MASAI MARA, CRATER & SERENGETI MIGRATION
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Overview
An exquisite 8-night luxury fly-in safari spanning Kenya and four of Tanzania’s most renowned game reserves. Commencing amidst the boundless plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the journey then unfolds to showcase the delightful diversity of Lake Manyara, the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, and the sweeping grasslands of the Serengeti. Widely acclaimed as one of the most spectacular game-viewing itineraries in Africa, this expedition promises a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey.
Prepare for exhilarating game drives, captivating night drives, and enlightening guided walks, offering exceptional perspectives of East Africa’s varied landscapes, cultures, and wildlife. Enriched with bucket-list experiences, including the option to elevate your adventure with a hot-air balloon safari for an unparalleled vista of the expansive Serengeti plains.
Perfectly suited for seasoned explorers, first-time adventurers, couples, and families alike, this wildlife and gourmet escapade seamlessly pairs with a romantic retreat to an Indian Ocean island, crafting an ideal honeymoon or family safari and beach itinerary.
Highlights and Activities
- Unrivalled Big 5 game viewing.
- Witness the Great Migration (July to October).
- Legendary Masai Mara & Serengeti.
- Spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
- Diverse & unique Lake Manyara.
- Day & night game drives.
- Nature walks & mountain biking.
- Selection of Africa’s best lodge
Summary
Tour Duration: 9 Days Start: Nairobi, Kenya End: Arusha, Tanzania
Destinations Visited
Nairobi, Kenya
Masai Mara
Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti
Arusha, Tanzania
Manyara
Accomodation Visited
Itinerary
Day to day
Day 1-2 Welcome to Kenya, The Mara Awaits! 2 Nights
Upon touching down at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a waiting vehicle whisks you away to Wilson Airport, where you embark on a scheduled flight bound for the Masai Mara National Reserve. Your sanctuary for the next two nights awaits at the lavish Bateleur Camp, nestled within the tranquil embrace of an indigenous forest, overlooking the sweeping grasslands of a private concession in the western Mara—an area immortalized in the iconic closing scenes of “Out of Africa.”
During the sun-drenched hours, the pool beckons with its cooling waters, accompanied by plush poolside loungers and the discreet attentiveness of your personal butler. Your tented suite epitomizes romance, blending canvas and polished hardwood, featuring a spacious bathroom, and boasting breathtaking vistas from a private deck that offers a panoramic view of the distant rolling plains.
The Mara teems with a diverse array of resident wildlife, including the illustrious Big 5, while the renowned Great Migration unfolds as vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle traverse the ecosystem in pursuit of fresh grazing following the rains. Optimal exploration of the plains is facilitated by early morning and late afternoon game drives, when wildlife activity peaks.
For a more intimate encounter with nature, guided nature walks provide insight into the intricacies of the environment, while exhilarating spotlit night drives imbue a sense of adventure. Among the camp’s cherished rituals is pausing at a scenic locale for invigorating sundowners during the late afternoon drive.
Day 3-4 Head out to Tanzania, Fisrt stop Lake Manyara! 2 Nights
Following an invigorating early morning game drive and a satisfying breakfast, you’ll make your way back to Wilson Airport for a scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. From there, another seamless air transfer awaits, whisking you to the captivating Lake Manyara, a region lauded by Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa.” Your haven for the next two nights is the enchanting Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, where elegant and cozy tree houses nestle among the ancient branches of a mahogany forest.
Manyara’s verdant forests pulsate with life, with playful blue monkeys frolicking amidst the trees and hornbills adding a symphony of joyful honks to the surroundings. Beyond the floodplains lies a swath of acacia woodland, home to the renowned tree-climbing lions, majestic elephants, and the endearing Kirk’s dik-dik. Clans of banded mongoose provide a whimsical addition to the panoramic landscape. A paradise for bird enthusiasts, Manyara boasts a rich avian diversity thanks to its wetlands, woodlands, and hot springs, attracting a plethora of large migratory and resident water birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks.
The lodge offers a variety of daily game viewing excursions, whether on foot, in safari vehicles, or even on mountain bikes, all led by expert guides. Additionally, immersive night drives provide captivating glimpses into the park’s nocturnal realm, offering the opportunity to spot elusive creatures such as aardvarks and bat-eared foxes, adding a thrilling dimension to your safari experience.
Day 5-6 Journey to the crater! 2 Nights
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Following an exhilarating early morning game drive and a delectable breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic road transfer from Lake Manyara to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, this natural wonder is a testament to nature’s magnificence and the harmonious coexistence of its inhabitants. Nestled on the crater rim, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge stands as a testament to architectural splendor, with each suite boasting stunning vistas. Exuding glamorous opulence, the lodge offers lavish amenities, from chandelier-lit bathrooms to personalized butler service and gourmet dining experiences.
The crater itself is a marvel, being the world’s largest intact, un-flooded caldera. Your journey from the lodge descends over verdant rainforests, descending 610 meters (2,000 feet) to the expansive grasslands of the crater floor, spanning approximately 260 square kilometers (100 square miles). This sanctuary provides a year-round habitat for a myriad of wildlife, including wildebeest, zebra, eland, and gazelle, alongside Africa’s highest density of lions. The lush rainforests also shelter elephants, mountain buck, buffalo, hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs.
Savor a full day immersed in game viewing and exploration on the crater floor, pausing to enjoy a picturesque picnic amidst the grazing herds. As the day draws to a close, return to the lodge for sundowners overlooking the crater’s rim, followed by a sumptuous feast in the elegant domed dining area, capping off an unforgettable day of adventure and indulgence.
Day 7-8 The legendary Serengeti! 2 Nights
Following breakfast, a brief flight transports you to the Serengeti, known to the Maasai as Siringitu, meaning the ‘place where the land moves on forever’. Tanzania’s pioneering game reserve, the Serengeti National Park, stands as one of the last vestiges of natural migration corridors and is among the oldest ecosystems on the planet. Its climate, vegetation, and wildlife have remained largely unchanged for millions of years. The driving force behind the annual Great Migration of over a million wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras is so potent that neither drought nor crocodile-infested rivers can impede it.
The journey to your Serengeti Under Canvas Camp sets the stage for further exploration. Upon settling into your suite, you eagerly join the afternoon game drive, eager to soak in the abundance of wildlife. The drive extends until sundown, at which point your ranger selects a picturesque spot for a delightful picnic from a generously stocked hamper. As night falls, the game drive continues with the aid of a skillfully wielded spotlight, revealing the nocturnal creatures emerging after dusk. Returning to camp, you have time to refresh before joining fellow adventurers for an alfresco dinner beneath the glittering stars. Emphasizing comfortable luxury and an intimate connection with nature, this camp offers a romantic retreat into the wild. In addition to daily game drives, we highly recommend embarking on an early morning hot-air balloon ride for an unforgettable perspective of the Serengeti’s vast expanse.
Day 9 Farewell
Following breakfast, your homeward journey commences. Scheduled flights whisk you to Kilimanjaro International Airport and onwards to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, where a waiting driver escorts you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home. As you bid farewell to East Africa, you carry with you the memories of spectacular sights and unforgettable experiences.
Simply closing your eyes transports you back, feeling the warmth of the African sun on your skin, catching the scent of wild sage on the cool evening breeze, and hearing the haunting call of lions at dusk. These moments, and many more, have woven themselves into the fabric of your East African safari, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and soul.
What's Included?
- All specified scheduled flights and applicable taxes.
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
- Meet and Greet service at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- Park Fees.
- Transfers as specified in the itinerary.
What's Excluded?
- International flights.
- Airport taxes.
- All meals and drinks not specified.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Items of a personal nature