The word ‘awesome’ does not even begin to describe the experience of staying at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in northern Tanzania. Set on the rim of vast crater in the Serengeti, is feel as if you are standing at the top of the world. The lodge is next to the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world, more than 4,970 miles (8,000 km) of pristine African wilderness, a paradise for the wild animals that roam its rich grassland. Photo by: James Cocker

Most impressive of all is the thundering, dust-raising annual ”great migration”, when around two million wildebeest and zebra storm across the Serengeti in search of food. Photo by: James Cocker

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge was inspire by the Maasai mud and stick manyatta (homestead), but with an injection of luxury. Your fireplace is stoked by a personal butler, who will also run rose petal-strewn baths (with a view) between twice-daily game drives, crater picnics, and cocktails. Photo by: Bertrandj

The three intimate romantic, stilted camps all have stone-and-thatch suites and lavish interiors. The are is known as ‘African Eden‘, and it needs to be seen to be believed-preferably from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Photo by: stockerb

Photo by: Bertrandj

Reaching Greystoke Mahale is an adventure. It is set on the remote eastern shores of vast Lake Tanganyika, and getting to the camp involves a four-hour flight on a small plane from Arusha, followed by a ninety-minute dhow trip on the lake. There are no roads within 60 miles (100 km) of this secluded sanctuary, and it is a two-hour boat ride to the nearest town. It is well off the tourist map, so if you are seeking solitude, Greystoke Mahale has plenty.

Accommodation consists of six traditional thatched huts, common in Central America. The beach fronted huts are stylishly designed, with open fronts, spacious decks, and interiors crafted from old dhow timber, giving the camp a look and feel of modest, rustic charm. 

At night, gaze at the starts while enjoying a barefoot meal at the water’s edge, sip cocktails on a dhow, or head to the bar, which is set picturesquely in the rocky headland. The dining area has four decks that face in every direction, affording fabulous views of the landscape. The lodge also has a library of rare books on the local wildlife. 

Behind the lodges are the dense forests of the Mahale Mountains, home to Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, mankind’s closest relative. Trek through the lush rain forest to spot the endangered primates as they swing noisily and energetically from tree to tree. The rain forest is dotted with waterfalls and giant verdant vines and populated by leopards, monkeys, porcupines, mongooses, butterflies, and birds. 

There are treasures, too, to be found beneath the lake’s transparent water, where 250 species of tropical fish reside, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. With no cell phone reception or wireless Internet, this is a perfect hideaway. Location: Tanzania. Photos by: ianthegecko and kkwhite919

Chole Mjini’s tree houses seem to meld into the canopy of the ancient baobab trees that provide them with shelter. Crafted from wood, ropes, and reeds, the rustic hideaways are open on three sides and are set amid verdant jungle, wild orchards, mangrove forests, and age-old Hindu ruins slowly being strangled by the roots of fig trees. The area teems with wildlife, and guests can see fruit bats dangling upside down in the tree branches that surrounded their rooms, as well as monkeys and a variety of exotic birdlife. Photo by: Murky1

Even though six of the seven rooms are up in a tree, they house four-poster beds lined with fine Egyptian cotton and elegantly swathed in mosquito nets. There are also alfresco showers surrounded by bamboo. If sleeping in a tree bothers you, ask for the ground house suite, complete with sunken Persian bath. Photo by: apatek

The place is perfect for serious escapism. There is no electricity (although oil lanterns are left overnight and reading flashlights are provided) on the tiny island of Chole. Which means there is no telephone, television, cars, e-mail, or air-conditioning. Chole is part of the Mafia archipelago and is situated some 60 miles (100 km) south of Tanzania. Scuba diving and snorkeling are big in these parts, with turtles, rays, dolphins, and ray sharks providing the underwater attractions. Photo by: Heather and Mike

At Chole Mjini, meals are usually of fresh fish with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and guests eat with the friendly lodge owners in a number of different locations, the best of which is among the ruins, lit by lanterns hanging from the trees. A stay there means you are going a bit for the community, too, because the owners donate $10 per visitors per night to a trust fund that pays toward the local hospital, school, and training programs. Photo by: Murky1

A tiny coral-ringed island off Zanzibar, with beautifully-designed thatch bungalows, genuinely ecological aims and some of the world’s best snorkelling. Chumbe Island Coral Park is set on a rocky islet nestling in turquoise seas between east Africa and Zanzibar. All of this inspired German creators, who came in 1995 and saw its untouched coral reefs. They dreamed of turning it into an island retreat which would be the cutting edge of sustainable design and ecotourism. Photo by: #1animal

With local help, they created a marine park, brought in new eco-technology, and built the ultimate Robinson Crusoe holiday experience. It’s one of our favourites, and perfect for romancers and nature-lovers alike. Photo by: Panorama Paul

This eco retreat offers beautifully designed bandas (bungalows). There is a zero ecological impact and maximum 14 guests are allowed on the island. The Chumbe Island is one of the most beautiful coral parks in the world – a snorkeller’s paradise. There is a lot more to explore, form fascinating walks in the forest & tidal zones to inspired dining and living area. Photo by: elosoenpersona

There are limited beaches with small sandstrips at low tide. Scuba diving is not allowed within the park. Few mod cons (but total peace and quiet). Not much entertainment besides what Nature provides. Photo by: RockskipperPhoto

Mafia is a sleepy untouched retreat from the real world, and a slice of the old Swahili Coast, where people go about their lives simply and traditionally. It is part of Spice Islands, but is governed from the mainland. It is a cluster of one main island – 48 km long and numerous tiny ones, and is now the site of the largest marine park in the Indian Ocean, with fine corals. Photo by: booniekathrin

For a small island like this one, the sea rules. Every imagine form of boat is crafted locally – from large ocean going dhows to smaller masha or fishing boats or canoes. The main way of life is fishing and the waters are rich for both fishermen and divers. Coconuts and cashews are key cash crops, but the price of coconuts on the world markets has fallen in recent years and fishing has become more commercially viable. Photo by: booniekathrin

Mafia is also emerged as the striking raffia mats that the women of the island weave, often plaiting as they stroll along. This is an under-developed place, and the infrastructure is very poor – there is only electricity around the main tourist areas and very few houses have running water. Most locals get around on foot or bicycle. Photo by: DirectorUzi

Mafia has seen Portuguese, German and British occupation and this history has resulted in shifting mixed population. Photo by: booniekathrin

When to go: July to October and December to March. Population: 40,801. How to get there: Small aircraft from Dar es Salaam or by road from Dar es Salaam to Kisiju and then boat to Mafia. Photo by: wayne bremser

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda. The sun is shining, the air is cooling, the baobab trees in bloom, the hawks circling and a miniskyline of anthills rising in a distance. Beautiful isn’t it?

The roads in Tansania are smooth as in the States. The temperature is no more than 80, and doesn’t change much. But it is best in September, when the tourists season is past its best! The bad period is from April till May, when it’s raining all the time.

Tourists can choose to travel to Tanzania from United States. But there aren’t many flights from there. Most airlines requires a change in Europe.

It’s good to stay in Dar es Salaam, because of the dozens of hotels with mosquito nets, modest furnishing and no air-conditioning. In the countryside there’re ‘’guestees’’ private homes with simple rooms most around $15.

Fundu Lagoon is located north of Zanzibar, just right on Pemba Island. This a secluded tropical paradise is an ideal place to disconnect from every day stress and routines and to start practice outdoor activities, such as boating and snorkelling, swimming and diving. A stay at Fundu Lagoon gives you access to spectacular virgin beaches and the turquoise waters of the West Indian Ocean.

Very impressive is that the island is accessible only by boat, Fundu Lagoon is a remote resort nestled on the nearly unspoilt, tropical isle of Pemba, in Tanzania. Immersed in beautiful tropical settings, this resort’s natural design integrates perfectly into the gorgeous scenery that surrounds it.

The resort itself boasts modern facilities which are certain to make your stay a fun and enjoyable experience. Among these, you will find an open-sided restaurants and bars. There is alsso beautiful infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean with poolside spa treatments and beauty treatments. “Dive 7/10” is a fully equipped diving centre, with trips to nearby Misali Island for snorkelling.

Ngorongoro is on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, and receives a good number of visitors who stay in lodges around the crater. Game viewing vehicles descend the steep crater wall every morning and spend the day on grass plains that are teeming with animals. However, the dark of night belongs to the animals, and all vehicles must leave the crater floor by sunset.

The lost world of Ngorongoro was home to pigs the size of a hippopotamus, sheep-like beasts with 6-foot (3 metre) horns and three-toed horses. Nowadays is inhabited by about 30,000 animals, of which half are zebra and wildebeest. This is the perfect situation for predators and spotted hyenas and lions lord over this domain. There are also some leopards, cheetahs and three species of jackals. Tanzania’s few remaining black rhino are regularly sighted in the crater, as are large herds of buffalo.

In summer enormous numbers of Serengeti migrants pass through the plains of the reserve, including 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,000 zebra and 470,000 gazelles. Waterbuck mainly occur mainly near Lerai Forest; servals occur widely in the crater and on the plains to the west. Common in the reserve are lion, hartebeest, spotted hyena and jackal. Cheetah, though common in the reserve, are scarce in the crater itself. Wild dog has recently disappeared from the crater and may have declined elsewhere in the Conservation Area as well.

Aside from herds of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest, the crater is home to the “big five” of rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. The crater plays host to almost every individual specicies of wildlife in East Africa, and there are an estimated 25,000 animals within the crater. Lake Magadi in the centre of the crater is, like many in the rift valley, a soda lake supporting flocks of flamingo.

Archeologists will be interested in Olduvai Gorge which is in the Conservation Area and where it is possible to see the famous discoveries of remains of early Man by Mary and Louis Leakey. However most of the activity is within the crater which is popular for bird watching, photography, walking safaris, and game viewing from a vehicle (4 wheel drive).

There are a number of lodges and camps to stay at on the rim of the Crater. Lodges: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Ngorongoro Serena. Camps: Most campers stay at Simba site.

Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.

When the water and grazing disappear in one area due to a seasonal drought the wildebeest need move along to where the seasonal rains are falling to survive by finding new grazing and water. The wildebeest have to cross a number of rivers in their perilous but amazing 300 mile journey like the Grumeti and the Mara in the north and this is where a lot of them don’t make it falling prey to crocodiles and drowning. Only the very fittest survive. They are also preyed on by lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena as they have no choice but to move through the territories occupied by these predators in their quest for fresh grass. The predators have a food bonanza when the migration passes through their territory.

The Best Time To Experience the Serengeti Migration

It’s important to remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to the timing of the migration. It’s all dependant on the rain and the seasons start at different times every year which means the herds might not be where historically they should be.

You can make a rough estimate based on the past and hope that things run accordingly. Historically the times to see the migration in the Serengeti are…

January: The massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are to be found on the plains of the southern Serengeti.

February: The wildebeest begin foaling and they do this at roughly the same time with all the predators in close attendance. Many people only want to see the migration and don’t realise that this is a comparable wildlife spectacle. One of the best times to see the predators.

March-April: Heavy rains are approaching and the grazing is starting to get worse. The herd begins to move northwards along the western corridor of the Serengeti.

May-June: The herd moves towards the Grumeti controlled area where there is still good grazing and they begin to cross the Grumeti river where crocodiles lie in wait for their annual feast and you find the scenes occurring that has made the wildebeest migration famous in so many wildlife documentaries.

July-August: The herd is drawn ever northwards towards the Masai Mara in their quest for better grazing. They have one more dangerous river to cross, the Mara, before they receive their reward in the sweet grazing plains of Kenya.