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Wake up to the call of the wild on this intimate and authentic tour through Kenya and Tanzania, without sacrificing any comfort or service. You will set off after a welcome overnight stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge for the warm and friendly atmosphere of Gibb’s Farm, nestled against the forested slopes of the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This working farm is ideally located to explore the surrounding wildlife areas like the Ngorongoro Crater, which offers the easiest and most rewarding Big 5 viewing in East Africa. It is not unusual to see elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo in a single game drive in the Crater, whose fertile floor is fed by the rich minerals left over from a volcanic eruption millions of years ago.
Your next stop is the intimate and down-to-earth Ubuntu Migration Camp, which follows the migrating plains game comprising millions of wildebeest as well as a smattering of antelope and zebra across the Serengeti. Expect to get the most authentic experience of the Great Migration at this semi-permanent safari camp.
Then you answer the call of the Masai Mara and head for your final destination, Rekero Camp. Your privacy is top of mind, yet the reassuring and knowledgeable presence of some of the best guides in the Mara is never far away. A cultural visit is on your ‘to-do’ list to learn more about the traditional ways of the Maasai. Spend the rest of your time watching the game come to drink at the Talek River from your veranda.
Make a Positive Impact Through Travel
This Positive Impact Safari includes a donation to a Community initiative
When you book this safari Stories Experiences Travel will donate $5 to the VETA Hotel and Tourism Training Institute to support the annual sponsorship of two students.
Day 1: Farming coffee in Arusha
Arusha, Tanzania
The Arusha Coffee Lodge is a fine way to start your East African travels: with Mount Meru in the distance, the emerald bushes studded with red beans surrounding you, and the smell of coffee in the air. Your first night on safari is spent in a welcoming Plantation Room, deep in the estate. Each room is comfortably furnished and has a romantic log fire to ward off the evening chill.
The lodge is on the outskirts of Arusha, the nearest town to all the northern Tanzanian game parks. While here, visit the Tanzanite Museum or the Maasai Market, or learn more about coffee on the estate tour. Be sure to make time for a relaxing spa treatment to ease into the adventure mood.
Travel through Lake Manyara National Park en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lake Manyara is renowned for its rich birdlife and tree-climbing lion population (they clamber into the branches to escape the heat and several members of a single pride can all be in the same tree at once). Your home for the next two nights is the magical Gibb’s Farm, set against the forested highlands of the Big 5-rich Ngorongoro Crater – the biggest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera in the world.
Enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere of the original farmhouse and your charming suite, set in the heart of a working coffee plantation and dairy farm. Savour healthy, home-cooked meals featuring garden-fresh vegetables and organic fruit from the farm. Take the opportunity to unwind with a variety of treatments at the African Living Spa, featuring traditional Maasai healing techniques.
Go on guided walks on the rim of the famous Crater and go on exhilarating game drives down into the caldera. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and the Ngorongoro is home to about 30 000 animals that are protected by the caldera and sustained by the Crater’s springs and rich grazing. It is not unusual to see all the Big 5 in a single day.
Time marches on and it is time for you to migrate to the Serengeti, where the traditional Ubuntu Mobile Camp is waiting to welcome you. Offering the feel of raw wilderness and authentic safari, it keeps comfort in mind. Ubuntu Camp moves with the Great Wildebeest Migration, always offering you the best game-viewing opportunities: from May to July, it is in the Western Corridor between the Nyakoroma Hills and the border of the Serengeti; from July to October it moves to the northern Serengeti; from December to March, the tents are pitched at the Ngorongoro Conservancy Area.
All eight tents have safari classics, such as fire-heated bucket showers. Bathrooms are en-suite, and with 20 metres or 66 feet between tents, you are guaranteed privacy while the barriers between you and the wild are kept to a minimum.
You have your own vehicle and guide, who spends 11 months of the year with the herds and passes on this intimate knowledge of their behaviour to you. Game drives are a top activity at Ubuntu Mobile Camp but during the months in the south, the best option is a guided walking safari, which can last an hour or half a day (depending on your fitness and preferences) and sometimes brings you up close to elephant, giraffe, buffalo or even far-off lion.
Close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers, in one of the most game-rich areas of the Masai Mara, sits Rekero Camp, a deceptively simple eco-camp that is ideally situated for the annual Wildebeest Migration, and which is your next destination. This mobile camp is set up seasonally, from June to October, and December to March. There are nine spacious tents, each en-suite with flush toilets and showers. Each tent also has a deck with a daybed that invites you to have a quiet siesta after a morning or afternoon of adrenaline-inducing game viewing. Each also has its own personal butler to attend to your needs.
Rekero offers an in-depth and truly authentic Mara experience, and its guides share their knowledge willingly. Take a cultural tour or visit a local village to learn more about the ancient Maasai warriors who have long trod this land. There is also birding, game drives, guided walks and picnics on the menu, as well as hot-air ballooning.
At the end of your East African odyssey, you return to Arusha for your onward arrangements home.
- Conservation levies
- Intercamp transfers ; camp to airstrip transfers
- Park fees
- Scheduled activities
- Scheduled flight from Manyara to Serengeti South ; Scheduled flight from Serengeti South to Tarime ; Scheduled flight from Migori to Mara ; Scheduled flight from Mara to Wilson.
- Tourism Levy
- International flights
- Airport taxes
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
USD
- ZAR
- CAD
- AUD
- GBP
- EUR
| Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| 2023-07-01 — 2023-07-31 | $10,405 |
| 2023-08-01 — 2023-08-31 | $10,865 |
| 2023-09-01 — 2023-09-30 | $10,305 |
| 2023-10-01 — 2023-10-31 | $9,825 |
| 2023-11-01 — 2023-11-30 | $8,310 |
| 2023-12-01 — 2023-12-20 | $9,955 |
Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:
- All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
- Single supplements may apply.
- Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
Embark on an Unforgettable East Africa Year-Round Migration Safari Adventure!
East Africa is renowned for its awe-inspiring wildlife, vast landscapes, and unparalleled photographic opportunities. Among its many natural wonders, the annual migration of wildebeests and zebras stands out as a unique and captivating spectacle. This incredible event, often referred to as the “greatest wildlife show on earth,” draws nature enthusiasts and adventurers from across the globe. To truly immerse oneself in the magic of this migration, embarking on a year-round safari adventure in East Africa is a must.
The East Africa year-round migration safari offers something extraordinary at every turn, regardless of the season. This phenomenon is not limited to a specific time frame but continues throughout the year as the animals traverse the vast plains of Tanzania and Kenya. The migration is driven by the search for greener pastures and water sources, making it an ever-changing tapestry of movement and survival.
During the dry season, typically from July to October, the massive herds of wildebeests and zebras gather in the Serengeti National Park, preparing for the treacherous journey across the Mara River. Witnessing this event is an unparalleled experience as thousands of hooves splash through the water, creating a dramatic scene of courage and strength. The river crossing, with its unpredictable challenges and lurking predators, is a heart-stopping moment that encapsulates the circle of life in the animal kingdom.
However, the migration is not limited to the dry season alone. From November to June, the herds spread across Serengeti’s southern plains and the private conservancies of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This period offers a unique opportunity to explore the less crowded areas and witness the intimacy of nature’s cycle, including calving season. The sight of newborn wildebeest and zebras tentatively taking their first steps is a symbol of life’s unyielding persistence—a moment of pure vulnerability and renewal.
Embarking on a year-round migration safari adventure allows travelers to immerse themselves in the incredible beauty and diverse ecosystems of East Africa. Expert guides and experienced safari operators are available to curate tailored itineraries, ensuring that every moment is well-spent and filled with wonder.
Safaris are not limited to land-based exploration alone. Hot air balloon rides offer a unique vantage point, allowing adventurers to glide above the vast savannahs and witness the migration from a different perspective. The balloon safaris offer a sense of serenity as the world unfolds beneath one’s feet, with the golden morning sun casting its ethereal glow over the plains.
Accommodation options during an East Africa migration safari are as diverse as the landscape itself, ranging from luxurious tented camps to exclusive lodges. Immerse yourself in the heart of the action by staying in mobile camps that follow the migration’s path, offering intimate access to the wildebeests and zebras. Alternatively, relish in the comfort of a luxury lodge, where you can unwind and marvel at the incredible vistas after a day filled with thrilling wildlife encounters.
As you venture deeper into the heart of East Africa, you will encounter a myriad of other wildlife species, such as elephants, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. The region’s protected areas, including the Ngorongoro Crater and Masai Mara Game Reserve, are home to an incredible biodiversity that will leave any nature enthusiast in awe.
In conclusion, a year-round migration safari adventure in East Africa is an opportunity to witness one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. It opens doors to spellbinding moments and unforgettable encounters with wildlife, showcasing the raw beauty and relentless spirit of nature. From the thunderous hooves during the river crossings to the tender moments of new life, this adventure promises an experience unlike any other. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on a journey that will forever hold a special place in your heart.
