Safari Itinerary · Tanzania · Northern Circuit Safari
8 Day Great Migration Safari
From $5,700 per person
This eight-day safari follows the wildebeest herds through northern Tanzania. You start in Arusha. You drive to Tarangire for elephants and baobab trees. You spend two nights in Central Serengeti and two nights in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River. You finish at Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha.
Your private guide tracks the herds with park reports and radio updates from other drivers. Each day follows the animals, the weather and park conditions.
Duration · 8 days
From, per person · $5,700
Flights & transfers · Included
About this itinerary
This route puts you in two parts of the Serengeti. Central Serengeti gives you big cats, kopjes and open plains. Northern Serengeti gives you the Mara River, where herds of wildebeest and zebra cross crocodile waters. Two nights in each area give you a full day of game viewing without packing up. Tarangire and Ngorongoro frame the trip with elephants, rhino, hippo and lions.
The herds move all year. River crossings happen between July and October, and timing depends on rainfall and grass. Your guide places you near the herds, but no crossing is guaranteed.
Best suited to: couples, families, first time safari travelers and private groups.
Itinerary
Each day has been structured to give you time for wildlife, scenery and comfortable travel between destinations.
Arusha to Tarangire
Start your safari from Arusha after breakfast and drive towards Tarangire National Park. Enter the park for your first game drive among baobab trees and open savannah. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, lions, and a variety of birds.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, leave the park and drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Country Lodge Karatu
Day 2
Karatu to southern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart from Karatu and drive towards the southern Serengeti through the Ngorongoro highlands. Continue through scenic landscapes, with views of rolling hills, grasslands, and traditional Maasai areas. Enter the southern Serengeti and begin a game drive while searching for wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, lions, and cheetahs.Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon wildlife exploration.
Overnight: Serengeti Mawe Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
South to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, leave Southern Serengeti and begin the scenic drive towards the central Seronera area. Enjoy a game drive along the route, with opportunities to see wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, and cheetahs.Continue through open grasslands and rocky landscapes, following areas where wildlife gathers throughout the year. Stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive towards central Serengeti.
Overnight: Sound of Silence
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Central to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart from Central Serengeti and travel north through the vast Serengeti plains. Enjoy a game drive along the route, looking for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, and other wildlife. Continue through changing landscapes of open grasslands, rocky kopjes, and woodland as you approach the northern region. Stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive towards the Mara River area.
Overnight: Nyikani Migration Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Full Day Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, set out for a full day game drive across Northern Serengeti, exploring the plains and river areas. Search for large herds of wildebeest and zebras, along with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes.Visit the Mara River area, where wildlife gathers and, during migration periods, dramatic river crossings often take place.
Overnight: Tanzania Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Full Day North Serengeti
After breakfast, set out for a full day game drive across Northern Serengeti, exploring the plains and river areas. Search for large herds of wildebeest and zebras, along with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes.Visit the Mara River area, where wildlife gathers and, during migration periods, dramatic river crossings often take place.
Overnight: Ndutu Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Take an early morning game drive. Then begin the long drive south toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes about eight to nine hours with stops. Pass Olduvai Gorge and stop for lunch on the way. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim by late afternoon. Watch the light change over the crater from your terrace. A flight from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha is available at an extra cost if you prefer to skip this drive.
Overnight: Olduvai Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha
Descend into the crater at first light. The floor holds about 25,000 large animals. Look for black rhino, hippo, flamingos, buffalo and large lion prides. Eat a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool. Climb back to the rim and drive to Arusha, about three hours. Your driver takes you to your hotel or the airport.
End of safari: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
The complete package
Everything included.
STAY
TARANGIRE
1 Night · Lodge or tented camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
KARATU / NGORONGORO
1 night, selected lodge. Full board.
Central Serengeti
2 nights, lodge or tented camp. Full board.
Northern Serengeti
2 nights, lodge or tented camp. Full board.
Experiences
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Game drives through Tarangire’s wildlife-rich landscapes, with opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife.
Central Serengeti
Full day of game drives along the Seronera River and across the kopjes. Look for leopards, lions and cheetahs.
Mara River, Northern Serengeti
Full day at the river with a guide who tracks the herds. Wildebeest and zebra cross between July and October.
Olduvai Gorge
Stop on the road between parks. Your guide explains the site and its role in early human history.
Travel
PRIVATE SAFARI VEHICLE
Private 4×4 safari transport throughout the safari.
Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
Experienced local driver guide throughout your journey.
Airport pickup and drop off.
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's plan your journey.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours
Everything included
A clear overview of what is covered in your safari package. Your final proposal will list the exact accommodation, activities and transport arrangements.
Transport
Private safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, fuel and park transfer costs.
Accommodation
Accommodation according to the selected package and the final itinerary confirmation.
Meals
Meals are provided according to the meal plan shown in your confirmed itinerary.
Park Fees
Applicable national park and conservation fees included according to the confirmed route.
Usually excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, tips and items not listed in your confirmed proposal.