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FI 04 FI 04 Make a Reservation

FI 04 – Tanzania, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

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Introduction

At the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem lies an ancient phenomenon that is the largest movement of wildlife on earth. In pursuit of food and water, over a million wildebeest and half a million zebra and antelope migrate north from the Serengeti to the adjoining Masai Mara reserve in Kenya every year.

The animal is superbly fit for its migratory lifestyle, even so the wildebeest looks a bit like a clown and, according to an African legend, has been put together by God using left over spare parts.

December – March

Vast herds of wildebeest spend the rainy season in the volcanic open plains below the Ngorongoro Crater and in the Southern Serengeti where the grass growth is most productive with high nutrient contents.

This area is the starting point for one of the great wonders of the world: the Serengeti annual migration.

As the sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings, wildebeest have evolved synchronized birthing: about 90% of calves are born within a three-week period. Predators cannot make a dent in the newborn with such a sudden surge of food. Wildebeest young can run minutes after they are born. Within three days, calves are strong enough to keep up with the herd.

April – May

As the grass is depleted in the Southern Serengeti the herds move to the plains and woodland of the Serengeti's Western Corridor.

For the migrants there is a high mortality rate due to injury and perhaps fatigue, so large numbers of griffon vultures follow the herds on their journey. Northwest from the short grass plains is the Grumeti River. This watercourse is their first real obstacle and gigantic Nile crocodiles (growing up to 6 meters in length and with unusually thickset jaws) are waiting for the hesitant wildebeest to stumble at the crossing.

Their lives are inextricably linked with the great migration. Moving with surprising stealth and speed, they prey upon the thirsty herds as they drink from the river.

June

Following the rainfalls the migration moves north before crossing the Kenyan border into the Masai Mara, little stops the stampeding hundreds. Here again, they must cross a river, this time the Mara with its flotillas of hungry crocodiles.

All is far from peaceful, for it is the rutting season and each male tries to establish a stamping ground. After moving westwards, the migration divides by some uncanny instinct, one group turning northeast and the other due north.

July – August and September – October

The mass of grunting wildebeests (gnus) remain on the productive Mara grasslands until October or November at a time when the rest of the ecosystem is simply too dry to support them. And then, as the storm clouds gather in the south, the vast herds return to their breeding grounds, which, by the time they arrive, are once again green and lush.

November

In November, the army of animals returns southward to the replenished grasslands of the southern Serengeti, thereby completing the migratory cycle.

The migration is rarely ever the same in terms of precise timing and direction, as local conditions influence grass growth. So it is, that the wildebeest may move off the open plains earlier in some years, and remain in the northern woodlands for longer, in others.

Safari Venues

• Karama Lodge in Arusha

• Lake Manyara

• Ngorongoro Crater

• Serengeti

Time of Year

• Throughout the year.

Itinerary

Costs

Affordable packages (ground arrangements only) start from only:

Traveling during April & May

Traveling during June

Traveling during July / August & October

Traveling during September / November & December

• Price quoted are based on per person sharing

• There is a Christmas Supplement of $40 per person per night applicable on the nights of 23rd Dec 2007 to 3rd Jan 2008.

The quote is subject to exchange rate changes and availability.

Included

• Meet and greet at the airport
• Return transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to the Arusha
• 1 Night accommodation at Arusha (on arrival)
• Karama Lodge
• Including: Breakfast & Dinner
• 6 Days / 5 Night safari to the Northern Circuit of Tanzania
• Game parks to be visit:
• Lake Manyara
• Ngorongoro Crater
• Serengeti
• Accommodation on Safari
• 1 Night Lake Manyara – Lake Manyara Hotel (Including Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
• 3 Nights Serengeti – Serengeti Seronera Lodge (Including Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
• 1 Night Ngorongoro – Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (Including Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
• Game drives
• Lake Manyara
• x1 Afternoon game drive
• x1 Morning game drive
• Serengeti
• x2 Full day game drive
• x1 Morning game drive
• Visit to Olduvai Gorge en-route from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
• Ngorongoro Crater
• x1 Half day game drive at the Crater
• Park entry fees
• 4x4 Vehicle with guide
• 1 Night accommodation at Arusha (before departure)
• Karama Lodge (Including: Lunch & Dinner)
• Government taxes on accommodation
• Travel information pack

Excluded

• Entry visa to Tanzania
• Yellow fever inoculation
• Travel Insurance

• Meals & drinks not specified

• International Flights

Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is required in order to confirm a booking. The balance is due a minimum of 14 days prior to departure.

Flights

Although international airfares are excluded, Explore Africa Adventures can arrange any connecting flight to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha.

Enquiries & Bookings