The quickest to change will survive
BREEDING COMPETITION
The focus of a safari in the Northern Tanzanian circuit during this season should be on the Southern short-grass plains . The annual wildebeest and zebra migration is arriving on these plains from December onwards and it is here where they congregate and give birth to thousands of calves in February and March. These mineral rich plains are where the great herds will stay for as long as feeding permits. Apparently the iron and zinc found in the fodder of these plains is what the wildebeest are after.
The movement of nearly two million animals is the driving force of the ecology of most of the Serengeti eco-system. Predators follow these herds like sharks following a shoal of fish. Great wildlife viewing is guaranteed because the young animals make easy prey. The density of predators is high. This is also a great time for bird lovers since many birds migrate to East Africa from Europe.
We would suggest a few nights in the Ndutu Area (Serengeti) during December through March since it is here that the best viewing is found. Early December is the short rainy season but this isn’t much more than the odd thunder shower in the afternoons, actually a cool relief from generally hot days. It also helps to keep the dust down! This time of the year it is mostly sunny (25-30 °C).
Day 1-2:Arusha
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pick up and transfer to Kahawa Lodge for overnight. The next day you spend a day in Arusha National Park with an option of Canoe safari inside the Park. Overnight back in Kahawa Lodge.
Day 3 Lake Manyara
Today you visit one of the smaller wildlife reserves in Tanzania. This park is known for its hippo pools, thousands of flamingos, tree climbing lions and one of the largest concentration of baboons in the world. Enjoy a fully day game drive in the park and overnight in Manyara Serena Lodge.
Day 4:Ngorongoro Crater
Drive out of Manyara great lift valley to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy the view of the Ngorongoro Crator and drive 600 meters deep and have a fully day game drive on the Ngorongoro Crator floor. The perfect spot to see the Big Five and rare black rhino. Overnight at lake maseki tented lodge.
Day 5 & 6: Ndutu area
Enjoy earl morning game drive and around 8:30am Excess Ranger will set up the table and prepare a fully breakfast in the middle of the plain, having a b/fast while you are observing a millions of wildebeest gathering
Day 7: Serengeti
Game drive from the Ndutu plains into the Serengeti and overnight in Katikati camp inside the Serengeti.
Day 8: Serengeti
Full day game drive inside the Serengeti with the aim of viewing the migration and overnight back in Katikati Camp.
Day 9: Serengeti – Arusha
Morning game drive to the Serengeti back for b/fast and after pack all your luggage game drive en rout all the way back to Arusha with the optional of visiting Masai village and shopping for Tanzanite. Overnight in Kahawa Lodge
Day 10: Arusha
This day you will have some options of activities before you drive to Kilimamjaro International Airport for your departure lately evening. A member of Excess Africa team who will come and make a plan with you what to do in Arusha City. This attractive little town is situated beneath the towering peaks of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.
- Visit the extraordinary social enterprise Shanga that employs disabled people from the community to create export quality recycled glass products
- Go on the exciting and informative ‘Coffee Tour’, weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, the coffee guide explains how the bean is nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce a myriad of different blends that sate the taste of the most ardent of coffee connoisseurs. And all of these activities will be near by your lodge, as a name Kahawa Lodge means Coffe Lodge.
- Another option is drive a little bit out of the city and visit the small Arusha National Park and enjoy the park and have a lunch near to the Momela lake before you jump in to the lake for canoeing and when you are out the glass of Champagne is cold enough waiting for you before we get back to the lodge ready for Departure !!
