Migration Safari - October to Mid-July // Born Free Safaris

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Migration Safari - October to Mid-July

At a glance

East Africa

Tanzania

11 Days/10 Nights

October - Early July

Overview
Itinerary
Accommodation

Migration Safari - October to Mid-July

Following the Migration

11 Days/10 Nights

EMPHASIS - SERENGETI, TANZANIA

The Great Migration is an annual journey of over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystems in search of water and grasses. With them follow migratory predators. Not as well known is that the migratory herds from the Serengeti split, going north into the Mara in Kenya and to Tarangire National Park in Tanzania.

The migration is a dynamic ecosystem, a rigid itinerary can result in completely missing the migrating herds or extremely long drives. The Serengeti and Maasai Mara cover 15,000 square miles. The herds follow an ancient circuit that covers over 1,800 miles from Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the southern Serengeti and back again.

With flexible planning according to the herds past movements we can significantly improve viewing opportunities with rotating bases for safaris. No one, no company can guarantee that you will see the river crossing. Exact tracking in unpredictable. This safari spends extended time in the Serengeti and or Mara increasing the chances of encountering the large herds of wildebeest and with them follow the predators.

The migration broadly follows the timeline below depending on the rains.

Jan.– Mar: Herds congregate in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) and the adjoining Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving season.

April – May: Heaviest rainfalls. Travel not recommended until late May at the earliest.

June: Herds move northwest through the Western Corridor and Grumeti region.

July: Herds split and start to cross into Kenya's Mara and to Tarangire in Tanzania.

Aug.-Sept: The migratory herds settle and have relocated to feed and drink.

Oct: Triggered by rain, the herds head south again from the Mara into Tanzania.

Nov: Herds are scattered but base herd should be around the central Serengeti.

Dec: Herds and predators continue their movement to the south.

MISCONCEPTION - if you miss the migration, you have missed your safari! This is incorrect. Elephants, giraffes, many zebra, resident cats including lions and cheetah remain year round in the Serengeti.

Safari drive times: All times are shown as approximate transit times. Does not include game drives.

Overview of Inclusions:

Flights: Serengeti to Arusha

All transfers from airports to/from hotels.

Professional Guides, Deluxe Safari Vehicles

All game drives and activities as shown in the itinerary.

Refreshments carried in all Born Free vehicles

Park and concession fees

Gratuities to all hotel and restaurant staff while on safari

Born Free Concierge Service - 24/7 Emergency US & Africa Contacts

East Africa Medical Evacuation Limited Membership

Pre-Journey Booklet, Backpack, Luggage tags, Personalized Bound Final Itinerary.

Born Free Exclusive Option: All Safari Guide gratuities can be included.

Full list of inclusions and tariff details will be sent upon inquiry.

Call for current rates.

Rates are in US dollars and include current taxes & park fees - subject to change.

Rates include safari bush flights in East Africa as shown on the itineraries.

Rates do not include international or intercontinental airfares.

Request a single use exclusive use room rate.

Is this your dream trip?

For the wildlife enthusiast, the Migration Safari will be your ideal trip. It is a seasonal safari, meaning that the locations will change from month to month in order to enhance your wildlife experience. The itinerary varies in scenery and experiences. The emphasis is on varied places in the Serengeti - base changing with seasonal movement of the wildlife.

TAILOR MADE - The Migration Safari can be tailored to suit your vision and specifications. Travel in the style that meets your comfort level, to the places that interest you the most, at a pace that you'll enjoy. Your research has led you to Born Free. Now let our Specialists tailor-make your journey the way you want to experience it.

Highlights

Choice of Accommodations
Seasonally dynamic safaris to maximize game viewing
Deluxe safari vehicle with large windows and photo hatch
Vehicles carry cool box with refreshments and binoculars
Maximized Unlimited Game Drives
Internal Safari Flights included
In-Depth Serengeti Safari (Visits Two Distinctive Regions)
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
Ngorongoro Crater
Visit working coffee plantation
Maasai Cultural Interactions
Ancient Man Site at Olduvai Gorge & Museum

Day-by-day itinerary

Day
01

Arusha

Touch down in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro airport. Once through customs and immigration you will be greeted by a Born Free Safaris Tanzania VIP host and escorted to your lodge. Get a good night’s sleep- your adventure will begin in the morning!

Dinner
Day
02

Tarangire National Park

On Safari
Meet your Born Free Professional Guide and board our specially designed deluxe safari cruiser with photographic hatch. Your guide will be with you for the duration of your safari in Tanzania. He will be in constant touch with other safari guides to check in advance where the game had been the previous day and which direction they are heading.

Your first destination is Tarangire National Park- a wonderful contrast to other safari areas that you will visit. It is uniquely beautiful with prehistoric looking baobab and sausage trees.

Part of the migrating herds split from the Serengeti and travel to the Tarangire River, which bisects the length of the park providing fresh water for wildlife in the dry months. Herds of elephant and buffalo numbering 300 to 400 at times are seen heading towards the river to quench their thirst.

Drive time to park: 1.5 hours
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
03

Tarangire National Park

Wake up invigorated and anxious to explore the African bush. Your guide will take you to the heart of the park to find the best wildlife. Large parades of elephant, buffalo, zebra and antelopes can be found.

Lying in wait are the predators: lion, cheetah, hyena, and there is always the possibility of seeing the rare and magnificent leopard.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
04

Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Crater

Manyara Treetop Walkway
Continue your safari to Lake Manyara National Park. This small but impressive park is home to five different vegetation zones. The compact game-viewing circuit through Manyara offers a virtual microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience.

Inland, a narrow belt of acacia woodland is the favored haunt of Manyara’s legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. The park has recorded more than 400 species of bird, but of course the highlight is the chance to see the multitude of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration.

A new special feature is the Manyara Treetop Walkway which will take you tree top level through the lush forested area of the park. From this unique perspective, see the life at the top among butterflies, monkeys and birds.

Drive time to Lake Manyara - 1.5 hours Drive time to Ngorongoro - 1.5 hours
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
05

Ngorongoro Crater

Set off early this morning to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater on a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The collapsed volcanic caldera is 2,000 feet deep and encompasses 150 square miles of a very delicate ecosystem.

Its magical setting and abundant wildlife never fail to enthrall visitors. The crater contains an impressive variety of wildlife, including black maned lions, the endangered black rhino, herds of elephants, hippo, and hyena. The birdlife is also prolific, with flocks of flamingos.

Ngorongoro Crater is scenically stunning but crowded with vehicles. To protect Ngorongoro and its vital feeding grounds, strict conservation regulations require all travelers to depart out of the crater by 3:30. These measures are essential for the long-term protection of the animals and their habitat. This early departure ensures the wildlife and their habitat of long-term protection.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Days
06-07

Serengeti National Park - Base #1

Following the Migration
Head out this morning across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at the new Olduvai Museum, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. The British/Kenyan archeologist team Mary and Louis Leakey established research programs at Olduvai. Homo habilis, probably the first early human species, occupied the area approximately 1.9 million years ago.

The Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa. Every year, it hosts what is now recognized as “the greatest show on earth,” the Great Migration. More than a million wildebeest and two hundred thousand zebras pass through the reserve on their endless journey, following the rains in search of greener grasses. Behind them follow the predators.

Created around the projected migration movement - this flexible itinerary will change base for game drives to follow the migrating herds projected patterns.

The strategy is to spend five days in the Serengeti, split between two different areas changing the combinations as the season warrants.

Oct-March - Southern & Central Serengeti
June-Early July - Western & Northern Serengeti

Drive time - will depend on time of year, most of drives are through the park
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Days
08-10

Serengeti National Park - Base #2

Rise to the sounds of the Serengeti and prepare for some especially dramatic game viewing.

The Serengeti is a surreal experience of what’s often called the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. Head into the vast plains to feast your eyes upon great herds of elephants, giraffes, families of lions and the majestic cheetah. Your guide will search out your favorite species.

The Serengeti never ceases to amaze. Each day will be a surprise as the daily wildlife routine unfolds. However, there will be nothing routine as far as what you see.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Special Activity:
Hot Air Balloon Safari
We highly suggest the balloon safari at dawn over the Serengeti with a champagne bush breakfast, from $550 per person.
Day
11

Onward Journey

Flight to Arusha
Embark on a final early morning game drive or sit around camp soaking in the great Africa bush and your safari of a lifetime. Then board your 40-minute flight back to Arusha. Here a guide awaits to take you out for last minute shopping and lunch before your onward flight.

"Kwaheri" (Goodbye)

Breakfast / Lunch

Wishlist

Migration Safari - October to Mid-July

At a glance

Migration Safari - October to Mid-July

Following the Migration

Is this your dream trip?

Highlights

Day-by-day itinerary

Available accommodation levels

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Associations

Insurance