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The ultimate Great Migration itinerary, from the company who invented the modern safari

There’s many ways to see the wildlife of Africa, but it would be hard to find a more complete, luxurious and efficient option than Abercrombie & Kent’s 14-day The Great Migration Safari in Style itinerary.

 

Here’s why:

The method

The vast distances of the African continent mean most people have to make the impossible choice of one, or two if they’re lucky, national parks or game reserves and hope the animals cooperate. On this itinerary you’ll hop by air between many of the locations, meaning you’ll spend much less time travelling, and much more time on safari.

The itinerary includes five separate national parks and wildlife havens across two countries, Kenya and Tanzania, and crucially, the once-in-a-lifetime Great Migration spectacle from both the south (Serengeti) and north (Masai Mara).

The details

Your trip includes flights between Arusha and Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara and Serengeti, Serengeti and Masai Mara and Masai Mara and Nairobi.

 

The expertise

Abercrombie & Kent invented the modern African safari, beginning when founder and chairman Geoffrey Kent established the company in 1962 with a luxury photographic expedition. He can also be credited with helping to inspire animated film The Lion King, celebrating its 30th birthday this year, after he hosted producer Jeffrey Katzenberg on one of the African safaris the pair have done together.

The big screen

Katzenberg’s travels with Kent didn’t just inspire The Lion King. Their trips to Egypt and China inspired the creation of The Prince of Egypt and Kung Fu Panda.

The accommodation

The safari camps and lodges chosen by Abercrombie & Kent for their African itineraries offer luxurious rooms, exquisite dining and impeccable service that rival the best five-star hotels, but with locations no hotel could match.

This trip begins at Tawi Lodge, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, where the 12 cottages all have mountain views from bed and shower, wooden decks and four-poster beds. After two nights here you’ll transfer by road to Arusha, Tanzania followed by a short flight to Sanctuary Swala for 2 nights, located in a remote valley deep in the heart of Tarangire National Park, untouched by mass tourism.

Here each of the 12 permanent walk-in tents is attended by its own butler and has its own private furnished balcony overlooking the bush and river basin. Next stop is Gibbs Farm, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, an intimate inn and working coffee plantation where the rooms have deep bathtubs and indoor/outdoor showers.

Then it’s on to Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, where you’ll find an infinity pool, African-inspired cuisine in three restaurants and rooms with views over the Serengeti. You’ll spend three nights here before a final three nights at Sanctuary Olonana in the Masai Mara. An ultra-modern lodge set on a riverbank, its 14 rooms offer private decks with daybeds and opulent bathrooms and is one of the few lodges rated Gold by Ecotourism Kenya.

The money-can’t-buy experience

At Gibbs Farm take a walk with a Maasai healer, learning about 20 different indigenous plants in the Ngorongoro forest.

 

The animals

The sheer number of parks and reserves and the generous amount of time to spend in them guarantees you’ll have wildlife encounters you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.

In Amboseli National Park spot elephants, including “tuskers”, the older bulls who have grown impressive tusks. From a six-passenger safari vehicle, where every guest has a window seat, you may also spot giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and lions.

In Tarangire National Park keep an eye out for elephants, impala, zebra and even leopards and pythons. Descend into Ngorongoro Crater to visit a lost world landscape, where wildlife roams within the 610m high crater walls and it’s possible to encounter every one of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) in a single day.

But it’s the Serengeti and Masai Mara that you’ve come for. It’s here where the Great Migration occurs, and with both a southern and northern stay of three nights apiece you’ll have the best possible experience of the spectacle of millions of herbivores trekking across the plains in search of water and fresh grass. The giraffes, wildebeest and elephants might be joined by cheetahs, buffalo or lions.

The optional extra

Get the ultimate view of the Great Migration from the basket of a hot-air balloon.

No hassle

With internal flights, private transfers, travelling bellboy luggage and valet laundry services, internet access and 24-hour on-call support included, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is focussing your camera.

The guarantee

Your trip will depart even if there’s as few as two guests.

Abercrombie & Kent offers luxury small group tours, tailor-made journeys and luxury expedition cruises. Visit abercrombiekent.com.au or call 1800 161 352.

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