9 Days Great Wildebeest Migration & Chimps Trekking Safari

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will remain at the airport and proceed to the Coastal Aviation desk for your light aircraft flight to the Manyara airstrip. This is a small airstrip located near the Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival at Manyara Airport, you will drive through the lush hills of the Ngorongoro Highlands and stop at the viewpoint overlooking the crater to soak in the spectacular landscape. If you’re hungry, we offer a delicious packed lunch to eat as you continue the drive around the crater’s rim, until you reach Olmoti Crater. Your accommodations for the next two nights are here, at The Highlands, with unmatched views and great hospitality. If you want to stretch your legs, you can opt for a guided walk from the camp to the rim of Olmoti Crater, passing through dense forests and waterfalls.

After an early breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Crater. You will begin seeing animals immediately, as you continue toward the descent road, down into the heart of the crater. Spend the morning photographing lions, zebras, hyenas and more. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the endangered Black Rhino or the forest elephants that live along the crater floor. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the famous Hippo Pool, where you can spot thirty or more hippos relaxing in the water, and plenty of unique bird species hovering overhead. In the late afternoon, a guide will take you to one of the nearby Maasai villages where you can learn more about this rich culture and take part in their afternoon activities, which often include rounding up cattle or intricate beadwork.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Lions Paw Camp

Depart by road for the Manyara airstrip, where you will catch a flight to the Serengeti, a journey of 45 minutes. A guide from Legacy Exchange Outfitters will meet you at the airstrip in Serengeti and from the moment you are in the vehicle, you will enjoy a game drive as you head toward your accommodations; the fabulous Serengeti River Camp. Enjoy a leisurely hot lunch and settle into your tent before going on an afternoon game drive to look for leopards, elephants, lions and more. The Serengeti is famous for both the diversity and density of wildlife found here, so there is plenty to discover each day. Return to camp in the early evening for drinks around the campfire and a hearty dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Serengeti River Camp

Most safari activities in Northern Serengeti occur in the early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife is most active. So we suggest heading out at sunrise to see big cats on the prowl and zebras and gazelles grazing before the sun is strong. Then, return to the camp for a late, relaxing breakfast. In the afternoon, head out again to get shots of giraffes nibbling acacia trees and hippos wallowing in pools. In between, you will return to camp for a delicious lunch and a siesta. Evenings are spent sharing stories of your day’s adventures with other guests around the dinner table.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Serengeti River Camp

The safari continues, with a relaxing morning and lunch at the camp before your flight to Rubondo Island, situated in Lake Victoria.  You will be met by a guide and enjoy a unique game drive through the dense tropical forest of Rubondo Island. Additional activities include boat trips and nature walks in select areas.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Rubondo Asilia Camp

Activities on Rubondo Island take place in the morning and afternoon, with time during the day’s heat to enjoy the pool. On the first morning you will set out with a guide, researcher, and ranger to search for chimpanzees. You will travel by boat to another part of the island, then continue on foot through the thick forest. The researcher will explain about the environment and animals along the way. Keep in mind, this community of chimps are wild (this is not a zoo), so sightings are not guaranteed, but you have a unique opportunity to be part of the conservation story of Rubondo and to be some of the first travelers to meet the island’s chimps. Other activities include boating on the lake, fishing for Nile perch, birding and forest drives. during which you may encounter sitatunga or a forest elephant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Rubondo Asilia Camp

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking Lake Victoria before a short drive to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha . The flight will stop a few times in the Serengeti and other airstrips to drop off/pick up passengers, and the total journey will be approximately 4 hours, accumulating a grand aerial tour of Northern Tanzania as you return to Arusha Airport. You will have a packed lunch to eat at your leisure. After arrival in Arusha, you will have time to do a bit of souvenir shopping before your transfer the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight.  If you want a respite before a long journey home, we offer a day room at Arusha Planet Lodge, which is near the airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodations: Day Room at Arusha Planet Lodge