8 Days Tanzania Great Migration Safari
This extraordinary 8-day safari is specifically designed to place you in the heart of the action during Tanzania's legendary Great Migration, one of nature's most spectacular events. Traveling between mid-June and late October, you'll have the best opportunities to witness thousands of wildebeest and zebra making their perilous river crossings in the Northern Serengeti, an awe-inspiring spectacle of survival and natural drama.
Your journey begins at Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha, followed by exploration of Tarangire National Park's elephant herds, before heading to the Serengeti ecosystem where you'll spend four nights across different regions to maximize migration viewing opportunities. The itinerary includes two nights in Northern Serengeti specifically for river crossing observations, with an optional hot air balloon safari available for a breathtaking aerial perspective. The safari concludes with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa's Garden of Eden, and includes a cultural experience at a Maasai boma.
We now offer guides who speak Spanish, Italian, English, French, and German at no extra cost. Russian-speaking guides are available for an additional $100 per guide per day. Please specify your language preference when booking.
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania - Summit Safari Lodge
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will assist with luggage and facilitate the smooth transfer to Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha. This comfortable lodge, set amidst lush gardens with views of Mount Meru, provides the perfect introduction to your Tanzanian adventure, offering well-appointed rooms with modern amenities, a swimming pool, and excellent dining facilities.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to recover from your international flight, with opportunities to explore the lodge's tranquil surroundings or relax by the pool. In the evening, your safari guide will conduct a comprehensive briefing about the upcoming itinerary, providing valuable insights about the parks you'll visit, wildlife viewing expectations, and practical information to enhance your safari experience. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge's restaurant before retiring to your comfortable room in preparation for tomorrow's early start.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park Full Day - Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge or Africa Safari Rift Valley
Following an early breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. The two-hour drive to the park gate offers your first glimpses of rural Tanzanian life, passing through Maasai grazing lands and agricultural communities. Upon entering the park, immediately begin game viewing in this ecosystem characterized by the Tarangire River that attracts incredible concentrations of wildlife during the dry season.
Spend the full day exploring the park's diverse habitats, from seasonal swamps and savannah to riverine forests, with excellent opportunities to observe lions, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous antelope species alongside the park's famous elephant populations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the scenic viewpoints before continuing your exploration in the afternoon. As the sun begins to lower, exit the park and drive to your choice of Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge or Africa Safari Rift Valley, both offering comfortable accommodations with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
Day 3: Drive to Central Serengeti - Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp
After an early breakfast, embark on the scenic drive to Serengeti National Park, descending from the Ngorongoro highlands through changing landscapes that transition from cultivated farms to open plains. Stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge, often called the 'Cradle of Mankind,' where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made groundbreaking discoveries about early human evolution (visit subject to time availability). Continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, keeping watch for wildlife as you approach the Serengeti plains.
Enter Serengeti National Park at Naabi Hill Gate, where you'll complete park formalities while enjoying your first panoramic views of the endless grasslands. Begin game viewing immediately as you drive toward your accommodation, with the possibility of spotting lions, cheetahs, or even leopards in the Seronera Valley area. Arrive at your choice of Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp in time for lunch, followed by some leisure time to settle into your comfortable accommodation. The afternoon game drive explores the surrounding areas, returning to camp as the sun sets for dinner and overnight amidst the sounds of the African bush.
Day 4: Drive to Northern Serengeti for Full Day Game Drive - The Ark Serengeti Lodge
After an early breakfast, begin your journey north toward the Mara River region, where the Great Migration typically congregates between June and October. This drive itself is a game viewing experience, as you traverse different habitats and might encounter wildlife along the way. The Northern Serengeti's landscape differs markedly from the southern plains, featuring rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and the iconic Mara River where dramatic river crossings occur.
Upon arrival in the northern region, immediately begin searching for signs of the migration, with your guide using radio contact with other drivers to locate concentrations of wildebeest and zebra. The day is dedicated to tracking the migration and positioning yourself for potential river crossing action—a patient game that rewards those who wait. Check into The Ark Serengeti Lodge in the late afternoon, strategically located to offer excellent access to prime migration viewing areas. Enjoy dinner and share stories of the day's sightings before resting for another exciting day of migration viewing tomorrow.
Day 5: Optional Hot Air Balloon & Full Day Northern Serengeti - The Ark Serengeti Lodge
Today offers the option of an unforgettable hot air balloon safari over Serengeti's northern plains (additional cost of $599 per person), where you'll float silently above the awakening wilderness at dawn, potentially witnessing the migration from a breathtaking aerial perspective, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. For those not participating in the balloon safari, an early morning game drive provides excellent opportunities to locate predators and witness the migration as animals begin their daily movements.
The entire day is dedicated to exploring the Northern Serengeti and tracking the Great Migration. Your guide will strategically position you at potential river crossing points where thousands of wildebeest and zebra gather before plunging into the crocodile-infested waters—a true spectacle of nature. Even between crossings, the northern region offers spectacular game viewing with resident wildlife including elephants, giraffes, and various predators attracted by the migration. Return to The Ark Serengeti Lodge in the evening, perhaps having witnessed one of nature's most dramatic events.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive in Northern Serengeti & Transfer to Central Serengeti - Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp
After breakfast, embark on a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti, making the most of your last opportunity to witness the migration in this region. This is often a productive time for wildlife viewing as animals are active in the cooler morning temperatures. You might have another chance to see a river crossing or observe predator interactions with the migration herds.
Begin your journey back toward Central Serengeti, enjoying en route game viewing as you travel through different ecosystems. The drive offers opportunities to spot wildlife you might have missed previously, with your guide selecting routes based on recent animal sightings. Arrive at your choice of Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp in time for lunch, followed by a relaxing period during the heat of the day. An afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti explores different areas from your previous visit, perhaps focusing on kopjes (rock outcrops) known for leopard sightings or the Seronera River Valley.
Day 7: Game Drive in Serengeti & Transfer to Ngorongoro - Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Ang'ata Camp with Maasai Boma Visit
After breakfast, embark on a final morning game drive in Serengeti, perhaps visiting areas not yet explored or returning to locations where particularly interesting wildlife behavior was observed previously. The Serengeti ecosystem constantly changes, ensuring each game drive offers unique sightings and photographic opportunities. Return to camp for lunch before beginning your journey toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
En route, stop at an authentic Maasai boma (village) for a cultural experience that provides insight into the traditional pastoralist lifestyle of these iconic cattle-herders. Learn about Maasai customs, visit a traditional homestead, and witness traditional dances before continuing to your choice of Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Ang'ata Camp, where you'll enjoy dinner and overnight in preparation for tomorrow's crater exploration. The camps' elevated locations offer spectacular views over the crater highlands, with comfortable accommodations designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Half Day & Departure
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn, entering this UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder that hosts the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. The crater's 600-meter walls create a unique self-contained ecosystem supporting approximately 25,000 large animals, including the endangered black rhino, large elephant bulls with impressive tusks, and abundant lion prides. The compact nature of the crater allows for excellent game viewing in a relatively short time.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the hippo pool before ascending the crater walls and beginning your journey back to Arusha. The drive passes through agricultural lands and local villages, providing glimpses of daily Tanzanian life outside the national parks. Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping in Arusha before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport, marking the conclusion of your remarkable 8-day Tanzania Great Migration safari adventure.
Rates Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Pax - Solo Traveler | $6,582 |
| 2 Pax | $4,560 |
| 3 Pax | $4,152 |
| 4 Pax | $3,948 |
| 5 Pax | $3,828 |
| 6 Pax | $3,740 |
| 7+ Pax | $ON-REQUEST |
Valid for travel between June 15 - October 20 each year
Language Guides Available
- ✓ English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓ Spanish-speaking guide (included)
- ✓ Italian-speaking guide (included)
- ✓ French-speaking guide (included)
- ✓ German-speaking guide (included)
- ✓ Russian-speaking guide ($100 per day extra)
Included
- ✓ All national park fees and conservation charges
- ✓ Private 4x4 safari vehicle with professional guide
- ✓ Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8
- ✓ Drinking water throughout the safari
- ✓ All game viewing activities as per itinerary
- ✓ Cultural visit to Maasai boma
- ✓ All ground transfers including airport meet and greet
Excluded
- ✗ International flights and airport taxes
- ✗ Tanzania visa fees (currently $50-$100 depending on nationality)
- ✗ Optional hot air balloon safari ($599 per person)
- ✗ Russian-speaking guide supplement ($100 per day)
- ✗ Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, and bottled water beyond standard provision
- ✗ Travel insurance (medical evacuation recommended)
- ✗ Guide and camp staff gratuities (discretionary)
- ✗ Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, etc.
