Serengeti Great Migration • Mara River
Arusha – Tarangire – Serengeti – Ngorongoro – Arusha
Discover Tanzania’s spectacular wildlife on a 7-day safari through Tarangire, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Spend time exploring the migration areas around the Mara River, where vast herds of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains.
NORTHERN TANZANIA • SERENGETI GREAT MIGRATION
This private safari is planned around the Northern Serengeti migration season, July to October, with two nights near the Mara River and a final morning in Ngorongoro Crater.
Summary
Map
Dotted line shows the approximate road route between overnight stops.
Itinerary
Seven days from Arusha through Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and back to Arusha.
Day 1 · Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your safari representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for your Great Migration adventure. Your guide will provide a safari briefing and explain the journey ahead.
Day 2 · Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant populations. Enjoy a game drive across the park’s diverse landscapes, searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions and numerous bird species. Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 · Central Serengeti
Travel towards Serengeti National Park through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy wildlife viewing along the way before entering the vast Serengeti plains. Arrive in Central Serengeti, an excellent area for spotting lions, leopards, cheetahs and other resident wildlife.
Day 4 · Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, continue north through the Serengeti, enjoying game viewing along the route. As you approach Northern Serengeti, explore the landscapes surrounding the Mara River, an important area for the seasonal wildebeest migration. Arrive at your camp and enjoy dinner surrounded by the African wilderness.
Day 5 · Mara River region
Spend a full day exploring Northern Serengeti and the Mara River region. Search for large herds of wildebeest and zebras as they move across the plains. Your guide will explore different areas where migration activity has been reported, while also looking for crocodiles, lions, leopards and other wildlife.
Day 6 · Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
Enjoy a morning game drive before beginning your journey south towards the Ngorongoro Highlands. Continue through the changing landscapes of the Serengeti, enjoying wildlife viewing along the way. Arrive in the Karatu area in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 · Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable game drive. Explore its remarkable ecosystem, home to elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, hippos and other wildlife. With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhinoceros. After lunch, drive back to Arusha for your departure or onward arrangements.
The Great Migration follows rainfall, grazing conditions and natural herd movements. Mara River crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed on specific dates.
Stay
Selected lodges and tented camps, or similar properties depending on availability.
Check the written inclusions in your quotation before you confirm.
Good to know
Quick answers before you request your free quotation.
6 questionsJuly to October is the usual season for the migration in the Northern Serengeti and the Mara River area. Herd movements follow rainfall and grazing, so exact locations and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Two nights, at Kati Kati Mara Camp or a similar camp, with game drives around the Mara River area.
Yes. After a night in the Ngorongoro Highlands near Karatu, the last day includes a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater before the return to Arusha. Ngorongoro Crater service fees are included.
Airport transfers as specified, a private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, an English-speaking guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park and conservation fees, game drives and drinking water. Flights, visa fees, travel insurance, tips and optional activities such as hot-air balloon safaris are not included.
Yes. The route is shown from Arusha, but the start point, lodges and dates can be adjusted in your free quotation.
Tarangire and Serengeti are managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and the Ngorongoro Crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Learn more in our Great Wildebeest Migration guide.
Tell us your needs and we will match it to your travel dates, accommodation preferences and wildlife interests, and adjust the route to the seasonal migration movements.
Two quick steps. No payment now: we reply by email with a quotation that confirms the price, lodges and availability. Dates, lodges and route can be adjusted.
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