8 DAYS - GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI

TARANGIRE - NGORONGORO - SERENGETI - SERENGETI NORTH

Highlights

Imagine it: the ground begins to tremble, a deep, distant rumble grows louder – and suddenly they appear, a living river of movement stretching to the horizon. Millions of pounding hooves, clouds of dust, the urgent calls of wild creatures.
The Great Migration is not just a wildlife spectacle – it’s one of Earth’s oldest and most awe-inspiring survival dramas.

On this safari, you’re not just watching – you’re stepping into the story. You’ll be at the riverbanks where life and death collide, breathe in the warm African dust, and lock eyes with predators that rule these lands.

As we follow the herds, we’ll journey through ever-changing worlds – golden savannahs, lush forests, ancient volcanic craters, and powerful rivers. Every day is a new chapter. Every night, the soundtrack of the wild plays under an endless canopy of stars.

Best Time to Go: Mid-June to November

Important Note

The wildebeest migration follows an ancient, circular route – but nature is unpredictable. Rainfall, drought, and shifting climate can move the migration forward or delay it. This most often affects late June–early July, late October–early November, and December. Our on-the-ground experts will always guide you to the very best spots for your chance to witness the magic.

ITINERARY

Karibu sana! – welcome to the land of epic skies and endless horizons.
Your adventure begins as you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where your personal Afrimine Tours safari guide greets you with a warm smile. Outside, the air carries the scent of Africa – dry grass, distant woodsmoke, and something wild you can’t quite name.
A scenic one-hour drive takes you to your lodge in Arusha, nestled in lush gardens with views of Mount Meru. Here you can relax, shake off the travel dust, and prepare for the days ahead. As the sun sets, you may hear the faint calls of night birds – a gentle prelude to the wild symphony awaiting you.

The first light of day bathes the savannah in gold as you set out for Tarangire National Park.
Massive baobab trees rise from the earth like ancient guardians. Herds of elephants – sometimes fifty strong – march towards the Tarangire River, their tusks gleaming in the morning light. In the dry season, the river becomes the lifeline for countless animals: giraffes bending elegantly to drink, lions watching silently from the shade, and antelopes stepping cautiously to the water’s edge.
Over 500 species of birds fill the air with colour and sound, from bright lilac-breasted rollers to majestic bateleur eagles.
After a day of game drives and photography, you travel to Karatu, where your lodge awaits with a hearty dinner and the soft glow of lanterns.

At dawn, mist drapes over the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. You descend 600 meters into this World Heritage Site – the largest unbroken caldera on Earth, often called ‘Africa’s Garden of Eden’
On the crater floor, life is dense and vibrant: black-maned lions stretch lazily in the grass, hippos wallow in muddy pools, and flamingos shimmer in the alkaline lakes. This is one of the best places in Tanzania to spot all members of the Big Five in a single day.
After a picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool, you ascend the crater walls and begin your journey into the legendary Serengeti National Park. The open plains seem endless, dotted with granite kopjes where cheetahs scout for prey.
Your first Serengeti sunset finds you in a tented camp at the heart of the park, where the night comes alive with the calls of hyenas and the deep roars of distant lions.

Morning in Seronera Valley begins with golden light and the silhouettes of giraffes feeding among the acacias. This central Serengeti region is famous for its predators – leopards draped across tree branches, lion prides lounging in the grass, and cheetahs scanning the horizon.
After a morning game drive, you continue northwards, passing through changing landscapes and wildlife-rich plains. Here, the Great Migration’s path narrows towards the mighty rivers.
By late afternoon, you may reach the Mara River or Grumeti River, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather, their instinct pulling them toward dangerous crossings. Crocodiles lie in wait, and tension fills the air.
You arrive at a mobile migration camp, perfectly placed for witnessing the migration’s most dramatic moments.

Today is devoted to the northern Serengeti, one of the wildest and most remote corners of the park.
If you’re lucky, you will witness a river crossing – a raw, heart-pounding spectacle as wildebeest surge into the water in their thousands. The air fills with the splashes of hooves, the calls of panicked animals, and the sudden strikes of crocodiles.
Even without a crossing, the wildlife here is exceptional: huge elephant herds, buffalo, giraffes, and predators including lion, leopard, and cheetah. Black rhino sometimes roam these northern reaches, a rare and treasured sight.
You return to camp at sunset, where the glow of the fire and the sounds of the night create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on Earth.

A full day of exploring the migration and the northern Serengeti’s incredible biodiversity.
You may follow a cheetah on a morning hunt, watch vultures circle over a recent kill, or simply sit quietly as a herd of elephants ambles past within metres of your vehicle.
Birdlife here is equally rich – from elegant crowned cranes to massive martial eagles.
In the evening, you watch the sun melt into the horizon, painting the sky in deep reds and purples, before returning to your lodge for another night in the wild.

Your final Serengeti sunrise feels bittersweet. As you drive southwards on your way back to Arusha, you make the most of your last game drive – stopping for any last sightings of lions, leopards, or perhaps a shy serval slipping through the grass.
By late afternoon, you arrive in Arusha for dinner and a restful overnight stay.

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.
Your journey ends, but the memories remain: the sound of thundering hooves, the vast African skies, and the feeling of standing at the edge of the wild – part of something timeless.

PRICE INCLUSION

  • Airport transfers: Meet and greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfers to your lodge

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in carefully selected lodges, tented camps, and mobile migration camps as per the itinerary

  • Meals: Full board during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and breakfast at hotels

  • Transportation: Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography

  • Professional Safari Guide: English-speaking, experienced guide with extensive knowledge of wildlife and the Great Migration

  • Park fees and conservation fees: All national park entry fees, Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees, and game drives as per itinerary

  • Bottled water: Provided during game drives

  • Game drives: Extensive drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti, including river crossing areas

  • Expert advice on migration routes: Updated guidance to maximize chances of witnessing the wildebeest migration

  • Sightseeing and cultural experience: Opportunities to explore local Maasai and other Tanzanian cultural encounters where available

PRICE EXCLUSION

  • International flights: Flights to and from Tanzania

  • Visa fees: Entry visa to Tanzania (required for most nationalities)

  • Travel insurance: Strongly recommended for medical, trip cancellation, and evacuation coverage

  • Personal expenses: Souvenirs, phone calls, laundry, tips, or optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Alcoholic beverages: Unless specified, drinks are at your own cost

  • Optional balloon safaris: Hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti or other optional excursions

  • Gratuities: Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff are not included but recommended

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