Tanzania · Safari

5-Day Great Migration Safari in Tanzania with Mara River and Ngorongoro

5 Days Round trip from Tanzania Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's most wildlife-rich natural wonders.
  • 02 Experience Big Five game viewing in the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
  • 03 Witness the world-famous Great Migration with massive herds of wildebeest and zebra.
  • 04 Explore the dramatic Mara River region, known for thrilling wildlife crossings and crocodile encounters.
  • 05 Enjoy multiple game drives in Northern Serengeti, a remote area with fewer vehicles and pristine wilderness.
  • 06 Spot iconic predators including lions, cheetahs, and leopards in their natural habitat.
  • 07 Capture breathtaking photography opportunities across plains, kopjes, and riverine forests.
  • 08 Conclude the adventure with a scenic bush flight from Northern Serengeti to Arusha.

This 5-day safari explores Tanzania's most iconic wildlife regions, beginning with a full game drive in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, home to dense populations of the Big Five. The journey continues north to the remote Northern Serengeti, perfectly timed to follow the Great Migration around the Mara River. Enjoy three immersive days of wildlife viewing amid vast savannahs, rivers, and predator-rich plains, before concluding with a scenic flight to Arusha.

The Mara River area offers some of the most iconic safari scenery, with crocodile-filled waters, steep riverbanks, and tense wildlife interactions as animals prepare to cross.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Serengeti and Flight to Arusha

Day 1 - Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater: Depart Arusha early in the morning and drive through the lush farmlands and dramatic highlands of northern Tanzania toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast natural amphitheater often described as Africa's "Garden of Eden." The crater floor hosts an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including large prides of lions, elephants with impressive tusks, buffaloes, hippos, and the rare black rhino. Scenic soda lakes attract flamingos and other water birds, while open grasslands and acacia woodlands create stunning photographic landscapes. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before ascending to the rim, where sweeping views over the caldera conclude the day. Dinner and overnight at Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp.

  • Main destination: Ngorongoro Crater
  • Accommodation: Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp. Luxury tented camp located in Ngorongoro Crater.
  • Meals & drinks: Breakfast and dinner included, plus drinking water. Other drinks are not included.

Day 2 - Ngorongoro to Northern Serengeti: After breakfast, journey northward across the Ngorongoro Highlands into the legendary Serengeti ecosystem. The landscape gradually opens into endless golden plains dotted with kopjes (granite rock outcrops), acacia trees, and seasonal rivers. Game viewing begins en route as you encounter giraffes, elephants, zebras, and plains antelope. As you approach the Northern Serengeti, the scenery becomes more remote and wild, dominated by rolling savannah and riverine vegetation along the Mara River system. This region is renowned for hosting vast herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra during late July, making it one of the most dramatic wildlife areas in Africa. Dinner and overnight at Mara Kenzan Tented Camp.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park (North)

Accommodation: Mara Kenzan Tented Camp. Luxury mobile tented camp located in Serengeti National Park.

Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water. Other drinks are not included.

Day 3 - Northern Serengeti (Great Migration Focus): Spend the entire day exploring the Northern Serengeti, following the movement of the Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeest and zebra gather in massive herds, closely shadowed by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The Mara River area offers some of the most iconic safari scenery, with crocodile-filled waters, steep riverbanks, and tense wildlife interactions as animals prepare to cross. The landscape alternates between open plains and lush riverine forest, providing excellent opportunities for photography and extended wildlife observation. A picnic or bush lunch allows you to remain immersed in this spectacular natural setting. Dinner and overnight at Mara Kenzan Tented Camp.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park (North)

Accommodation: Mara Kenzan Tented Camp. Luxury mobile tented camp located in Serengeti National Park.

Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water. Other drinks are not included.

Day 4 - Northern Serengeti (Exploration & Predators): Another full day in Northern Serengeti allows deeper exploration of different wildlife zones. Early morning and late afternoon game drives reveal predators at their most active, including leopards resting in trees, lions on the hunt, and cheetahs scanning the plains. The quieter northern region offers a sense of true wilderness, with fewer vehicles and expansive views stretching toward the Kenyan border. You may witness dramatic predator-prey interactions, large elephant herds moving between grazing areas, and rich birdlife along riverbanks. The changing light over the Serengeti plains creates breathtaking landscapes throughout the day. Dinner and overnight at Mara Kenzan Tented Camp.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park (North)

Accommodation: Mara Kenzan Tented Camp. Luxury mobile tented camp located in Serengeti National Park.

Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water. Other drinks are not included.

Day 5 - Northern Serengeti to Arusha by Flight: After breakfast, enjoy a final short game drive in the Serengeti, soaking in the last breathtaking views of its endless plains and rich wildlife. Thereafter, transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha Airport, followed by a transfer to Arusha Town. This smooth and well-coordinated journey brings your safari to a close, leaving you with lasting memories of East Africa's most iconic landscapes and diverse ecosystems.

Main destination: Arusha Town

Accommodation: No accommodation. End of services.

Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water. Other drinks are not included.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Tanzania 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Included

  • Park fees (for non-residents)
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • Flight: Kogatende Airstrip - Arusha Airport
  • Transfer: Arusha Airport - Arusha Town
  • All taxes/VAT
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Emergency evacuation medical insurance

What's Not Included

Excluded

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 per person per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What to bring

  • Valid passport and personal travel documents.
  • Light, comfortable safari clothing in neutral colors (khaki, beige, green).
  • Warm jacket or sweater for early morning and evening game drives.
  • Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking shoes.
  • Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Personal toiletries and any required medications.
  • Camera or smartphone with extra batteries and memory cards.
  • Binoculars for better wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
  • Small backpack or daypack for daily essentials during game drives.
  • Travel insurance documents (recommended).

Know before you go

  • This safari involves long scenic drives between Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.
  • The tour includes a domestic flight from Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) back to Arusha.
  • The best time to witness the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti is usually from July to October, but wildlife viewing is excellent year-round.
  • Accommodation is in luxury tented camps located inside or near the national parks.
  • Park entry fees and conservation fees are included in the safari package.
  • Game drives are conducted in 4x4 safari vehicles with a professional driver-guide.
  • Luggage for the domestic flight should be soft-sided and is usually limited to about 15 kg per person.
  • Travel insurance and a valid passport are strongly recommended for all travelers.
  • Weather can vary, with cool mornings and evenings, especially in the Ngorongoro Highlands.
  • Other drinks, personal expenses, and optional activities are not included in the package.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour start
Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Tanzania.

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Starting from

USD 2,734 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $2,734.00 — $4,958.00
Double Sharing $2,734.00 — $3,545.00

When

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