Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration & Hunting with Hadzabe Bushmen

This package includes an optional strenuous trek up ol Donyo Lengai, the maasai holy volcano. It is a steep walk on loose volcanic earth. The climb is about a 2100 meter ascent, starting at around 700 meters above sea level. If you are not fit enough for such a trek, or have no interest, then you just stay in bed. The others, that do the trek, get up at 01:00 in the morning to start their 5 hour climb at 02:00 from the base camp!

At the end of this tour you can visit the Hadzabe people, the only remaining bushmen in Tanzania. You can choose to stay with the Hadzabe in their village or go with their hunters on their daily hunt for food. They use bows and arrows to kill monkeys and other wild animals. If you do not wish to experience that then stay in the village until the hunters return. In any case we recommend that you do not eat any of the bush meat that the hunters may cook in the forest or village due to health risks. They do accept a polite refusal.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park.

We pick you up at the agreed point in Arusha (hotel, airport etc.) and depart to Tarangire National Park in time for a sunset game drive. Tarangire National Park covers an area of 2,600 sq. km and was established in 1970. The park has numerous baobab trees that will primarily catch your attention. The Park derived its name from the Tarangire River that rises in the highlands of Central Tanzania and winds its way through the game sanctuary. The river beguilingly lures the herds of plains migrants from the desiccated surrounding area to its shrunken – but permanent – blackish waters during the dry season. The animals come by thousands from as far north as the shores of Lake Natron to the bank of this river, significantly swelling the resident population with wildebeest, zebra, and eland, elephant, hartebeest, buffalo and fringe-eared Oryx. During the dry season, the Tarangire pools are clotted with thirsty migrants, and the elephants begin to dig for underground streams in the dry riverbed. Tarangire National Park is said to have the highest recorded number of breeding bird species for any habitat in the world.

Day 2: Tarangire - Lake Natron - optional: climb Ol Donyo Lengai

An early morning 2 hour sunrise game drive in Tarangire National Park. Come back to the camp for brunch, then leave the park and drive to Lake Natron. On Arrival visit Lake Natron which is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. Home to millions of tiny crustaceans, the lake is a haven for thousands of lesser flamingos and it is one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. The area around the lake is dry and desolate. The strangely beautiful landscape is the attraction in this area. After a strenuous walk up the stream, we reach the source of the river in the cascading waterfalls that gush out of the mountains. It is an excellent swim in the river and under the waterfalls for a nice cool-down from the hot sun. There may be baboons or other wildlife in the gorge.

An early dinner and some sleep, for those climbing Ol Donyo Lengai. At 1:00 a.m. in the morning they will be driven to the base of the Ol’doinyo Lengai mountain to start the climb. Reach the summit during sunrise and spend some time there before coming down to the base of the mountain. Clients will then be transferred by jeep to your lodgings for a shower and rest.

Day 3: Lake Natron - Serengeti National Park

After breakfast depart for Serengeti National Park. After the registration formalities at the Klein’s Gate you will go for game drive in the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park (on your way to your lodgings). There will be ample opportunity to observe lots of animals and birds. Zebras, buffalo, baboon, topi, impala, cheetah, leopard and recently introduced rhinos may be seen.

Day 4: Serengeti (Lobo area) - Northern Serengeti (Wagakuria area)

After breakfast we head towards the far northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria. It is a game drive en-route from the Lobo area to the Wagakuria area. As we head north, good sightings of giraffe, plains game, herds of buffalo and elephants can often be seen. You arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and after lunch you will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the area. The wildebeest migration can normally be found in the Wagakuria area from July to November, depending on rainfall patterns. A long stretch of the Mara River runs through the northern Serengeti National Park and the Mara River provides the migrating herds with their most difficult obstacle. Witnessing the frantic herds of wildebeest crossing the Mara River is amazing.

Day 5: Full day Game drive: Serengeti Lobo Area - Serengeti Seronera

After breakfast we leave with your lunch box and drive to Lobo and the Grumeti River has good resident game throughout the year. Non-migrating game like elephant, buffalo, gazelle, zebra, lion, leopard and cheetah can be seen here all year round. The game viewing is very good and you can follow game for long periods without seeing other vehicles – truly one of the forgotten corners of the Serengeti Plains. Magnificent riverine trees can be found along the river lines and bird life such as kingfishers and fish eagles can be found here.

Day 6: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast we depart to Ngorongoro Conservation area with game viewing on route. You will stop over at a Maasai Boma, boasting a history dating back to the dawn of time of their life and culture. En route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will visit the historic site of Olduvai Gorge (The Cradle of Mankind) where the world famous archeologist, Dr Leakey, discovered the remains of the early man. After visiting the Gorge and the small museum there we continue to the Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Tour - Lake Eyasi

After breakfast, we descend to the Crater floor for a game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world – 8,292 km2 of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. You can expect to see lion, elephant, zebra, hippo, jackal, rhino, antelope and many birds. The birds seen here include eagle, vulture, flamingo (in Lake Mgadi), stork, sacred ibis, kori bustard, blacksmith plover, long necked heron and the cattle egret. A picnic lunch will take place at a hippo pool. Later we ascend to the rim and depart for lake Eyasi for your dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Lake Eyasi Hunting with Hadzabe Bushmen - Arusha

Before breakfast you will be woken by your local guide ready for hunting safari with Hadzabe. The Hadzabe are the last of the hunter gatherer tribes in Tanzania. You will be able to observe their daily lives and even join the men in hunting. You will be searching for an animal to hunt using local weapons. (Remember this isn’t inside the national parks it is outside the parks). You will be back for breakfast and the preparation of a barbeque. You can share the meal with the Hadzabe who inhabit the region if you are interested. After lunch we drive back to the agreed drop off point in Arusha.

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• All activities as per the itinerary
• All Accommodation as per itinerary – N.B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availabilty at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
• All meals as per itinerary (3 a day unless otherwise stated)
• All transfers to and from agreed pick up and drop off points (e.g. Airport, Bus Station or hotel in town etc)
• All camping gear (if you are camping)
• Service of an English speaking driver/guide
• Safari base 4×4 Vehicle with open roof for game viewing (sometimes a saloon car or other SUV for excursions in town etc.)
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Bottled mineral water daily
• All Government taxes
• All Museum Fees.
• All Historic and Culture Site or Event Fees
• All Nature Trail Fees.

• Extras, personal expenses i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary
• International flights & corresponding taxes
• Visa
• Flying doctors rescue services
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurances
• Tips to the driver & guides
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions (above).