Tour Overview
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest overland animal movement on earth — 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 350,000 gazelle completing a 1,800km circuit through the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing. This 8 day Tanzania migration safari positions you at the heart of the action, spending two full nights in the Northern Serengeti at the Mara River — where the migration's most dramatic river crossings take place between July and October.
The itinerary opens in Tarangire National Park, where Africa's highest elephant densities and ancient baobab landscapes make for a spectacular safari introduction. From there you move into the Central Serengeti, before pushing north to the Kogatende/Lamai area on the Mara River — two full days dedicated to witnessing the crossings that have made this region famous across the world. The journey south passes through the Grumeti zone before the grand finale: a full day inside the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and home to some of Africa's densest Big Five populations.
Throughout, you travel in a customised 4WD safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, accompanied by an expert Tazama driver-guide who combines wildlife knowledge with real-time radio communication with other guides tracking herd and predator movements. Accommodation is in mid-luxury lodges and tented camps carefully chosen for their proximity to the wildlife action. Maximum group size: 8 guests.
Route Overview
| Start | Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport (Day 1) |
| Day 1 | Arusha |
| Day 2 | Tarangire National Park |
| Day 3 | Central Serengeti (Seronera) |
| Day 4 | Northern Serengeti (Kogatende / Lamai) |
| Day 5 | Northern Serengeti (Kogatende / Lamai) |
| Day 6 | Central Serengeti (Seronera) |
| Day 7 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| Day 8 | Arusha |
| End | Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport (Day 8) |
Tour Features
Organised exclusively for your group — not shared with strangers.
Request changes to destinations, accommodation or dates.
Can start on any day, subject to availability.
Solo bookings are accepted for this private safari.
Children of all ages are welcome on this tour.
All safaris led by experienced, certified Kenyan guides.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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1
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where your Tazama driver-guide awaits with a warm welcome. Transfer to your lodge in Arusha — Tanzania's safari gateway city, nestled between Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening enjoy a detailed pre-safari briefing over dinner: itinerary overview, migration patterns for your travel dates, wildlife expectations, and practical tips to make the most of every game drive. Get an early night — your migration adventure begins at dawn.
Arusha
Mid-luxury lodge, Arusha
Dinner
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2
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Depart Arusha after an early breakfast, heading southwest to Tarangire National Park — one of Tanzania's most underrated safari destinations and the perfect warm-up for the Serengeti. Tarangire is home to Africa's highest concentration of elephants, with herds of 300 or more congregating along the Tarangire River during the dry season. The park's iconic ancient baobab trees, swaying palm groves, and diverse habitats also support buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and over 550 recorded bird species. Morning and afternoon game drives before checking in to your tented camp for dinner under a vast star-filled sky.
Tarangire National Park
Mid-luxury tented camp, Tarangire
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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3
Day 3: Tarangire to Central Serengeti
An early start takes you northwest through the Ngorongoro highlands and onto the Serengeti plains. Enter the park through the iconic Naabi Hill Gate — your first unobstructed view across the golden savannah is a moment that never leaves you. Drive to the Seronera Valley, the wildlife heart of the Serengeti and one of Africa's finest year-round game-viewing areas. Resident lion prides, leopards draped in fever trees, cheetahs scanning the open grassland, and massive buffalo herds make the central Serengeti exceptional regardless of the migration's exact location. Afternoon and evening game drive before settling into camp.
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Mid-luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
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4
Day 4: Northern Serengeti — Mara River & Migration
Drive north through the Serengeti to the Lamai/Kogatende area on the banks of the Mara River — the epicentre of the Great Migration's most dramatic chapter. Between July and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, gather here to make their legendary river crossings into Kenya's Maasai Mara and back. Massive Nile crocodiles patrol the crossing points. Lions and cheetahs patrol the riverbanks. The chaos, noise, and sheer scale of the crossing is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Spend the afternoon positioned at the best crossing points, guided by your Tazama guide's knowledge of herd movements and real-time ranger radio updates.
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende / Lamai)
Mid-luxury tented camp, Northern Serengeti
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
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5
Day 5: Northern Serengeti — Full Day at the Mara River
A full second day in the northern Serengeti maximises your chances of witnessing a river crossing — the single most sought-after wildlife moment in Africa. Crossings are unpredictable: herds may mass at the river edge for hours before plunging in, or cross in a sudden, thunderous rush with no warning. Your guide positions you patiently and expertly at the best vantage points. Beyond the river, the Lamai wedge and Kogatende area host exceptional big cat sightings year-round. On your return to camp, scan the open grassland for cheetah mothers teaching their cubs to hunt — a privilege seen by few visitors who don't take the time to come this far north.
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende / Lamai)
Mid-luxury tented camp, Northern Serengeti
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
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6
Day 6: Northern Serengeti to Seronera — Game Drive South
Begin the journey south through the Serengeti, game-driving the entire route — this is not a transfer, it is a full game drive across the length of Africa's most famous national park. The drive south passes through the Grumeti River zone, where large Nile crocodiles lurk, and through the central plains that host staggering densities of wildlife year-round. Your guide reads the landscape as you go — tracking lion movements by the behaviour of nearby zebra herds, spotting a caracal at dusk, or pausing for a family of bat-eared foxes emerging from their den. Arrive back in the Seronera area in time for an evening game drive and dinner at camp.
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Mid-luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
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7
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater — Full-Day Game Drive
Depart the Serengeti for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at the crater rim before descent. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — a 20km-wide, 600m-deep natural enclosure that has evolved into a self-contained ecosystem unlike anywhere else on earth. Spend the full day on the crater floor: the Lerai Acacia forest shelters elephant and leopard; open soda flats are patrolled by Africa's densest lion population; and the shallow Lake Magadi turns pink with flamingos in the right season. Most significantly, the crater holds one of East Africa's best populations of the critically endangered black rhino — sightings here are among the most reliable on the continent. Ascend to your rim-top lodge for a final safari dinner with views over the caldera.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Mid-luxury lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
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8
Day 8: Return to Arusha — Departure
After a leisurely final breakfast on the crater rim, enjoy one last look across the Ngorongoro Caldera before the drive back to Arusha. Your Tazama driver-guide will transfer you directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward connection — arriving in time for most afternoon and evening international departures. This is also an ideal day to explore Arusha town if your flight departs late: visit the cultural heritage centre, browse local craft markets, or stop at a coffee plantation on the slopes of Mount Meru for a tasting before you fly home.
Arusha
N/A — departure day
Breakfast
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in mid-luxury lodges and tented camps
- All meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Professional English-speaking Tazama driver-guide throughout
- All game drives in a customised 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Ngorongoro Crater descent and conservation fees
- Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro Airport in & out)
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle daily
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation insurance
- Pre-safari briefing dinner in Arusha (Day 1)
- International flights to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Tanzania tourist visa (USD $50 — available on arrival or at evisa.go.ke)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal items, laundry, and souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages (unless lodge is fully all-inclusive)
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides and lodge staff (guideline: USD $15–20/day for guide)
- Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti (approx. USD $600 per person)
- Any items not listed under inclusions
Tour Photos
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