Serengeti migration safari Tanzania
Tanzania Safari

5-Day Serengeti Migration: Track the Great Migration

Witness over 1.5 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras traverse the Serengeti plains. Explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire on this unforgettable migration safari.

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Tarangire - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

5-Day Serengeti Migration Safari

Great Migration Safari 5 Days / 4 Nights Arusha / Arusha 2-7 guests 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser

Introduction

Embark on an extraordinary 5-day journey to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles — the Great Migration. From the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire to the endless golden savannah of the Serengeti and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, this safari delivers the ultimate Tanzania experience. Track millions of wildebeest and zebras across the Serengeti ecosystem, encounter the Big Five, and stand on the rim of the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.

5 Days
Duration
Tanzania
Destination
1 Country
Countries
Mid-range
Accommodation
2-7
Group Size
Jun-Oct, Dec-Mar
Best Time
Easy
Difficulty
Migration Safari
Safari Type
Arusha
Starting Point
Arusha
Ending Point
English
Language
4x4 Safari
Transport
Full Board
Meals

Why This Safari?

Witness the Great Migration

Track over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras across the Serengeti in their annual search for fresh grazing and water — the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth.

Big Five Guarantee

Serengeti and Ngorongoro offer exceptional Big Five sightings. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino are all regularly seen.

Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, a natural amphitheatre teeming with wildlife including the densest lion population in Africa.

Expert Safari Guides

Our professional guides have decades of experience tracking the migration and finding the best wildlife sightings, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Photographer's Dream

From golden savannah sunsets to dramatic river crossings and intimate predator encounters, every moment offers world-class photography opportunities.

Seamless Experience

All logistics are handled from arrival to departure. Fly-camps, mobile tents, and comfortable lodges are carefully selected for each season.

Tour Highlights

Detailed Itinerary

Each day is carefully crafted to maximise your wildlife encounters while ensuring comfort and relaxation. Below you will find a complete breakdown of every day, from morning game drives to evening sundowners at your lodge.

Day 1

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Full Day Drive: ~2.5 hrs Accommodation: Tarangire Area Lodge Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your driver-guide and begin your safari adventure with a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. Known for its massive baobab trees and high elephant density, Tarangire offers superb game viewing. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, and over 500 bird species. Overnight at your lodge near Tarangire.

Morning: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). After clearing customs, meet your professional driver-guide who will be waiting with a sign. Transfer from the airport to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2.5 hours). The drive passes through the bustling town of Arusha and the lush countryside of northern Tanzania. Your guide will provide a comprehensive briefing about the safari ahead, covering wildlife expectations, park protocols, and daily schedules. Photography tip: keep your camera ready as scenic landscapes begin immediately outside Arusha.
Afternoon: Enter Tarangire National Park (2,850 sq km) for an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is famous for its gigantic baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old, and the highest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania. Look for herds of up to 300 elephants, large buffalo herds, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and predators including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The Tarangire River is a lifeline during the dry season, attracting wildlife from across the region. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise with over 500 species including the yellow-collared lovebird and the kori bustard.
Evening: Depart the park as the sun sets and transfer to your lodge. Sunset over Tarangire with baobab silhouettes is a photographer's dream. Check in, freshen up, and enjoy a welcome dinner. Many lodges offer views over the Tarangire River bushland. Your guide will brief you on the next day's early start for the drive to Serengeti. Packing tip: organise your daypack for tomorrow — you will need sun protection, camera gear, and a warm layer for the morning game drive.
Elephant Paradise Baobab Trees Birding Hotspot
Day 2

Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

Full Day Drive: ~4 hrs Accommodation: Central Serengeti Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park, driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey offers stunning views of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in the Central Serengeti (Seronera area) by midday and enjoy a game drive en route to your camp. The Seronera Valley is known for year-round wildlife, particularly big cats. Evening game drive before dinner at your camp.

Morning: Early breakfast at the lodge at 6:30 AM. Depart for the drive to Serengeti National Park via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The scenic drive climbs through the lush Ngorongoro highlands, passing coffee and banana plantations, and offers panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley. Stop at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint for a photo and to stretch your legs. This is one of the most photographed spots in Tanzania, offering a breathtaking view of the crater floor 600 metres below.
Afternoon: Enter Serengeti National Park (14,763 sq km) through the Naabi Hill Gate. Enjoy a game drive en route to your camp in the Central Serengeti (Seronera area). The Seronera Valley is the heart of the park and offers some of the best year-round game viewing in Africa. Look for lions lounging on granite kopjes, leopards draped in acacia branches, cheetahs scanning the plains, and large herds of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and impalas. The area is also excellent for spotted hyenas, jackals, and bat-eared foxes.
Evening: Check in at your tented camp in Central Serengeti. Freshen up and enjoy sundowner drinks on the camp deck overlooking the plains as the sun sets. Evening dinner under the stars. Many camps offer night game drives (optional) to spot nocturnal wildlife including leopards, genets, civets, and the elusive aardvark. Overnight at your Serengeti camp surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.
Scenic Drive Ngorongoro Viewpoint Big Cat Territory
Day 3

Full Day Serengeti Migration Experience

Full Day Game Drive: Full Day Accommodation: Central/Northern Serengeti Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to tracking the Great Migration. Depending on the season and the herds' location, your guide will position you for the best wildlife action. In the northern Serengeti (July-October), witness dramatic Mara River crossings where thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave crocodile-infested waters. In the southern Serengeti/Ndutu area (December-March), observe calving season with thousands of newborns and intense predator activity. Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush.

Morning: Pre-dawn wake-up call at 5:30 AM with hot tea, coffee, and biscuits. Depart at 6:00 AM for a full-day game drive tracking the Great Migration. Your guide communicates with other guides and uses their expert knowledge to locate the herds. Witness the wildebeest columns stretching across the horizon in a seemingly endless procession. In the northern Serengeti, position yourself at the Mara River where the herds gather before crossing. The river crossing is one of nature's most dramatic events: thousands of wildebeest and zebras plunging into the water while crocodiles lurk. Photography tip: use a fast shutter speed (1/1000+) to capture the action of the river crossing.
Afternoon: Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch at a designated spot in the park, surrounded by the vast Serengeti plains. Continue game viewing through the afternoon. The Serengeti is home to over 70 large mammal species and 500 bird species. In addition to the migration herds, look for giraffes, elands, topis, hartebeests, and the ever-present predators that follow the migration: lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs. Your guide will interpret animal behaviour and share insights about the ecosystem. The afternoon light provides excellent photography conditions for landscape and wildlife shots.
Evening: Return to camp as the sun sets over the Serengeti. Sundowner drinks on the camp deck — a perfect moment to reflect on the day's incredible sightings. Enjoy a hearty dinner. For an unforgettable experience, consider booking an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti (available on request, operates at sunrise). Overnight at your Serengeti camp.
Great Migration River Crossing Full-Day Safari Predator Action
Day 4

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

Full Day Drive: ~3 hrs Accommodation: Ngorongoro Crater Rim Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning game drive in the Serengeti as you slowly make your way towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After lunch, descend 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater — the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — for a half-day game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 25,000 large mammals including the endangered black rhino, hippos, and an extraordinary density of lions. Overnight on the crater rim.

Morning: Early breakfast at the camp. Depart for a final morning game drive in Serengeti as you head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes you through the park with opportunities for final sightings of the migration herds and predators. Your guide will remain flexible, allowing extra time for any special sightings. The transition from the vast Serengeti plains to the lush Ngorongoro highlands is a scenic journey in itself.
Afternoon: Enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend 600 metres down the crater wall into the Ngorongoro Crater (260 sq km). The crater floor is a natural amphitheatre with a permanent water supply, grasslands, forests, and a soda lake — creating an ideal habitat for an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Spot the Big Five: lions (the crater has one of Africa's densest lion populations), elephants, buffalo, leopards, and the endangered black rhino. Also look for hippos in the Gorigor Swamp, large herds of zebras and wildebeest, spotted hyenas, and the colourful flamingos on Lake Magadi.
Evening: Ascend the crater wall and transfer to your lodge on the crater rim. Check in and enjoy panoramic views of the crater from your lodge. Sundowners on the terrace with the crater below is an iconic safari moment. Dinner and overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The night air at 2,300 metres is cool — warm clothing is recommended. Photography tip: the sunset over the crater from the rim offers spectacular landscape photography.
Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari Black Rhino Site UNESCO Heritage
Day 5

Ngorongoro to Arusha — Departure

Half Day Drive: ~3.5 hrs Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning drive descending through the Ngorongoro highlands with scenic views. Visit a Maasai village (optional cultural stop) before driving back to Arusha. Lunch in Arusha followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Serengeti migration adventure.

Morning: Breakfast at the lodge with stunning views over the Ngorongoro Crater. Depart after breakfast, descending through the lush Ngorongoro highlands with scenic views of rolling hills, coffee plantations, and traditional Maasai homesteads. Optional stop at a Maasai boma for a cultural visit (additional cost) — learn about Maasai traditions, see their traditional manyatta dwellings, and experience their vibrant songs and dances. This is a meaningful cultural exchange that supports local communities.
Afternoon: Continue the drive to Arusha (approximately 3.5 hours total from Ngorongoro). Stop en route for a farewell lunch at a restaurant in Arusha or near the airport. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute souvenir shopping at the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre or local craft markets. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. We recommend booking flights departing after 4:00 PM to allow ample time for the drive. End of tour.
Evening: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Bid farewell to your guide and driver, who will assist you with your luggage to the check-in counter. End of your Serengeti Migration Safari. Asante sana (thank you very much) from African Majestic Adventure!
Scenic Drive Maasai Village Option Airport Drop-off

Destinations You'll Explore

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

Africa's most famous wildlife sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Endless savannah plains teeming with wildlife — the stage for the Great Migration and home to Africa's highest concentration of big cats.

Great Migration Big Five 500+ Bird Species
Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most spectacular natural wonders. This 260 sq km volcanic caldera hosts 30,000 large mammals and offers the best chances to see the endangered black rhino in the wild.

Volcanic Caldera Black Rhino Crater Floor Safari
Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park

Known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees, Tarangire offers one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in northern Tanzania. The Tarangire River attracts animals year-round, making it a premier game viewing destination.

Elephant Paradise Baobab Trees 500 Bird Species
Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara & Rift Valley

Lake Manyara is a stunning park at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and thousands of flamingos that fringe the alkaline lake. Over 400 bird species recorded.

Rift Valley Views Flamingos Tree-Climbing Lions
Included
  • All Park Permits
  • Mid-range Accommodation
  • Professional Driver-Guide
  • Ground Transport
Excluded
  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Tips
Transport
  • Travel With 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser

Tanzania Wildlife

Tanzania is home to some of Africa's most diverse and abundant wildlife. Here's what you can expect to see.

Photo Gallery

Location

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Migration?

The Great Migration is the annual circular movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and other herbivores across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water. It is the largest overland wildlife migration on Earth.

When is the best time to see the Great Migration?

The migration is a year-round event. Calving season (January-March) occurs in southern Serengeti/Ndutu. River crossings at the Mara River (July-October) occur in northern Serengeti. Each season offers unique wildlife spectacles. The dry season (June-October) offers optimal general game viewing.

What animals will I see on this safari?

You will see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), millions of wildebeest and zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and over 500 bird species. Ngorongoro Crater offers the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa.

Is this safari suitable for children?

Yes, children aged 6 and above are welcome on this safari. Family-friendly lodges with swimming pools are available. Game drives can be shortened for younger travellers. Private vehicles are recommended for families to allow flexible scheduling.

What is the accommodation like?

Mid-range tented camps and lodges with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, comfortable beds, and mosquito nets are included. Upgrades to luxury lodges and camps are available upon request.

What is included in the tour price?

Includes park entrance fees, accommodation as specified, meals as per itinerary, professional English-speaking driver-guide, game drives in a 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, and airport transfers. Excludes international flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, tips, and personal expenses.

What should I pack for a Serengeti safari?

Pack lightweight neutral-coloured clothing for daytime, a warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent containing DEET, binoculars, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards, and a reusable water bottle.

How long are the game drives?

Game drives typically last 4-6 hours each day. On Day 3 (full-day migration experience), you will be out from early morning until late afternoon with a picnic lunch in the bush, maximising wildlife viewing time.

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Most visitors require a Tanzania visa. It can be obtained on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport ($50 USD for most nationalities) or applied for online in advance through the Tanzania eVisa portal.

Is Tanzania safe for tourists?

Yes, Tanzania is a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. The northern circuit safari parks are well-established with professional guides, secure lodges, ranger patrols, and excellent infrastructure. Tanzania has been a stable democracy since independence.

Can I see the river crossing on this safari?

Wildebeest river crossings are seasonal (typically July to October) and depend on where the herds are located. If you book during this period, we position you in the northern Serengeti for the best possible chance. Crossings cannot be guaranteed as the herds follow natural patterns.

What type of vehicle is used?

A custom 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for 360-degree game viewing, window seats for every passenger, refrigerator, charging ports, and comfortable suspension for long drives.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking 3-6 months in advance, especially for peak season (July-October and December-March) when accommodation and park access fill quickly. Last-minute bookings may be possible with flexibility.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations made 60+ days before departure receive a full refund. 30-60 days: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Can I combine this safari with Zanzibar?

Yes! Many travellers extend their trip with a 2-4 day beach holiday in Zanzibar. We can arrange flights from Arusha to Zanzibar and beach resort accommodation. Ask us for a combined itinerary and pricing.

Ready to Track the Great Migration?

Book your 5-day Serengeti migration safari and witness the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth.