GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION – MARA RIVER CROSSING

TRIP DATES: 4.10.2023 – 15.10.2023

CHECK THE ROUTE

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE FROM POLAND

DAY 2 - ARUSHA

After landing at Kilimanjaro’s small international airport, we will be met by our local guides, who will take us in 4×4 vehicles, before setting off towards Arusha. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to drive through the village of Tengeru, where a camp of Polish refugees from the Anders army existed between 1942 and 1952. There is a cemetery of Polish refugees in the area of Tengeru, which is worth seeing. 

Once we reach Arusha, a town of almost 400,000 people, we will be able to feel the atmosphere of sub-Saharan Africa. Arusha has played a key role in Tanzanian history, as it was here that Britain signed the official documents granting independence to Tanganyika in 1961. 

We will have lunch there and then walk around the city or drive to the Cultural Heritage Centre, which lies on the outskirts, where we will have the opportunity to admire African handicrafts and paintings by artists working in cities such as Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma.

Each of the exhibits is available for purchase, so this will be an ideal opportunity to acquire unique souvenirs of your trip. And we will stay overnight in a typically African hotel on the outskirts of the city. This is an ideal opportunity to start getting used to the climate, before embarking on the safari adventure proper.

Accomodation: boutique hotel

Food: lunch & dinner

DAY 3 - TARANGIRE

After an early breakfast, we will depart for Tarangire National Park, some 130 Kilometres from Arusha, arriving around 09.00 AM to start our game drive. Tarangire National Park is particularly famous for its elephants, which move here in large groups during the dry season when other water sources in the area dry up. However, this is not all the park has to offer. The picturesque landscapes, including the distinctive baobabs, giant trees that symbolise Africa, make a remarkable impression on tourists. We will then enjoy our packed lunch overlooking the Tarangire River, before enjoying the afternoon game drive.

The park is also home to the Tarangire River, which attracts huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and the predators that hunt them. It is also one of the few places in the world where you can see rare bird species such as the red-bellied turaco and the winged blackbird. After a full day game viewing, we shall exit the park and drive to Karatu Area for dinner and overnight.

Accomodation: lodges

Food: full board

DAY 4 - Hunting with the Hazabe People, Visit to Datoga Tribe

Depart the lodge at around 5.30AM with packed breakfast and lunch, drive to the village of Hadzabe people and join them for a hunt. The Hadza, as they are better known, are East Africa’s last remaining true hunter-gatherers. As one of Africa’s oldest tribes, they have lived sustainably on their land near the Rift Valley, birthplace of humanity, for over 50,000 years. Their current number stands at 1,000 and they are on the verge of extinction, living in the Lake Eyasi Valley and surrounding hills. Their language is similar to the Southern Africa’s Bushmen who speak the Click language. With their strong bows whose string is made out of giraffe tendons and their arrows treated with a poison extracted from the Desert Rose, they hunt both small and larger animals. As the men go on the hunting sessions, women gather fruits and berries. They eat an amazing variety of wild fruits and berries like no other tribe in Tanzania which has proven to be their survival strength. They do not own belongings other than what they need for survival like the bows and arrows and some pots for cooking. Thereafter, you will visit the Datoga Tribe.  Experience a genuine, authentic, cultural encounter with these tribes and spend some time with them, learning their various traditions and skills. They are fascinating tribes whose ancient cultures still exist in our modern times. In the late afternoon, return to your accommodation for afternoon leisure, relation, dinner and overnight.

Accomodation: lodges

Food: full board

DAY 5 - Serengeti - Big Cats experience

An early morning will see us embark on an amazing adventure in the Serengeti National Park. This is one of the largest and most famous national parks in Africa, famous for its wildlife, wild animals, and amazing landscapes.

Upon reaching the gates of the Serengeti, we will probably spot a group of local thieves – baboons. So, let’s be careful and remember to lock the doors and windows in the car. This is because baboons will take advantage of every unsealed door or window in our cars to jump inside and flawlessly snatch the boxes containing our lunch in the blink of an eye. 

The Serengeti is one of the most spectacular places on earth, with wildlife, views that will take your breath away and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else. It is also home to the ‘big five of Africa’ – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and African buffalo. It is also a park where you can see wild herds of antelopes, wildebeests and zebras, hippos, warthogs and even cheetahs. For bird lovers, the Serengeti is a paradise, with over 500 species of birds, including falcons, eagles, and pelicans. 

In the evening, we will arrive at the lodge’s camp where we can relax by the campfire and enjoy dinner. This will be an ideal opportunity to reflect and share our impressions of the day. This is just the beginning of our African adventure, and we already know that it will be an unforgettable experience.

Accomodation: tented lodges

Food: full board

DAY 6 - Great Migration, Mara River crossing, Hunting crocodiles

Getting up very early, those who want to feast their eyes on the sight of carefree grazing animals in Africa must set off at the crack of dawn. Mornings on the savannah are beautiful, the pleasant temperature, prompting the animals to come out of their hiding places and enjoy the space and food. This is when the savannah is alive to the fullest, and we can participate in this wonder. The great migration is supposed to be here between July and mid-October, crossing the famous Mara River to Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya and back to Serengeti.  The North Serengeti has lots of big cats, elephants, giraffes, impalas, hippos and it is another excellent place to see the endangered black rhino. Transferred to Europe, this park would take up exactly half of Belgium, making it one of the most extensive reserves in the world.

The Serengeti Plain, on which it is situated, is a natural area that has not been interfered with by man. To protect this area, the Tanzanian government decided years ago to unconditionally evict the Tanzanian tribes from it. In the evening we will drive down to the camp, have dinner and spend the night in the lodges.

Accomodation: tented lodges

Food: full board

DAY 7 - the north serengeti

Morning and afternoon game drive along the Mara River, with early departure.  The great migration is supposed to be here between July and mid-October, crossing the famous Mara River to Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya and back to Serengeti.  The North Serengeti has lots of big cats, elephants, giraffes, impalas, hippos and it is another excellent place to see the endangered black rhino.  All meals and overnight will be at the camp.

Accomodation: tented lodges

Food: full board

DAY 8 - north east serengeti with predators

After breakfast, you will drive to Lobo area for game viewing.  Lobo is in North-East of Serengeti National Park with unique landscape.  Here you will have excellent opportunity to see leopards, cheetahs, big prides of lions, the rare clip-springer antelopes, etc.  In the afternoon, you will drive to Central Serengeti for dinner and overnight.

Accomodation: lodges

Food: full board

DAY 9 - Ngorongoro

Early in the morning, after a quick breakfast, we will meet our guide and set off towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Once there, we will see an amazing view of the crater. It contains a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, rivers and bodies of water, which attracts tens of thousands of animals. Because of its natural beauty, the crater has been selected as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. 

It is worth knowing that the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in the world where we can see all five species of large mammals: elephant, African buffalo, lion, leopard and black rhino. During our tour we will have the opportunity to see many wild animals, including herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, flamingos, and ostriches. 

The colorful clouds above the crater add to the surreal atmosphere, making this place even more special. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to take plenty of photos to preserve memories for a lifetime. In the late afternoon, we will have dinner at one of the local lodges and then spend the night there. At the lodges we will have the opportunity to rest to prepare for the next day of our trip.

Accomodation: lodges

Food: full board

DAY 10 - MTO WA MBU

After breakfast, we will set off on a walking tour to the picturesque farming town of Mto wa Mbu. This is a remarkable place where you can meet representatives of more than 120 different African tribes, giving you the opportunity to see the wealth of cultural diversity.

During the tour we will visit rice and banana plantation, where we will learn about the process of growing these crops and taste local delicacies. We will then see a local beer factory, where we will have the opportunity to test different flavours of beer and learn about the traditional way of making beer. We will also visit a school and a sculpture factory where we will be able to admire beautiful crafts.

Throughout the tour we will have the opportunity to learn about the traditional way of life of the villagers, their culture, and customs. In the late afternoon, we will have a local meal to experience the flavours of the local cuisine.

You will visit the local Masai Village to interact with the villagers, have a taste of their staple food and enjoy some Maasai traditional dance.  Later, drive back to Arusha for drop to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Accomodation: boutique hotel

Food: full board

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE

Departure to Poland from Kilimanjaro International Airport

WHY WITH US?

TRIP PRICE 2’740 USD

(about 11’200 PLN)

TRIP DATES: 4.10.2023 – 15.10.2023

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

TRANSPORT

ACCOMODATION

food and drinks

TICKETS

other attractions

OTHER

PRE-PAYMENT 250 USD

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

CONTACT US

COMPANY DETAILS

AfricanFive.com Sp. z o. o.
NIP: 1182261266
REGON: 525184210

COMPANY HEADQUARTER

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05-870 Błonie
Polska