Tanzania Safari: Migration over the Mara River

The Trip

Tanzania provides all the essential elements of a classic African Safari adventure of a lifetime. The largest country in East Africa and situated just south of the equator, Tanzania has a truly magnificent variety of landscapes and 12 national parks that are unsurpassed in beauty and variety. Among its unspoiled savannah one can still find Maasai nomads and millions of wild animals. Tanzania is home to over 40 species of mammals, including elephant, giraffe, cape buffalo, hippo, rhinoceros, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, warthog, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, and many more.

The wildebeest migration (also zebras and gazelles) crosses the swollen Mara River, teeming with crocodiles who often prey on them. We truly witness the circle of life in this strategic river crossing, as the herds are seeking their food source. The Mara River borders Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara area. Crossing this river is a perilous adventure for the migrating herds. They remain indecisive and spook easily in anticipation of crossing the river safely. 

Tanzania is also a bird watcher's paradise with too many species to list. Who can say which bird is more spectacular? The greater flamingo, secretary bird, crowned crane, lilac-breasted roller, kori bustard, lily trotter, spoonbill stork, marabou stork, the bee eaters, or any of a dozen others.

Of all the African wildlife areas, none surpasses Tanzania's for spectacular scenery and number of animals. Our safari takes us from the green foothills of snow-mantled Mount Kilimanjaro (the continent's highest mountain at 19,340 feet), through the limitless expanse of the Serengeti Plain (a World Heritage site), and to the misty Ngoronogoro Crater (the world’s largest intact caldron, which measures 12 miles across). And if these natural wonders are not enough, the trip will also visit historic places like Oldovai Gorge, the site of Leakey's discovery of early human bones, near the very dawn of human existence. 

The Serengeti National Park’s name is derived from the Maasai language “Siringet,” which means "endless plains." Within an area of 5,700 square miles we’ll find a staggering animal population of about four million, including huge herds of zebra, wildebeest, and other grazing animals. Over 350 species of birds and 35 larger mammals can be found here. Each game drive will feature different animals and surprises. The skill and experience of our driver guides will be obvious as they look for animal viewing opportunities.

In addition to wildlife observation, this outing also offers opportunities to learn about Tanzania's Maasai ethnic group, and to see a vast cross-section of Tanzania -- the largest country in East Africa, and the continent's most politically stable. 

We will be accompanied at all times by an accomplished Tanzanian naturalist/guide who will be able to identify and tell us all about the wildlife encountered. We will listen for the sounds of the bush as we enjoy our comfortable camps and lodges. In settings of incomparable beauty and grandeur, we will savor the African dawn and sunset.

At the conclusion of this excursion, we will be in time to take the KLM (or other) flight back to your home. Or you may choose to extend your trip in Africa or somewhere along the way. 

Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania. After clearing Immigration, baggage claim, and customs, you will be met by our safari company guide and driven to our comfortable hotel in Arusha, where we will have an orientation meeting, dinner and our overnight stay. 

Days 2-3: After breakfast, we drive to Tarangire National Park, the “Baobab Capital of the World,” where we will be for two nights. During this time of the year, nearly three thousand elephants are returning to the park to join another 3,500 resident elephants that call Tarangire home year-round. Wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, and antelopes are also migrating from the surrounding areas for the only water source within 1,600 square miles of protected wildlife area. Birds are equally abundant, with over 550 recorded species. It is truly a favorite place to be for wildlife...and therefore, for humans! Our home for these two nights is a wonderful lodge within the park that is situated among the kopjes and ancient baobabs.

Day 4: After breakfast, an early morning game drive out of Tarangire takes us towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping in the village of Karatu to enjoy a short cultural excursion to the local Iraqw tribe. Our drive to the Ngorongoro Crater takes us through the colorful villages as well as the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. A drive up to the rim of the Crater provides our first scenic view down into the famous Ngorongoro Crater, which has become a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its approximate 30,000 animals on the crater  floor. After a short ride we arrive at our luxury camp with ensuites for check-in and lunch, followed by afternoon game drive to the Crater floor.

Day 5: After breakfast we drive through the Crater for a very early morning game drive, ascend on the western rim and begin the drive to the Serengeti stopping along the way to visit Olduvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s famous archeological discoveries. It was here that Mary Leakey discovered the earliest known humanoid footprints, which were solidified in volcanic ash some 3.6 million years ago. A visit a local Maasai boma (small village) is another highlight of our morning.  After a picnic lunch, we continue to the main gate at Serengeti National Park and game drive to our luxury camp with ensuites, in the east-central Serengeti. This is our home for the next two nights.

Day 6: Today we will continue to explore the vast central Serengeti; there is plenty of resident wildlife to enjoy and we like to take advantage of the increased daytime activity of cats, especially the lions. Cats do not migrate with the herds so they must hunt more frequently for the smaller prey but will often take greater risks with more dangerous prey as they get hungrier and hungrier. This is the time when lions will hunt with the full pride and young males will join in to help bring down elephants, giraffe, ostrich and hippos. It is also possible that some of the first sections of the wildebeest herd (usually the bachelor boys) are starting to enter the central Serengeti and this can be very exciting as the cats have been struggling to get enough food during the dry season in this area. This evening we can watch a dazzling sun setting over the western sky. 

Day 7: We depart our lovely camp and enjoy a day’s game drive to the Mara River located in the north-western Serengeti today. This is a long day of game driving covering a large distance on small and rough roads. We will drive through the Togoro Plains, the Lobo Valley, past Bologonja and the Sand River to arrive close to the Mara River. Spending our next three nights in the bush by the Mara River at another luxury camp with ensuites. This is a wonderful time of year to witness one of the significant events that happens during the Great Migration-the annual river crossings. Witnessing a river crossing takes patience, as the herd will often take hours to decide whether or not to cross, weighing the risk of crocodiles and the strength of the river’s current. At this time of the year, the sections of the herd that might still be in the Maasai Mara in Kenya are now returning to the Serengeti and to begin the movement south and east to reach the central and southern Serengeti in time for the wildebeest calving early the following year. So the river crossings can be huge and we hope you will be able to experience that. 

Days 8-9: The northern Serengeti is also home to a huge number of resident animals including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, eland and black rhino. We will spend these days looking for good river crossings and other wildlife interactions. In the past 15-20 years more and more of the wildebeest herds have remained in the northern Serengeti rather than continue to move into the neighboring Maasai Mara in Kenya. Our final evening will include a special bush dinner under the stars to celebrate our trip and last night in the Serengeti. 

Day 10: We are in for a treat today as we fly from the Serengeti to Arusha, traveling via small plane from which herds of animals on the plains below can often be sighted. We will enjoy a final early morning game drive as we travel to the Kogatende airstrip to fly to the Arusha airport. Once in Arusha we will transfer to the Cultural Heritage Center for a hot buffet lunch and time for some shopping before continuing to our Arusha hotel for dayroom use and dinner before transferring to the airport for those flying out tonight.

Occasionally, changes may occur in the trip -- either in advance or during the trip. Please be aware that we will make every effort to follow this itinerary. However, if weather, equipment, construction, National Park Services, or any other condition, circumstance, or situation causes a change, please be flexible and respect the decision of the leader. The safety and enjoyment of the entire group is our number one concern.

Getting There

The trip begins and ends at the Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO is the abbreviation) in Arusha, Tanzania.

KLM is the airline that services this area the best. They have a great flight from Amsterdam to JRO, arriving in the evening. The return flight is late evening as well, and our trip is scheduled around this return flight. Once you sign up for this fabulous safari adventure, the leader will provide more detailed information with tips and ideas for securing your reservations. Other airline options exist for arriving and departing.

It is the highest recommendation that you arrive at least a day or two early. This will allow for any inconveniences to get resolved, such as delayed flights and lost luggage, as well as ensuring recovery from jet lag.

One in-country flight from the Serengeti to Arusha on the last day is provided in the cost of this trip.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations will include safari lodges and a luxury camp. Most of the lodges are among the finest that Tanzania has to offer but do not correspond to luxury class hotels in the more developed countries of the world. 

Luxury camps will be a fun African experience! The tents will accommodate two persons each and will be plenty large, with cots, mattresses, bedding, towels, lamps, electricity, and a private bathroom. The setting will be serene, quiet, and private in the luxury camps. The advantage of these camps is that they are set up in the area of the most wildlife activity at that time. A large canopy will be set up as the dining/food area.

All lodging is based on double occupancy for lodges and luxury tent.

Food is fresh, well prepared and tasty. Most of the dishes are western or European-style, with some African meals included. Meals will be served at the table or will be buffet-style. Basic vegetarian diets can be accommodated. Please check with the leader regarding other dietary requirements.

Trip Difficulty

No special conditioning is required for this safari. We will ride in vehicles with a maximum of six passengers in each vehicle, each person having access to a window and roof hatch. The game drives will be over uneven dirt roads with plenty of ruts and pot holes, therefore this trip may not be suitable for those who suffer from motion sickness. 

There will be the inevitable inconveniences and difficulties associated with travel in a developing country. It is important to accept Tanzania on its own terms, with a sense of adventure and good humor. On rare occasions the itinerary may need to change somewhat due to unforeseen circumstances.

Equipment and Clothing

A good camera with at least a 300 mm lens is ideal for photography. One can take some good photos with a smaller digital or other type of camera when animals are close to the vehicle but it will not be possible to take good quality pictures of birds and animals that are a longer distance away. Many animals in the parks are habituated to vehicles so do not shy away, therefore close photo opportunities are possible.

Good binoculars are a necessity. It is best for each person in a couple or family group to have a pair of their own. Dress is always informal. A clothing/equipment list will be sent to participants by the trip leader.

There are weight restrictions on this trip due to our flight back to Arusha from the Serengeti on Day 10, via small plane. Excess luggage can be left in Arusha Day 1 and picked up Day 10. The trip leader will provide more details on this.

References

There are many good general guidebooks to Tanzania and East Africa. For example, Passport's Regional Guides of Africa, Tanzania, by Lisa Asch and Peter Blackwell, gives a very readable overview of this fascinating country. For more in-depth material and a better understanding of the safari experience, here are a few of the trip leader's recommendations:

• Gallmann, Kuri, I dreamed of Africa.
• Markham, Beryl, West with the Night.
• Moss, Cynthia, Portraits in the Wild.
• Bonner, Raymond, At the Hand of Man.
• Smith, Anthony, The Great Rift: Africa's Challenging Valley.
• Saitoti, Tepilit Ole, and Carol Beckwith, Maasai.
• Matthiessen, Peter, Sand Rivers.
• Grzimek, Bernard and Michael, Serengeti Shall Not Die.
• Hatch, John, Serengeti: A Profile.
• Iwago, Mitsuaki, Serengeti: The Natural Order.
• Matthiessen, Peter, The Tree Where Man Was Born.
• Scott Kennedy, Adam, Animals of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)
• Scott Kennedy, Adam, Birds of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad. 

As of this writing, there is a proposal to build a road though the Serengeti. It is feared this will interfere with the migration of animals. It will also allow poachers greater accessibility to sensitive areas, hence more opportunity to devastate the remaining herds.

Twenty-five percent of Tanzania's land (over 95,000 square miles) has been set aside for wildlife parks, reserves, and game areas. This is probably more than any other country on earth. However, Tanzania's economic resources for rangers, roads, research, and administration of these lands is meager, and illegal poaching and hunting still take their toll on wildlife. The integrity of national parks and wildlife reserves is also being threatened as the need for land and food increases.

There are many projects going on in Tanzania today to help solve these problems. Ngorongoro Crater is part of the extensive Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is a pioneering effort in multi-purpose land, allowing for the protection of animals and the continuation of tribal lifestyles at the same time. Also, there are several animal research projects in the field, including the world's longest-running research project, the Serengeti Lion Project, which began in the 1960s.

One of our conservation objectives will be to try to understand the challenges that Tanzania faces in continuing to support such a large national park system. Tourist dollars are a major source of revenue, so by coming to see these magnificent animals and their habitats, we are helping to ensure their future. That said, we will become aware of both the positive and negative consequences of tourism in a country like Tanzania.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.