On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration

TRAVELER FAVORITE

9 DAYS FROM $9,695

• Meet Louise Leakey or Dr. Fidelis Masao for a tour of the fossil-rich Olduvai Gorge. • Travel alongside a wildlife biologist, who will interpret the flora and fauna we encounter. • Learn firsthand about Maasai culture during a private village visit.

Signature Land Light

DAY 1 I ARUSHA, TANZANIA Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to our hotel. Rivertrees Country Inn

DAY 2 I LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its elephants, hippos, giraffes, flamingos, and tree-climbing lions. Set out on our first safari to discover East Africa’s legendary wildlife. Plantation Lodge | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D DAY 3 I LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK On a morning game drive, observe the wildlife that congregates on the shores of Lake Manyara. Later, hike to an area coffee plantation. Plantation Lodge | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 4 I NGORONGORO CRATER Travel to the Ngorongoro Highlands to meet with Maasai community members. Far from the tourist circuit, enjoy a rare opportunity to view traditional singing and dancing, witness an initiation ritual, and learn about this fascinating culture from the village chief and his wives. Descend 2,000 feet to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, where volcanic slopes shelter more than 25,000 animals. Observe the interactions between predator and prey; spot colorful birdlife; and track elephants, rare black rhinos, cheetahs, and more. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 5 I NGORONGORO CRATER Return to the crater floor for breakfast and a morning safari, followed by an afternoon to relax. Tonight, National Geographic Explorer at Large Louise Leakey or Dr. Fidelis Masao, co-director of the Olduvai Landscape Paleoarchaeology Project, joins us for dinner and a discussion about the groundbreaking paleontological finds in the region. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 6 I OLDUVAI GORGE/SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Drive to the Olduvai Gorge, where, on a National Geographic–sponsored expedition in 1960, Louis and Mary Leakey discovered Homo habilis—one of the earliest members of the human genus. This morning, Louise (the Leakeys’ granddaughter) or Dr. Masao will discuss the family’s legacy and ongoing work at Olduvai Gorge. Then take a private tour of the site, or accompany Dr. Masao on a walk through the area where much of his life’s research has been conducted. Later, look for wildlife while driving to our lodge in the southern Serengeti. Lake Masek Tented Camp | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAYS 7–8 I SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Embark on an off-track safari in the Ndutu area in search of lion prides, giraffes, and bountiful herds of wildebeests, elephants, and zebras. On morning and afternoon game drives, witness magnificent birds, hippos, packs of hyenas, and pairs of jackals lurking around the surrounding marshlands and lakes. You may also choose to take an optional hot-air balloon ride to view the plains from above. Later, meet

with a conservationist from KopeLion to learn about their National Geographic–funded work to prevent human-lion conflict in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On our last evening, gather for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Lake Masek Tented Camp | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAY 9 I SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK/ ARUSHA After a final early-morning safari, fly back to Arusha. Relax at our hotel before connecting with your flight home. Rivertrees Country Inn | Meals: 1B, 1L

Young Maasai engage in a traditional jumping contest in the savannas of Tanzania. MIGRATION SEASONS IN THE SERENGETI

In order to provide travelers with the best opportunity to witness the wildebeest migration, the Serengeti portion of the itinerary differs by season. The itinerary shown describes the December through March departures, on which we will travel to the southern Serengeti, where the wildebeests migrate to calve.

On the July through October departures, we’ll travel on Day 6 to the central Serengeti for one night before flying on Day 7 to the luxury tented Sayari Camp, located in the northern Serengeti. During our two-night stay here, we hope to witness the dramatic river crossing of the wildebeest migration. A National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides will join us along the way.

Laly Lichtenfeld Conservationist

Tanzania-based National Geographic Explorer Laly Lichtenfeld began her work in East Africa as a Fulbright Scholar researching community-based conservation. She went on to co-found the organization African People & Wildlife, and establish the Noloholo Environmental Center. National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative has supported Laly’s inspirational work to protect lions, leopards, and cheetahs in partnership with rural people.

INFORMATION

Dates: This expedition is offered from December through February and from July through October. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional $500–$800 per person. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.