game drive, you will drive to your accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 3: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will continue towards the fertile highlands where wheat and corn are grown by the Iraqw people. Along the way, we’ll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to see baboons or even leopards and elephants in the dense undergrowth. Passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will be able to see the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater before traveling onwards to the Serengeti National Park, which you will reach by midday. The Serengeti National Park is the largest park in Tanzania with diverse landscapes and habitats. Such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah and mountains. After an extensive game drive, you will drive to your accommodation where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: North Serengeti Migration
In the morning, we undertake our en-route game drive to the Northern region of the Serengeti. Stretching from Seronera for about 100 km, the Northern Serengeti is a gently rolling countryside broken by small rivers, occasional hills, and kopjes. A multitudinous permanent population of wildlife resides here. There are also very striking geological occurrences such as the beautiful Lobo Kopje. The Northern Serengeti is an interesting and varied country that is far from the park’s main entry point in the south hence receiving fewer visitors.
The migration is found in this area during August and we may with luck witness the most spectacular of river crossings as the herd attempt to cross the Mara River and avoid the strong currents and hungry crocodiles.
After a full day, we will head for our accommodation where we’ll enjoy dinner and our night of sleep under the magnificent African sky out upon the ‘Endless Plain’.
Day 5: Serengeti Crossing
After an early breakfast, you will head out to make the most of the day. There is a chance you may see the animals crossing the Mara River. Hundreds of thousands of desperate wildebeest gather together on the banks of the river, gazing wistfully across the turbulent water at the green grass on the other side but no animal will make a move. All it takes is one brave wildebeest to take the literal plunge and, then, they all follow! The animals that do successfully avoid the awaiting crocodile jaws and make it over the river are rewarded with the lush green grazing grass of the Masai Mara.
Day 6: North to Serengeti Central
After breakfast, you will return to Seronera with further opportunities to experience the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of the Serengeti.
Apart from the migrating herds, we may have the opportunity to see the resident predators, leopards, cheetahs, and lions, fulfilling their role in the circle of life.
After an extensive game drive, we will head out to our accommodation for a hearty dinner and another night by the fire. We will relax and have a conversation under the sweeping majesty of the star bright African night out upon the ‘Endless Plain’.
Day 7: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will embark upon another incredible game drive in the Serengeti before travelling to the Ngorongoro Crater. You will be arriving at the edge of the crater in the afternoon and have your first glimpse of what awaits you the following day. Look out for the glistening streams, open grassland and an infinite number of animals. You will spend the night at a nearby lodge on the rim of the crater.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
On this day 8 of 9 Days Migration River Crossing Very early in the morning after an early breakfast. We will descend down onto the crater floor for a day of wildlife viewing in one of the most incredible places on Earth. Where the animals roam freely through the unfenced reserves offering us an uninterrupted game viewing experience. The Caldera was formed about three million years ago with the massive explosion of a volcano that rivalled Kilimanjaro in height.
It is 610 m deep and covers roughly 260 square kilometres. It is an enclosed ecosystem. The word Ngorongoro represents the sound of the bells that the Maasai cows wear around their necks. It is one of the best places in Africa to view the big five, as well as wildebeest, gazelle, reedbuck, and many others, along with about 500 bird species. You will stop for a picnic lunch near the hippo lake. And in the afternoon, you will ascendup the steep road out of the crater. You will overnight in the nearby town of Karatu.
Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, you will drive to our final destination on this epic safari – Lake Manyara National Park. This is a relatively small but diverse park, 120km west of Arusha. It is so named for the shallow salt lake that covers about seventy percent of the surface area. Flooding and drying with the seasons and home to thousands of flamingo and in the extraordinary region of 500 other bird species. On your exploration of the park you will see monkey, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant and, with some luck, lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes; not only open grassy plains. But also primate-filled woodlands and baobab dotted cliffs. After lunch, we head back to Arusha where we will arrive in the late afternoon. This marks the end of your 9 Days Migration River Crossing.
Included
Park fees
All activities
All accommodation
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals
Drinks
Excluded
International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips
Personal items
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals