The Great Migration Safari
5th to 18th September 2024
Embark on an extraordinary journey with us as we traverse through Tanzania’s renowned national parks, bearing witness to the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Great Migration – up close and personal.
Our meticulously curated luxury camps, exclusive to us, provide a private and comfortable oasis where you can unwind after exhilarating days filled with wildlife sightings and game drives. Expect personalized service from our team, starting from the moment you enquire until after you return home.
With a group size limited to 12, you’ll have the opportunity to experience this natural wonder in an intimate setting, away from the throngs of tourists.
Sean Lues, an expert guide, will enlighten you with his extensive knowledge, experience and passion about the region, enabling you to appreciate the richness and diversity of the local flora and fauna.
From the ancient and massive baobab trees of Tarangire National Park to the vast grasslands of the Serengeti, this safari promises to be an unforgettable adventure. We focus on providing you with privileged access to these breathtaking locations, promising extraordinary wildlife sightings and unique cultural encounters. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Tanzania’s natural wonders in luxury and exclusivity – join us now on the Great Migration Safari!
14 days. US$15,695 per person – all inclusive (see terms & conditions)
Highlights & inclusions:
- Our own exclusive accommodation in Arusha(Olerai), Tarangire National Park(Osunyai Camp) and Serengeti National Park (Akiba Kibwe Camp);
- 2 nights in Arusha at Olerai at the beginning of the safari and a night at the end – exclusive to us;
- 3 nights in Tarangire National Park at Osunyai Camp – exclusive to us:
- Guided walks.
- One night game drive.
- Open vehicles at disposal.
- Maasai Olpul and medicine walk.
- 3 nights in Ngorongoro area
- Spend most of one day in the famous Ngorongoro Crater
- Visit to the Hadzabe / Datoga tribes.
- 4 nights in the Serengeti at Akiba Kibwe Camp – exclusive to us:
- Spend three full days on the short grass plains, driving through the massive herds and waiting by the river trying to anticipate a famous river crossing. Predators form an integral part of the story here and cheetah, lion, hyaena etc are common sightings.
- Small plane flight from Ngorongoro to Serengeti and also Serengeti to Arusha.
- All accommodation, all meals and all drinks included, as per the itinerary.
- All transfers, game drives, activities etc as listed in the itinerary.
- Fully equipped private Land-Cruisers, exclusive to our group and guaranteed ‘window’ seats, with charging facilities for cameras and phones; driven by experienced driver-guides.
- Park entrance fees, Camp fees and Conservation fees.
- Membership to the Flying Doctor’s Emergency Evacuation scheme whilst on this safari.
Testimonials from previous Migration safaris:
As a tour operator, we believe that it is important to educate our guests about the communities, wild and human, of the areas through which we travel and understand the privilege of being able to visit these areas.
We try to show how important the interdependence is for all these communities to exist.
As a responsible tour operator, we prioritize working with local communities, to promote responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
The Hadzabe and Datoga tribes
The Hadzabe and Datoga tribes are two of the unique and fascinating tribal communities found in Tanzania.
The Hadzabe tribe is known for their traditional hunting and gathering practices, making them one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa. They live in natural caves and huts in the Lake Eyasi area and are still maintaining their ancient way of life, including their language (which is full of click sounds) and cultural practices.
On the other hand, the Datoga tribe is a pastoralist community that has managed to maintain their traditions of pottery and blacksmithing for centuries. They live in the central parts of Tanzania and practice agriculture, keeping cattle, sheep, and goats while maintaining their culture and traditions.
Visiting the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes present a unique opportunity to experience and appreciate the diversity of cultures in Tanzania, to interact with these tribes, learn about their customs, and view the beautiful landscape in which they inhabit.
The Hadza have valuable knowledge that the rest of the world has lost.
Hunting and gathering cultures, with their foundation of ecological prudence, have lessons to teach all people. What the Hadza would like you, as a visitor, to take home is an appreciation of their culture not as an antiquated tradition disconnected from the modern world but as a valid part of it. This approach to tourism bolsters self-identity among a people victimized by severe prejudice and discrimination across the board.
Community values and goals are paramount.
Because Hadza land is a communal resource and Hadza society is egalitarian, tourism is judged worthwhile only if it enhances community land and resource rights. In particular, tourism should not permit individuals to profit at the expense of the community. Tourist proceeds go primarily to community accounts, though smaller fees (structured by the community) are paid to local individuals who take part in a given tourist visit.
The Maasai
The Maasai are a semi-nomadic tribe, known for their unique culture, colorful traditional attire, and incredible resilience against adversity.
The Maasai are primarily known for their close relationship with cattle, which they regard not only as a source of food and income but also as a symbol of wealth and status. They inhabit remote regions of East Africa, where they practice their age-old customs, including elaborate initiation ceremonies, storytelling, and ritual song and dance.
In Tarangire there will be ample opportunity to have personal conversations and interactions with local Maasai. One afternoon they will perform a local ‘olpul’ (ceremony) on our behalf, where we can learn about their way of life, including their fascinating history, their diet, dress and architecture.
Our accommodations:
Olerai, Arusha. Three nights
Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Situated in the outskirts of this busy little town, Olerai is set under a canopy of yellow-barked acacias and other indigenous trees and this is where we spend our first two nights and another night at the end of our safari.
Once a private home, Olerai welcomes its guests with an air of calmness – an urban oasis, perfect for starting (and ending) an adventure on safari. The small team of dedicated staff are there to provide personalised service in a home setting.
In the evenings, the fire is lit in the garden to gather around, for socializing with one’s travel companions over an iced gin and tonic, regional wine or a cup of tea.
Mercy and her team endeavour to create a sense of family warmth to welcome you to Africa.
Osunyai Wilderness Camp, Tarangire. Three nights
Osunyai Wilderness Camp, our exclusive Camp set on the edge of the wilderness zone, is situated close to the Silale wetland – prime elephant & buffalo habitat and in the heart of big game country. The camp is set beneath mature acacia trees facing the rising sun.
The luxury safari tents are large and airy with full width windows and en-suite bathrooms, king sized double or two-extra long single beds and private veranda. All the creature comforts of a seasonal Camp, whilst retaining the balance & feel of the mobile heritage.
The baobab-strewn Tarangire is a haven for wildlife and has an extremely rich game viewing potential: large herds of elephants can be seen, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Osunyai and nearby Silale are fantastic habitats to view predators and prey in an unsurpassed setting. Close liaison with our driver-guide will ensure the choice of daily activities match our mood and pace. In addition to the traditional Game drives, there are Game walks accompanied by our own armed walking guide. A night game drive will be arranged, as well as a Masai cultural experience ( ‘Olpul’ and medicine walk).
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. One night
Nestled high above the plains into the Crater’s jagged rim, cloaked in river stone and indigenous vines, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is barely visible to the naked eye from down below.
Framed by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its torch-lit walls are adorned with stylized cave paintings. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Rooms are looped around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock-enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below.
Standing at 2236m above sea level, Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken caldera in the world and is surrounded by very steep walls rising 610m from the crater floor. Covering an area of 259 square kms, it is considered to be one of the Wonders of the Natural World and is a veritable haven for wildlife.
Plantation Lodge, Ngorongoro. Two nights
Plantation Lodge is set in a working farm and on a high bluff, the lodge is very comfortable, elegant and personable – one of the best addresses in Northern Tanzania.
Built and run to a very high standard under the supervision of Renate, the owner, Plantation Lodge offers its guests a unique opportunity to savour the atmosphere of staying in a elegant farm house set in beautiful tropical gardens. All the rooms are individually and tastefully furnished, and the meals include home-grown vegetables & fruits.
This will be our base for two nights after an exhilarating trip into the Ngorongoro Crater and from where we will travel west to the region of Lake Eyasi to visit the unique Hadzabe and Datoga tribes.
Akiba Kibwe, Serengeti. Four nights
The days of heavy canvas hunting camps set for the likes of Roosevelt and Hemingway were almost over until photographic safaris gained popularity.
The luxury mobile tented camps are tasteful, extremely comfortable, and above all mobile, allowing freedom to follow the movements of the great migratory herds.
The tents, which have been custom designed, offer the very highest level of comfort and mobility.
Silver service dining and of course the renowned, well-balanced, menus served al Fresco under the African stars or in the candlelit dining tent.
Linger a little longer?
We highly recommend considering an extended stay in Africa – there is so much to see and experience!
With a vast range of options available, you can tailor your journey to suit your preferences. For instance, you may wish to explore the vibrant Spice Islands of Zanzibar off Tanzania’s coast, or observe gorillas and chimpanzees in neighbouring countries.
Additionally, must-visit destinations such as Victoria Falls and Cape Town are within relatively close travelling distances.
Our team can guide you through all possible options, should you desire to enrich your trip further.
Join Sean as he chats with Gary Strand, from Wildlife Explorer in Tanzania, as they chat about life in East Africa as it opens up post Covid.
Footage across a herd of wildebeest and zebra, taken by Sean on his Great Migration Safari to the Serengeti in February 2020.
A compilation of some scenes taken by Sean during previous safaris.
Great Migration February 2020 promotion.