A Complete 7-Day Great Migration Safari Package in Tanzania.

All-Inclusive 7-Day Great Migration Safari

(Tarangire, Central Serengeti, North Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater)

Trip Overview

Witness one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles on a dedicated seven-day migration safari across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. Designed around the movements of over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebras, this high-impact itinerary places special emphasis on the Northern Serengeti, where herds gather along the Mara River to face dramatic river crossings and river-bound crocodiles.

The route balances smooth transit logistics with exceptional game viewing density: begin in the baobab woodlands of Tarangire National Park, venture through the big-cat territory of the Central Serengeti, spend three nights tracking the Great Migration in the North, and conclude with a descent into the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Conservation Area crater floor before returning to Arusha.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Land of Baobabs & Giants

Meet your safari guide in Arusha at 8:00 AM for a comprehensive briefing before setting off southwest toward Tarangire National Park. Arrive at the park gate by mid-morning and enter into game drives along the Tarangire River circuit, where large elephant herds gather alongside zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch at the Matete viewpoint overlooking the riverbanks before exploring the Silale Swamp. In the late afternoon, exit the park and head to your lodge in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu for dinner and rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~2 hours / 120 km (Arusha to Tarangire); ~1.5 hours / 90 km (Tarangire to Karatu)
• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Eileen Trees Inn / Farm of Dreams Lodge (Karatu)
• Luxury: Kitela Lodge / Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge (Karatu)

Day 2: Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Highlands

Depart early after breakfast, ascending through the rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area rim before dropping onto the vast Serengeti plains. Pause at Naabi Hill Gate for registration and a picnic lunch before entering the Seronera Valley. Spend the afternoon game driving through granite kopjes and open acacia savannas, tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs before arriving at your central camp for sunset.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~4 to 5 hours transit & en-route game viewing / ~170 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Kati Kati Tented Camp / Tanzania Bush Camps (Central Serengeti)
• Luxury: Ole Serai Luxury Camp / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Central Serengeti)

Day 3: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende / Mara River)

Journey north through the Serengeti, watching the landscape shift from central acacia savannas to rolling green hills and riverine woodlands. As you approach the Kogatende region near the Mara River, begin encountering large mega-herds of wildebeest and zebra moving toward crossing points. Arrive at your northern safari camp in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive along the Mara River banks in search of early crossing action.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~4 to 5 hours transit & game drive / ~150 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Heritage Mara Camp / Tanzania Bush Camps North (Northern Serengeti)
• Luxury: Mara Under Canvas / Sayari Camp / Acacia Migration Camp (Northern Serengeti)

Day 4: Full Day Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossings & Migration Tracking

Spend the entire day exploring the Kogatende sector and the banks of the Mara River. Position your 4×4 vehicle strategically near known crossing points (Points 1 through 10) to observe thousands of wildebeests gathering on the banks, anticipating the tense push across crocodile-infested waters. Enjoy a packed bush lunch under an acacia tree to maximize time near the river. In the late afternoon, track resident lions, leopards, and hyenas patrolling the migration corridors before returning to camp for dinner under the stars.

• Drive Time & Distance: Full day game viewing across Kogatende / Mara River area
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Heritage Mara Camp /Tanzania Bush Camps North (Northern Serengeti)
• Luxury: Mara Under Canvas /Mara River by Karibu Camps (Northern Serengeti)

Day 5: Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a final morning game drive along the Mara River before beginning your journey back south toward the Central Serengeti. As you travel through the Lobo and Seronera valleys, focus on tracking resident big cats that territorialize the granite kopjes and sausage trees year-round. Arrive at your central tented camp in the late afternoon for evening relaxation and dinner.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~4 to 5 hours transit & game drive / ~150 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Kati Kati Tented Camp / Tanzania Bush Camps (Central Serengeti)
• Luxury: Ole Serai Luxury Camp / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Central Serengeti)

Day 6: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Rim or Karatu

Capitalize on the early morning hours with a game drive across the Seronera plains to spot hunting cheetahs or lion prides. After lunch, begin your transit out of the Serengeti toward the high-altitude forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon to take in panoramic views across the caldera floor before checking in to your lodge for dinner and rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~3 to 4 hours transit / ~140 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Angata Ngorongoro (Crater Rim) / Farm of Dreams Lodge (Karatu)
• Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lion’s Paw Camp (Crater Rim)

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Exploration & Return to Arusha / JRO

Descend 600 meters onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor at first light for a dedicated morning game drive inside the volcanic caldera. Search for black-maned lions, spotted hyenas, bull elephants in the Lerai Forest, and the endangered Black Rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitokitok Swamp. In the early afternoon, ascend the crater wall and begin the return drive to Arusha, dropping off at your hotel or transferring directly to JRO Airport for evening flights.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~3.5 hours return drive to Arusha / ~180 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Please Note on Lodging:

Accommodations listed are subject to availability upon booking. Should a specific property be unavailable, an equivalent property within the same standard and location category will be substituted.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What’s Included

• Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, fuel, and unlimited mileage
• Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
• All national park entry fees, transit fees, and Ngorongoro Crater descent permits
• 6 nights’ accommodation as selected
• All meals on safari (6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners)
• Bottled mineral water and soft drinks in the vehicle

What’s Excluded

• Arrival Day airport pickup and pre-safari hotel night in Arusha (available as separate add-on days)
• Departure Day transfer or post-safari hotel night (available as separate add-on days)
• International and domestic flights (unless requested as a fly-safari package)
• Tanzania tourist visa fees
• Travel, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance
• Gratuities for safari driver-guide and lodge staff
• Premium alcoholic drinks and lodge laundry service
• Optional Serengeti hot air balloon safari ($550–$600 pp)
• Personal expenses and souvenir purchases

Pricing & Booking Policy

Customization & Add-On Services

• This package covers safari execution days only and is 100% customizable.
• Airport Transfers & Extra Days: Pre-safari arrival days (airport transfer + Arusha hotel night) and post-safari departure days are managed as separate service add-ons and billed separately based on your flight schedule.
• Fly-Back Flight Upgrade: Guests wishing to avoid the return drive on Day 5 or Day 6 can opt for a domestic flight from Kogatende or Seronera airstrips directly to Arusha or Zanzibar.

Pricing Basis

• Rates are quoted in USD per person based on Double Occupancy (2 guests traveling together).
• Single Supplement: Surcharges apply for solo travelers or individual room occupancy.
• Child Policy: Children under 12 sharing with adults receive discounted rates (30–50% off adult land rates).
• Seasonal Variations: High Season rates apply July–October (Peak Migration) and December 20–January 5; Green Season discounts apply April–May.

Deposit & Cancellation Terms

• Deposit: A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at confirmation to secure park permits and seasonal migration camp bookings.
• Final Payment: Balance is due 45 days prior to arrival.
• Cancellation Fees: 60+ days prior = Loss of deposit; 45–59 days = 50% fee; under 44 days = 100% fee.

Health, Safety & Travel Preparation

• Vaccinations & Health: Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from endemic regions. Malaria prophylaxis (e.g., Atovaquone/Proguanil) is strongly recommended.
• Insurance: Comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation insurance (e.g., AMREF Flying Doctors) is required.
• Guide Qualifications: All drive-guides are licensed by national park authorities, hold advanced wilderness first aid certifications, and undergo regular wildlife behavior training.
• Packing: Pack neutral clothing (avoid dark blue/black), warm layers for cool crater rim mornings, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and personal medications.

Conservation & Community Impact

• Conservation Support: Over 40% of package fees directly support wildlife management and anti-poaching operations through TANAPA and NCAA.
• Eco-Lodging: Migration camps and lodges selected utilize solar power, reverse-osmosis water purification, and plastic-free operations.
• Community Benefit: Fair-wage employment for local guides and direct sourcing of fresh produce from smallholder farmers in Karatu and Mto wa Mbu.