East Africa – Great Migration: A 10 Day Itinerary

Planning a trip to Africa this year? You’re sure to be inspired by this week’s featured itinerary from Michelle Finkelstein, a world traveler and travel expert who recently went to the eastern part of Africa to visit parks, beaches, “the big 5,” and more.

Here are some highlights from her 10 day trip, East Africa – Great Migration :

Each year 1.5 million wildebeest (also called gnu), 200,000 zebra, 18,000 eland (similar to an antelope) and 50,000 Thompson’s gazelle migrate from the southeastern Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again down along the eastern corridor. The movement is driven by seasonal weather conditions, preferring the wet season (March – May) in the southeastern Tanzania plains and the dry season (June – October) in northwest Kenya woodlands. The animals travel as their grass supply is depleted and return to the renewed green and lush savannah in Tanzania in time for the wildebeest calving from January to March.

Day 1: Nairobi

Getting to Nairobi

To start this trip of a lifetime, you’ll to fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. In most cases you’ll need to overnight, as the charter flights to the safari lodges usually depart in early morning.

To Do in Nairobi

If you must overnight Nairobi, a lovely hotel is Giraffe Manor, named so because the friendly creatures living on the mansion grounds frequently stick their heads through the breakfast room window in the morning.

Nairobi is a large, noisy and somewhat dangerous city so if you have time to sightsee be sure to hire a car and driver.

The grounds and farmhouse of Karen Blixen, the author of Out of Africa, located on the outskirts of Nairobi is now a museum preserved and restored to convey what life was like when she lived in the property from 1914 – 1931.

Days 2 & 3: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

With a stay at any lodge, two game drives are normally included in the rate. Typically you are woken up around 6 am with coffee, tea and cookies to get ready for your first drive. Pile into your 4×4 vehicle (some have canvas tops, others are open) with your experienced guide and head into the Mara.

Expect to see the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard (although more difficult to spot) as well as masses of wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, Thompson’s gazelle, warthogs, baboons and beautifully colored birds.

At the river, watch the stealth crocodiles and listen to the deep snorting sounds of the hippopotamus, but don’t be fooled by their lumbering size and seemingly slow pace – hippos have killed more people in the bush than any other animal!

As the migration is one of the most concentrated animal viewing times, you will undoubtedly witness a kill and be amazed at the raw power of nature.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relax at the lodge’s pool or sit on your veranda reading or searching the plains for animals (binoculars usually provided) Depart for the afternoon game drive around 4 pm when it is cooler and the animals are more active. You’ll perhaps see nocturnal creatures such as the porcupine and civet. (more…)

Days 4, 5 & 6 - River Camps and Ngorongoro Crater

What to Do in Ngorongoro Crater:

Game drives to the 2000-ft deep crater floor to track the usual suspects along with hopes of spotting the endangered and elusive black rhino.

Picnic lunches on the crater floor and sundowners overlooking Lake Eyasi complete the experience.

Here too you will see the Masai in their scarlet robes and a visit to a village is possible.

Take an excursion to the Olduvai Gorge, oftentimes called ‘The Cradle of Mankind’ as it is one of the most prominent prehistoric sites in the world.

In the late 1950s Louis and Mary Leakey discovered a part-man/part-ape skull dating back 1.75 million years, and 3.7-million-year-old hominid footprints fossilized in volcanic ash. You can take a guided tour of the gorge and explore the museum founded by Mary Leakey, now housing local archaeological finds and a photography exhibit of the excavations in the area. (more…)

Day 7: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

A fantastic way to end a safari trip is on a beach and Zanzibar is the perfect choice. It is close to safari camps, easy to access, relatively inexpensive and has the allure of the exotic: spice plantations (you can smell the cloves and cinnamon), white coral beaches, a thriving Arab culture and the crystalline Indian Ocean peppered with traditional dhows and fishing boats.

Getting to Zanzibar

From Ngorongoro you will be driven back to Manyara airstrip and flown to Kilimanjaro to pick up a flight to Zanzibar Airport, on the west coast of the island. Alternately you can fly to Dar es Salaam and take a ferry, but this is only advised if you have time and want to check out Dar. The Zanzibar airport is a 15-min taxi ride from Stone Town, the old city and cultural center of the island.

With labyrinthine alleys, crumbing buildings and massive carved and studded wood doors, Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is best experienced by wandering through the narrow streets stopping at antique shops, woodcarving studios and spice markets, and perhaps buying a colorful painting or watercolor from a local artist. Please note that Stone Town has a conservative Muslim community so it’s respectful to dress modestly. Sleeveless tops for men and women are not recommended, nor above-the-knee skirts or shorts for women. (more…)

Days 8, 9 & 10: Zanzibar Beach Destination

Zanzibar’s different coasts offer a range of natural beauty and accommodations. I found the east coast to have the best beaches, diving and hotels. Many times the beaches are rocky so bring a pair of flip-flops for the water as not all hotels provide reef shoes.

Getting to the East Coast of Zanzibar

You must arrange for a taxi or hotel transfer to get around the island. You can combine a spice tour with transfer to the next hotel for an additional charge. In some cases the roads off the main highway to the coastal towns and hotels aren’t paved and can be fairly bumpy.

Where to Stay on the East Coast of Zanzibar

There are a myriad of choices varying from backpacker hostel to five-star luxury resort. My favorite was the newest in the area, the Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski on the northeast coast.

Each sleekly designed room has a private terrace, oversized tub, and plush beds with crisp white linens and down comforters.

Relax by the infinity pool or use the hotel’s complimentary kayaks or bicycles and cruise along the beach.

Go tidepooling with reef shoes provided by the activity desk.

The concierge can arrange dive and snorkel trips

Finish your afternoon with a sunset cocktail at the thatched-roof bar at the end of the hotel’s dock. (more…)

Here are some other great itineraries to help you plan your trip to Africa:

Bill B’s 12 day trip to East Africa including Kenya and Tanzania

Voices of Africa’s month long trip to Tanzania

Canadiantraveller200 headed to Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa as part of her trip around the world.

Other Useful links:
Africa Travel Guide
Ngorongoro Crater Travel Guide
Tanzania Travel Guide
More Editor’s Picks for Africa

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