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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, known for its mesmerizing landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, is a dream destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. Among the many unique experiences this region offers, the East Africa year-round migration safari stands out as one of the most enthralling and unforgettable adventures one can embark upon. This epic journey allows visitors to witness one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles – the Great Wildebeest Migration.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a breathtaking annual event that takes place mainly in Tanzania and Kenya, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move in search of fresh grazing and water sources. The East Africa year-round migration safari enables you to experience this awe-inspiring phenomenon throughout the year, as the herds traverse diverse terrains and cross treacherous rivers, braving the elements and predators along the way.
Each season presents its unique spectacle in the migration cycle. Starting from December to March, the herds gather in the Southern Serengeti, calving season commences, attracting fearsome predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Witnessing newborn wildebeest take their first steps in the world is an unforgettable sight that showcases the circle of life in its rawest form.
During April and May, the migration moves toward the Western Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River, one of the most challenging obstacles on their journey. Here, the massive crocodile population awaits, in what becomes a life or death struggle for the migrating animals. It is an intense and dramatic scene that encapsulates the raw power of nature’s cycle.
From June to July, the herds reach the Northern Serengeti, where the Mara River awaits them. This river crossing is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic moments of the entire migration. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather at the riverbanks, hesitating before taking the plunge, knowing that lurking beneath the surface are crocodiles waiting to strike. The spectacle of animals crossing the swirling river is both heart-stopping and awe-inspiring.
The migration continues into Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve from August to October, where the herds search for greener pastures. The breathtaking landscape, dotted with acacia trees and sweeping plains, provides a stunning backdrop as animals roam freely in their search for fresh grazing. Witnessing the vast herds moving en masse is a truly memorable experience that will leave you in awe of the grandeur of nature.
November brings the herds back to the Serengeti, completing their annual journey. This is a great time to witness the predators in action, as they take advantage of weakened and exhausted animals. The tension in the air is palpable as the cycle of life and death plays out before your eyes, showcasing the eternal struggle for survival in the animal kingdom.
Planning an East Africa year-round migration safari requires meticulous research and a reliable tour operator. It is essential to choose a knowledgeable guide who can ensure a safe and ethical safari experience while providing valuable insights into the wildlife behavior and habitat conservation efforts. Conservation is a key aspect of any responsible tourism endeavor, and by choosing ethical operators, visitors contribute to the preservation of this incredible ecosystem.
East Africa’s year-round migration safari is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. It is a journey that connects you with the primal forces of nature, as you witness the resilience, beauty, and raw power that exists in the animal kingdom. So, embark on this unforgettable safari and immerse yourself in the wonders of East Africa, where you will create memories that will last a lifetime.
