9 DAYS WILDEBEEST MIGRATION ADVENTURE

Morning: Your journey begins in Arusha, followed by a scenic transfer to Tarangire National Park. Known for its iconic Baobab trees and largest concentration of elephants in the world, Tarangire offers a fantastic starting point for your safari. Game Drive: We spend the afternoon tracking large herds of elephants and buffaloes often found near the Tarangire River, along with other plains game and predators. The diverse landscape sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire | Activity: Game Drive | Travel: ~2.5 hrs (130 km)

Morning: After an early breakfast, we drive towards the vast plains of the Serengeti, entering the park through the Naabi Hill Gate. The journey is an experience in itself, with initial game driving en route. Afternoon: We focus our game drive on the Central Seronera Valley, the "predator capital," known for reliable year-round sightings of lions, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard often spotted around the granite kopjes. This acclimatizes you to the scale of the park before heading North.

Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti | Activity: Scenic Drive & Game Drive | Travel: ~6 hrs (300 km)

Morning Drive: We start early with a final game drive in Central Serengeti. We then begin the crucial journey north. This is a full-day transfer/game drive, covering a vast distance to reach the Northern Sector near the Mara River (seasonal location). Evening Arrival: The long transit is broken by exciting game sightings along the way, especially as the landscape changes. We arrive at our luxury tented camp, strategically located to access the best migration action, ready for the next three days of intense viewing.

Overnight: Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti | Activity: Full Day Game Drive (Transfer) | Travel: ~5-7 hrs (200 km)

Migration Focus: We dedicate the entire day to the Northern Plains. Depending on the season (July to October), our primary goal is to find the huge concentration of wildebeest and zebra herds and position ourselves near the Mara River, the site of the dramatic river crossings. Even outside the main crossing months, the Northern Serengeti offers unique and remote viewing opportunities. Our guide will communicate with other spotters to ensure we are at the best possible locations throughout the day.

Overnight: Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti | Activity: Full Day Migration Tracking | Distance: Varied Game Drives

In-Depth Exploration: Another full day is spent immersing ourselves in the remote Northern Serengeti ecosystem. Having two full days here significantly increases your chances of witnessing a crossing or spectacular predator action targeting the migrating herds. We will explore the smaller rivers and Lugga systems where smaller groups attempt crossings, and seek out resident wildlife like elephants and giraffes. The day concludes with a scenic sunset drive back to the camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti | Activity: Full Day Migration Tracking | Distance: Varied Game Drives

Morning Drive: We enjoy a final game drive in the Northern Sector before starting the return transfer south. This allows a last chance to catch migration stragglers or resident game. **Day-Long Game Drive:** The drive back to the Central Serengeti is treated as a long, productive game drive, maximizing your time viewing wildlife throughout the transition zones. We arrive back in the Central Seronera area in the late afternoon, settling into our accommodations.

Overnight: Lodge/Tented Camp in Central Serengeti | Activity: Game Drive (Transfer) | Travel: ~5-7 hrs (200 km)

Morning Drive & Transfer: We enjoy a final, short game drive in Central Serengeti before exiting the park and heading back towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). We stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge (optional visit) en route. **Afternoon Check-in:** We climb the Ngorongoro highlands and check into a lodge located near the **Crater Rim** or in nearby Karatu. This evening provides a beautiful, cool contrast to the Serengeti heat, with stunning views of the surrounding area, ready for the crater descent.

Overnight: Lodge on Crater Rim/Karatu | Activity: Final Game Drive & Transfer | Travel: ~3 hrs (150 km)

Early Descent: We descend 600 meters into the magnificent **Ngorongoro Crater**. Due to its natural enclosure, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts the highest density of wildlife in the region, making it the best location to spot the **Big Five** in a single day, including the critically endangered Black Rhino. We spend the permitted six hours exploring the different ecological zones before ascending the crater wall for dinner and rest.

Overnight: Lodge on Crater Rim/Karatu | Activity: Full Day Crater Game Drive | Travel: N/A (Local Drive)

Morning: We depart Karatu and head to **Lake Manyara National Park**. This park is famed for its tree-climbing lions (seasonal) and incredible birdlife along the Rift Valley Escarpment. We conduct a final morning game drive focusing on the dense forest and the soda lake shoreline, where you can see buffalos, baboons, and flamingos (seasonal). **Departure:** After lunch, we begin the final drive back to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your evening international flight departure.

Overnight: N/A (Departure) | Activity: Final Game Drive & Transfer | Travel: ~3.5 hrs (150 km)