8 Days Complete Migration Tracking

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, where you will be welcomed by your safari representative and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. This day is reserved for arrival, briefing and preparation for your safari. Your guide will discuss the journey ahead, including the migration season, daily game-drive arrangements and what to expect while tracking the herds. If you arrive early enough, you may have time to relax and explore Arusha.

Overnight: Arusha
Meal: Dinner

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for its large elephant population, ancient baobab trees and seasonal wildlife concentrations around the Tarangire River. Enjoy a game drive through the park, searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and numerous bird species.

The landscape of Tarangire provides a beautiful introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife before continuing toward the Serengeti.

Overnight: Tarangire area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti
After breakfast, drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive.
The crater provides an exceptional wildlife experience, with a high concentration of animals within its enclosed ecosystem. Search for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and, with some luck, black rhino.
After the crater experience, continue toward Serengeti National Park. As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape opens into vast plains where wildlife can be encountered almost anywhere.

Overnight: Central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Central Serengeti – Northern Serengeti: Following the Migration
After breakfast, begin the journey north through the Serengeti. This is a dedicated migration-tracking day.

Your guide will monitor recent sightings and look for signs of the herds, including large concentrations of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles. Along the way, enjoy game viewing for resident wildlife and predators.

As you approach Northern Serengeti, the landscape changes and becomes increasingly associated with the migration’s northern movement. Your guide will position the vehicle in areas where the herds are currently active rather than simply following a fixed route.

Overnight: Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Northern Serengeti – Migration Tracking
Wake early for a full day dedicated to tracking the Great Migration.
Spend the day exploring the Kogatende and Mara River areas, depending on where the herds are located. You may encounter enormous groups of wildebeest and zebra gathering near water, moving across the plains or approaching riverbanks.
Your guide will carefully observe animal behavior. When herds begin gathering near the Mara River, you may wait for the animals to make their decision to cross.
A river crossing is a completely natural event and cannot be guaranteed. The animals may gather at the river for hours or even days before crossing—or they may move away. This unpredictability is part of what makes the experience authentic. TANAPA’s guidelines also require vehicles to remain in designated areas when migrants gather for a crossing.  

Overnight: Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Full-Day Mara River & Migration Tracking
Today is another full day in Northern Serengeti, giving you valuable flexibility to follow the migration.
After an early breakfast, head toward the areas where the herds are currently concentrated. Search for wildebeest gathering along the river, zebra moving with the herds and crocodiles waiting in the water.

If a crossing begins, you may witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles as thousands of animals attempt to navigate the river and climb the steep banks.
If the herds are not crossing, the day remains excellent for wildlife viewing. Northern Serengeti is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and many other species.

Overnight: Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti before beginning your journey south.
Continue through the Serengeti while looking for wildlife along the way. Depending on the location of the migration, your guide may make strategic stops to follow fresh sightings or migration activity.
Arrive in Central Serengeti for your final night in the park. This gives you another opportunity to enjoy the Serengeti’s resident wildlife before leaving the following day.

Overnight: Central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Serengeti – Arusha / Airport
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Central Serengeti, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is often active.
After breakfast, begin your journey toward Arusha, enjoying wildlife viewing along the way. Depending on your flight schedule and preferred arrangements, you can be transferred to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
For travelers who prefer to save driving time, a flight from Serengeti to Arusha or Kilimanjaro can also be arranged at an additional cost.

Meal: Breakfast

1. Is the Mara River crossing guaranteed?
No. A river crossing is a natural event and cannot be guaranteed. The herds may gather at the river without crossing, change direction or cross at another location. The best strategy is to spend several days in the Northern Serengeti and follow current herd movements.  
2. What months are best for this safari?
For Mara River crossings, July to October is generally the preferred period. August and September are particularly popular, but nature determines the exact timing.  
3. Why spend three nights in Northern Serengeti?
Because migration sightings are unpredictable. Several nights provide greater flexibility to follow the herds and wait for potential river activity instead of rushing through the region.
4. Will we see the Great Migration if there is no river crossing?
Yes. The migration involves enormous herds moving across the ecosystem. Even without a river crossing, you can experience large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra, predators and dramatic wildlife interactions.
5. Can children join this safari?
Yes. Families can join the safari, although the itinerary can be adjusted depending on the children’s ages and preferred pace.
6. Is this a private safari?
The itinerary can be operated as a private safari, allowing your group to travel with its own safari vehicle and guide.
7. Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. The route can be adjusted according to your travel dates, migration location, accommodation preference, flight schedule and interests.
8. Can we add a hot-air balloon safari?
Yes. A hot-air balloon experience over the Serengeti can be added where available and is normally arranged in advance.