The vast and sensational Serengeti is the epitome of most people's dreams about wild Africa. Serengeti is derived from the Masaai word "Siringet" meaning " wide open space". The word is definitely true upon experiencing uninterrupted views under an African sky. The Serengeti region encompasses the Serengeti National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. The essential features of climate, vegetation and fauna have barely changed in the past million years. Some patterns of life, death, adaptation and migration are as old as the hills themselves. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Every one who has the luck to see nearly two million animals on the move will be touched by the magic of this place.

The wildebeest are one of the most important pieces in the Serengeti ecosystem puzzle. Their migration is as old as the history of mankind. For many millenniums the wildebeest followed the rains and used the Serengeti ecosystem with its mosaic of grasslands and savannas to their advantage. The wildebeest spent the rainy season from December to June in the volcanic open plains below the Ngorongoro Crater where the grass growth is most productive and nutrient contents high. It is here that the calves are born. Calving season is short and the predators cannot make a dent in the new-borns with such a sudden surge of food. When the monsoon rains stop in June, the plains dry out and the wildebeest move west towards Lake Victoria in search of pasture and rains. The plains become a harsh and dry semi-desert in which no wildebeest could survive. Only through migration can the wildebeest and zebra use the widespread resources of the ecosystem and build up such large numbers. Following the rainfalls the migration moves on to the north, into the Maasai Mara, where the rift wall catches the last rains even in the middle of the dry season. With the onset of the monsoon rains in December the wildebeest move back into the lush Serengeti plains.

Ngorongoro The Ngorongoro Crater is the Eight wonder of the world ' Land of Maasai, of their cattle and of the fauna. This protected area is located in the Great Rift Valley, gigantic fracture of the earth's crust. Volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes, forests and archeological sites form this mangnificent landscape. At 1600 meters altitude, the bottom of the crater is about 250 square kilometers and dotted with watering holes, shelters almost 25 000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano (but the animals can leave). The Ngorongoro Crater has a spectacular concentration of wildlife and is the best place to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas and a small number of rhinos. The bird life is largely seasonal and is also affected by the ratio of soda fresh water in Lake Magadi on the crater floor. It's called the eighth wonder of the world. Walks with spectaculair views can be done with Maasai guides and rangers for those that want to combine both game viewing and walking in their itinerary. On a clear day you can even overlook the enormous plains of the Serengeti and lake Easy.

Short Arrangements: (Any location can be extended or you can add on other destination) Northern Explorer - 8 days - maximum 6/7 persons Departure days: every tuesday, thirsday and saturday - Trip begin and ends in Arusha. Highlights: * Arusha NP - 1 night Arusha Guest House - VP * Serengeti NP - 2 nights Ikoma Tented Safari Camp/ Seronera Lodge or Lobo Lodge - VP * Ngorongoro Crater - 1 night Wildlife Lodge - VP * Olduvai Gorge Museum * Tarangire NP - 1 night Tarangire Safari Lodge - VP * Lake Manyara - 1 night Manyara Hotel - VP € 1527,- p.p.  (based on two people) Included- accommodation in Lodges, a hotel and a guesthouse, all meals, guide, park entry fees, Olduvai Gorge entry fee, game drive on the crater floor, visit Olduvai Gorge Museum, short walk on the slopes of the Naabi Hills, game drives in de Serengeti, Tarangire NP, Manyara NP and Arusha NP. ************************************************************************************ Big Five Safari - 5 days - maximum 6/7 persons Departure days: every sunday, tuesday and friday - Trip begin and ends in Arusha. Highlights: * Serengeti NP - 2 nights Ikoma Tented Safari Camp/Seronera Lodge or Lobo Lodge - VP * Ngorongoro Crater - 1 night Wildlife Lodge - VP * Olduvai Gorge Museum * Panoramic flight - Serengeti - Arusha € 1055,- p.p.  (based on two people) Included- accommodation in Tented Safari Camp, a Lodge and a guest house in Arusha, all meals, guide, park entry fees, Olduvai Gorge entry fee, game drive on the crater floor, visit Olduvai Gorge Museum, short walk on the slopes of the Naabi Hills, game drives in de Serengeti and panoramic flight Serengeti to Arusha. ************************************************************************************ Serengeti Migration - 7 days - maximum 6/7 personen Departure days: every sunday, wednesday and friday - Trip begin and ends in Arusha. Highlights: * Serengeti NP - 2 nights Ikoma Tented Safari Camp/ Seronera Lodge or Lobo Lodge - VP * Ngorongoro Crater - 1 night Wildlife Lodge - VP * Olduvai Gorge Museum * Tarangire NP - 1 night Tarangire Safari Lodge - VP * Lake Manyara - 1 night Manyara Hotel - VP € 1428,- p.p.  (based on two people) Included- accommodation in Lodges, a hotel and a guest house in Arusha, all meals, guide, park entry fees, Olduvai Gorge entry fee, game drive on the crater floor, visit Olduvai Gorge Museum, short walk on the slopes of the Naabi Hills, game drives in de Serengeti,Tarangire NP and in Manyara NP, flight Serengeti to Arusha. ************************************************************************************ Empakaai Walks - 7 days - maximum 6/7 persons Departure days: every sunday, tuesday and friday - Trip begin and ends in Arusha. Highlights: * Ngorongoro Crater - 1 night Wildlife Lodge or Bougainvillea lodge - VP * Olduvai Gorge Museum * Walk from Empakai crater to Ngaresero (Lake Natron) - 2 nights Camping - VP * Naiobi Village - 1 night camping - VP * Mount Oldonyio 'Lengai - 2 nights Lake Natron Tented Lodge - VP * Lake Natron € 1384,- p.p.  (based on two people) Included- accommodation in Lodges, Tented Camp and a guest house in Arusha, meals, guide, game drive on the Ngorongoro crater floor, park entry fees, Olduvai Gorge entry fee, Oldonyio Lengai and Lake Natron fees, Camping equipment (ex. sleepingbag which can be hired against Usd 10 ). There are nine craters within the boundaries of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater is the most famous and most visited but the less known and visited Empakaai to the north-east is also noted for its beauty and solitude and most likely you will be the only tourist. The 300 meter deep, six kilometer-wide Empakaai Crater is dominated by a very deep soda lake which occupies nearly half the floor. Waterbirds such as the black-winged stilt, Cape teal and Flamingo inhabit its shore. Much of the 32km crater rim of Empakaai can be walked and provides spectacular views. Wildlife is often seen around the lake. From Empakaai you start the Walking Safari to Lake Natron. You descend the outer hills of the Great Rift Valley, walk through the open plains of the Embulbul depression, until you reach the campsite at the village Naiobi, where you have the great opportunity to meet the local Maasais. Ol Doinyo Lengai and Mount Meru are seen along the way. Donkeys carry our luggage. For those opting to climb Mount Oldonyio Lengai - 11 midnight, you begin your guided climb ( very streneous climb ) to the summit of the mountain of god, where the Maasai people worship and give sacrifices to their god's at the top. The mountain is still an active volcano, and you will get fanstastic views of the ashes. You shall return to the base of the mountain after 8 to 14hrs, depending on your strength and interest whilst on the mountain. From the trailhead, a driver will be waiting for you to be transfered to Natron for a nice shower and refreshment. Late afternoon, you visit the Lake Natron, breading place for the Flamingoes. ************************************************************************************ For more safaris have a look at Tanzania Travel suggestions

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