Tanzania · Safari

5-Day Serengeti Great Migration Safari with Ngorongoro Crater

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa's Eden for wildlife
  • 02 Witness the Great Migration in Serengeti North Mara
  • 03 Watch wildlife during game drives along the Mara River
  • 04 Look out for resident wildlife, including the Big Five, in Serengeti

Explore the great Serengeti plains on this wildebeest migration safari, combining the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater with unforgettable game drives in Serengeti North Mara. Indulge your eyes in the spectacular migration as vast herds of wildebeest face the serious obstacle of crossing the Mara River, often under the watch of anticipating predators. Along the way, marvel at resident wildlife, breathtaking natural scenery, and one of Tanzania's most renowned safari experiences.

Explore the great Serengeti plains on this wildebeest migration safari, combining the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater with unforgettable game drives in Serengeti North Mara.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater Safari

  • Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha, with a picnic lunch en route to a full-day Ngorongoro Crater tour. You will be taken 2000 ft down into the crater by a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, explore the crater, and then ascend to drive to your lodge set on the crater rim. The Ngorongoro Crater is often called Africa's Eden and the '8th Natural Wonder of the World', and a visit to the crater is the main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania, as well as a definite world-class attraction of remarkable beauty.
  • The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home to Ngorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5 million years ago when a volcanic mountain sank due to inactivity and was initially thought to have been higher than Tanzania's famous Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral part of Tanzania's ecosystem. This caldera measures 22.5 km across, and the rim walls stand 600 m high. Views from within the crater and from the rim are breathtaking. The crater houses 30,000 animals and a large variety of amazing birds, which rarely move from the area due to water availability through both wet and dry seasons. In the evening, return to the lodge or camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or Camp.

2
Day 02

Ngorongoro to Serengeti North Game Drive

  • Pick up from your lodge or camp after breakfast, then transfer to Serengeti North for a full-day game drive to view the Great Migration in this part of the park. The park is well known for its healthy stock of other resident wildlife, particularly the 'Big Five', named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters. Lion: the Serengeti is believed to hold the largest population of lions in Africa, due in part to the abundance of prey species, with more than 3,000 lions living in this ecosystem. African Leopard: these reclusive predators are commonly seen in the Seronera region but are present throughout the national park, with a population of around 1,000. African Elephant sightings also add to the experience. Get ready for some fantastic wildlife sightings and natural scenery.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lodge or Camp.

3
Day 03

North Mara Great Migration Game Drive

  • After breakfast at the camp, depart with your picnic lunch for a game drive to view the Great Migration. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high in the Wagakuria area, with prides of lions up to 30 strong. From August to October, however, the area turns into a wildlife paradise. The key feature is the Mara River, and it is not uncommon to see the herds cross the river north on one day and then back south a few days later. Please take note - finding a crossing is very difficult and is sometimes a matter of luck.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lodge or Camp.

4
Day 04

Full-Day Mara River Crossing Experience

  • After breakfast, enjoy a fantastic full day of game drive at the Mara River, viewing the Great Migration river crossing. In the evening, return to the camp for the evening bonfire, dinner, and overnight stay. River crossings at Kogatende occur every day in August as the mega herd settles into the area. From August to October, game viewing here is superb, with river crossings pretty much guaranteed every day. There is no distinct movement, as the herds tend to cross back and forth over the river, following the rains and the subsequent fresh grasses. It is not uncommon to see different herds crossing in different directions on the same day.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lodge or Camp.

5
Day 05

Morning Game Drive and Departure

  • Depart after breakfast for a rewarding morning game drive. In the afternoon, transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your flight to Arusha.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: No Accommodation

Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti North plains, Mara River crossings

Where this trip takes you

Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti North plains, Mara River crossings

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with an open roof
  • Park fees
  • Campsite or lodge accommodation
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide and chef
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • 1.5 bottles of water per day

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Travel insurance and medical insurance
  • Visas
  • Personal items
  • Tips for the safari guide and chef
  • Additional park fees

Logistics

Meeting & route

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

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 3,300 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total