The migration is one of Africa’s outstanding natural phenomena. During the summer months you can follow in the tracks of millions of wildebeests, zebras and antelope’s while they do their yearly journey north through Serengeti, passing the Mara river in to Masai Mara in Kenya and then turning back south. It is a majestic spectacle! This 8 nights-safari takes you on an adventure of a lifetime.
Day 1 Karibu!
Tanzania welcomes you with open arms and tropical heat.
After clearing immigration and picking up your luggage, you will be warmly greeted by your Cross Road Safari driver-guide at arrivals.
Your adventure starts immediately as you set off on an approximately three-hour drive on tarmac road to get to the gate of Tarangire National Park, where your first safari will take place. During the drive you have time to get to know your safari guide and go through your expectations, what wildlife to meet in coming days and if you have any special interests. You will also have time to sit back and fully enjoy the incredible and magnificent landscape, as well as the colourful Tanzanian everyday-life passing by outside your car window.
Upon arrival it’s time to enjoy your dinner and a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Tarangire, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meal plan: Half board
Day 2 Full day safari in beautiful Tarangire National Park
The whole day is devoted to Tarangire NP, the sixth’s largest of Tanzania’s total 22 national parks. Early mornings are precious on a safari, as it is the time wildlife are the most active, so early you set off on your first animal viewing of this trip.
Tarangire National Park is a favourite among many driver-guides thanks to its beautiful and everchanging landscapes. Here you can find acacia woodlands, savanna, the river that has named the park but above all, hundreds of the “trees of life” – the Baobab tree.
Except for the Baobabs this park is mainly known for the large herds of elephants that’s roams here part of the year. Tarangire is also home to vast variety of species like the lesser-known fringe-eared oryx & gerenuk and the more common ones like zebras, wildebeests and giraffes. And yes, of course you can find the majestic big cats here.
Tarangire is also quite special since it is possible to make night & walking safaris here. Please let us know if this is something you are interested in, and we will be happy to organize it for you.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch in the park surrounded by the beautiful landscape – maybe even in the shadow of a baobab tree.
After an eventful day you will leave the park and make your way to Karatu
Accommodation: Tarangire, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3 We continue to Central Serengeti
After breakfast the time has come to experience some true African massage as you set out on bumpy roads on your way to Serengeti. You will enter the Serengeti through Nabi Hill Gate and Serengeti welcomes you with its vastness. A grassland landscape as far as your eye can take you, just dotted with some occasional kopjes breaking the horizon, the so-called Simba kopjes. These kopjes are a great vantage point, and the lions – (simba in Swahili) loves to lure here.
Accommodation: Central Serengeti, Tanzania Bush Camps
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4 A full day Serengeti safari in the trail of the Great Migration
Whether you are on the lookout for the Big Five, are a big cat lover or in search for elephants or birds, Serengeti has it all. You never know what you encounter in this vast and magical landscape but the thrill of the hunt for new acquaintances is the goal of today while making our way north.
We are following in the steps of the Great Migration, where a vast number of wildebeests, zebras and antelopes are moving seeking fresh grazing. The timing and pattern of the migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall.
Serengeti is Tanzania’s second largest, but probably the most famous, national park and it is also considered to be one of the planets oldest ecosystems. Very little has changed here the last million years.
In Serengeti and the adjacent Masai Mara you can witness one of Africa’s 7 natural wonders- the great migration. During July-October every year millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and Thomson gazelles roams over the savanna from Tanzania to Kenya and back again. This is often named one of the world’s most powerful nature phenomena.
Serengeti has been a national park since 1951 and a World Heritage even longer than that. This truly wonderful park is home to approximately 70 different spices of large mammals and over 500 different spices of birds. We can never guarantee what species of animals you will encounter on the savanna, but we do promise that you will meet many of them in Serengeti’s utterly amazing nature.
Accommodation: North Serengeti (Kogatende region), Tanzania Bush Camps
Meal plan: Full board
Day 5 & 6 Safari around the Mara River
To maximise our chances to experience the outstanding Mara River crossing we will concentrate our next two safari days around the Mara river. But please note that finding a crossing is very challenging, this is after all the wilderness. But fingers crossed, we have some luck.
The area around the Mara river is a stunning region with kopjes, woodland, riverine vegetation and open plains, quite similar to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. And animals living in this area among others are Crocodile, Wildebeest, Zebra, Hippo, Elephant, Eland, Vulture, Rhino, Lion and Leopard.
You have the choice to have a once in a lifetime happening. To an additional cost you can choose to book a hot-air balloon tour. Experience the majestic beauty of Serengeti from the sky – an unforgettable moment!
Accommodation: North Serengeti (Kogatende region), Tanzania Bush Camps
Meal plan: Full board
Dag 7 More game viewing, Masai culture and human history
After breakfast the time has come to leave Serengeti behind. So “pole pole” (slowly), you are making your way back south. While still in Serengeti you will continue your game viewing along the way.
When you’re entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area again, you can choose between some different intriguing activities. If you have an interest in history, we recommend a stop at Olduvai Gorge. The Olduvai Gorge is an interesting paleoanthropological site. It’s believed to be the place of found remains of the first human beings to walk on Earth.
If you are more into culture a visit to a Masai village might appeal more to you.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Meal plan: Full board
Day 8 Ngorongoro – paradise on earth?
Today something of extreme beauty awaits you – The Ngorongoro crater. To make the very most of this extraordinary experience we recommend you have a very early start. Reason being the crater has fewer visitors the earlier you go. But most importantly, the wildlife is entering the peak active hours as the sun rises over the rim.
Through beautiful winding roads climbing upwards, you will make your way to the viewpoint at the crater rim – and wow what a view! At your feet you have the caldera and due to its size, it’s hard to capture that the crater floor is 600 meters below you. This is the largest volcanic caldera in the world. All over the crater floor, as small, small dots, you can see the wildlife grazing in the landscape.
The Ngorongoro crater is home to no less than 25 000 animals and has one of the greatest densities of predators in the world. For example, in this “small” area alone, 60-70 lions are living. This is also one of the places where you, if lucky, could meet the mighty Big Five of Africa.
Accommodation: Karatu, Hhando Coffee Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 9 Last day and today is for you to choose
Are you up for more safari adventures or is it time for some culture? This is the day for you to decide what you would like to do.
Do you want to go on a safari in Lake Manyara National Park to try to catch up with the tree climbing lions? Or maybe meet the Hadzabe tribe and learn more about their way of life? The Hadzabe bushmen are one of few tribes left in the world living as nomadic gatherers.
Another alternative that might tickle your curiosity is having a cooking class, starting with shopping in the local market? There are many wonderful & interesting activities to choose from in order to engage and experience the local Tanzanian culture. Not only to observe, but to dive in and fully be a part of the daily life.
After the lunch it’s time to head back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport. You will back full of new precious memories and wonderful experiences after your days with us.
Meal plan: Half board
This safari is excellent to combine with gorgeous and relaxing days in Zanzibar. If this is something you dream about, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will make your dream come true.
