East African Migration Discoverer ex Arusha
Join our East Africa Migration Discoverer lodge safari and follow the famous wildebeest migration! Travel through Tanzania and Kenya and discover all the secret highlights that East Africa holds.
This East Africa accommodated safari is a small group safari where you will spend all of your nights in lodges / chalets or permanent tented camps. This safari starts and ends in Arusha and includes all of the major highlights in Tanzania and Kenya.
QUICK FACTS
| Tour type:
Duration:
Start & End:
Countries visited: |
Small group lodge safari
15 days
Arusha, Tanzania
Tanzania, Kenya |
Meals:
Vehicle:
Group Size: |
14 x Breakfast
13 x Lunch 14 x Dinner
4×4 safari vehicle 2×4 vehicle for transfers
Min. 4* / Max. 12 *Guaranteed departures with no minimum pax available
|
2023 Cost:
$5250 per person sharing a room
Single supplement: $1180 per person
Park fees and activities: $1075 pp
DEPARTURE DATES 2023
| MONTH | TOUR START | TOUR END | TYPE | MONTH | TOUR START | TOUR END | TYPE |
| January | 19/01/2023 | 02/02/2023 | August | 01/08/2023 | 15/08/2023 | F | |
| February | 15/02/2023 | 29/02/2023 | 15/08/2023 | 29/08/2023 | GD | ||
| March | 28/03/2023 | 11/04/2023 | September | 05/09/2023 | 19/09/2023 | GD | |
| April | 12/04/2023 | 26/04/2023 | 19/09/2023 | 03/10/2023 | GD | ||
| May | 16/05/2023 | 30/05/2023 | F | October | 03/10/2023 | 17/10/2023 | GD |
| June | 08/06/2023 | 22/06/2023 | GD | 17/10/2023 | 31/10/2023 | ||
| 30/06/2023 | 14/07/2023 | D | November | 18/11/2023 | 02/12/2023 | ||
| July | 14/07/2023 | 28/07/2023 | GD | December | 14/12/2023 | 28/12/2023 |
D – German guided departures / GD – Guaranteed departures /
F – French guided departures
THE MIGRATION
Seeing the wildebeest (gnu) migration in East Africa is one of the most spectacular wildlife sightings in the world. Almost 2 million animals roam the plains of East Africa, but it can be surprisingly hard to find them in the vast area that they cover, as their movements are governed by the rains and predicting their location can be a gamble. We designed this itinerary to include all the areas frequented by the migration on their annual route – this virtually guarantees that you will see them!
A brief outline of the migration movements –
- From December to April the migration spreads out over the Southern Plains of the Serengeti. Depending on the rains they move from the Gol Kopjes in the East to the Moru Kopjes in the west. This area is easily accessible from the centrally located Seronera. (We stay in the Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp)
- Between May and August the migration slowly moves through the western corridor and into the Ikoma and Grumeti Wildlife Management Areas. These areas are outside of the Serengeti, but as there are no fences the wildlife can, and do, move around freely.
- From September to end of November, during the short rains, the migration crosses into the Masai Mara in Kenya. This is a relatively small park compared to the vast Serengeti and the wildlife tends to be very concentrated. (We stay at the Mara Eden Safari Camp to take advantage of its proximity to the migration and not to mention its own private entrance gate to the park.)
ITINERARY
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
DAY 1: ARUSHA D
Upon your arrival, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your lodge in the lush forests surrounding the town of Arusha. If you arrive early enough, you will have an opportunity to explore the lodge grounds, take a dip in the swimming pool or partake in any of the offered additional activities available.
Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge or similar
Dinner: At Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge
Approx. distance: 50 km
Approx. driving time: 1 hour
DAY 2: ARUSHA – MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – LAKE MANYARA BLD
Your safari begins after breakfast this morning. Our first stop is Arusha town, for any last minute purchases before we head off on an exciting safari experience! We set off towards Lake Manyara National Park, with the drive being in the region of about 2 hours. The spectacular reserve is located at the north-western corner of Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. We enjoy a scenic drive in the park known not only for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions.
Accommodation: Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar
Breakfast: At Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge
Dinner: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Approx. distance: 200 km
Approx. driving time: 4-5 hours (including game drive speeds)
DAY 3: CULTURE TOUR – LAKE MANYARA BLD
After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga family producing banana beer and passing by many different farms. On the way, your guide will introduce you to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mama’s home, we embark on a walking tour to Lake Papyrus. Here clients can view this magnificent lake filled with abundant birdlife and hippos. If time allows we can do some light trekking up to the waterfall. From here you will view the lake on top of the Rift valley wall; then onto the banana plantation and rice field, ending off the tour with a local village visit. Late afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Maasai Boma for the cultural encounter of a life time. The Maasai people are semi-nomadic herders, who choose to live a traditional lifestyle and are known for their distinctive traditional attire. On completion we return to the lodge for dinner & overnight.
Accommodation: Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar
Breakfast: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Lunch: At a local Mama’s house
Dinner: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
DAY 4: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK BLD
Today we set out to Tarangire National Park for a full day’s game drives. The breath-taking views of the Maasai Steppe, and the mountains to the south, make a stop at Tarangire a truly memorable experience. Tarangire is as well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra.
Accommodation: Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar
Breakfast: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Dinner: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Approx. distance: 130 km
Approx. driving time: 2-3 hours
DAY 5: MANYARA – NGORONGORO – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK BLD
This morning we have an early departure for a game drive in the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many, this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of their safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch, we head towards the Serengeti through the stunning Southern Plains. This is the area that the Serengeti is best known for – the endless, undulating grass savannah with rocky outcrops that serve as isolated wildlife refuges.
Accommodation: Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Rift Valley Photographic Lodge
Dinner: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Approx. distance: 400 km (including the Crater)
Approx. driving time: 6-7 hours (mostly at game drive speeds)
DAY 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA) BLD
Today you will be spending a full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: Seronera is the most central and accessible region and this is where the Park HQ is based, as well as most of the larger lodges and communal campsites. This part of the Serengeti is characterised by open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard.
Accommodation: Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Dinner: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
DAY 7: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA) BLD
We have another exciting day of exploring the Serengeti National Park ahead of us. With lunch boxes provided we continue with game drives throughout the afternoon, scanning the endless plains, spotting many animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so famous. In the late afternoon we drive back to the lodge for overnight.
Accommodation: Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Dinner: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
DAY 8: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – LAKE VICTORIA BLD
After breakfast we make our way to Lake Victoria. We pass through the villages of the Sukuma tribe, who grow ground nuts, sorghum and cassava as well as keeping livestock. Life carries on here simply as it has done for ages, but with a few poignant reminders of the 20th century. Some leisure time in the afternoon, or to possibly take a bird walk along the lake shore.
Accommodation: Speke Bay Lodge or similar
Breakfast: At Kisura Kenzan Tented Camps or similar
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp
Dinner: At Speke Bay Lodge
Approx. distance: 250 km
Approx. driving time: 4-5 hours (including game drive speeds)
DAY 9: LAKE VICTORIA – MASAI MARA BLD
This morning you have the opportunity to take part in a boat excursion to one of the local fishing villages, before we bid Lake Victoria farewell and continue our journey northwards across the border into Kenya. Here we head to the Masai Mara, the traditional land of the Maasai people, who are permitted to graze their cattle in this area. The Masai Mara covers an area that includes the riverine forests along the banks of the Mara and Talek Rivers, acacia forests and the open plains of the savannah.
Accommodation: Mara Eden Safari Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Speke Bay Lodge
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Speke Bay Lodge
Dinner: At Mara Eden Safari Camp
Approx. distance: 270 km
Approx. driving time: 6-8 hours (border crossing dependent)
DAY 10: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE BLD
Today we spend the whole day game viewing in the world famous Masai Mara National Park. Here the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is very abundant.
Accommodation: Mara Eden Safari Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Mara Eden Safari Camp
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Mara Eden Safari Camp
Dinner: At Mara Eden Safari Camp
DAY 11: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI BLD
After breakfast we head off towards Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. We have the afternoon at leisure or to explore the city. Time allowing, we visit the Kazuri Beads Centre and workshop for those interested in shopping. Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili and it describes each striking ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women employed at the Kazuri workshop. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan, lively and interesting city. Its central business district is nicely compact and it is therefore a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Later in the afternoon, we head to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Eka Hotel or similar
Breakfast: At Mara Eden Safari Camp
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Mara Eden Safari Camp
Dinner: At Eka Hotel
Approx. distance: 280 km
Approx. driving time: 5-6 hours
DAY 12: NAIROBI – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK BLD
After breakfast, we further explore Nairobi with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is the beautiful and historic farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, lived between 1917 and 1931 until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies. Thereafter, we head to the Giraffe Centre and the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage for a visit. The institution is named after the wife of the late famous Naturalist, David William Sheldrick who was the founder warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya from its inception in 1948 to 1976. At 11:00, the baby animals are brought from the national park for a mud-bath at the orphanage, where for an hour you can get close to them and sometimes touch them. Lunch will follow before driving down to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp similar
Breakfast: At Eka Hotel
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Eka Hotel
Dinner: At Kibo Safari Camp
Approx. distance: 240 km
Approx. driving time: 4-5 hours
DAY 13: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK BLD
Today we will head into the Amboseli National Park for a full day of game viewing in one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks, which make for the ultimate safari picture with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp or similar
Breakfast: At Kibo Safari Camp
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Kibo Safari Camp
Dinner: At Kibo Safari
DAY 14: AMBOSELI – ARUSHA BLD
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the border and then onwards to Kilimanjaro Airport. En route, we pass the Marangu waterfalls – which is a moderately strenuous walk (we do recommend sturdy shoes and a degree of walking fitness). We continue to KIA via Moshi town – the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park. Your lodge is situated close to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for an easy connection with your outbound flight tomorrow.
Accommodation: Moivaro KIA Lodge or similar
Breakfast: At Kibo Safari Camp Lodge
Lunch: Picnic lunch from Kibo Safari Camp
Dinner: At Moivaro KIA Lodge
Approx. distance: 170 km
Approx. driving time: 4-5 hours (border crossing dependent)
DAY 15: ARUSHA B
The tour ends after breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.
Breakfast: At Moivaro KIA Lodge
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PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
DEPARTURE:
The Migration Discoverer Safari departs from the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge in Arusha. When arriving in Arusha on day one, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your lodge. Should you arrive prior to day one, pre-tour accommodation can be arranged and you will be picked up from your hotel on the morning of day.
After breakfast on day 2, there will be a pre-departure meeting presented by your guide at your accommodation. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information.
Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.
TRANSPORT:
We use fully equipped, customized, 4×4 safari vehicles, Toyota Land Cruisers, or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, all window seats for game viewing and a music system. These non-air-conditioned vehicles are equipped with pop-up roofs to facilitate the best game viewing. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle roof rack or trailer to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle.
TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:
All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.
ACCOMMODATION:
For this fully accommodated lodge safari, we make use of typical, mid-range African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps, all with en-suite facilities. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
MEALS:
Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by the lodge where you are staying. They will also prepare lunch or a lunch pack depending on the itinerary for the day. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.
TIPPING GUIDELINES
It is recommended that you tip between $5 – $10 per person per day.
VISAS:
The onus is on the client to organize all visas required for a visit to Tanzania and Kenya prior to departure. A Yellow fever certificate is also required.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.
Call or text (818) 353-9500