7 Days Kogatende Migration Safari
7 Days Kogatende Migration Safari
Overview
This safari lets you witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems, searching for green pastures and safe calving ground. Their movement pattern is highly weather-dependent and dynamic, yet with planning and a bit of luck, you can witness this natural wildlife wonder. This safari covers other national parks too, where you can witness the resident game. The tour is available throughout the year, but opting for it in the right season will leave you awestruck.
The high drama of a river crossing at the Mara River is arguably the highlight of the wildebeest migration, a stunning life-and-death display as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest brave the treacherous currents and lurking crocodiles in a last-ditch attempt to reach the safety of the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Our river-crossing safari takes you into northern Serengeti. It offers the best chance of seeing death-defying leaps and heart-wrenching near misses as you spend multiple nights and days in the world-famous Serengeti National Park.
Details of Wildebeest Migration River Crossing Safari (mid-June – September)
About the Mara River Crossing
During this period, the herd continues its movement north toward the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. There is no tight schedule that these animals follow, so tracking the herd’s movements becomes a day-to-day prospect as the meander slowly but inexorably toward the next big obstacle in their path: the Mara River.
The Mara River poses another deadly barrier for the herd, who must again brave swollen waters and the opportunistic predators if they are to find relative safety on the far side. Photographers and documentarians from around the world gather to witness the death-defying crossing. Still, the surrounding landscapes are every bit as memorable as the life-and-death struggle taking place at Kogatende Crossing.
Tour Map
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
Number of People | Budget Camping Safari | Mid-range Safari | Luxury Safari |
---|---|---|---|
2 pax | $ 4,400 | $ 5,200 | $ 6,800 |
3-4 pax | $ 4,200 | $ 5,000 | $ 6,600 |
5-6pax | $ 4,000 | $ 4,800 | $ 6,400 |
Included/Excluded
- Park Fees (for Non-Residents)
- Concession/ Camping Fees
- Daily game drives while on safari
- All accommodations (unless listed as upgrade)
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional).
- A professional driver/guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser
- All Taxes/ VAT
- Meals while on safari (from lunch on day 1 till lunch on last day)
- Drinking water while on safari
- International flights (From/To Home)
- Round Trip Airport Transfer (Unless Paid)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless Paid)
- Tips
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and park fees
- Meals while in Arusha
- Serengeti Balloon Safari – 600 USD per person (Unless Paid)
Day 1: Arrival Day
At your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport ( JRO ), a Nature Horizons team member will be waiting to greet you. We will transfer you to your hotel accommodation for your first night, where you will meet your safari guide that you will be with for the remainder of your tour. Once you are settled in your hotel, you will receive a briefing on our tour. You can now relax at your hotel. Your safari starts tomorrow! As always, if you need anything or would like to head out into town, your guide will be there to assist you 24/7. Welcome to Africa!
Day 2: Serengeti National Park (Arusha/Moshi to Serengeti National Park)
Your safari will begin at 8 AM with a pick-up from your hotel at Arusha. With everyone aboard, you will head toward Serengeti National Park. The 240-km drive will be covered in about five hours. The Serengeti means “endless plains” in the local African language, and watching the grassland stretch out as far as the eye can see and eventually merging with the sky at the horizon is an absolutely breathtaking view. With an overall land area of 14,763 sq km, it puts our notion of distance to shame. The Serengeti also houses the glorious “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard).
Along with the “Big 5,” a very pleasant sighting would be one of Africa’s most beautiful animals – the Impala. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards. The central portion of the Serengeti – known as the Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and attracts wildlife well representative of most Serengeti species.
In seronera, one must look out for the many lion prides that thrive in this region. You must also look out for the Serengeti “Kopjes,” which are massive boulders of granite standing in a sea of grass. They provide ample shelter to a large variety of flora and fauna. A picnic lunch will be served during the day-long game drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 3: North Serengeti (Central Serengeti to North Serengeti)
Starting aty 8 AM after a filling breakfast, you will explore the central portion of Serengeti National Park today and move toward the northern part of the park. The enroute game drive toward the Kogatende region will offer mild action from the resident game. As you approach the northern part of the Serengeti, you will notice the terrain change from the usual plain grassland to more hilly and broken terrain. The northern region offers a variety of resident game such as zebras, topi, gazelle, buffaloes, leopards, and lions. A picnic lunch will be served during the day-long drive. Based on your arrival time, you will be able to spend a few hours by the Mara River. The eventful day comes to an end with a great dinner and a good night’s rest.
Day 4: Central Serengeti (North Serengeti to Central Serengeti)
Having started your day at the routine time of 8 AM after a heavy breakfast, today you will head south toward central Serengeti. The four-hour drive to the center will give you an excellent opportunity to spot a lot of wildlife. The drive south from the Mara River Valley takes you through hill country, the Lobo area, woodlands, and then back into the seronera terrain. The central portion of the Serengeti – known as the Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and attracts wildlife well representative of most Serengeti species.
As you make your way into the seronera region, you will begin to notice the hilly and broken terrain altering into plain grasslands. In seronera, one must look out for the many lion prides that thrive in this region. The interactions and survival of these lion prides provide an excellent game viewing experience all year round. A picnic lunch will be served during the day-long drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation. The next day you will head toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Day 5: Ngorongoro (Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro)
Today your safari will begin at 9 AM, and you will head out for a short game drive in the Serengeti after a hearty breakfast. After completing a half-day game drive and a picnic lunch, we will branch out and head toward the Ngorongoro crater rim. The 75km-drive to Ngorongoro Crater rim will take about 2.5 hours, with mild game action to see along the way. The crater is one of Africa’s impressive geological attractions and supreme mecca of wilderness. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good rest in your choice of accommodation. Get a good rest and refuel yourself, for the following day you will descend into the massive crater.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Tour (Ngorongoro to Arusha/Moshi)
On the last day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast, you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM to the crater floor. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq km with a depth of over 2000 feet. The five-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is recommended. The African elephant, buffalo, black rhino, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions are found in plenty. After the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascent to the top exit of the crater. This is the last leg of your safari, with a four-hour drive left to Arusha. You will be dropped off at your hotel accommodation by 6 PM.
Day 7: Departure Day
With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you say goodbye to your team. We are so happy that you made it to the Motherland and experienced an authentic Serengeti Safari. We know you will be back. Today your guide will be with you up until we escort you to the airport and say our goodbyes. Thank you for coming on safari with Nature Horizons!
ACCOMMODATION
BUDGET CAMPSITES
Lake Manyara National Park – Fanaka Campsite
Serengeti National Park – Simba Campsite
Ngorongoro – Nyani Campsite
MID-RANGE LODGES
Lake Manyara & Tarangire National Park – Eileen Trees Inn
Serengeti National Park – Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge
North Serengeti – Mbugani Camp
Central Serengeti – Nyati Migration Camp
Ngorongoro – Rhino Lodge
LUXURY LODGES
Ngorongoro/Lake Manyara & Tarangire – Gibbs Farm
North Serengeti – Chaka Camps
Central Serengeti –Melia Serengeti
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Are the guides on safari certified?
Can I get a visa upon arrival?
Do you accommodate people with dietary restrictions?
When is the best time to see the migration?
Tanzania Safari Packing list
If this is your first time in Tanzania or your first time on safari, this packing list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, do not worry, you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.
Travel Documents
- Valid passport
- Yellow fever vaccination records/ certificate.
- Tanzania visa, available at airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only for US citizens or USD $50 for residents of UK/European Union and most other countries.
- Copy of flight itinerary.
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
- Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted).
- Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2004 or later)
Clothing
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
- Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm
- Sturdy boots or sandals
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change)
- Long sleeve shirts (light weight)
- Shorts
- Long trousers
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Travel towel
- Thermal underwear, gloves and warm hat (during May – Sept)
- Rain coat and rain trousers (During rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec)
Highly recommended
- Camera and memory cards
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Insect Repellent
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc)
- Malaria tablets
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone etc
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket
Others tips
- Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packing into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into the vehicles.
- Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
- Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/ straighteners, expensive jewellery, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
- If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
- Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
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