Wildebeest migration safari February 2024

On arrival at Kilimanjaro airport you will be met and transferred approximately 1 hour by vehicle to the beautifully located ‘River Trees Country Inn’ in Arusha where you will stay on a half-board basis. You will have the chance to meet the rest of the group and have a safari briefing with Allan Blanchard and your expert driver/naturalist.

We will try to leave as early as possible for the 4 to 5 hour drive to the Ngorongoro crater. We will take a pack lunch with us so we can maximise our time on safari in this spectacular World Heritage site, which has also been labelled one of the 7 wonders of the natural world. The sheer density of herbivores attracts the charaismatic predators to the short plentiful grasses which provide food for antelope like Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle and Topi. Lions are particularly abundant, but there are also Spotted Hyena, Leopard and a small population of Cheetah. Overnight at ‘Ngorongoro Serena Lodge’ on a full board basis.

We will aim for an early start to beat the crowds – although we expect visitor numbers to be reduced in early 2022 due to the pandemic – and descend into the dramatic Caldera that shaped this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. We will focus on any particular species we missed on our first drive and the chance to explore areas like Lerai Forest, which are known for regular leopard sightings. Overnight again at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Early start for the drive to the famous Ndutu wildlife region. . The Wildebeest generally choose to give birth in South Serengeti and Lake Ndutu and with approximately 500,000 new young wildebeest born in around 6 weeks, the prey potential for these carnivores is immense. At this time nowhere in Africa can compete with the sheer density of game and predators and with the scenery lush and green after the short winter rains in November and December, you will have the chance to capture some wildlife magic on your memory card. Overnight at ‘Elwai Camp’ on a full board basis.

The Ndutu Region forms part of the northern section of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and stretches to the unfenced southern reaches of the Serengeti National Park. So that means we are getting the very best wildlife experience from two fabulous wilderness locations and also there will be a focus on following the apex predator activity as they follow the Wildebeest migration, as well as other herbivores which have come in search of new nutrition. Expect actioned packed days, lots of big cat action and great food and fun in camp. Overnight at Elwai Camp.

After breakfast we will enjoy a transfer and safari from Elwai Camp to Olmara camp in the eastern Serengeti. Far from the busier central Serengeti, the area gives you almost exclusive access to some superb game viewing. Apart from the cheetah for which the camp is named, the area teems with wildlife. You will see many different prides of lions and large packs of hyenas. Leopards are seen frequently in the beautiful river valleys and wooded hills, Overnight at ‘Olmara Camp’ on a full board basis.

Our daily routine will involve early starts for the morning safaris before returning for a late breakfast and some time to relax at camp. We then head out again in the afternoon, over the savanna of Soit le Motonyi and its distinctive Acacia woodlands that border the rolling plains. Resident wildlfie that you can expect to see here includes all the big cats – lion, leopard, and cheetah – in addition to lesser cats like serval, elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, and hyena. Overnight at Olmara Camp.

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to the stunning Serengeti and drive from our lodge to the airstrip at Seronera for our scheduled flight back to Arusha. On arrival in Arusha we will again overnight at River Trees country inn on a half-board basis.

Depending on your international flight timing and location, we will transfer you at the approprioate time to either Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport. We have access to excellent Doctors for private PCR tests at the lodge if required and can easily add in one extra night in Arusha to facilitate this.