7 Days Great Migration Safari in Tanzania
Experience one of the world's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on this seven-day Great Migration safari in Tanzania. Explore the legendary Serengeti National Park, follow the movements of wildebeest and zebras across the plains, and discover the predators that depend on these vast herds for survival.
This safari combines wildlife viewing in the Central Serengeti with time in the Northern Serengeti, where the famous Mara River crossings may occur during the migration season. With a professional safari guide, you will explore different wildlife areas and adjust your game drives according to the season and the movement of the herds.
Safari Highlights
- Track the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti plains.
- Explore Central Serengeti, an important habitat for lions, leopards, cheetahs and other predators.
- Travel to Northern Serengeti and explore the Mara River area during the appropriate season.
- Look for large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the landscape.
- Enjoy extended game drives with opportunities for wildlife photography.
- Discover the Serengeti's varied landscapes, from open plains to rocky kopjes and riverine habitats.
Tour Overview
Arusha → Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti → Mara River area → Northern Serengeti → Arusha
This itinerary focuses on spending time in different parts of the Serengeti to improve your opportunities to observe the Great Migration and the wildlife that follows it. The precise route and overnight locations depend on your travel dates, accommodation arrangements and where the herds are moving.
During the main Mara River crossing season, generally around July to October, the safari can focus on Northern Serengeti. During other months, the itinerary may need to be adjusted towards the Western Corridor or southern Serengeti, depending on the migration's seasonal movements.
Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary
Arusha to Central Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and begin your journey from Arusha towards Serengeti National Park. Travel through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania and the Ngorongoro highlands before continuing towards the Serengeti plains.
After entering the park, enjoy game viewing along the route towards Central Serengeti. The Seronera region is known for its resident wildlife, river valleys and rocky kopjes, which provide habitats for lions, leopards and other predators.
Continue to your lodge or tented camp, depending on your confirmed accommodation arrangements. Enjoy dinner and relax in preparation for the following day's wildlife adventure.
Central Serengeti – Great Migration Tracking
After breakfast, head out for a full day of game drives in Central Serengeti. Your guide will explore areas with recent wildlife activity and look for signs of the migrating herds.
The Serengeti ecosystem supports enormous populations of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Their movements attract predators, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Depending on the season, you may encounter migrating herds or observe resident wildlife around the Seronera River and surrounding plains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during your game drive, allowing more time to explore the park. In the late afternoon, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Central Serengeti – Big Cats and Wildlife
Spend another day exploring Central Serengeti, giving you more time to discover its wildlife and follow reports of migrating animals. The area is especially well known for its predator populations and year-round opportunities for game viewing.
Explore open grasslands, river valleys and rocky outcrops while searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife. Your guide will select suitable locations based on the latest sightings and your interests.
Depending on wildlife movements, you may also encounter large groups of wildebeest and zebras. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive and returning to camp.
Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart for Northern Serengeti, enjoying wildlife viewing as you travel through the park. The landscape changes along the way, with wide plains, rocky hills and river systems supporting a variety of wildlife.
During the migration season, the northern region becomes an important destination as large herds move towards the Mara River. Your guide will monitor local wildlife information and explore suitable areas where the herds may be gathering.
Arrive at your northern camp or lodge and continue with an afternoon game drive if time and conditions permit. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Northern Serengeti.
Northern Serengeti – Mara River Migration Safari
Today is dedicated to exploring the Northern Serengeti, particularly the Mara River area when the Great Migration is expected to be in the region. After breakfast, set out with your guide to search for herds gathering near the river and moving across the surrounding plains.
During a river crossing, wildebeest and zebras may gather along the riverbanks before attempting to cross. The event can be dramatic, with strong currents and crocodiles creating additional challenges for the animals. However, crossings are unpredictable and may not occur during your visit.
If the herds are elsewhere, your guide will explore other promising areas and look for elephants, giraffes, antelopes, lions and other wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the game drive before returning to your accommodation.
Northern Serengeti – Full-Day Wildlife Safari
Enjoy another full day of wildlife exploration in Northern Serengeti. Spending additional time in the area allows your guide to follow changing wildlife activity and explore different parts of the migration range.
Depending on the season and current herd movements, you may have further opportunities to observe wildebeest and zebras near the Mara River or across the open plains. The region also supports elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and predators.
Take time to appreciate the scenery and photograph the wildlife encountered along the way. After the game drive, return to your camp or lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Serengeti.
Morning Game Drive and Return to Arusha
Enjoy breakfast and, where the schedule permits, a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti. The early hours can offer excellent opportunities to observe wildlife as animals move through their natural habitats.
After the morning activities, begin the return journey to Arusha by road, with wildlife viewing along the route where permitted. The drive is long, so arrival time will depend on road conditions, the selected route and stops along the way.
Alternatively, a scheduled or charter flight from the Serengeti can be arranged at an additional cost if available and suitable for your travel plans. Your safari ends upon arrival at your agreed drop-off point.
What's Included and Excluded
What's Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha as specified in the booking.
- Safari transport in a suitable 4x4 vehicle.
- Services of a professional safari driver-guide.
- Park entrance and conservation fees for the confirmed itinerary.
- Six nights of accommodation as specified in the booking.
- Meals listed in the confirmed itinerary.
- Game drives in the Serengeti National Park areas included in the programme.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle, where specified.
- Applicable taxes and levies included in the final quotation.
What's Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania.
- Domestic flights unless expressly included in the quotation.
- Tanzania visa fees and personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities for the guide and camp staff.
- Alcoholic beverages and other drinks not specified as included.
- Optional hot-air balloon safari or other optional activities.
- Accommodation before or after the safari unless arranged.
- Personal expenses, laundry and souvenirs.
- Any service or cost not expressly listed as included in the final quotation.
Why Choose This Great Migration Safari?
This seven-day safari gives you time to explore Central and Northern Serengeti rather than rushing through the park. The itinerary combines migration tracking with opportunities to observe the resident wildlife and predators that make the Serengeti one of Africa's most celebrated safari destinations.
- Migration-focused itinerary: Spend several days exploring areas where the herds may be present.
- Northern Serengeti exploration: Visit the Mara River region during the appropriate migration season.
- Big cat encounters: Search for lions, leopards, cheetahs and other predators.
- Wildlife photography: Enjoy extended game drives with opportunities to capture wildlife and landscapes.
- Flexible wildlife viewing: Your guide can adapt daily game drives to recent sightings and local conditions.
Best Time for the Great Migration Safari
June to July: Herds may move through the Western Corridor and Grumeti region, although movements vary each year.
July to October: Northern Serengeti and the Mara River area can offer opportunities to observe river crossings when the herds are in the region.
December to March: The southern Serengeti and Ndutu area are important for the calving season, when many wildebeest calves are born.
The Great Migration is a continuous movement of wildlife, not a fixed event. Your itinerary should be planned around your travel dates and the most likely migration location. No operator can guarantee a river crossing or a specific wildlife sighting.
Important Safari Information
The order of activities, camp locations and travel times may change according to seasonal conditions, wildlife movements, park regulations and accommodation availability. Northern Serengeti is remote, and road transfers between regions can take several hours. A fly-in or fly-out option may be available at an additional cost.
Share your preferred travel dates when requesting a quotation so the itinerary can be planned around the expected migration location and suitable accommodation availability.