East African Migrations

This unique tour takes us deep into East Africa to the famous “Land of The Lion King” and the “Rolls Royce of game reserves” – Tanzania’s world-renowned Serengeti National Park.

“To witness the calm rhythm of life revives our warm souls and recaptures a feeling of belonging to the natural world. No one can return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever prowl in our memory and great herds throng our imagination”- George Schaller

The Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian national park in the Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions. It is famous for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250,000 zebra and for its numerous Nile crocodile and honey badger.

The remarkable herds of animals that migrate around this region by far outnumbers anything of it’s kind on the planet. Those few who are lucky enough to witness this spectacle can testify to what a life-changing experience it is.

With GKS, most of our safari will be spent in the Serengeti itself, as well as in the famous Ngorongoro Crater to the south, enjoying what is truly the greatest wildlife show on earth, and some spectacular scenery along the way, all in magnificent luxury hotels with our famous freshly prepared gourmet kosher cuisine.

Without any doubt this exclusive Tour can be described as the “pinnacle” of Safari offerings!

Day 1 | Kilimanjaro

On arrival in the late afternoon , we hope for clear skies and a view of that icon of equatorial Africa- the highest point on the continent with its snow-capped peek- the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!

Day 2 | Arusha National Park

We explore the refreshingly green forests and mountains of the Arusha National Park, home of the “blue” and “black and white” monkeys.

In addition to the forest and plains wildlife this park has to offer, on a clear day, the views of Arusha’s signature volcano, Mount Meru, and the nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, can be absolutely breathtaking!

In the afternoon, we drive through the “Great African Rift Valley”, the massive fault-line that extends from Southern Africa through to Northern Israel, and up to the Ngorongoro Highlands, where we check into our lovely hotel and prepare for tomorrow’s descent into the crater.

Day 3 | Ngorongoro Crater

This morning, we descendant the steep escarpment of this unique volcanic crater, an island haven for countless species of animals, known to have the greatest concentration of animals in the world, throughout the year.

In this protected and fertile environment, animals seldom have reason to leave, and a few hours is generally sufficient to see an incredibly diverse amount of these incredible species.

The crater is also the best place in the ecosystem to see the highly endangered rhino, where the protected and controlled environment keeps it relatively safe from poachers, and during the rainy season, the lake at its center make an incredible feeding ground for large groups of flamingo, often observed from the top of the crater as an unending sea of pink!

Day 4 - Day 8 | Serengeti National Park

On day 4, we drive through the magnificent Ngorongoro Highlands and down the escarpment to the open plains of the Serengeti National Park, where our search for the migration herds begins.

In addition to the great migrations, the Serengeti has one of the world’s highest concentrations of resident wildlife, such as antelope, gazelles, zebra, the famous pumba (warthog), cheetah, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and much more, which we search for and enjoy over the next few days!

Our stay in the Serengeti also includes an unforgettable Shabbat inside the park, where we have the possibility of spotting elephant and other animals at the waterhole – migrating herds have even been known to walk past the lodge grounds!

In the afternoon of day 8, we take a short flight back to Kilimanjaro airport, where we hope to end our trip with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro, if only the cloud would just lift for a minute!

Visas

Citizens of the U.S., most commonwealth countries, and Israel require visas for Tanzania, but are usually able to obtain them on arrival at the airport.
As there are sometimes delays in obtaining visas at the airport especially with late arrivals, we would suggest that you consider applying for your visa at your local embassy or consulate, where possible, though this might be more of a hassle than the wait at the airport!
For visas at the airport, you will need the following:$50 (Israeli passports); $100 (American passports) Dollars to be more recent than 2006.
- 2 x colour passport pictures with clear background
- Passports must be valid for at least 6 months
- Please have 5 blank pages available in passport
- Visa application form to be completed
- Itinerary and hotel vouchers with your name on it
Please let us know if you have a visa in advance so that we can plan our pick up times accordingly so that those passengers who have visas will not have to wait for those who do not.
As GKS cannot take responsibility for accuracy of visa information, it MUST be verified by the consulates of these countries well in advance of travel .

Flights

Fly in and out of kilimanjaro international airport

Suggested Routes:

New York region – Delta/KLM via Amsterdam
Ethiopian Air via Addis Ababa
Air Kenya via Nairobi

Arrivals

Arrive anytime on first day at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Departures

Depart from Kilimanjaro Airport from 5 pm on last day.

Always check routing and times with office before booking

GKS is happy to advise you with the booking process.

TANZANIA PLASTIC BAGS BAN.

In an effort to combat pollution, Tanzania has recently joined the club of green nations that have banned plastics bags- please do not bring any with you, to avoid issues and fines at the airport.

Last we heard however, they have made an exception for the Ziploc bag you use for taking your personal toiletries through security.

Security

Tanzania is a relatively safe country, but particularly in the cities, petty crime is common, and one should avoid walking alone after dark and carrying valuables around.
Although a low-risk area for terrorism, the global climate dictates that we take certain precautions and exact venues of tours are only made known to confirmed participants.

Weather & Climate

EAST AFRICA has an equatorial climate and the temperatures are fairly similar throughout the year. They vary with elevation and precipitation, extremely hot and humid and sea level, and cooler as elevation increases. Although usually pleasantly warm , the higher areas of the Serengeti, Arusha,Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro regions can be a little windy, rainy, and cool, and a sweatshirt and jacket are always recommended, particularly for early morning drives.

Medical

Yellow fever innoculations or official exemption certificates are required if you have recently been in a country with yellow-fever risk. In Addition, some countries, like South Africa, might require proof of vaccination for re-entry, after visiting Tanzania/
Malaria is a risk in all of East Africa throughout the year, and you should consult your doctor for a prescription for prophylactic drugs.
Women who are pregnant, infants, children under 4-5 should consult their doctor before visiting malaria areas. Malaria-free Safari areas like Madikwe and the Pilanesberg in South Africa are a great alternative in such cases
Tanzania has a rather basic health-care service and the nearest modern private hospital is in Nairobi, Kenya. The regions we visit are very remote, and anyone with serious medical issues should discuss them with their doctor before signing down to this trip.

Currency

The unit of currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling which is currently valued at about 2,503.30 TZS= 1$, although currency fluctuations can be rather drastic, as can the variance in the actual exchange rate offered.
Certain ATMs in the region accept most foreign Visa cards , but are UNRELIABLE, and a good combination of local currency, $US cash, and cards is usually the best way to go.
Many vendors in the region will ONLY accept cash, but many are all too eager for $US.
The GOOD NEWS is that being on an organized trip, you only really need cash for the small things, so its nothing to worry about!