5-Day Serengeti Migration Safari from Arusha with Ngorongoro

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Witness the world-famous wildebeest migration in the Kogatende area of Northern Serengeti
• 02 Search for Mara River crossings as wildebeest gather near hippos and Nile crocodiles
• 03 Explore Seronera, Serengeti's "big cat country," for lions, cheetahs, and leopards
• 04 Spot the endangered black rhinoceros in Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Experience the world-famous wildebeest migration on this 5-day safari to Serengeti National Park. Fly directly to the Kogatende area for a bird's-eye view of Tanzania and search for the dramatic Mara River crossing, where wildebeest and zebras face one of the migration's greatest obstacles. Continue through the Serengeti's wildlife-rich plains and kopjes in search of the Big Five before ending at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you may spot the endangered black rhinoceros and majestic Cape buffalo.

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, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Fly to Kogatende and Begin Your Serengeti Safari

• After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your flight to the Kogatende area of the Northern Serengeti.
• Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Tanzania during this short flight.
• Spend the day driving through the region in search of the wildebeest migration and the Big Five in Serengeti National Park.
• Extend your game drive until sunset, then return to the lodge or camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

2

Day 02

Game Drive in Kogatende and Mara River Search

• Start your game drive around the Kogatende area, searching the kopjes for carnivores and the large migration groups, with hippos and Nile crocodiles gathering near the Mara River - the last major obstacle between the wildebeest migration and the relative safety of the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
• Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of Serengeti National Park according to the standard and type of accommodation requested.

3

Day 03

From Kogatende to Seronera Through the Central Serengeti

• Start the day immediately after breakfast by driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on your way to cross the Banagi River into the Seronera region of Central Serengeti.
• In Seronera, often known as "big cat country," spot everything from dik-diks to towering elephants, prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs, and leopards. The region's hippo pools and wide-open spaces provide ample opportunities for spectacular game viewing in Serengeti National Park.
• Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of Serengeti National Park according to the standard and type of accommodation requested.

4

Day 04

Wildlife Viewing En Route to Ngorongoro

• Drive back towards the Ngorongoro Crater via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two.
• Look out for thousands of animals in herds, including wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles, and elephants, as well as predators such as cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and lions.
• Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu town according to the standard and type of accommodation requested.

5

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha

• Depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the bird's-eye viewpoint.
  • It is home to over 120 mammal species, including the fabled Big Five.
  • The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the world's most sought-after safari destinations.
• Observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognizable wildlife, including the Big Five and a large number of predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas.
• Have a picnic lunch at the Ngoitokitok site's famous hippo pool before returning to Arusha for an overnight stay.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Transportation: 4x4 Land Cruiser with open roof
• Park fees
• Accommodation: campsites/lodge
• Professional English-speaking safari guide and chef
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• 1.5L bottle of water per day
• Food:
  • 4 breakfasts
  • 5 lunches
  • 4 dinners
• Drinking water
• Related services
• Taxes

What's Not Included

• Flights (international & domestic)
• Travel insurance and medical insurance
• Visas
• Personal items
• Tips for the safari guide and chef
• Additional park fees

Know before you go

• About the Mara River Crossing (July to October)
  • The herd continues moving north towards Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya during this time.
  • There is no tight schedule that these animals follow, so tracking the herd's movements becomes a day-to-day prospect as they meander slowly but inexorably towards the next big obstacle in their path: the Mara River.
  • The Mara River poses another deadly barrier for the herd, which must brave swollen waters and opportunistic predators again to find relative safety on the far side. Photographers and documentarians from around the world gather to witness the death-defying crossing.
  • Still, the surrounding landscapes are as memorable as the life-and-death struggle at the Kogatende crossing. It is one of the most impressive sights in Serengeti National Park.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.