This expedition will take you to a part of the Serengeti known as the Western Corridor. The main feature of this area is the two Rivers: the Grumeti and the Mbalageti. This area sustains a very good permanent wildlife population, including all the predators, zebra and wildebeest. There is also a wide variety of birdlife. The migration passes roughly between May and July, pausing to gather momentum before crossing the crocodile-rich waters of the Grumeti River.
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
You will be picked up from the airport by a Grant Expedition representative and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Arusha Planet Lodge
Meals & Drinks: at own expense
Day 2 Arusha to Tarangire National Park.
In the morning you will be collected from your lodgings in Arusha by our personal safari guide. We set out for Tarangire National Park across gently rolling Masai plains with scattered acacia trees. As we zip along we pass many Masai in their colourful dress walking on the roadside, riding bicycles, herding cattle and driving donkeys carts. Tarangire National Park, well known for its large elephant herds, is also host to a multitude of other creatures. From the open roof of our safari jeep we experience the seasonal swamps, savanna and life giving Tarangire River endeavouring to encounter a multitude of creatures from zebra to wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, and giraffe, to name but a few. It is possible we will glimpse lion stalking prey or leopards relaxing in the trees above.
After our extensive game drive we drive to one of our accommodation for dinner in a tasteful restaurant and a most capacious room to harbour our ease and dreams of wild cats!
Accommodation
Mid-range: Eileen’s Tree Inn
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 3 Serengeti National Park (Central)
After breakfast we journey on heading up towards the fertile highlands where wheat, coffee, and corn, are grown by the Iraqw people. Passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we will be afforded a view of the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater before traveling onwards to the Serengeti National Park which we will reach by midday. The Serengeti National Park is the largest park in Tanzania covering an astounding 15,000 kms squared with diverse landscapes and habitats such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah and mountain. Here the great migration of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope takes place and, depending on the season, we may have the opportunity to witness thousands of animals on their search for food and water.
After an extensive game drive, we drive to the Seronera Valley for an evening meal and overnight stay at your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
Luxury: Nyota Luxury Camp
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 4 Serengeti Western Corridor
After breakfast, you will head straight towards the western corridor on which the drive takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Around end of April, May and June, a vast army of wildebeests along with its partners: zebras, elands and gazelles mill around the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, south of the Grumeti River. You can encounter leopards and hyenas and ahead by giant Nile crocodiles, many hundreds perish as some hazard the river crossing while others detour it. But the beauty of the landscape, stretching without end beneath an infinite sky on a Serengeti West Safari, changes something within the watcher, who becomes more aware of the place of humankind within the drama of the animal world.
You will then head straight to your accommodation, where you will have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Mbalageti Serengeti
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 5 Serengeti Central
This entire day is set aside for game drives upon the Western Serengeti. Later Afternoon drive to Central Serengeti, The Serengeti is habitat of an abundance of wildlife such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, is more well-known for its great migrating herds of zebra, antelope, and wildebeest. The animals’ trek is determined by the rainfall and varies from year to year. In November and December the animals move from the northern region, dominated by woodlands and hills, to the grassy plains of the south. During the longer rainy season from April to June they return to the north. Apart from the migrating herds, we may have the opportunity to see the resident predators, leopard, cheetah, and lion, fulfilling their role in the circle of life.
After an extensive game drive we head for your accommodation for a hearty dinner and another night by the fire of relaxation and conversation under the sweeping majesty of the star bright African night out upon the ‘Endless Plain’.
Accommodation
Luxury: Nyota Luxury Camp
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 6 Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, you will drive from Serengeti National Park to the Ngorongoro Crater.
When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps. The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago.
The drive down the into the Crater is an adventure in itself and when you reach the Crater floor, you quickly find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.
After a full afternoon inside the Crater, you will head to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay in Karatu.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Arusha Planet Lodge
Meals & Drinks: at own expense
Day 7 Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, we drive to our final destination on this epic safari – Lake Manyara National Park. This relatively small but diverse park, 120km west of Arusha, is so named for the shallow salt lake which covers a good seventy percent of the parks surface area. Flooding and drying with the seasons the soda lake is home to thousands of flamingo as well as over 500 other bird species. On our exploration of the park, we 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 another memorable game drive we, with our adventure at an end, return to Arusha in the late afternoon, replete with images of the African wilds to last a lifetime.
Included
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
- International flights(From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Optional Safari Activities:
- Balloon Safari (USD 599 per person)
- Maasai Village Visit (U$DD 50 per vehicle)
- Night Game Drive Tarangire or Lake Manyara (USD 120 per person)
- Ngorongoro Crater Rim Walk (U$D30 per person)
- Visit to the Olduvai Gorge and museum (U$D 40 per person)
