The Journey to Tanzania Wildebeests

Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by one of our experienced driver guides, ready to greet and escort you to Arusha and your chosen hotel. He will introduce you to this wonderful city and country. Welcome to Arusha and welcome to Tanzania.
Journey time and Distance: 1 hour, 55 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha.

🏚️ Accommodation: Villa Maua Arusha or similar.

Today, your adventure begins after breakfast at your hotel. We’re driving north and west, introducing you to the wonders of the Tanzanian landscapes as we head for Ndutu in the south-eastern part of the Serengeti. Our drive today is around 280km, five hours of changing scenery before we arrive at our destination. Although Nature and its rainfall determine exactly where the migrating animals will be in winter, Ndutu is a reliable base at this time of the year, allowing us to maximize our opportunities for tracking the animals.
During the journey to Ndutu, you will begin to appreciate the sheer scale of Tanzania’s territory. The raw beauty of the landscapes will reveal itself. Your driver guide will help you to spot any animals and birds on the way and answer any questions about what you see. Serengeti is of course a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an incredible mix of grasslands, savannah, woods, and mountain scenery, a haven for the wildlife which congregates in this fantastic natural setting. On arrival, we make the most of our time with an afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area. After today’s journey and game drive, your driver will take you safely to your accommodation for your overnight stay.

🏚️ Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge.
Journey time and Distance: 5 hours, 280 km from Arusha to Ndutu.

Having had a taster the previous afternoon, today you have the whole day ahead of you in the Ndutu area, spotting all varieties of wildlife ‘on the move’ with your expert driver guide. Each day is different here, but we focus of course on the Great Migration, that unique natural wonder which involves a cast of breathtaking numbers, literally hundreds of thousands of animals as they make their annual journey across the plains.
Zebra and wildebeest are the most numerous of the migrating animals here, grazing on the short-grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation area. But your driver-guide will also be on the lookout for other wildlife, too, using his expertise and ‘eagle-eyes to try to find elephant, lions, buffalo, leopard, and cheetah – just some of the many, many species you will encounter in this stunning place.
At the end of the afternoon, it’s back to your accommodation for a cool drink, some relaxation, a delicious dinner, and the chance to discuss what you’ve seen during the day’s safari… as well as to check your priceless photos.

🏚️ Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge.

Today our journey continues as we head from the edge of the Serengeti into its very heart…but not before we seize a final opportunity for a morning game drive around Ndutu, where we are sure to see something new. But now Serengeti beckons, and so we continue to head north and west into what is surely the world’s greatest park.
At times this unsurpassed place is home to over 1.6 million herbivores and the thousands of predators who stalk them. Their fascinating habits and habitats are sure to provoke questions, so do ask your driver guide to explain the amazing creatures you see all around you. At night, back at your accommodation, the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa will continue to enchant you on this wilderness adventure.

🏚️ Accommodation: Serengeti Tortils Camp.
Journey time and Distance: 2 hours, 90 km from Ndutu to Central Serengeti.

Waking up in the Serengeti is something really special. The sights, sounds, and smells of Africa are all around us, and ahead is a full day of adventure in the world’s most famous national park. After breakfast, we start today with the morning section of our game drive in Serengeti National Park, marveling at the stunning scenery, ever-changing light, and always entertaining wildlife, all explained to you by your expert driver guide.
After our picnic lunch, we set off again, searching for wildlife in this awe-inspiring park. Serengeti’s wonders evolve subtly as the day progresses. The myriad animals and birds are the ‘stars of the show’ and Nature’s dramas can unfold at any time. Of course, the animals don’t work on any schedule, so we may find a lion or leopard, elephant and zebra, cheetah, and antelope at any time on our drives. At the end of the afternoon, we return to the camp for dinner and some much-needed rest.
Note: For those who have booked the Balloon Safari for today, you will be picked up from the camp at 05.00 hours for a 06.00 hours departure. If you wish to book a balloon safari, please let us know in advance.

🏚️ Accommodation: Serengeti Tortilis Camp.

The exciting sounds of Africa will rouse you from your sleep. We make the most of the day with a 08:00 start, heading off on our morning game drive. Later, the adventure will continue when we travel up to Ngorongoro, another African icon.
This morning your driver-guide will help you spot some more of the many species at Serengeti, teaching you about their fascinating habits and habitats. After a pleasant picnic lunch, it’s time to drive eastwards to visit another spectacular setting for Tanzania’s wildlife, the famous Ngorongoro Crater. On arrival, settle in at the lodge while a tasty, hot dinner is prepared for you. Tomorrow, the wonders of the crater await us.

🏚️ Accommodation: Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp.
Journey time and Distance: 4 hours, 145 km from Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro

Today may be ‘departure day’, but there will be plenty of time to enjoy another true spectacle before your thoughts turn to home. Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a wonder of the world and your early morning game drive shows you why.
First, there’s the volcanic caldera (the world’s largest), full of grassland, forest, and swamp, a setting of jaw-dropping beauty. Secondly, the permanent water of the Crater floor supports a resident population of more than 25,000 large mammals. Here you’ll find many of the reasons you chose to come on safari: elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, wallowing hippo, waterbuck, baboons… even the rare black rhino finds shelter here.
After your early morning game drive, we have our picnic lunch in the crater before we return to the airport for your flight home. You will drive for 3 hours from Ngorongoro Crater Floor to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Journey time and Distance: 5 hours, 245 km from Ngorongoro to Airport