Tanzania - The March Migration Safari   23rd February to 5th March 2009   (Extension to Zanzibar 4th to 9th March)		For printable pdf version of the itinerary click here Download Adobe Reader (pdf)
This tour will be visiting some of the best game-viewing areas and some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery to be found on the African Continent. Additionally at this time of year the sheer profusion of flowers of every hue and colour to be imagined is a great joy in itself. Said to be the cradle of mankind, the earliest known evidence of humanoids was found by Dr Mary Leakey at Laetoli and Olduvai Gorge. Tanzania has traded with nations from every corner of the earth from the 13th Century up to the present day from the coastal ports and the historic Island of Zanzibar. The first camp to be visited will be TARANGIRE with a 3-night stay at Tarangire Safari Lodge. The pretty park is well known for the number of statuesque baobab trees and the number of elephants that inhabit it. All the major species can be seen in this park, including eland, oryx, hartebeest, greater and lesser kudu, giraffe and an extensive variety of birds. The second visit will be to BOUGAINVILLEA LODGE rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.  There will also be a visit to Gibbs Farm for the morning and lunch where there are great views to the southeast over the Mbulu highlands to the edge of the Manyara rift wall. The extensive gardens are very fertile, fruit and vegetables and other produce from the farm, of which this is a part, supply not only the kitchen of the lodge, but also that of many other hotels in the region. No visit to Tanzania is complete without a visit to the NGORONGORO CRATER. Known as the eighth wonder of the world this vast crater is overwhelming in the vastness of scale and beautiful scenery, and contains the largest permanent concentration of non-migratory wildlife in Africa due to its permanent source of fresh water. The final visit is to LAKE NDUTU and the SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.    Ndutu has 6 resident species of cat, lion, leopard, cheetah, serval, caracal and wild cat. There will be a very good chance of seeing leopard here. From the camp there will be game drives in the fabulous Serengeti National Park.   At this time of year much of the plains game congregates on the open short-grass area of south-eastern Serengeti. The migration is not predictable, but there is a very good chance that it will commence in this period and give an experience that is never to be forgotten as hundred of thousands of animals start their instinctive march to other pastures. The will be a visit to the famous Olduvai Gorge The museum here is set up on the site of archaeological digs taking place through out this and the last century. This site was made famous particularly by the Leakey family and some of the amazing hominid finds such as Australopithicus bosei or “Nutcracker Man” because of his very large teeth and jaws and Homo habilis a hominid so named for his handy abilities with tools found around the site A chance to relax at the end of the tour can be enjoyed with an extension to ZANZIBAR; this fascinating island is steeped in history with its strongly Arabic culture and architecture, and associations with the slave trade. The hotel grounds are beautifully landscaped and contain many interesting spice plants, and mangroves, which attract a great variety of birdlife. There is ample opportunity for sightseeing excursions both on the island and by boat, in addition to fishing, swimming, diving, snorkelling and sailing.
The Itinerary
Monday 23rd February Assemble at London Heathrow Airport for the flight departing for Nairobi at 7.00pm. Tuesday 24th February Arrive at Nairobi at 6.30am and transfer to by private charter flight to Tarangire where your guide will greet you and escort you to the vehicle for the drive to Tarangire Lodge arriving in time for lunch.     This afternoon your search for African wildlife will begin. Tarangire is famous for its herds of elephant and for leopards among the many other species that you will see. Tarangire is a very pretty park, and in addition to the animals and birds you will see many interesting plants notably the many Baobab trees. Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge (L,D) Wednesday 25th February Full day of game drives in Tarangire. During your “down” time you can swim in the pool at the lodge or relax looking over the Tarangire River. Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge(B,L,D) Thursday 26th February A further full day of game viewing in this picturesque park. Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge( B,L,D) Friday 27th February Enjoy a morning game drive and return to the lodge for lunch before heading to the plantation area surrounding the town of Karatu. You’ll pass through the lively market town of Mto wa Mbo where you’ll see the dramatic escarpment of the Rift Valley. Arrive at Bougainvillea Lodge in time to relax and take afternoon tea. Overnight: Bougainvillea Lodge ( B,L,D) Saturday 28th February After a leisurely breakfast drive to Gibbs Farm where you can choose either to relax, stroll round the gardens and look for birds, or take a more strenuous walk with a guide to see the Elephant Caves and the spectacular waterfall from where the water us used to supply the town of Karatu.   Enjoy lunch at gibbs Farm, and afterwards drive to the Ngorogoro Conservation Area seeing the views of the Crater on the journey round the rim on the way to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge arriving there in time for dinner Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge   (B,L,D) Sunday 1st March Depart early at 6.00am this morning to descend into the Ngorogoro Crater.    This may be your only chance to see the rare and elusive black rhino. The crater hosts almost every species in the region except giraffe (they can’t negotiate the steep incline down.) There are lion, cheetah, hippo, plains species and a myriad of birds. The 102 sq. mile floor is surrounded by the intact crater walls rising up over 1,000 ft to the rim.  A picnic breakfast will be taken at a suitable spot to enjoy the views in the Crater.   In the early afternoon ascend from the Crater and commence the journey to Ndutu and the Serengeti National Park, with a stop for a picnic lunch at the interesting and informative museum at Olduvai Gorge.  Continue the journey to the Serengeti with game viewing en route to arrive at the Serengeti Safari Camp in time for dinner. Overnight: Serengeti Safari Camp ( B,L,D) Monday 2nd March Explore the varied eco-systems surrounding the lodge. This area is a wildlife lovers dream. Ndutu has been the home of many famous wildlife filmmakers and photographers. There are the marshes and a soda lake, acacia woodland and short grass plains. Annually the migration of wildebeest and zebra find their way here between December and May. While resident, they travel over the vast area always on the search of the sweet new grass. The smell of rain even miles away will cause the herds to move in that direction. The resident wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah, lion, elephant, various species of antelope and exciting smaller cats such as the caracal. Striped hyena is seen regularly. Overnight: Serengeti Safari Camp ( B,L,D) Tuesday 3rd March Enjoy another day of safari to explore this fascinating area and view the profusio of game to be found here. Overnight: Serengeti Safari Camp ( B,L,D) Wednesday 4th March Leave camp and transfer to the Sero airstrip to depart by special charter flight to Nairobi to connect with late evening flight to London Heathrow. Those who are continuing to Zanzibar take a scheduled flight direct to the island.    Overnight: In flight. Thursday 5th March Arrive back to London Airport.   Main Tour Cost Price per person Twin/Double £3,195.00 Single Supplement £428.00 Cost Includes Flights London/Nairobi return. Private charter flight from Nairobi to Tarangire and scheduled flights from Manyara to Kilimanjaro and Kilimanjaro to Nairobi  8 nights’ accommodation with full board in lodges and camp. 2 nights in flight Game viewing as per itinerary in expedition-outfitted land rovers and led by a qualified safari guide. Park entrances and camping fees. Escort services from arrival at Kilimanjaro to departure.   Extension Tour to Zanzibar 4th to 9th March 2009 Wednesday 4th  March Fly Sero to Zanzibar and transfer to Mbweni Ruins Hotel, Zanzibar Overnight: Mbweni Ruins Hotel, ZANZIBAR (B) Thursday 5th, &  Friday 6th & Saturday 7th March Overnights: Mbweni Ruins Hotel, ZANZIBAR (B) Sunday 8th March Transfer back to the airport to fly to Nairobi to connect with evening flight to London. Monday 9th March Arrive London Heathrow in the early evening.   Price per person Twin/Double £635.00 Single Supplement £225.00 Cost Includes Flights Sero/Zanzibar and Zanzibar/ Nairobi 4 nights’ accommodation at the Serena Inn on bed and breakfast basis. Transfers airport to hotel and return. How to Book To make a booking, please call us on 01242 515 712 or click on our Booking Details.