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Wildebeest jumping from a steep muddy bank into a brown river, more wildebeest standing at the top of the bank

Tanzania Safari

11-Day Great Migration Northern Serengeti

Eleven days with Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the central Serengeti, ending with two nights in the northern Serengeti, between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River. The route is planned according to where the herds are, not by the calendar.

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5.0 from 45 reviews on Tripadvisor · local operator in Arusha

Duration
11 days
Stops
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti
Price
from 4,178 USDper personfor 6 people
Category
ClassicPremiumExclusive
Trip type
privately guided

The trip at a glance

DayStopProgramme
Day 1Arusha ArrivalArrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, welcome by your guide, transfer to Arusha
Day 2Arusha → TarangireDrive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, first game drive in the baobab savannah
Day 3TarangireFull-day game drive along the Tarangire River, elephants, picnic in the park
Day 4Tarangire → KaratuOnward journey from Tarangire to Karatu near the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 5NgorongoroDescent into the Ngorongoro Crater, full-day game drive on the crater floor
Day 6Karatu → Central SerengetiDrive from Karatu to the central Serengeti, the region around Seronera
Day 7Central SerengetiFull-day game drive in the central Serengeti, predators around Seronera
Day 8Central SerengetiSecond day in the central Serengeti, river valleys, birdlife and time to observe
Day 9Central Serengeti → Northern SerengetiOnward journey to the northern Serengeti, route based on the position of the herds
Day 10Northern SerengetiGame drives along the Mara River, searching for the herds' river crossings
Day 11Northern Serengeti Return flightTransfer to Kogatende Airstrip, flight to Arusha, journey home
Change of locationDay in the same place

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arusha

    Your guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro Airport and drive with you to Arusha. Arusha is the starting point for your safari through northern Tanzania. After checking in at your accommodation you can rest and settle in at your own pace. The same vehicle and guide stay with you for the entire trip.

  2. Day 2

    Arusha → Tarangire

    After breakfast you drive with your guide from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. The route covers around 110 kilometres. Mighty baobabs characterise the savannah, and in the dry season the Tarangire River attracts large herds of elephants. On your first game drive you keep a lookout for elephants, buffalo, zebra and lions.

  3. Day 3

    Tarangire

    A full day is devoted to Tarangire National Park. With your guide you follow the Tarangire River, which, as the region's most important year-round water source, attracts animals even in the dry season. With a bit of luck you will see herds of elephants drinking and bathing, as well as giraffes, greater kudu and leopards resting on acacias. Lunch is served as a picnic in the park.

  4. Day 4

    Tarangire → Karatu

    After two days in Tarangire, the journey continues to Karatu. The town lies near the Ngorongoro Crater; from there you descend into the crater the next morning. In the afternoon you reach your accommodation.

  5. Day 5

    Ngorongoro

    Early in the morning you descend with your guide to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. On the crater floor, grassland, swamps, patches of woodland and an alkaline lake alternate, and the density of wildlife is among the highest in Africa. On the full-day game drive you have good chances of seeing lions, buffalo, zebra and hippos; the endangered black rhino is also at home here. In the evening you are back at your accommodation.

  6. Day 6

    Karatu → Central Serengeti

    Today you drive with your guide from Karatu to the central Serengeti. Around Seronera, river valleys, acacia landscapes and striking rock formations alternate, and a particularly large number of animals are at home here all year round. The Serengeti is Tanzania's best-known national park and borders the Masai Mara in Kenya to the north. In the evening you reach your accommodation in the Seronera region.

  7. Day 7

    Central Serengeti

    A full day in the central Serengeti. In the early morning and late afternoon you are out on game drives, when the light is soft and the animals are particularly active. Many animals are resident around Seronera all year round: lions on the plains, leopards by rivers and rock formations, cheetahs in the open grassland. There are also elephants, herds of buffalo and giraffes.

  8. Day 8

    Central Serengeti

    The second day is also spent in the central Serengeti. Your guide drives you into the river valleys around Seronera, where hippos and Nile crocodiles lie in the water. On the plains you will see topis, hartebeests and gazelles, and hyenas and jackals are also frequently on the move. More than 500 bird species are recorded in the park, including martial eagles, secretary birds, ostriches and crowned cranes. At each sighting, you can take your time and watch.

  9. Day 9

    Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti

    The drive takes you from the central to the northern Serengeti. The north is hillier and bushier, and between July and October the herds of wildebeest and zebras move through here on their migration. Your guide plans the route according to the current position of the herds, not according to the calendar. The destination is the region around the Mara River, where the river crossings take centre stage.

  10. Day 10

    Northern Serengeti

    You spend the whole day at the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. You drive along the river with your guide in search of the herds of wildebeest and zebras. Between July and October, the river crossings take centre stage here, and with a bit of luck you will see the wildebeest leap from the bank into the river. Nile crocodiles and hippos live in the river.

  11. Day 11

    Northern Serengeti

    In the morning, your guide takes you to Kogatende Airstrip in the northern Serengeti. From there you fly back to Arusha and on to Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you begin your journey home. If you would like to stay longer, the team in Arusha will be happy to add further days or a stay on Zanzibar to your safari.

Route map: 11-Day Great Migration Northern Serengeti Enlarge map

Accommodation and price

2 people4 people6 people
5,543 USD4,519 USD4,178 USD

per person, Classic category

Prices are per person in USD, rounded up, based on the Classic category. Larger groups pay less per person. Every trip is possible in all three categories: Classic, Premium and Exclusive. On request, you will receive a proposal tailored to your wishes and your preferred category. Dates, route and accommodation determine the final price.

Accommodation categories

  • Classic: Tented camps and simple lodges
  • Premium: Lodges and tented camps with private bathroom
  • Exclusive: Luxury lodges and private camps

Regions with overnight stays

Services

What is included

Included
  • Private transfers from and to the airport in Tanzania
  • Domestic flight from Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha
  • Costs for accommodation and overnight stays
  • Full board plus meals en route
  • Safaris with a private, English-speaking driver/guide
  • High-quality vehicles, maintained before every safari, spare tyre on board
  • Game drives set out in the itinerary
  • All national park entry and concession fees
  • Two pairs of binoculars per vehicle (on loan)
  • 24/7 service
  • Flying Doctor for emergencies

Not included

Before you travel: Read the articles on the visa for Tanzania, vaccinations for Tanzania and safety in Tanzania.

Frequently asked questions

Can I adjust the number of days?

Yes, the number of days can be adjusted. You can add, shorten or swap stages, such as another day on the Mara River or more time in Tarangire National Park. The team in Arusha will put together the route according to your wishes. The guide Great Migration in the Serengeti explains month by month where the herds are, from the calving in the south to the river crossings in the north, which helps when choosing or swapping stages.

Can I switch accommodation?

Yes, you can change any of the accommodation on this route. The trip can be booked in the Classic, Premium or Exclusive category, and the team in Arusha will suggest suitable lodges and camps for each stop.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Yes, the trip is also suitable for families with children. The team in Arusha plans travel days and game drives appropriate to their age, with suitable driving times and enough breaks. You can find more on the Tanzania family safari page.

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Your trip

Starting point: 11-Day Great Migration Northern Serengeti. Everything can be adapted, and an extra day is always possible.

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