5-Day Serengeti Migration Safari with Ngorongoro and Mara River

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the stunning beauty of Ngorongoro Crater
• 02 See the largest population of lions in Africa in Serengeti National Park
• 03 Witness the great migration of wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras up close
• 04 Spot large groups of wildebeests crossing the Mara River
• 05 Enjoy an optional hot-air balloon ride with breathtaking views of the wildlife

Experience wild Africa on this 5-day Great Serengeti Migration Safari, combining the stunning beauty of Ngorongoro Crater, often called "Africa's Garden of Eden," with the wildlife-rich plains of Serengeti National Park. See the "big 5" game - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino - and explore an ecosystem that holds the largest population of lions in Africa. Travel through central and northern Serengeti to witness the great migration of wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras, including the chance to see large groups crossing the Mara River. An optional hot-air balloon ride adds an unforgettable view of the wildlife from above.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Safari

• Early in the morning, you will leave Moshi or Arusha town and drive toward Ngorongoro National Park. After a few hours, you will stop at a supermarket and take a few minutes to shop for any personal effects you may need. You will arrive in Ngorongoro after about 3 hours. Then, we will descend over 600 m into the crater to view the wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater is often called the world's largest caldera and is also referred to as "Africa's Garden of Eden." The crater is a world-class attraction surrounded by many wild animals. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is in northern Tanzania and is home to the vast volcanic Ngorongoro Crater and the "big 5" game - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Huge herds of wildebeests and zebras traverse its plains during their annual migration.

2

Day 02

Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti via Lobo

• After breakfast, we will continue toward wild Africa in Serengeti (central Seronera), passing through the Lobo area near central Serengeti National Park. Most wildebeest migration normally passes through the Lobo area around July and August on the way to Kenya's Masai Mara, and in late October and November en route to southern Serengeti National Park. Serengeti National Park holds the largest population of lions in Africa, with more than 3,000 lions living in this ecosystem. African leopards, these reclusive predators, are commonly seen in the Seronera region, though they are present throughout the national park, with a population of around 1,000. African elephants are also mostly found in this area. Visitors should enjoy the game drive in central Serengeti National Park.

3

Day 03

Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti and Kogatende

• After breakfast at the camp, we will depart for a game drive and review the great migration in central Serengeti National Park. In northern Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria area, we follow the game drive route from the Lobo area to the Wagakuria area. As we head north, visitors can see many animals in Serengeti, such as giraffes, plains game, herds of buffalo, and elephants. From mid-July to October, herds of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras begin their spectacular annual migration northwards, passing through the Mara River. We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, and after lunch, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Kogatende area. The wildebeest migration can normally be found in the Wagakuria area from mid-July to October, depending on rainfall patterns. A long stretch of the Mara River runs through the northern Serengeti National Park.

4

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drive in Northern Serengeti Kogatende

• After breakfast, visitors enjoy a game drive in the Kogatende area, where much wildlife is found. This camp is used for the Serengeti Mobile Green Camp from July until the end of November, when the migration is in northern Serengeti and hopefully crossing the Mara River. The camp is approximately 20 minutes from the Mara River and is set on a ridge under large evergreen trees, overlooking a large part of the northern Serengeti wilderness zone, where large groups of wildebeest cross the river and wild animals can be enjoyed in peace. Visitors can also use a hot-air balloon to enjoy the wild animals from above.

5

Day 05

Northern Serengeti Flight to Arusha

• After breakfast, you will take a full game drive in northern Serengeti (Kogatende). In the afternoon, you will transfer from Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha Airport. After arrival at Arusha Airport, you will meet our driver, who will drive you back to Arusha town. The guest is expected to get lunch. After finishing lunch, you will be taken to the hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees
• All activities
• All accommodations, as stated in the itinerary
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation
• All taxes/VAT
• All meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
• Drinking water all day

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Tips for the guide
• Visas
• Alcoholic drinks

Know before you go

• 5 days of Tanzania's northern Serengeti migration, this package shows how wild animals move from one park to another by crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures in the western corridor and greener, more nutritious grasses. This movement normally happens every year around July and October.
• Most wild animals start moving toward the Lobo area, on the northern side of central Serengeti National Park. At the same time, another group heads directly to Wagakuria, a remote area of northern Serengeti National Park.
• Both groups pass through the Grumeti River area. Most wildebeest continue to move steadily across the Grumeti area, cross the Mara River, and reach the lush grazing lands of Kenya's Masai Mara.
• This itinerary has been designed to show how visitors will drive in and fly out of Serengeti National Park while seeing the wild animals of the great Serengeti migration safari.
• Hot-air balloon rides are optional and available at an additional cost.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.