8-Day Migration Safari: Explore Serengeti & Beyond
Experience an unforgettable 8-day safari adventure in Tanzania, perfectly timed to coincide with the Great Migration, which occurs from July to October. Begin with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport and a relaxing stay at Springlands Hotel. Explore Tarangire National Park, renowned for its incredible wildlife, including abundant elephants and iconic baobab trees.
Journey to the Northern Serengeti through Ngorongoro, where you’ll witness diverse wildlife and enjoy a night game drive at Ikoma Wild Camp. Witness the dramatic Great Migration at the Mara River and savor a sundowner experience back at Ikoma. Discover the Serengeti’s rich landscapes and wildlife on a full-day game drive. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater for extraordinary game viewing, followed by a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and vibrant birdlife.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where a friendly representative from Explore Trekking Adventure will be waiting to warmly welcome you to Tanzania. You’ll be transferred to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi, Settle into your lodge surrounded by lush gardens or scenic mountain views. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax or enjoy a brief town tour to get a feel for the local culture. In the evening, gather for a delicious welcome dinner and a comprehensive safari briefing to prepare you for the unforgettable adventure ahead. Overnight in Arusha – the gateway to Tanzania’s iconic northern safari circuit.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury in Arusha
- Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart Arusha/Moshi for Tarangire National Park, known for its massive baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, spotting giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, and possibly big cats. Tarangire is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 500 species. After a picnic lunch or hot lunch at the lodge, continue with an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where animals gather during the dry season. Overnight at a lodge or tented camp inside or near the park.
- Accommodation: Luxury Tented Camp/Lodge in Karatu
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin the day with a sunrise game drive, then return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterward, depart for the lush Ngorongoro Highlands, passing through picturesque farmland and Maasai villages. Stop for lunch in Karatu or at your lodge on the crater rim. Spend the afternoon at leisure, enjoying sweeping views of the crater floor or joining an optional cultural visit or nature walk. Prepare for tomorrow’s crater descent with a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury on Crater Rim
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for an incredible full-day game drive. This natural caldera offers exceptional wildlife viewing, including lions, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and the rare black rhino. Its enclosed ecosystem creates a natural sanctuary for thousands of animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo pool and continue exploring diverse habitats—from open plains to swamps. In the late afternoon, ascend to your lodge or drive to the Serengeti border for overnight accommodation
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury in Serengeti
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
Enter Serengeti National Park through Naabi Hill Gate and enjoy your first game drive across the endless plains. Arrive in the Central Serengeti, known for year-round predator activity and abundant resident game. Depending on the time of year, migrating herds may already be nearby. Enjoy lunch at the lodge or picnic style, then continue your drive. Keep your camera ready for lions lounging on rocks and cheetahs prowling the grasslands. Overnight at a tented camp in Seronera.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury Lodge in Serengeti
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
Rise early for a day filled with wonder and exploration. Today, you’ll dive deep into the Serengeti’s incredible ecosystem on a full-day game drive with a delicious picnic lunch. Traverse the vast plains in search of the “Big Five,” observe hippos wallowing in the rivers, and watch cheetahs sprint across the savannah. Your experienced guide will tailor the day to your interests, whether it’s tracking predators or following the movements of the Great Migration (seasonal). For the adventurous couple, a hot air balloon safari at sunrise is available as an optional extra—an unforgettable experience that ends with a champagne breakfast in the wild.
As evening falls, return to camp for a relaxing shower, followed by a private candlelit dinner designed just for the two of you.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury Lodge in Serengeti
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin your day with an early game drive, ideal for spotting active predators and golden light photography. After breakfast, relax at camp or enjoy optional activities like a walking safari or cultural visit (depending on your lodge). In the afternoon, head out for a scenic sunset drive and reflect on the beauty of the savannah one last time. Marvel at zebras silhouetted against the horizon before returning for a special farewell dinner in the bush.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury Lodge in Serengeti
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a final short game drive en route to the airstrip (or begin the drive if overland). Take a scenic flight back to Arusha, where you’ll have lunch and optional shopping before a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Say farewell to your guide and board your international flight home, carrying unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s Great Migration and the iconic landscapes of Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti.
- Accommodation: N/A
- Meal Plan: Dinner
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Transport to and from the Parks
- Allowance for the Crew
- First Aid Kit and Emergency Oxygen
- Park Fees and VAT
- Rescue Support – In case of emergencies within the park, a rescue vehicle is on standby.
- Accommodation During Safari
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
- Camping Equipment (if applicable)
- Daily Meals
- Taxi Service – Local transport outside scheduled transfers is not covered.
Not Included
- Drinks at the Hotel – Beverages before or after the safari at your accommodation.
- Personal Belongings – We are not responsible for loss or damage to personal items.
- Tips for the Crew – Gratuities for your driver-guide, cook, or porters are appreciated but not included.
- Health Insurance – Please ensure you have valid travel and medical insurance.
- Flight Tickets – Domestic and international flights are not part of the safari cost.
- Flying doctor emergency evacuation cover