THE GREAT MIGRATION!
THE ANNUAL GREAT MIGRATION
Migration details
WHEN TO GO?
The allure of the Serengeti and Masai Mara extends throughout the year, offering a captivating wildlife experience regardless of the season. Contrary to popular belief, the Great Migration isn't a one-time event; it's a perpetual cycle that unfolds year-round. The vast Serengeti ecosystem is a dynamic landscape, and while the migration's location may vary, the spectacle of animals on the move is a constant. The wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores engage in a continuous circular migration, following the availability of fresh grass and water. This means that visitors can witness the breathtaking phenomenon of migration at different stages, from river crossings to calving seasons, providing a unique and immersive experience at any time. Whether it's the lush greenery of the rainy season or the dramatic river crossings during the dry season, the Serengeti and Masai Mara offer a year-round invitation to explore the unparalleled wonders of East Africa's wildlife.
PEAK "MIGRATION SEASON"
In late July and early August, the Masai Mara region transforms into a theater of nature's grandeur as the annual Great Migration reaches its climax. This extraordinary spectacle unfolds along the Mara River, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores undertake the perilous journey from the southern Serengeti in Tanzania to the lush plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya. The Mara River crossings become the focal point of this awe-inspiring event, as the migrating herds face the daunting challenge of navigating through crocodile-infested waters. The air is charged with anticipation as the animals gather on the riverbanks, hesitating before plunging into the currents. The heart-stopping moments of river crossings are both a testament to the instinct for survival and a dramatic display of the circle of life. It's a riveting chapter in the natural history of East Africa that draws wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers alike, seeking to witness the raw beauty and drama of the animal kingdom in its most primal state.
A year-round invitation to explore the unparalleled wonders of East Africa's wildlife!
WHY YOU’D LOVE IT!
Enter classic safari country—the Serengeti in Tanzania! Endless, beautiful, & wild: plains teeming with the Big 5, zebras, giraffes, countless rare species, and so much more…
Spend unforgettable days at the unforgettable Tarangire National Park where your luxury safari lodge, fantastic game safari, magnificent views and renowned elephants await.
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater – home to splendid wildlife, including rare black rhinos, hyenas, and lions.
Serengeti National park, Serengeti meaning an ‘extended place’, is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, never mind Africa
Revel in the diverse wild terrains and exclusivity of Kenya’s Olerai Conservancy!
OVERVIEW
Itinerary at a glance
◽️ DAY 1 | Kenya
Arrival in Kilimanjaro
◽️ DAY 2-3 | Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater
◽️ DAY 4-6 | Tanzania
Serengeti NP
◽️ DAY 7-9 | Kenya
Masai Mara GR
◽️ DAY 10 | Return
End of safari
DAY 0 | Dates to be updated
DEPARTURE
Travel
DEPARTURE
Your adventure starts now!
Embark on an African safari and anticipate witnessing breathtaking landscapes, encountering diverse and majestic wildlife in their natural habitats, and immersing yourself in the rich cultural experiences of the continent.
* See your safari itinerary for transfer logistics
DAY 1 | Date to be updated
ARUSHA
Arrival in Tanzania
📍 Arusha Villa
ARUSHA
Arrival
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport you will meet our company representative after immigration formalities and have a private transfer to Kili Seasons Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
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The city tour is a great way to experience modern day living in the bustling city of Arusha. Your guide will drive you into Arusha city and explain all there is to know about the history of the city including the Clock Tower, the cultures and way of life.
You will walk through downtown, visit the local markets, the food market, the Masai gift market and mitumba, the clothing markets and visit the Sanaa Art. You will also visit various local shops, local bars, hairdressers and more
ARUSHA VILLA
Overview
Nestled within the heart of a coffee plantation and embraced by verdant gardens, Arusha Villa provides an ideal starting (and concluding) point for a safari adventure in northern Tanzania.
With its eight bedrooms and the enchanting surroundings, the property exudes a serene ambiance. Wander through the gardens, where you can relish stunning vistas of both Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, or unwind on the numerous terraces basking in the African sun. On warmer days, take a refreshing dip in the inviting swimming pool.
B&B
GUEST LODGE
OVERNIGHT
DAY 2-3 | Date to be updated
NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro Crater experience
📍 Ngorongoro Farm House
NGORONGORO CRATER
Area Overview
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans 8,300 square kilometres, stretching from the Rift Valley to the Serengeti. About 2.5 million years ago the young Ngorongoro Volcano became filled with molten rock that then solidified into a crust or roof. As the lava chamber emptied, the solid dome collapsed and from this was formed the largest caldera in the world. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) offers one of the richest wildlife viewing experiences on the African continent.
Approximately 25,000 large animals live in the natural enclosure formed by the 200sq miles crater, while the greater conservancy surroundings are home to wildebeest and zebra migratory movement in the wet season. It is undoubtedly the best place in Africa to see the Big Five, and photo opportunities are superb. The mineral-rich floor of the crater is covered in nutritious grasses, attracting great herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle that can even be seen from the crater rim, swarming across the landscape in great columns.The rainforests of the crater walls are home to elephant, buffalo, leopard and cheetah, making for spectacular game viewing.
It was recently voted one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the last remaining areas in Tanzania where you can see the endangered Black Rhino. A small population is thriving in this idyllic environment, and it remains one of the few wild places where they continue to breed.
In the conservation area lives 56,000 Masai in harmony with the East African Wildlife. Seeing the Masai let their herds share the grazing areas with thousands of Wildebeests and Zebras is unique phenomenon.
Ngorongoro Crater decent day
Ngorongoro Crater! Another great day in your safari adventure - Experience one of the world's most astonishing and renowned natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater! This volcanic crater forms stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa. Based on fossil evidence, various hominid species have occupied the area for 3 million years.
Crater decent day schedule:
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive, exploring the panoramic, short-grass prairies along the floor of this ancient volcanic caldera. Home to rare black rhinos as well as lions, hyenas and gazelles, this incredible “Lost World” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
7:00 am: Morning breakfast at the lodge.
7:30 am: Drive to Ngorongoro conservation area and descend in the crater for a game drive for the rest of the day. Lunch will take place at the picnic site inside the park.
4:00 pm: Depart Ngorongoro highlands and be transferred to lodge
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NGORONGORO FARM HOUSE
Guest Lodge Overview
Ngorongoro Farm House is a 500 acre coffee farm nestle in a beautiful woodland area and located 4 km from the Lolduare entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
48 cottage rooms and 3 suite rooms built in 3 intimate camps. The Lodge has eco-friendly electric power supplied by solar panels, with a generator as a back-up.
Activities: Guided walks in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, guided walk around the coffee plantation followed by a coffee bean roasting demonstration. Visits to local villages and schools or swim in the pool. At any time guests may enjoy a relaxing massage.
B&B
GUEST LODGE
GAME VIEW
DAY 4-6 | Date to be updated
SERENGETI
Safari Days
📍 Kirurumu Camp
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Area Overview
Experience the Serengeti wildebeest migration like never before. Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the vast plains, accompanied by herds of zebra and other majestic wildlife.
Witness this annual spectacle of nature as the wildebeest migrate in search of fresh grazing and better-quality water. With the precise timing of their movement dependent on rainfall patterns, every moment is filled with anticipation. Join us on an extraordinary adventure and discover the true essence of Africa.
Safari days!
Each day on safari in Africa is a magical experience, whether you’re exploring the savanna on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle in search of the Big 5 or taking to the sky in a hot-air balloon to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every single day is steeped in the promise of a unique adventure and cherished memories.
Although each day is unpredictable to a certain extent, based on the time of year or location, there is a general format or schedule that safaris tend to follow, but, as a rule, safaris do follow a familiar rhythm that combines thrilling game viewing with ample time to relax in between—a dream vacation in anyone’s book. One rule of thumb is that there are usually two game drives a day: one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon, when animals are at their most active.
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KIRURUMU
Camp Overview
Look forward to a beautiful mobile tented camp which relocates within a specific region: the Kogatende region, showcasing a rolling savannah woodland, providing expansive views of the escarpment that delineates the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Kenya.
Capitalizing on seasonality, potentially relocating within a specific region. This approach is strategic, considering the unpredictable nature of the migration, which remains accessible from this locations. Typically steering clear of the most crowded zones, we leverage our extensive expertise and years of experience to position ourselves in areas that are less frequented but offer excellent wildlife encounters.
While there are no guarantees when it comes to witnessing the wildebeest migration, the campsite is exceptionally well-placed during this period for observing wildebeest crossings over the majestic Mara River. The Kogatende region showcases rolling savannah woodland, providing expansive views of the escarpment that delineates the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Kenya.
FULL BOARD
TENTED CAMP
GAME VIEW
DAY 7-9 | Date to be updated
MASAI MARA GR
Safari Days
📍 Base Camp Masai Mara
MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Witness the theater of nature unfold before your very eyes, where herds of majestic elephants roam freely and stealthy predators like lions and leopards command the landscape - Masaai Mara Game Reserve.Feel the thrill of tracking the iconic Big Five and be captivated by the annual Great Migration, a breathtaking spectacle of millions of wildebeests & zebras crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures.
The world-renowned Masaai Mara Game Reserve needs little introduction. Also locally known simply as The Mara, this game reserve in lies in Narok County, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named in honor of the Maasai people (the ancestral inhabitants of the area) and their description of the area when looked at from afar: "Mara" means "spotted" in the local Maasai language of Maa, due to the many trees which dot the landscape
When it was originally established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary the Mara covered only 200 sq. mi of the current area, including the Mara Triangle. The area was extended to the east in 1961 to cover 703 sq. mi and converted to a game reserve. The Greater Mara Ecosystem encompasses areas known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Triangle, and several Maasai Conservancies
It is world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephant, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle and other antelope, to and from the Serengeti every year known as the Great Migration. There have been some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 birds species recorded on the reserve. Reliable rains and plentiful vegetation underpin this extraordinary ecosystem and the millions of herbivores it supports. The Masai Mara is a unique area with a constant and unrivaled flow of wildlife throughout the year.
From July to October the Mara becomes a backdrop for one of the last great natural wonders of the world, when 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra surge up from the Serengeti plains in their annual search for the seasonal grasses that sustain them. Wildebeest, zebras, impalas, elephants, Masai giraffes and several species of gazelle all call the Mara home. This vast concentration of game accounts for high predator numbers, including cheetahs, leopards and the highest lion densities in the world.
Twice daily game drives, luxury accommodation, delicious dinners and starlit nights!
Safari days!
Each day on safari in Africa is a magical experience, whether you’re exploring the savanna on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle in search of the Big 5 or taking to the sky in a hot-air balloon to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every single day is steeped in the promise of a unique adventure and cherished memories.
Although each day is unpredictable to a certain extent, based on the time of year or location, there is a general format or schedule that safaris tend to follow, but, as a rule, safaris do follow a familiar rhythm that combines thrilling game viewing with ample time to relax in between—a dream vacation in anyone’s book. One rule of thumb is that there are usually two game drives a day: one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon, when animals are at their most active.
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BASE CAMP MASAI MARA
Camp Overview
Bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve, Basecamp Masai Mara offers eco-friendly, luxury camping in the heart of the Savannah. The basecamp features panoramic views of the surroundings and local wildlife.
The spacious tents are built on wooden platforms with thatched-roofs, and include private bathrooms with open air, solar-heated showers. Each features a veranda overlooking the Talek River. You will have your own veranda overlooking the river, and a bathroom en-suite with a hot solar heated shower open to the sky. Enjoy the amazing wildlife from the comfort of your tent, the fig-tree platform, or while lazing over a drink in the open-air bar.
ACTIVITIES
Guests can enjoy a drink at the open air bar and relax on the viewing fig-tree platform. Also offered are game drives by professional Masai guides as well as optional night game drives.
FULL BOARD
TENTED CAMP
GAME VIEW
DAY 10 | Date to be updated
RETURN
RETURN
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end! Goodbye to the safari life, feeling relaxed, mesmerizing scenery, great food, family time, and romantic memories.
Morning road transfer back to the airport for your outbound flight... dreaming of the trip of a lifetime!
TRAVEL INFO
◽️ Preparing for your trip
PREPARING FOR YOUR
SAFARI
Pre-Travel Information
Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your arrangements and have a minimum of three blank visa pages excluding endorsement pages. Travellng with minors - in addition to having a valid passport and valid visa (if applicable), children under the age of 18, traveling through Botswana’s borders, must be in possession of a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate (one that shows the particulars of a minor and those of both parents). A child under the age of 18 traveling to Botswana and/or South Africa with just one parent must carry an affidavit signed by the other parent consenting to such travel. Failure to produce the necessary documentation may result in travelers being turned away at port of entry. Insider Tips Zimbabwe and Mozambique visas each use up a full passport page. If you are visiting both countries we recommend a minimum of four blank pages. Post Covid passport renewals are taking much longer than in the past so don’t leave applying for a new passport until the last moment as there iust a chance you won’t receive it in time to travel. Keeping your passport safe is key as there is nothing worse than having to spend precious holiday time replacing it. Make at least two copies of the ID page of your passport, visa (if obtained in advance of travel), Covid-19 vaccine passport, travel itinerary, travel insurance, credit cards and any other travel documentation. One copy can be an image scan and the other a hard copy which you can give to a family member, business associate or close friend for safekeeping When it comes to health risks and medical precautions, Machaba Blue is only able to offer limited advice as outlined below. Those with underlying chronic conditions should ideally seek medical advice prior to planning their journey. Prior to traveling to Africa, we highly recommend you visit a medical professional such as your GP or local travel clinic for advice on what health precautions need to be taken. This visit should take place at least 4-8 weeks prior to departure as it will determine the need for any vaccinations and/or antimalarial medication as well as identifying any other medical precautions. Currently no mandatory vaccinations are required when entering Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Please check if this is still the case when visiting your GP or travel clinic. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by visitors coming from a country where yellow fever occurs, or if they have been in transit for more than 12 hours at an airport in a country here yellow fever occurs. Malaria is present throughout southern Africa and in certain areas of South Africa. Insider Tips INCLUDED ____________ * As indicated on your detailed safari itinerary EXCLUDED ____________ * Unless otherwise indicated on your itineraryPASSPORTS
HEALTH
VISAS
GRATUITIES
PACKING LIST
BAGGAGE
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SAFETY GUIDELINES
INCLUDED & EXCLUDED
PAPERWORK
PASSPORTS
- Email or Whatsapp a clear color copy of your passport
- Expiration date valid at least 6 months past return dates
- Please check the number of blank Visa pages required by each country
CONTRACT
- Download the Safari Contract
- Take a picture with your phone of the first & last page and email back
- Include APPENDIX C / Indemnity for each person going on the safari
GUEST INFORMATION
- Download the Guest Information sheet
- Fill out for each person going on the safari and email back
