7-Day Soul of Tanzania - Journey for the Wildebeest

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be greeted by a senior safari guide who will drive you to the hotel in Arusha for dinner and an overnight stay.

Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania and the capital of the Arusha Region, with a population of 416,442 plus 323,198 in the surrounding Arusha District. It is located below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. Arusha has a temperate climate. The city is close to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.

After breakfast, you’ll depart for the Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll arrive just in time for lunch at the lodge and then you’ll descend over 600m to the crater to view the wildlife in it.

Supported by year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro Crater supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebras, buffalos, elands, warthogs, hippos, 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. You will also 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.

Accommodation

Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp Tented Camp Luxury

Inside Park Ngorongoro Crater

+6 +5

After breakfast, you will have the morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you’ll head toward the heart of wild Africa—the Serengeti National Park—with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. You’ll proceed to the Lobo area which is located just north of the Seronera area (central Serengeti National Park). The wildebeest migration normally passes through the Lobo area every year around July / August en route to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and again in late October / November en route to the southern Serengeti National Park.

Accommodation

Enkirari Wilderness Camp Tented Camp Mid-range

Inside Park Serengeti National Park

+4 +3

After breakfast, you will enjoy a full-day game drive in the park. The area around Lobo and the Grumeti River has good resident game throughout the year. Non-migrating animals like elephants, buffalos, gazelles, zebras, lions, leopards, and cheetahs can be seen here all year round. The game viewing is very good and you can follow the game for long periods without seeing other vehicles—truly one of the forgotten corners of the Serengeti Plains. Magnificent riverine trees can be found along the river lines and bird species such as kingfishers and fish eagles can be found here.

Accommodation

Enkirari Wilderness Camp Tented Camp Mid-range

Inside Park Serengeti National Park

+4 +3

After breakfast, you will head towards the far northern reach of the Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria. You will do a game drive en route from the Lobo area to the Wagakuria area. As you head north, good sightings of giraffes, plain game, herds of buffalos, and elephants can often be seen.

Accommodation

Enkutoto Migration Camp Tented Camp Luxury

Inside Park Serengeti National Park

+5 +4

After breakfast, you will enjoy a full-day game drive in the Wagakuria area. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high in this area of the park, with a pride of lions up to 30 strong. However, from August to October the area turns into a wildlife paradise. The key feature is the Mara River and it is not uncommon to see the herds cross the Mara River north on one day and then back south a few days later. Please take note that finding a crossing is very difficult and is sometimes a matter of luck. A herd can be seen next to the river and only decide to cross or not cross until a couple of days later. This area is a stunning region with kopjes, woodland, riverine vegetation, and open plains, similar to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

Accommodation

Enkutoto Migration Camp Tented Camp Luxury

Inside Park Serengeti National Park

+5 +4

After breakfast at the camp, you will depart for Kogatende Airstrip and enjoy a game drive en route. At around mid-morning, you will join a scheduled flight from Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha Airport. Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, you will meet our driver who’ll drive you to Arusha town. Upon arrival, you will have our lunch. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our safari services.