Expedition with biologist Ivan Kvasov to the Great Migration in Serengeti at the wildebeest calving season, to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi tribes

TANZANIA

February 24 - March 1, 2024
Tour Tanzania

Tour to Tanzania Expedition Kilimanjaro climbing Great migration Serengeti Zanzibar Africa safari Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Eyasi tribes

Several hundred thousand antelopes and zebras gather in huge herds as a part of the Great Migration. The Serengeti National Park opens its doors for a journey through the African savannah. February is the time of the mass calving of wildebeests on the emerald Ndutu Plains, which means the high time of active hunting of wild cats. One of the culmination moments of the Great Migration!

We will also go on a safari to the amazing conservation area of the Ngorongoro Crater – natural wonder of the world, the habitat of the entire African Big Five.

We explore Lake Eyasi in the Great Rift Valley and get to know the Tanzanian "Bushmen" Hadzabe tribes and Maasai pastoralists.

Sign up for this family adventure!

Take a challenge and climb to the legendary mount of Kilimanjaro, starting ascent in equatorial jungle and finishing high in the clouds, on the top of Africa, where there still exist the glittering ice cap of triceps giant volcano.
Reaching the highest peak on the continent, set off for the most fascinating spectacle in the mammals' world – forcing Mara river by millions herds of wildebeests and zebras during annual Great migration.

SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: February 24 – March 1, 2024

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Number of participants: 7 – 12

Cost per person (in lodges based on double accommodation):
– 2 790 USD subject to 12 participants, or
– 2 890 USD subject to 11 participants, or
– 2 990 USD subject to 9 – 10 participants, or
– 3 150 USD subject to 7 – 8 participants.

Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Kilimanjaro roundtrip (estimated cost Moscow – Kilimanjaro – Moscow is 1100 – 1300 USD. Bought on your own with our assistance)
- international medical insurance,
- visa of Tanzania (obtained upon arrival at Dar Es Salam or Kilimanjaro airport at 50 USD)
- mandatory tips on safari (approx. 70 USD per person)

Single supplement: 480 USD


TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Tanzania


Day 1. February 24, 2024 (Saturday). ARRIVAL IN KILIMANJARO AIRPORT – ARUSHA

Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport directly. Meet the guide. 45 min transfer to Arusha to Kibo Palace hotel 4*. Rest in the hotel with the nice swimming pool.
Dinner and overnight.

Meals included: dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Palace hotel 4* or similar
https://kibopalacehotel.com/kibo-palace-hotel-arusha/

* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, departure from Moscow on February 23 at 22:00, then departure from Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro at 10:15 am on February 24, arrival in Kilimanjaro at 12:50 pm on February 24, or
– Qatar Airways via Doha, departure from Moscow on February 23 at 22:40, then departure from Doha to Kilimanjaro at 8:00 am on February 24, arrival in Kilimanjaro at 16:45 on February 24, or
– Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departure from Moscow on February 23 at 7:15 am, then departure from Istanbul to Kilimanjaro at 19:25 on February 23, arrival in Kilimanjaro at 2:30 am on February 24 (early check-in to a hotel in Arusha will be required),
– with any other flight, arrival in Kilimanjaro at any time on February 24 or at night from February 24 to 25.


Day 2. February 25, 2024 (Sunday). ARUSHA – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, drive by 4WD safari Land Cruisers to Serengeti National park (about 6 hrs drive) for evening game viewing.
Serengeti NP is famous for its population of wild cats as well as for hosting the great migration of wildebeests in its Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystem, as well as its population of African wild cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. It is probably the best place in Africa to spot leopards. Serengeti National Park is the biggest ecosystem in the world where 1,5 million wildebeests, 700 thousand zebras and 300 thousand Thompson gazelles follow the rains in order to find new feeding grounds.
Upon arrival, enjoy the evening game viewing in Central Serengeti.
After sunset dinner and overnight at fashionable Tanzania Bush Tented Lodge in Central Serengeti.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Tented Lodge in Central Serengeti or similar
https://www.tanzaniabushcamps.com/central-serengeti


Day 3. February 26, 2024 (Monday). CENTRAL SERENGETI – NDUTU PLAINS

Early morning game viewing in the Serengeti plains, experience the sunrise. Bush breakfast and proceed with game viewing. At noon back for hot lunch at the lodge.
Then proceed driving to Ndutu plains, famous for hosting the calving season for the Great migration herds of wildebeests. During this season hundreds and thousands female wildebeests bring the calves on the open plains of savannah. This obviously attracts a lot predators, following the herbivores.
Evening game drive at Great Migration in Ndutu plains.
After sunset dinner and overnight in the lodges at Tanzania Bush Mobile Camp. This mobile lodge is located right in the middle of savannah with surrounding wildlife.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Mobile Camp Lodge in Ndutu Plains or similar
https://www.tanzaniabushcamps.com/ndutu-mobile-camp/


Day 4. February 27, 2024 (Tuesday). NDUTU PLAINS

Full day top safari at Great Migration at its high point of activity.
Early morning game viewing in the Ndutu plains. Experience the sunrise and explore the Great migration herds of wildebeests for chances to witness the calving of hundreds of female wildebeests in the predator rich plains. If we are lucky we can witness the hunting of the cats or hyenas. This is the best time to see it in Serengeti.
Later a bush breakfast and proceed with game viewing until noon.
Back in the lodge for hot lunch. In the evening proceed with game viewing. Northern Serengeti is a natural habitat for all African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
In the evening a sun down party with drinks and snacks. After sunset dinner and overnight at Tanzania Bush Mobile Camp.
Watch out! You will be equipped with walkie-talkie in order to be in touch with rangers and staff of the hotel, cause the wild animal will roam right on the territory of the lodge and sometimes can been from the room!

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Mobile Camp Lodge in Ndutu Plains or similar
https://www.tanzaniabushcamps.com/ndutu-mobile-camp/


Day 5. February 28, 2024 (Wednesday). NDUTU PLAINS – NGORONGORO CRATER – LAKE EYASI

After breakfast, drive to the amazing Ngorongoro Crater Conservation area, the natural breeding site for the endangered free range black rhinos in East Africa, as well as other wildness species.
Upon arrival enjoy the game viewing.
Ngorongoro crater is a unique place, closed ecosystem, formed millions of years ago in a giant caldera of the ancient volcano. Great majority of the animals never leave the territory of the park, which appears the home for the whole African Big Five. If we missed the chance to encounter all Big Five in Serengeti, here we'd rather grab our chance to catch it up!
Enjoy a bush lunch at the Hippo Pool and proceed with game viewing until evening. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best wildlife parks in the world, was awarded as the natural World's Wonder!
In the evening drive to Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge for evening leisure at the lodge. The lodge is situated nearby the Lake Eyasi – part of Great Rift valley.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge at Lake Eyasi or similar
https://lakeeyasi.com/


Day 6. February 29, 2024 (Thursday). LAKE EYASI – HADZABE TRIBE – DATOGA TRIBE – KARATU

Very early morning drive to the Hadzabe (Hadza) tribe. Before they wake up, experience the traditional cannabis smoking ceremony before hunting. Go hunting with Hadzabe and later back for arrow shooting experience.
The Hadzabe are the indigenous inhabitants of the Lake Eyasi. They live around the lake in the central Rift Valley and in the neighboring Serengeti Plateau. There aresome 1,200 Hadzabe people living in Tanzania, however only around 400 Hadzabe still survive exclusively based on the traditional means of foraging: hunting and gathering.
Genetically, the Hadza are not closely related to any other people. Once classified among the Khoisan languages, primarily because it has clicks (sounds really Martian!), the Hadza language is actually thought to be an isolate, unrelated to any other.
Bush breakfast and proceed to Datoga tribe, specialized in iron smelting.
Datoga is the only Nilotic people living in the central regions of Tanzania, surrounded by the Bantu-speaking population. The Datoga pastoralists appear to have entered the Hadza region in the early 18th century, when the Maasai forced them out of the Ngorongoro Crater. However, direct contacts between the Datoga and the Hadza occurred much later, at the beginning of the 20th century, when, under the onslaught of the Iraqw, Datoga were also ousted from the areas of modern Iraqw residence.
We will see traditional Datoga blacksmiths.
Then drive to comfortable Kudu Lodge in Karatu for hot lunch. Evening leisure (swimming pool) and dinner at Kudu Lodge.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Kudu Lodge in Karatu or similar
https://kuducamp.com/about-the-lodge/


Day 7. March 1, 2024 (Friday). KARATU – MAASAI TRIBE – KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

After breakfast proceed to the east, to visit the Maasai tribe. Stop at the Maasai tribal village to explore their natural lifestyle and culture.
The Maasai inhabit the African Great Lakes region and arrived via the South Sudan. The Maasai speak the Maa language, a member of the Nilotic language family, that is related to the Dinka and Nuer languages of South Sudan.
Maasai are pastoralists, and are famous for their fearsome reputations as warriors and cattle-rustlers. Maasai also consume fresh blood drawn from the necks of cattle with miniature arrows. And we can witness this ceremony.
Maasai are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress.
Experience traditional dance of Maasai with peculiar very high jumps up.
After early lunch, proceed to Kilimanjaro international airport, while enjoying the landscapes en route. Arrival in Kilimanjaro International airport at 2 – 3 pm. Return flight home.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: no

* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, departing Kilimanjaro on March 1 at 17:35, and then departing from Addis Ababa to Moscow at 23:30 on March 1, arriving in Moscow at 7:25 am on March 2, or
– Qatar Airways via Doha, departing Kilimanjaro on March 2 at 9:10 am, and then departing from Doha to Moscow on March 3 at 7:55 am, arriving in Moscow at 13:30 on March 3 (requires an extra night in a hotel in Arusha) , or
– Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departing from Kilimanjaro on March 2 at 3:25 am, and then departing from Istanbul to Moscow at 2:45 pm on March 2, arriving in Moscow at 6:40 pm on March 2, or
– any other flight departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport no earlier than 17:00 on March 1.



Cost includes:

· DBL/TWIN accommodation in comfortable hotels and very trendy lodges in best locations, as per the program or similar
· all airport transfers
· all transportation according to the program: new Land Cruiser long safari cars with opening roof, no older than 2017, air conditioned, with the professional English speaking driver-guides,
· full board (3 times a day meals in lodges) throughout the trip
· mineral water throughout the trip
· all permits to National parks (entry fees, concession fees, rescue fees)
· all activities according to the program, all visits, support of the tribes
· accompaniment of experienced local English-speaking guides throughout the trip
· Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the trip


Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):

· international flight to Kilimanjaro international airport (roundtrip)
· international medical insurance
· visa of Tanzania
· mandatory tips (approx. 70 USD per person)
· single accommodation



To take with:

• sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and warm clothes (hoody, light jacket), long sleeve clothes (it is cool in Serengeti in the morning)
• sun hat/panama
• swimwear
• raincoat
• comfortable footwear
• buff
• forehead torch
• big backpack or travel bag or suitcase for all stuff (70 liter or so),
• small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, video cameras
• repellents,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap)
• personal hygiene items
• (!) you may need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination, depending on from which country you travel to Tanzania, you should check it on the WHO website
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, rehydration, your personal medicine, including medicine for altitude sickness prevention)
• anti malaria prevention pills (up to you)
• photo and video camera with batteries
TESTIMONIALS OF OUR CLIENTS
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS TO TANZANIA:

  • Cameroon January -February 2022
    Exceptional expedition with detailed visits and immersion with the culture of the local tribes.
    Alex is one of the very few passionate professionals left in the travel industry. This was my 5th trip with Mzungu and I hope many more will be in the future. Thank you Mzungu.
    Babis Bizas ("The most travelled man on Earth" according the Guinness Book of Records)
    Отзыв на сайте
  • В этом путешествии для нас всё было новым: мы впервые поехали в арабскую страну, причем не в самую развитую и космополитичную, впервые в организованной сборной группе, впервые в формате экспедиции и впервые в очевидный физический дискомфорт.
    И, несмотря на все нюансы, впервые нам настолько сильно не хотелось возвращаться в привычную жизнь.

    Это была потрясающая программа и локации, классные активности, идейный организатор, отзывчивая и приятная команда гидов, крутой повар и просто невероятно крутая команда путешественников, у которых случился 100% мэтч друг с другом! Интересно было всем вместе и с каждым по отдельности!

    А @mzunguexpeditions и @ru_bka летят тысячи благодарностей за это невероятное приключение!
    Диана @diana.in.spain
    Отзыв в Инстаграм
  • High production culture, reliability, safety, selection of the best local guides, concentration of gifted, talented people around the leader of Mzungu, organizing expeditions to the most inaccessible and most interesting places of the planet Earth - what distinguishes Mzunguexpedishn from all others. If you want to spend your vacation not only interesting, but also fun, with healthy emotions and laughter, as well as delicious food - you are here!
    Svetlana Ruzinskaya
    Published in Facebook
KEY FEATURES:

Tanzania

Best season: June – October, December – March


Safari in the Serengeti National Park – the largest national park, which is a unique ecosystem, where millions of herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles migrate from year to year in the wake of the rains in search of succulent grass. One of the culmination moments of the Great Migration is massive calving of wildebeests on Ndutu plains in late February, which attracts a lot of predators.

Located on the land of the Maasai, a unique national park in the crater of the ancient volcano Ngorongoro – a natural wonder of the world, the habitat of the entire African Big Five.

Acquaintance with the culture and lifestyle of the Hadzabe Bushmen, Datoga and Maasai tribes.

Best ever safari experience with fashionable lodges in great locations.

Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
  • 1
    UNIQUENESS
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  • 2
    ADVENTURISM
    Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again.
  • 3
    SAFETY
    In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features.
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  • 5
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