11/15/2025
We suddenly have two openings in this trip that has been fully booked for months! Please let me know if you are interested in learning more or if you have a friend who you think might be a good fit for this adventure!
RAVEN Interpretive Programs
welcomes you to
Tanzania: Migration Safari with Chris Lewey
February 8th – 21th, 2026.
Cost: $9650 per person, double or twin-share occupancy.
February 8th ~ Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Many flights arrive Kilimanjaro in the evening and one earlier in the day. An Aurora Africa representative will greet you after you clear immigration and baggage claim. The drive from the airport to Rivertrees is about 1 hour. If you are arriving early, Rivertrees is a wonderful place to relax. Enjoy some of the various activities offered around the lodge or relax by the pool or get a massage.
Overnight – Rivertrees Country Inn ~ D
February 9th ~ Arusha National Park
This morning we’ll start the adventure with a trip into Arusha National Park, departing the lodge after an early breakfast for the short journey to the park gate. This small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Visiting the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colobus monkeys playing in the canopy. Located in the shadow of Mt Meru, this small and diverse park is home to giraffe, impala, buffalo, zebra, hyena and dik-dik. We will have a picnic lunch in the park.
Overnight – Rivertrees ~ BLD
February 10th and 11th ~ Tarangire National Park
This morning, we will depart the lodge after breakfast and bypass Arusha on our way to Tarangire National Park. The drive to the gate of the park takes about 3 hours. We will spend our days exploring the acacia covered woodlands and grass-filled swamps of the park. This diverse park is home to giraffe, impala, buffalo, lion, the elusive leopard and thousands of elephants. After processing paperwork at the gate begin our wildlife and wilderness experience begins with a short drive. The lodge is located overlooking the Tarangire River with incredible views over the park. It’s possible to view wildlife right from the viewing patio at the lodge! Overnight – Tarangire Safari Lodge ~ BLD
February 12th ~ Tarangire Safari Lodge
Enjoy another beautiful morning in Tarangire National Park. Our destination this afternoon is Isoitok Camp, situated on the floor of the Rift Valley in the heart of Maasai land. This award-winning, intimate camp offers a little piece of Africa and a grass roots cultural experience with a true look behind the scenes into Maasai life. This evening we’ll take a medicine walk with a Maasai warrior, learning about the healing properties of the trees and plants in the area, ending up at a stunning viewpoint overlooking Lake Manyara for the traditional “sundowners” before returning to camp for dinner.
Overnight – Isoitok Camp Manyara ~ BLD
February 13th ~ Maasai Village/ Gibb’s Farm
This morning, we have the opportunity to visit an authentic Maasai village and observe the early morning activities. Depart the camp late morning and climb up the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and into the Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy lunch at the delightful Gibb’s Farm. After lunch, hike along the edge of the Ngorongoro Forest or meander around the farm enjoying the various gardens and farm animals. This afternoon we’ll head down to Karatu to check-in to our lodge.
Overnight – Baghayo Garden Suites ~ BLD
pastedGraphic_2.png
February 14th ~ Day of Leisure
Take in the beauty of the highlands with a day of leisure around the lodge and Karatu.
Watch the birds while sipping your morning brew, have a late breakfast, lounge by the pool, or explore a bit of Karatu village. We can also arrange a visit to the FAME Medical Center for an in-depth tour of the grounds and facility. You will learn about the incredible care they are providing to under-resourced communities and see the medical facility (on par with western standards). We’ll enjoy a special dinner this evening with guests from the Karatu community and some local artisans.
Overnight – Baghayo Garden Suites ~ BLD
February 15th and 16th ~ Travel day to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the Manyara Airstrip to check-in for our flight to Serengeti National Park. Upon landing we’ll be re-united with our guides and will enjoy a day on safari (with picnic lunches) before arriving our camp in the late afternoon. The Serengeti is one of the most stunning wildlife sanctuaries on the planet. The name comes from the Maasai “siringet” referring to endless plain. This vast savannah hosts the world’s largest surviving concentration of plains game. In addition, there are beautiful rocky out-cropping called kopjes (pronounced copies) and thousands of acres of bush and acacia woodland. We ’ll spend the next two days exploring the Central Region of Serengeti National Park. The Seronera area has permanent water and therefore is an excellent area to spot the big cats.
Overnight – Hippo Trails ~ BLD
February 17th, 18th and 19th ~ Ndutu Area/ Southern Serengeti
The game-filled plains in Ndutu, home of many famous wildlife filmmakers and photographers, are a wildlife lover and bird enthusiast’s dream. One of the largest migrations on the planet takes place in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem; annually the migration of wildebeest and zebra find their way to the Ndutu area between December and May. The herds travel over the vast area always on the search of the sweet new grass. The smell of rain even miles away will cause the herds to move in that direction. The resident wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah, lion, elephant, various species of antelope and exciting smaller cats such as the caracal. Striped hyena is seen regularly. You’ll spend the days exploring the varied eco-systems; there are the marshes and a soda lake, acacia woodland and short grass plains.
*Optional hot air balloon safari on the 18th .
Overnight – Camp Zebra ~ BLD
February 20th ~ Ngorongoro Crater
pastedGraphic_3.png
Today we’ll rise early to spend the day in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 25,000 animals. From the camp to the floor of the crater will take about 1.5 – 2 hours. This “8th Wonder of the World” leaves visitors in absolute awe. Its stunning landscape and great array of species make this a highlight of any safari. The crater is home to most of the larger African mammals with the exception of white rhino and giraffe (they can’t cope with the steep descent). Here is one of the few remaining places it’s possible to encounter the highly endangered black rhino. It is also possible to see elephant (mostly lone or “bachelor” bulls), contented prides of lion, hippo, a resident herd of wildebeest, zebra, various gazelles, baboon and much more. After your picnic in the crater, you’ll ascend and return to Karatu.
Overnight – Plantation Lodge ~ BLD
February 21st ~ Arusha and your international flight
Enjoy a morning at leisure including breakfast and lunch at the lodge before your mid-afternoon transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The drive to the airport is approximately 4 hours, so flights should be booked after 3 PM. ~ BL
*Check-out may be as early as 10:00AM