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Witness one of the seven wonders of the natural world as millions of wildebeest migrate through the Serengeti during calving season.
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Between the months of January and February the Serengeti comes to life as over a million wildebeest migrate from the North to the South to calve. The calcium-rich grass shoots from the green season attract pregnant wildebeest in search of sustenance for their soon-to-be newborns. With over 8000 wildebeest being born each day, the calving season ensures incredible wildlife sightings with predators and their cubs following suit. This calving migration safari takes you to 2 of Tanzania’s most iconic locations. Starting off in Arusha, spend the day traversing the working coffee plantation at Legendary Lodge whilst taking in views of Mount Meru. Next up, the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most popular Big 5 destinations. Spend your days on game drives through the extinct volcano, and spot wildlife grazing on the mineral rich caldera surrounded by stalking predators. Lastly, you will visit the world renowned Serengeti. Stay in the Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp which moves between 3 different locations during the year, following the migratory route of the wildebeest. Witness around half a million young wildebeest come into the world each February and big cats pulling in for the feast.
Your calving season safari starts upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Here you will be welcomed by a Ker & Downey® Africa representative who will transfer you to Legendary Lodge, one of the most prestigious properties in Arusha. A short 1 hour drive from the airport, on the outskirts of Arusha, you will be welcomed to a colonial-style manor house set on a working coffee farm. Legendary Lodge features 12 cottages dotted around the lush gardens, each with a private veranda and views of Mount Meru. The property is the perfect place to start or end your Tanzania safari and the tranquil environment is ideal for rebooting after a long flight. For lunch, enjoy a light picnic before getting active in the afternoon. Depending on your mood you can choose to explore the plantations on a coffee farm tour or take to the many cycling and running trails on the farm.
If you would like to contribute to the local community we highly recommend a visit to the Plaster House, an outreach program that houses children for pre- and post- operative care, or visit the Olasive School. If you are in need of a reboot after your travels, options are to relax by the swimming pool, visit recreation centre gym and sauna, or unwind at the on site spa and choose from a variety revitalising treatments on offer. After a sundowner drink, indulge in a gourmet meal served in the old farmhouse or a candlelit dinner at your garden cottage.
Today marks the start of your African adventure. Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee followed by a full English breakfast at the lodge. After an effortless check-out your driver will meet you at the main lodge for your transfer to Entamanu Ngorongoro, your base for the next 2 nights. Enroute, stop off at Lake Manyara National Park for your first game drive and spot the tree climbing lions and herds of elephants drinking from the shores of the lake. Enjoy a light lunch on the reserve before continuing your journey onwards to Entamanu Ngorongoro. Located in Maasai territory, 4 hours from Arusha, Entamanu Ngorongoro is perched high on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This sustainably built camp consist of 7 luxury ensuite canvas tents each with private verandas with views of the crater as well as the Serengeti plains.
You’ll arrive just in time for afternoon tea accompanied by a sweet treat before taking off on your second game drive of the day. The camp offers quick access to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most popular sites in Africa to track the Big 5. You will find herds of elephants, buffalo, rhino and wildebeest grazing from the mineral rich caldera and with it, one of the biggest concentrations of predators following. On your way back to camp, your ranger will stop along the rim for you to enjoy a gin & tonic as the sun sets over the highlands before your 3 course dinner at the main camp.
At dawn, your dedicated ranger will wake you for your morning game drive through the Ngorongoro Crater. An early start is highly recommended to avoid the hordes of visitors making their way to the crater. After a strong cup of coffee, take to the reserve with your guide to explore one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Your guide will stop enroute for a packed breakfast before returning to the camp. After a light lunch you can choose to continue your wildlife journey or enjoy some downtime at camp. Pull on your walking shoes and learn about the Maasai day to day life on a visit to a nearby village. Make your way back to camp on foot and explore the surrounding highlands on a crater rim walk with an expert guide, along with a member of the local Maasai community. Your guides will lead you through the terrain pointing out
medicinal plants, educating you on the traditions and beliefs of the Maasai, as well as tracking any wildlife that has wondered close to the camp. Return to the main camp to watch the sunset over the crater followed by dinner and a nightcap.
Located in Maasai territory, Entamanu Ngorongoro is perched high on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This sustainably built camp consist of 7 luxury ensuite canvas tents each with private verandas with views of the crater as well as the Serengeti plains.
Wake up and enjoy a full cooked breakfast before meeting your driver who will transfer you to the Manyara airstrip for a light aircraft flight through to the Serengeti for the next destination of your wildbeest calving season safari. From here a camp staff member will collect you and then you will arrive at Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp. This is an authentic mobile tented camp, which is set up in 3 different locations each year with the purpose of following the migratory route of the wildebeest. Each location has been strategically selected to ensure that guests receive prime wildlife sightings of the calving wildebeest as they migrate in search of water and lush green grass for their young to feed. From the months of December to April, the camp is perfectly located in Maswa, South Serengeti giving guests front row seats to the calving season. The camp then follows the migration to the West Serengeti from May to July, and North Serengeti from July to November.
Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp features 11 ensuite tents split into two camps, each with its own private bar and dining area. Each group will have access to their own safari vehicle and private guide with unlimited game drives, allowing you to enjoy your migration safari at your own pace. After lunch you will have the option of exploring the park on a bush walk with an expert guide or jump in your private closed safari vehicle with a pop-top roof to capture the calving migration on camera. Stop to watch the sunset in the Serengeti before dinner in the bush under the stars.
Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp is an authentic mobile tented camp, set up in 3 different locations each year to follow the migratory route of the wildebeest. Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp features 11 ensuite tents split into two camps, each with its own private bar and dining area.
Over the next two days, traverse the Serengeti on your migration safari in search of the wildebeest and their newborn calves. With gangly wildebeest calves attracting a number of predators and their cubs, game drives become an adrenaline-fueled experience. Enjoy a breakfast picnic on the reserve, before returning to to the main camp for some well-earned downtime. In the early evening, depart on a night drive through the reserve, stopping off along the way for a sunset drink in the Serengeti followed by dinner at the main camp.
*Don’t miss out, hot air balloon safaris are subject to availability and come at an additional cost
Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp is an authentic mobile tented camp, set up in 3 different locations each year to follow the migratory route of the wildebeest. Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp features 11 ensuite tents split into two camps, each with its own private bar and dining area.
Day seven marks the final day of your wildbeest calving season safari. Your driver will meet you after breakfast and transfer you to Mwiba airstrip, a 45 minute drive from Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp. The scheduled hour and a half flight will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey home.
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Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.
