Northern Circuit Wildlife Migration Safari (December - March)

This private safari gives you an in-depth view of the natural history of Tanzania, with a special emphasis on both wildlife and migration exploration. The routing was designed to allow the best possible opportunities for game viewing during the months of December to March. Featuring Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu as well as the Central and Northern regions of the Serengeti.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha Arrival

Arusha Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn
  • Meals: D

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at the JRO Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will proceed through Customs and Immigration. Please obtain your visa if you haven't already done so (E-Visa is recommended). In the arrivals hall, you will be greeted by a local representative, who will transfer you directly to your hotel in Arusha. This drive will take around one hour, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a comfortable start to your adventure in Africa!

Later this evening, you will be met by your expert guide for an exciting pre-safari briefing. They will be able to answer any of your questions, clarify the details of your itinerary and give you an idea of what to expect on this incredible journey ahead! (This service is on a private basis.)

Arusha

Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania's northern circuit, serving as a base for Kilimanjaro treks and wildlife safaris into Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. Transport hub aside, Arusha even offers its own opportunities for exploration, including day trips to Arusha National Park, canoeing tours on Momella Lake and Meru coffee plantation visits. For those looking to just rest and recover from jet lag, Arusha also features the perfect stop to relax and recharge, before continuing your African adventure!

Day 2: Arusha - Lake Manyara

Arusha - Lake Manyara
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

This morning, you will be met at your hotel to begin your epic safari adventure! From Arusha, you will leave with your English-speaking professionally-trained guide/driver, in your 4WD Land Cruiser (or similar) with a pop-up roof for game viewing.

Start the day off, with driving to Lake Manyara in the great Rift Valley. Entering this region, you will take a game drive around Lake Manyara National Park. Famed for its unusual tree-climbing lions, it also has a large elephant population, rich bird life in the forests and thousands of flamingos on the soda lake.

Day 3: Lake Manyara - Crater Highlands

Lake Manyara - Crater Highlands
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Esilalei Maasai Village
  • Accommodation: Plantation Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Esilalei Maasai Village

This morning, you will take a break from your wildlife tracking and safari tours, in order to enjoy a special cultural experience. There is so much more to Tanzania than just the wildlife, and a journey deep into the Maasai Heartlands invites you to experience the lesser-known wonders.

Your guide will take you to a local village here, called Esilalei. This rural village is scenically located in the wildlife corridor between Tarangire and Lake Manyara. As you enter their community, you will be greeted by the village elders, children and Morani Warriors. They will show you around their village and offer a glimpse into their very rural world. At the end of your tour, you will say goodbye to your new friends and continue towards the Crater Highlands, where your next lodge awaits.

Day 4: Crater Highlands - Ngorongoro

Crater Highlands - Ngorongoro
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Plantation Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive

This morning, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for game driving and exploration. Ngorongoro was a huge active volcano, probably even larger than Kilimanjaro, when the volcano erupted some 8 million years ago. It's cone collapsed, leaving a crater, or more appropriately a “caldera”, 600m deep, 16km across and 265 sq km in area. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and game viewing, in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world.

Many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino can be seen grazing on the open grassland of the crater floor, surrounded by some of the 20,000 large animals that occupy the crater, including lion, cheetah, eland, zebra and gazelle. Flamingo, among other bird species, can often be seen feeding at Makat Soda Lake as well.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's most amazing sights: a collapsed volcano which forms an incredible natural amphitheater, 25 km (16 mi) across and teeming with all of the African big game. Many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino can be seen grazing on the open grassland of the crater floor surrounded by some of the 20,000 large animals that occupy the crater, including lion, cheetah, eland, zebra and gazelle. Flamingo, among other bird species can often be seen feeding at Makat soda lake. This is an area of spectacular beauty and superb game viewing, a truly unique safari destination.

Day 5: Ngorongoro - Ndutu

Ngorongoro - Ndutu
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Ndutu Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Ndutu Game Drive

Today, you will explore outside of the greater Ngorongoro Conservation area and head to Ndutu, on the edge of the Southern Serengeti. Exploring this area and admiring the wildlife in their natural habitat offers a new adventure every day. This region is home year round to an abundance of wildlife, which you will get to experience away from the crowds. From December to March, this area is especially known to catch a glimpse of the Great Migration.

During your stay here, you may also be interested in visiting the historic Olduvai Gorge and Museum. You can learn about the famous archaeological sites and visit the informative museum, where you can see first hand where early human tools and fossils were discovered, including "Lucy." These incredible documents of our evolutionary history is unique to this area.

Ndutu & The Serengeti

Criss-crossed with forested river valleys and vast plains, the Serengeti plays home to millions of Africa’s large mammals, making this one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations. In addition, since the Ndutu region is not part of the actual Serengeti National park boundaries, the rules and regulations regarding game driving are much more flexible. Get up close and personal with the wildlife here like no where else in Tanzania.

Days 6 - 7: Ndutu

Ndutu
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Ndutu Game Drives
  • Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Ndutu Game Drives

Spend these days game driving in the rolling grasslands of Ndutu, located in the southern region of the Serengeti. Criss-crossed with forested riverine valleys, the Serengeti plays home to millions of Africa’s large mammals, making this one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations.

Day 8: Ndutu - Serengeti

Ndutu - Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Serengeti Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Naona Moru Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Serengeti Game Drive

Today you'll game drive into the Serengeti.

The Serengeti National Park is probably the best place on the planet to spot large game. Your three days here will be spent on different game drives searching for prides of lions, cheetah, leopard and much more. In the evening you’ll return to your beautiful tented camp for stories and dinner.

Day 9: Serengeti

Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Full Day of Game Driving
  • Accommodation: Naona Moru Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Full Day of Game Driving

Today you will embark on a full day of game driving exploration. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 10: Serengeti - Arusha - Kilimanjaro Departure

Serengeti - Arusha - Kilimanjaro Departure
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Final Game Drive & Airstrip Transfer
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Meals: B, L
Domestic Flight
Serengeti Lobo Airstrip - Arusha
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

*Flight not included, pricing subject to dates and availability.

Final Game Drive & Airstrip Transfer

After your final morning game drive you'll depart for the Lobo airstrip where you'll board your flight back to Arusha.

Depending on your international departure flight time we can arrange for a day use room in Arusha or alternatively a direct transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Accommodation

Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees Country Inn can be found nestled in the foothills of Mount Meru, in view of the striking Mount Kilimanjaro. This peaceful country estate combines old world ambiance, African country elegance, excellent farm cuisine, quality service and warm hospitality from your hosts. Located in a pristine natural setting, Rivertrees Country Inn invites you into a space of tranquility and comfort, following a long day of travels, an extensive safari expedition or a strenuous climb up Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru.

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Perched high on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, Escarpment Luxury Lodge is a serene haven overlooking the wonder of Lake Manyara below. This lodge features the best of the African bush. Wide open expanses of windows and doors offer the opportunity to appreciate the pristine surrounding nature at all times. Whether you are lounging on the deck of the main lodge, or enjoying the comfort and privacy of your own luxurious en suite chalet, you are invited to make the most of this idyllic destination. Watch pelicans sweep through the sky, as you sip on sundowners, admire the sun disappear behind the majestic hills and listen to the sounds of Africa. Welcome to the wild!

Plantation Lodge

Plantation Lodge

The Plantation Lodge rests on soft rolling hills amidst the vastness and silence of East Africa. Everywhere you look, you can recognize the impressive attention to detail, matched with a level of service that leaves no wish unfulfilled. The lodge's location promises maximum safari enjoyment, central to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks. To stay at the Plantation Lodge, is to immerse yourself in a world of rest and relaxation. 16 rooms lie spaciously decorated throughout the lush landscaped garden, each boasting its own style, design and colorful bouquets of fresh flowers.

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp brings you close to the action and its unique location is determined each season, according to the dynamic movements of the wildebeest mega herds. From December to March, Nasikia is situated at the Small Marsh campsite in Ndutu, where you will find yourself in the midst of the short-grass grazing season with calving during late January. From July to October, the camp is located near Kitchwa Tembo at Kogatende in the northern Serengeti - an ideal position from which to see the herd brave the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River. The mobile camp is comprised of 8-12 solar powered tents made from heavy duty safari rip-stop canvas. Each tent has a spacious bedroom and patio area for relaxing. The bathroom includes a ceramic wash basin with running water, a supply of natural based bathroom products, and a flushing toilet. Shower under the African skies with a 20 liter shower bucket put up on a pulley system as you require. The camp provides guests with a Lounge Tent complete with library to relax in and a large Dining Tent to enjoy sumptuous bush cuisine, cooked up by the camp chefs from fresh produce taken from all corners of Tanzania.

Naona Moru Camp

Naona Moru Camp

Don't worry about having to choose between sipping on a drink, while admiring endless views across the magnificent southern plains of the Serengeti, versus kicking your feet up in a tented suite, while listen to the calls of the wild, because at Naona Moru Camp you can do both! Alongside the opportunity for many more incredible experiences,this intimate camp of seven tented suites provides a luxurious and unforgettable stay. Combine crisp white sheets, gentle Serengeti breezes, running hot water, utmost comfort, hospitable service and WiFi - this is how wild elegance is served. Perch yourself on the veranda to watch the sun set on the horizon, or take a hot shower after a day of safari exploration. Located on an elevated viewing point beside the famous Moru Kopjes, this tented camp allows for drive in and game package clients to explore the resident and migratory wild game all year round. The landscape pans from the great southern plains of the Serengeti into the central hub of the most famous national park in Africa, close to Seronera Airstrip.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 5,845 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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