Tanzania - Serengeti Migration Safari
In northern Tanzania, the Serengeti spans approximately 12,000 square miles across the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The Loliondo Controlled Area adjoins the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and Ngorongoro Conservation Areas and teems with magnificent wildlife. On the eastern corridor of the Serengeti this area offers an adventurous horseback safari; an incredible opportunity to indulge your sense of adventure off the beaten track.
You will be riding through Maasai territory, where these nomadic tribes have been hunting and herding for thousands of years. These areas are amongst the wildest in Tanzania and Kenya, influenced by the Maasai lifestyle of animal and environmental protection.
The safari has been timed to give you the best chance of seeing the migration of wildebeest as they return from the Maasai Mara to the grassy plains of the Serengeti.
There should be plenty of other game spread across the plains. Zebra, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles and impala all follow the grass in the wake of the rainy season with topi, waterbuck, Maasai giraffe, eland and hartebeest. You may also see small herds of elephant and Cape buffalo. There is incredible bird life; imposing ostrich and Secretary birds, colourful bee-eaters and rollers, many types of raptors, and the ‘Go-away bird’ with its distinct call.
The area is known for sightings of cheetah, drawn by the prevalent plains game. As you relax around the campfire in the evening, other predators such as hyena, leopard and lion can often be heard calling.
The horses are all purpose trained safari horses with a mix of local breeds and thoroughbreds. They range between 14.2hh and 16hh. All the horses are given lots of love, care and attention, and have nice characters and strong personalities. With a range of temperaments, there is a horse suitable for different abilities and your guides take great care in finding the perfect fit for each rider.
Most of the horses are ridden in snaffle bridles and there is a choice of saddles, either general purpose English leather or Wintec saddles, and South African trail saddles - although some horses may go better in one or the other. Please let us know if you prefer an English saddle, although this may limit the selection of horses available for you. Each horse also carries two pommel bags for your water bottle and camera.
You will be riding for approximately four to six hours a day with stops for refreshments and lunch. For these safaris you must be a fit and experienced rider in the outdoors at all paces. Since this is an area with dangerous game all riders should be confident and secure in the saddle and able to stay on your horse should you need to react quickly. The pace can be fast and challenging at times and riders will be able to spread out and take their own line where possible to make the most of the excellent open country.
There may be occasions when you need to lead your horse on foot, so general fitness is important.
Riding style is English. Most of the horses are polo trained and used to being ridden with the reins in one hand.
There is a rider weight limit of 85kg. Hard hats are mandatory.
The first night is spent at a lodge on a wildlife estate not far from Kilimanjaro and Arusha. There is WiFi and a swimming pool.
Whilst on safari, you stay in spacious tents with mosquito netted doors and windows. Each tent has cot beds, cotton bedding, towels and a solar light. There is one bush loo and bucket shower per tent/two people.
Single tents (with a shared toilet/shower tent) are available and a supplement is payable for this.
Additional Serengeti Migration Safaris may be possible for private groups.
Each set date safari needs a minimum of four guests to confirm to run.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 8 Jan 2024 - 16 Jan 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Full | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 20 Jan 2024 - 28 Jan 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Book | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 3 Feb 2024 - 11 Feb 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Book | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 13 Feb 2024 - 21 Feb 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Book | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 24 Feb 2024 - 3 Mar 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Full | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 9 Mar 2024 - 17 Mar 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Book | |
| Serengeti Migration Safari | 20 Mar 2024 - 28 Mar 2024 | 8 nights 8 ngts | $7,960.00 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; meals (from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day); most drinks; guides and riding; National Park fees; Wildlife Department fees; Wildlife Management Area fees; Village fees; Flying Doctor insurance; return transfers from Kilimanjaro/Arusha airport (on arrival and departure days).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT There is no single supplement if you are willing to share. If you wish to guarantee a single room and tent there is a supplement of $560.00.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Gratuities; drinks at the lodge and at the polo club; imported wines and spirits.
NEAREST AIRPORT Kilimanjaro or Arusha.
TRANSFERS from/to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport on the first and last days of the ride are included. In addition to the safari cost the return light aircraft transfer from Arusha to Ndutu costs $625.00 per person.
Return transfers are included from Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha on the first and last days of the safari. Private transfers can also be arranged (extra cost).
Flights can arrive at any time on the first day of the safari. Flights on the last day must depart after 15:00.
On arrival day, check-in is usually from 12:00 midday. If you arrive before this you can make use of the main facilities until your room is ready. Alternatively, it may be possible to pay for early check-in and lunch, so please ask if you would like us to check availability for you.
Kilimanjaro airport is served from Europe by KLM, which flies daily from Amsterdam. Qatar Airlines via Doha offer good arrival and departure times. Turkish Airlines also offer a popular route, but the very early morning arrival time will mean additional accommodation will be required for one night.
Situated in northern Tanzania, the Serengeti ecosystem spans approximately 12,000 square miles across the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
Tanzania lies just south of the equator and on the whole enjoys a tropical but fairly temperate climate. The Serengeti has two rainy seasons, the short and the long rains. The long rains, called Masika, fall from late March to May, and the shorter rains, called Mvuli, fall from November to December.
The rains will have turned the grassland to verdant green, attracting the plains game for which the Serengeti is famous. During the rainy season it is often cloudy, but rarely rains all day.
Jo was amazing! We were so lucky on our game drives we saw a kill, lion puppies .….
Sabine ,Duesseldorf
Overall rating: 5/5
