Wildebeest Migration cycle in Serengeti

The endless plains of east Africa are the settingto the southern plains for the short rains every
for the world's greatest wildlife spectacle - the 1.5October and November, and then swirl west and
million animal ungulate (wildebeest) migration. Fromnorth after the long rains in April, May and June.
the vast Serengeti plains to the champagneSo strong is the ancient instinct to move that no
colored hills of Kenya's Masai Mara over 1.4 milliondrought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold
wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle,them back. The Wildebeest travel through a
relentlessly tracked by Africa's great predators,variety of parks, reserves and protected areas
migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 milesand through a variety of habitat. Join us to
each year in search of rain ripened grass.explore the different forms of vegetation and
There is no real beginning or end to a wildebeest'slandscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet
journey. Its life is an endless pilgrimage, a constantsome of their most fascinating inhabitants
search for food and water. The only beginning isDay 5: Ngorongoro
at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro, one of
wildebeest calves are born during a six weekthe natural wonders of the world. Meals and
period early each year - usually between lateovernight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
January and mid-March in Tanzania Hence the
best period to take a wildlife Migration safari inDay 6: Ngorongoro craterafter early morning
Tanzania is in the months of December throughbreakfast leave with picnic lunch for a full day
to March.crater tour. You will be taken 2000ft down the
Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation areas.crater by a 4wheel drive vehicle, explore the
The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongorocrater before ascending back to the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area is arguably the mostSopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.
impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. DuringThe Ngorongoro Crater is often called
the months December through March the‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th
seemingly unending plains of the southernNatural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the
Serengeti and the Conservation Area arecrater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to
inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest andTanzania and a definite world-class attraction. The
zebra. The great herds graze on rain ripenedNgorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home of
grass. In the calving season (late January throughNgorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5
mid March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutumillion years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking
and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongorodue to inactivity, and was initially thought to be
Conservation Area) attracting the attention ofhigher than Tanzania’s famous Kilimanjaro.
predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.The crater has evolved into a unique and integral
8 Days Tanzania wildlife migration safari packagepart of Tanzania’s eco-system. The crater is
Day 1: Nairobi - Arushaactually a caldera, measures 22.5 km’s across
Board a shuttle bus to Arusha from Nairobi viaand the rim walls stand 600m high. Views from
Namanga boarder to arrive Arusha by 1400 hrs.within and from the rim are breathtaking (as can
Drop off at Kibo Palace Hotel for Dinner andbe seen from the picture). The crater houses
overnight stay.30,000 animals and a large variety of birds, which
Day 2: Arusha - Lake Manyarararely move from the area due to the availability
Leave Arusha at 0800 hrs and  proceed to Lakeof water through wet and dry seasons
Manyara national park for afternoon game drive.Day 7 Ngorongoro - Tarangire
Dinner and overnight Lake Manyara Serena lodgeAfter breakfast drive to Tarangire. Afternoon
Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyaragame drive. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire
Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, LakeSafari Lodge./Sopa Lodge
Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems,Tarangire National Park, one of the hidden jewels
incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. Lakeof Tanzania. This park measures 2,600 sq
Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions arekm’s and boasts a concentration of wildlife
another reason to pay this park a visit. The onlysecond only to Ngorongoro Crater. It features an
kind of their species in the world, they make theimpressive amount and array of bird life and plant
ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their homelife. Situated only 160km’s from Arusha, the
during the rainy season, and are a well-known butpark is nestled to the south of the large open
rather rare feature of the northern park. Ingrass plains of southern Maasailand. It is named
addition to the lions, the national park is also homeafter the Tarangire River, which runs directly
to the largest concentration of baboons anywherethrough the center of the park and is the only
in the world -- a fact that makes for interestingpermanent water source for the animals. Along
game viewing of large families of the primates.the banks of this river you will find herds of
Day 3 – Lake Manyara – Serengetiwildebeest (or gnu) and zebra, followed by
After breakfast depart for Serengeti passingGrant’s Gazelle, Thomson ’s gazelle and
through Olduvai Gorge, the archeological site ofmany others. Lurking in the background lion and
the Leakey family. Meals and overnight atleopard keep a watchful eye on a possible meal.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge.The park offers views of grass and floodplains
Day 4: Serengetiwith impressive baobab and flat topped acacia
A full day with morning and afternoon gametrees scattered throughout. During the dry season
drives to explore the plains, Dinner and overnightthe park may look quite ordinary, but activities
at Serengeti Sopa Lodgecontinue even more earnestly due to the now
Serengeti is easily Tanzania’s most famousincreased competition.
national park, and it’s also the largest, at
14,763 square kilometres of protected area thatDay 8: Tarangire - Arusha
borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Game ParkIt isEarly morning game drives, and then return to the
the Migration for which Serengeti is perhaps mostlodge for breakfast .Drive to Arusha to arrive by
famous. Over a million wildebeest and aboutlunch time. Board an after noon shuttle bus to
200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hillsNairobi to arrive by 1800 hrs.