15 Day Serengeti “eco-system,” off the grid luxury safari HIGHLIGHS
Be prepared to be astonished by the vast number of elephants, the incomparable “great wildebeest migration,” big cats, and a birder’s paradise. We’re taking you off the grid to see the bigger picture, the Serengeti eco-system. This includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area that borders the southeast, the Mwiba and Maswa Game Reserves bordering the southwest, and the Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo Controlled Areas border the northwest.
Tarangire National Park is the best area on the Northern Circuit to see lions in trees. It has the highest concentration of elephants in Tanzania, and there are over 500 species of birds, including martial and bateleur eagles. Wildlife viewing is excellent when animals congregate at the Tarangire River. (2 nights)
Lake Manyara National Park was described by Ernest Hemingway as, “The loveliest I have seen in Africa.” The 2,000-foot-high Rift Valley escarpment runs along the lake’s west side, where elephants prefer the dense forests and marshy glades. 450 species of birds have been recorded, including an astonishing number of birds of prey. And, if you’re lucky, you may spot the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is one of 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tanzania. The crater floor is dominated by a vast flamingo filled lake, and it holds the highest concentration of predators in the world, including leopards, lions, jackals, and hyenas. You may also see white and black rhinos. (2 nights)
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area is adjacent to the southwest boundary of Serengeti National Park. A visit to this Reserve guarantees a close-up of the wildebeest migration between December and April, as well as the “Big 5” and over 450 species of birds. Each year close to two million wildebeests and zebra gather up their young and start the long trek north to Kenya’s Maasai Mara. 250,000 wildebeests and 30,000 zebras die en-route each year due to predators, no water, exhaustion, or disease. (2 nights)
Wildebeest migration map
Maswa Game Reserve is an exceptional game reserve that includes a high density of lions, leopards, and birds. Maswa is a refuge for many of Serengeti’s animals who seek water in the springs and pools formed in the many sand rivers in the reserve. The wildebeest migration passes through Maswa on its way north through the Grumeti Game Reserve.
Grumeti Game Reserve is an integral part of the Serengeti eco-system and is funded by the Grumeti Fund, a not-for-profit organization. Singita was granted the right to manage and conserve 350,000 acres for the benefit of Tanzania, Africa, and the world. They enhance the low impact of tourism to provide a unique luxury experience in the bush. And, one rarely sees another safari vehicle. Grumeti is remote, beautiful, and one of Tanzania’s best kept secrets, which allows you to experience “a private Serengeti.” The Reserve is known for its big cats, and the opportunity to see them is excellent. (3 nights)
Ikorongo Game Reserve
The Grumeti concession includes breathtaking Ikorongo, a road less traveled. It is not unusual to see hundreds of elephants as well as lions, leopards, and cheetahs in a single afternoon. Ikorongo is truly wild! With 10 rivers snaking through the wilderness, the intrepid few who venture into this wildlife paradise are given a rewarding experience. (1 day)
Serengeti National Park
We saved the Serengeti for last so you can compare it to your “off the grid” experience. The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Serengeti has the largest concentration of migratory game animals globally, the great wildebeest and zebra migration. The park is famous for an extensive lion population that follows the migration. And for birders, it’s possible to see nearly 500 different species. It’s impossible to predict the exact time the migration occurs as it is predicated on rainfall across the eco-system. You are guaranteed to see wildebeest, no matter when you visit. (2 nights)
- INCLUSIVE & PRIVATE
- MODERATE & LUXURY PACKAGES
(Includes pick up and drop off at the same location, an extraordinary safari, your driver/guide, accommodations, and full board. Excludes game park entrance fees.)