THE GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI - BIRTHING SEASON

February 2024

WILDLIFE EXPLORER, TANZANIA

With a maximum group size of 12, in our own exclusive luxury camps in Tarangire National park and in the Serengeti – this is a very special safari. Sean Lues will be accompanying this trip, passionate and with over twenty years of experience as a safari guide, he will help make this trip a journey to remember forever.

We spend three days in the baobab-strewn Tarangire National Park – a haven for wildlife, plus the opportunity for a night drive and a walk in the bush.

We will spend a full day in the incredible Ngorongoro crater, visit a Maasai boma and pass through the Oldupai Gorge and its museum, showcasing the findings of early mankind.

We finish up on a massive high in the Serengeti to witness the incredible phenomenon of the Great Migration, when the million plus wildebeest and zebra pause for a while on the short grass plains for the birthing period. During this period hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves and zebra foals join the herds over a three to four week time span. Olerai, Arusha. Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania and is where we spend our first night.

OSUNYAI WILDERNESS CAMP, TARANGIRE

Osunyai Wilderness Camp, our exclusive Camp set on the edge of the wilderness zone, is situated close to the Silale wetland – prime elephant & buffalo habitat and in the heart of big game country. The camp is set beneath mature acacia trees facing the rising sun.

The baobab-strewn Tarangire is a haven for wildlife and has an extremely rich game viewing potential: large herds of elephants can be seen, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Osunyai and nearby Silale are fantastic habitats to view predators and prey in an unsurpassed setting. Close liaison with our driver-guide will ensure the choice of daily activities match our mood and pace. A wide range of wildlife and nature activities are offered : in addition to the traditional Game drives, there are Game walks accompanied by our own armed walking guide. A night game drive will be arranged, as well as a Masai cultural experience ( ‘Olpul’ and medicine walk).

PLANTATION LODGE, NGORONGORO

A morning game drive out of the park to Plantation Lodge – set in a working farm and on a high bluff, the lodge is very comfortable, elegant and personable – one of the best addresses in Northern Tanzania.

This will be our base for two nights as we make a very early start for our full day trip into the Ngorongoro Crater. Abounding with lion, buffalo and many other species, including rhino and elephant, this is a day not to be forgotten.

Standing at 2236m above sea level, Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken caldera in the world and is surrounded by very steep walls rising 610m from the crater floor. Covering an area of 259 square kms, it is considered to be one of the Wonders of the Natural World and is a veritable haven for wildlife.

DULANA, SERENGETI

Depart for the Serengeti Plains – game drive and picnic lunch on the way. A stop at Olduvai can be arranged, one of the most important paleoanthropological localities in the world. Gaze over the stark Oldupai Gorge, from where Louis and Mary Leakey had their research centre and currently houses a fascinating museum. The days of heavy canvas hunting camps set for the likes of Roosevelt and Hemingway were almost over until photographic safaris gained popularity. The luxury mobile tented camps are tasteful, extremely comfortable, and above all mobile, allowing freedom to follow the movements of the great migratory herds. The tents, which have been custom designed, offer the very highest level of comfort and mobility.

Dulana sits on the edge of ‘Hidden Valley’ a little-known depression on the southern plains of the Serengeti, on the edge of the off-road driving area, allowing immediate access onto the short grass plains, where Cheetah are abundant and Lion prides establish territory close to camp and the surrounding woodland. The camp takes advantage of the uninterrupted views across the shallow valley, where different species of game can be spotted from the comfort of the accommodation tents.

Our Final Day Together

Spend two nights in Arusha prior to the safari and a night in Arusha on the way back. This allows time for some local exploration and shopping – anything from exquisite Tanzanite jewellery to local materials.

Africa is very much worth a longer stay! So why not extend your journey with an endless array of options to suit you. Off the coast of Tanzania are the Spice Islands of Zanzibar; gorillas and chimpanzees abound in neighbouring countries and relatively close by are must-see destinations like Victoria Falls & Cape Town. Contact us for the detailed itinerary and to book your spot on this very limited space safari!”