6 Days Mays Migration Safari (Ngorongoro Crater / Ndutu / Serengeti)

Overview

Every year, the vast herds of wildebeest embark on a long-distance migration that coincides with the annual rainfall patterns and grass growth. Following the short rainy season in November, the herds of wildebeest arrive on the short-grass plains of the Serengeti around November. The short-grass plains are located in the area east and south of the Seronera, around Ndutu, and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation area. Herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen across these plains as they feed on the nutrient-rich grasses. The majority of the wildebeest calve around February. They normally stay in the area till April and then start moving west towards to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park.

Our 6-day Migration wildlife safaris, tours, holidays, and travel packages, have been designed specifically to focus on and to increase your chance to see the great Serengeti wildebeest migration. We have designed the itinerary to include the Lake Ndutu area, southern Serengeti, and central Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found from December through to April. To save on unnecessary travel time and to increase your game viewing time, this itinerary has been designed so that you fly from the Serengeti National Park to Arusha town on the last day. The itinerary also includes a visit to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.

The travel itinerary below is a suggested or sample Tanzanian migration safari itinerary – it can be adapted to suit your own personal needs and preferences or to any seasonal changes and migratory animal movements. As with all our Tanzanian Africa safaris, tours, holidays, and travel packages, we have offered you a wide variety of accommodation options – directly impacting the total safari travel costs – in order to offer you the widest possible tour budget options. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our travel consultants directly.

Please note that it is difficult to predict the exact timing and location of the migration at any time, as this can vary considerably from year to year, depending on factors such as rainfall, water availability, food abundance, predators, and the phosphorus content in the grasses.

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Day 1 | Arusha – Ngorongoro

Pick up from Arusha and transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. We arrive in time for lunch at the Camp and after lunch, we will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for an afternoon safari tour.

Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos, and other water birds can usually be seen here.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
Distance: 190 km

Day 2 | Ngorongoro – Ndutu

After breakfast, we will head to the Lake Ndutu area, situated in the Ngorongoro conservation area, part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Lake Ndutu is alkaline, like most of the other Rift lakes, however, the water is still drinkable and used by a wide array of local wildlife.

We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge or camp, and after lunch, we will do an afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephants, birds, and resident games.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non game-viewing travel time: 1 hour
Distance: 70 km

Day 3 | Ndutu

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in the Ndutu area. Explore the range of different habitats that include swamps, woodland, soda lakes, and the world-famous Serengeti short grass plains. See great herds of wildebeest and zebra. During a short time frame around February, normally lasting for about 3 weeks, the majority of the wildebeest calve. The sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.

Lunch, Dinner, and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 4 | Ndutu – Serengeti Plains

After breakfast we head towards the central Serengeti National Park, also known as the Seronera. We descend into the heart of wild Africa – the Serengeti National Park – with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species.

We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti national park.

Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non game-viewing travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 80 km

Day 5 | Serengeti Plains

Be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a Hot Air Balloon over the Serengeti Plains (available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement). Floating silently above the awakening bush, while spotting wildlife and enjoying the amazing scenery of Africa, across rivers and over numerous small villages.

After breakfast enjoys a full-day game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The majority of the wildebeest migration normally passes through the Seronera in late November to middle November, when they migrate from Kenya’s Masai Mara in the north to the Ndutu area in the south.

The migration then passes through this area again in April when they move west to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park. The Seronera area is also an ideal starting point to visit the eastern and southern short-grass plains of the Serengeti National Park.

Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 6 | Serengeti Plains – Arusha

After breakfast at your accommodation we depart to the Seronera airstrip and enjoy a game drive en route to the airstrip.

Around midmorning join a scheduled flight from Seronera airstrip to Arusha airport. Upon arrival at Arusha airport, meet our driver and transfer to Arusha/Moshi town. On arrival, we will have lunch and then we will end our African safari adventure. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our safari services.

Departure dates

The departure dates for all our Africa safaris, tours, holidays, and travel packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed information.

Included

Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
Private safari guide
Maasai Experience tour
Extended Toyota Land Cruiser
Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop-up roof for game viewing
Transfers in both directions between the International Airport and Moshi.
All entrance Park fees
NgorongoroCrater fees
18% VAT to our entrance fees.
All meals while on safari.
One-night Hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha.
Government taxes, VAT, and service charges relating to accommodation

Excluded

Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival, USA and CANADA passport holders USD 100
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed above
Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 540 per person etc)
Tips and any items of personal nature