The Great Migration Safari - birthing season
9th to 20th February 2023
“We believe exclusivity is the last true luxury in travel and this is what we strive to give you.” – Wildlife Explorer, Tanzania
Experience the phenomenon of the Great Migration, the luxury of exclusivity and the excitement of unparalleled wildlife viewing.
A maximum group size of 12, our own exclusive luxury camps in Tarangire & Serengeti and each passenger with their own window seat and roof top viewing in the vehicles – this is a very special safari.
With over twenty years of experience as a safari guide, Sean Lues will be accompanying this trip. His passion and enthusiasm will help make this trip a journey to remember forever. Sean has shared a few of the photos from his last Migration Safari below.
We spend three days in the baobab-strewn Tarangire National Park – a haven for wildlife, plus the opportunity for a night drive and a walk in the bush.
We will spend a full day in the incredible Ngorongoro crater, visit a Maasai boma and pass through the Oldupai Gorge and its museum, showcasing the findings of early mankind.
We finish up on a massive high in the Serengeti to witness the incredible phenomenon of the Great Migration, when the million plus wildebeest and zebra pause for a while on the short grass plains for the birthing period. During this period hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves and zebra foals join the herds over a three to four week time span.
AU$16,979 per person – all inclusive (see terms & conditions)
The Great Migration Safari - birthing season
Olerai, Arusha. One night
Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania and is where we spend our first night.
Situated in the outskirts of this busy little town, Olerai, the Strand family house, is set under a canopy of yellow-barked acacias and other indigenous trees.
Once a private home, Olerai welcomes its guests with an air of calmness – an urban oasis, perfect for starting (or ending) an adventure on safari. The philosophy is simple – exclusivity is the greatest luxury, and so, only you and your group get the entire home to yourselves. The small team of dedicated staff are there to provide personalized service in a home setting.
9 en suite rooms spread over the garden grounds provide comfortable accommodation.
In the evenings, the fire is lit for socializing with one’s travel companions over an iced gin and tonic, regional wine or a simple 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. A wide range of wildlife and nature activities are offered : 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).
Plantation Lodge, Ngorongoro. Two nights
A morning game drive out of the park to Plantation Lodge – 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 & 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 & tastefully furnished, and the meals include home-grown vegetables & fruits.
This will be our base for two nights as we make a very early start for our full day trip into the Ngorongoro Crater. Abounding with lion, buffalo and many other species, including rhino and elephant, this is a day not to be forgotten.
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.
Dulana, Serengeti. Three nights
Depart for the Serengeti Plains – game drive and picnic lunch on the way. A stop at Olduvai can be arranged, one of the most important paleoanthropological localities in the world. Gaze over the stark Oldupai Gorge, from where Louis and Mary Leakey had their research centre and currently houses a fascinating museum.
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.
Dulana sits on the edge of ‘Hidden Valley’ a little-known depression on the southern plains of the Serengeti, on the edge of the off-road driving area, allowing immediate access onto the short grass plains, where Cheetah are abundant and Lion prides establish territory close to camp and the surrounding woodland. The camp takes advantage of the uninterrupted views across the shallow valley, where different species of game can be spotted from the comfort of the accommodation tents.
Lake Duluti Lodge, Arusha.
We fly out of the Serengeti in a small charter plane – this aerial view allowing a much better sense of scale of the vast plains below us.
Back in Arusha there is lunch and a shopping opportunity – everything from wooden carvings to stunning Tanzanite jewellery.
We spend the first and final nights at Lake Duluti Lodge.
Linger a little longer?
Africa is very much worth a longer stay! So why not extend your journey with an endless array of options to suit you. Off the coast of Tanzania are the Spice Islands of Zanzibar; gorillas and chimpanzees abound in neighbouring countries and relatively close by are must-see destinations like Victoria Falls & Cape Town.
Possibly consider starting off with our 9 day Southern Africa Lodge & River Cruise Safari or finishing up with a 13-day South Africa Discovery Cruise with Mozambique
Speak to us about all the possible additions we could help you with.
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.