Safari Overview
This 7-day safari is a complete northern Tanzania migration journey, taking you from Tarangire National Park through the Ngorongoro Crater and deep into the Serengeti ecosystem, paced with one night in Tarangire, one night in Ngorongoro, two nights in Central Serengeti, and two nights in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River.
Your adventure begins in Tarangire, known for its vast elephant herds and ancient baobab-studded landscapes. From there you spend a dedicated day and night at the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s richest wildlife arenas, before transferring into Central Serengeti for two days of classic year-round game viewing around Seronera.
The journey then heads north, following the migration route into the Northern Serengeti, home to the Mara River and its dramatic river crossings during migration season. Two dedicated nights here give you the best chance of witnessing the wildebeest and zebra herds up close, alongside the resident predators that follow them.
The trip concludes with a scenic domestic flight from the Northern Serengeti back to Arusha, capping off a deeply immersive Great Migration experience across Tanzania’s most iconic parks.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning departure from Arusha, driving to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and spectacular baobab-studded landscapes.
Enjoy a full-day game drive exploring the park’s open savannahs, seasonal swamps, and the Tarangire River ecosystem. Expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species.
A picnic lunch will be served inside the park, followed by an afternoon game drive before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater Tour
After breakfast, depart Tarangire for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive.
The crater floor offers one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa, giving you excellent chances to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and, with some luck, the endangered black rhino.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater surrounded by stunning scenery. In the late afternoon, ascend the crater walls and continue to your lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands or Karatu area for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 — Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, depart the Ngorongoro highlands and begin the scenic drive down into the Serengeti ecosystem, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Naabi Hill gate.
Game viewing begins along the way, with wildlife sightings increasing as you enter the open plains of Central Serengeti. Arrive at your camp by early afternoon in time for an afternoon game drive around the Seronera area.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight stay in Central Serengeti.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 — Full Day in Central Serengeti
Wake up in the heart of the Serengeti and enjoy an early morning game drive.
Explore the Seronera and Central Serengeti area, renowned for its year-round concentration of wildlife. Search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and large herds of wildebeest.
Your experienced guide will monitor wildlife movements and migration activity to determine the best areas to explore.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing with an afternoon game drive. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 — Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, begin your journey from Central Serengeti toward the Northern Serengeti.
The drive itself becomes part of the safari, with game viewing opportunities along the way. As you travel north, the landscape changes and you enter one of Tanzania’s most spectacular migration regions.
Depending on the season, the northern Serengeti can offer opportunities to see large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra, as well as predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas.
Arrive at your camp in the afternoon and enjoy an evening game drive if time and conditions permit. Dinner and overnight stay in Northern Serengeti.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 — Northern Serengeti — Great Migration Experience
Today is dedicated to experiencing the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti.
After breakfast, head out with your safari guide to search for the migrating wildebeest and zebra herds.
The northern Serengeti is particularly famous for the Mara River, where migrating herds may gather during the river-crossing season. If conditions and animal movements are right, you may have the opportunity to witness one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles.
River crossings are completely natural events and cannot be guaranteed, but the northern Serengeti offers excellent wildlife viewing even when crossings are not taking place.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your game drive until late afternoon. Return to camp for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Serengeti.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 — Northern Serengeti Game Drive & Flight to Arusha
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in the Northern Serengeti.
Continue toward the nearest suitable airstrip for your scheduled flight.
Board a domestic flight from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha, enjoying spectacular aerial views of Tanzania’s wilderness along the way.
Upon arrival in Arusha, your unforgettable 7-day Great Migration safari comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Flight: Northern Serengeti → Arusha
Accommodation Tiers
Budget
Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
- Shared or private rooms
- Authentic local experience
- Full board meals
- Social atmosphere
Sero Tented Camp
- Comfortable tented rooms
- Traditional safari setting
- Full board included
- Excellent value
Mid-Range
Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Private rooms with en-suite
- Quality meals & bar
- Professional service
- Park views & location
Nyikani Camps
- Well-appointed rooms
- Modern amenities
- Excellent dining
- Community-focused
Luxury
Serengeti Pioneer Camp
- Premium spacious suites
- Spa & wellness facilities
- Gourmet dining
- Personalized service
Ngorongoro Lion's Paw
- Luxury suites with views
- Fine dining restaurant
- Full spa services
- Concierge support
All accommodations include full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and are handpicked for quality, comfort, and authentic African experience.
