This is the first of twelve posts on our safari in Tanzania. Check out our other posts here:

• One Week of Glorious Safari-ing in Tanzania
• 15 Tips for Better Safari-ing in Tanzania
• Moving in to the Maramboi Tented Camp
• The Elephants at Tarangire National Park
• The Start of the Great Migration: Lake Manyara
• 2 Nights at the Kitela Lodge
• A Close Encounter with a Lion at the Ngorongoro Crater
• Safari-ing in the Ngorongo Park: Day 1
• Glamping at Ndutu Under Canvas in the Serengeti
• Simba and the Rest of the Pride in the Serengeti
• Giraffe for Breakfast? Day 2 at the Ngorongo Park
• Hippo Serenade: Sleeping at the Lake Masek Tented Camp

Mr. Selfish and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out if we wanted to go on a safari at all. After speaking with friends and family, who had been on a safari, we started doing research about safaris we could take in February.

Immediately, I saw that the Great Migration starts in Tanzania in February. Then, I realized that it was the “life” part of the Great Migration, wherein nearly half a million wildebeests are born. This was distinguished from the “death” part of the Great Migration where tens of thousands of wildebeests are killed crossing the Mara River. I started making arrangements to book a week long safari for late February.

I contacted Allen Tanzania Safaris and after going back and forth a little via email, we settled on the following itinerary:

Day 1 – after arriving on a evening flight into Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), we drive to Maramboi Tented Lodge and then explored Tarangire National Park.

Day 2 – we have another safari day at Tarangire National Park.

Day 3 – we have a game drive in Lake Manyara National park and then drive to Kitela Lodge.

Day 4 – we explore Ngorongoro Crater and spend another night at Kitela Lodge.

Day 5 – we drive through Ngorongoro Crater and Seregenti South Ndutu area and spend the night at Ndutu Under Canvas.

Day 6 – we have a full day game drive in Serengeti South and spend a second night at Ndutu Under Canvas.

Day 7 – we safari in both Ngorongoro Crater and Seregenti South again and spend a night at Lake Masek Tented Camp.

Day 8 – we drive to Arusha for lunch and depart from JRO.

It was a lot of driving, but it was entirely worth it. We saw tons of wildebeest babies and even witnessed the birth of two. It was epic (us slowly tracking two momma wildebeests while in a Landrover and then watching them give birth).

It’s cuddle time little baby wildebeest!

Tomorrow, Mr. Selfish will go over some general tips for safari-ing in Tanzania. Then, we’ll start our trip report in earnest.