Wildebeest Migration cycle in Serengeti

The endless plains of east Africa are the setting for the world's greatest wildlife spectacle - the 1.5 million animal ungulate (wildebeest) migration. From the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne colored hills of Kenya's Masai Mara over 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa's great predators, migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each year in search of rain ripened grass.

There is no real beginning or end to a wildebeest's journey. Its life is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water. The only beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a six week period early each year - usually between late January and mid-March in Tanzania Hence the best period to take a wildlife Migration safari in Tanzania is in the months of December through to March.

Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation areas.
The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. During the months December through March the seemingly unending plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. The great herds graze on rain ripened grass. In the calving season (late January through mid March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) attracting the attention of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.

8 Days Tanzania wildlife migration safari package

Day 1: Nairobi - Arusha
Board a shuttle bus to Arusha from Nairobi via Namanga boarder to arrive Arusha by 1400 hrs. Drop off at Kibo Palace Hotel for Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Arusha - Lake Manyara
Leave Arusha at 0800 hrs and  proceed to Lake Manyara national park for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight Lake Manyara Serena lodge

Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season, and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world -- a fact that makes for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.

Day 3 – Lake Manyara – Serengeti
After breakfast depart for Serengeti passing through Olduvai Gorge, the archeological site of the Leakey family. Meals and overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.

Day 4: Serengeti
A full day with morning and afternoon game drives to explore the plains, Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Serengeti is easily Tanzania’s most famous national park, and it’s also the largest, at 14,763 square kilometres of protected area that borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Game ParkIt is the Migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back. The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat. Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants

Day 5: Ngorongoro
After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro, one of the natural wonders of the world. Meals and overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Day 6: Ngorongoro crater
after early morning breakfast leave with picnic lunch for a full day crater tour. You will be taken 2000ft down the crater by a 4wheel drive vehicle, explore the crater before ascending back to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home of Ngorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5 million years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking due to inactivity, and was initially thought to be higher than Tanzania’s famous Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral part of Tanzania’s eco-system. The crater is actually a caldera, measures 22.5 km’s across and the rim walls stand 600m high. Views from within and from the rim are breathtaking (as can be seen from the picture). The crater houses 30,000 animals and a large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to the availability of water through wet and dry seasons

Day 7 Ngorongoro - Tarangire
After breakfast drive to Tarangire. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge./Sopa Lodge

Tarangire National Park, one of the hidden jewels of Tanzania. This park measures 2,600 sq km’s and boasts a concentration of wildlife second only to Ngorongoro Crater. It features an impressive amount and array of bird life and plant life. Situated only 160km’s from Arusha, the park is nestled to the south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasailand. It is named after the Tarangire River, which runs directly through the center of the park and is the only permanent water source for the animals. Along the banks of this river you will find herds of wildebeest (or gnu) and zebra, followed by Grant’s Gazelle, Thomson ’s gazelle and many others. Lurking in the background lion and leopard keep a watchful eye on a possible meal. The park offers views of grass and floodplains with impressive baobab and flat topped acacia trees scattered throughout. During the dry season the park may look quite ordinary, but activities continue even more earnestly due to the now increased competition.

Day 8: Tarangire - Arusha
Early morning game drives, and then return to the lodge for breakfast .Drive to Arusha to arrive by lunch time. Board an after noon shuttle bus to Nairobi to arrive by 1800 hrs.