Tanzania - Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti 8 Days

👥 Tanzania - Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater · 📅 Jul 10 – Jul 16 · 🗓️ 8 days

Fri 10 Jul

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where seamless private transfers await to whisk you away to the serene Oldeani Mountain Lodge. Settle into your luxurious accommodations and savor breathtaking views as you prepare to welcome Shabbat in the heart of Tanzania. A curated, Kosher-certified Shabbat experience awaits, ensuring a spiritually enriching start to your extraordinary safari adventure.

Sat 11 Jul

Embrace the tranquility of Shabbat in Oldeani, where the spirit of rest intertwines with the soul of Africa. Savor moments of peaceful reflection amidst breathtaking scenery, allowing the beauty of the Tanzanian landscape to rejuvenate your senses. Today is dedicated to unwinding and absorbing the unique atmosphere of this remarkable setting, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.

Sun 12 Jul

Sunday, 12 June: Depart Oldeani for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive across the 100-square-mile caldera floor. As a self-contained ecosystem, the crater floor supports over 25,000 large animals, representing one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa. This environment provides a high probability of spotting the "Big Five" in a single day, including the rare black rhino. Its compact nature and constant activity make it an efficient and strategic location to begin your safari. Head to Melia Serengeti Hotel for dinner and the night.

Mon 13 Jul

Monday, 13 July: Start the morning with breakfast at Meliá Serengeti Lodge before heading out for a full-day game drive. The lodge’s central location provides immediate access to the plains, where the day's highlights included observing a lion hunt and a significant section of the Great Migration. The afternoon drive focused on the movement of the wildebeest herds as they transitioned across the central Serengeti. After a full day of tracking predators and migratory patterns, return to the lodge for the evening. You will spend a second night at Meliá, positioned to view the sunset over the valley from the property’s elevated decks.

Tue 14 Jul

Tuesday, 14 July: Following breakfast at Meliá Serengeti Lodge, begin a full-day transit and game drive heading north toward the Kogatende region. This route traverses the transition from the Central Serengeti’s open savannah to the more rugged, hilly landscapes of the north. The drive offers an opportunity to observe wildlife patterns as they shift toward the Mara River. After a day of tracking the herds, you will arrive at your luxury tented camp in Kogatende. Situated on the granite kopjes with views of the surrounding plains, the camp provides an immersive setting without sacrificing high-end amenities. You will spend the evening at the camp, which includes a dedicated kosher dining setup and a private deck overlooking the Northern Serengeti.

Wed 15 Jul

Wednesday, 15 July: The day is centered on the Mara River, the primary obstacle for the Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti. After an early breakfast at the camp, you will head to the riverbanks to monitor the crossing points. The focus is on "The Watch"—positioning the vehicle to observe wildebeest and zebra herds as they gather and eventually attempt the river crossing, navigating the currents and resident crocodile populations. Between crossing attempts, the game drive will continue through the Kogatende area, known for high predator density, including lion prides and leopards that frequent the rocky kopjes. Return to the luxury tented camp in the late afternoon. The evening includes a supervised glatt-kosher dinner on the private deck, overlooking the plains as the herds settle for the night.

Thu 16 Jul

Thursday, 16 July: The day begins with an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn, offering an aerial perspective of the Mara River and the migration herds before landing for a bush breakfast. Alternatively, you may opt for an early breakfast at the camp followed by a full-day game drive. The itinerary remains flexible to prioritize the Great Migration. A significant portion of the day will be spent at the Mara River crossing points, observing the herds as they gather and attempt the river passage. Between crossing windows, the drive will explore the Kogatende plains and rocky kopjes, areas known for high concentrations of lion and leopard. You will return to the luxury tented camp in the late afternoon for dinner and your final night in the Serengeti.

Fri 17 Jul

Thursday, 16 July: Start with an early breakfast and depart camp at 6:00 AM for a final short game drive along the Mara River. This three-hour window allows for a last check of the river crossing points and predator activity on the kopjes. Because river crossings are unpredictable and can take several hours to materialize, this drive serves as a final observation period rather than a dedicated "crossing watch." At 9:15 AM, you will transfer to the Kogatende Airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. The flight departs at approximately 10:00 AM, arriving in Zanzibar in the early afternoon for the next leg of your journey.

What to expect