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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 a land of incredible diversity, where stunning landscapes meet awe-inspiring wildlife. One of the most popular attractions in this region is the annual migration of millions of animals across Kenya and Tanzania. It is a truly unforgettable experience to witness this natural phenomenon, and lucky for us, it happens year-round!
The migration is a continuous movement of animals in search of fresh grazing lands and water sources. Starting from the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania, the herds consisting of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles make their way north towards Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This journey spans around 1,200 miles and provides an epic spectacle for nature enthusiasts.
In the months of January to March, the herds congregate in the Serengeti, preparing for their epic journey. This is the calving season, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born. Witnessing the adorable sight of these newborns taking their first steps is an awe-inspiring moment that touches the heart.
As the rains taper off and the dry season sets in, the wildebeests and zebras begin their migration towards Kenya. By July, the herds start crossing the Mara River, facing thrilling encounters with Nile crocodiles and other predators lurking in the waters. These daring river crossings are undoubtedly the highlight of the migration safari.
August and September are the peak months to witness these river crossings. The sheer magnitude of the animals and the heart-stopping action as they navigate the treacherous currents leave visitors breathless. It is a true testament to the resilience and determination of these animals to survive.
But what makes the East Africa Year-Round Migration Safari Adventure so special is that even during the off-peak months, there’s still plenty to see. Once the herds have crossed the Mara River and settled in the Maasai Mara, they graze on the lush grasslands until they start their return journey once again. This is a golden opportunity to observe the predators that follow the migration, such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, as they hunt for their next meal.
In addition to the wildlife spectacle, East Africa also offers breathtaking landscapes that serve as a backdrop to this grand affair. From the savannah plains dotted with acacia trees to the stunning vistas of the Ngorongoro Crater and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro dominating the skyline, every moment spent on this safari is a feast for the eyes.
To make the most out of this awe-inspiring experience, it is recommended to engage the services of experienced and knowledgeable safari guides. These experts can take you to the best spots for viewing the migration, share their valuable insights, and ensure your safety throughout the journey.
East Africa’s year-round migration safari adventure is an expedition like no other. It is an opportunity to witness the raw power of nature, the circle of life in action, and the untamed beauty of the animal kingdom. Whether you visit during the peak season or the quieter months, this adventure promises to leave an indelible mark on your soul. So, pack your bags, prepare your camera, and get ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime in the heart of East Africa.
