6 Day Migration Safari
Six days following the Great Migration from the Ngorongoro Crater to the Lobo area, the northern Serengeti's Mara River and the central Seronera plains.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Route
- Arusha – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti (Lobo) – Northern Serengeti (Wagakuria) – Central Serengeti (Seronera) – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport with a transfer to Tulia Lodge in Arusha; ends in Arusha.
- Best time
- The migration is normally in the Wagakuria area of the northern Serengeti from August to October, depending on rainfall, which is the main window for Mara River crossings.
- Trip style
- A guided safari in a custom-built 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, staying in lodges and tented camps with an English-speaking driver guide.
Tour overview
The Great Wildebeest Migration, the largest animal migration in the world, sees around 2 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move across the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems. From July onward the wildebeest head north through the Lobo area of the Serengeti, eventually crossing the Mara River. In September the herds are spread across the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, and in October they begin moving south again through the Lobo area into central Serengeti.
The migration is a spectacular display of nature, full of high drama as predators hunt and new life is born. It involves about 1.5 million wildebeest, 350,000 Thomson's gazelles, 200,000 zebras and other grazers, and the herds face crocodile-infested river crossings and large predators such as lions and hyenas.
By November and December the herds move back into the eastern Serengeti, and the lush grasses of the south draw them in for the calving season, continuing the circle of life. This safari offers an unforgettable wildlife experience through one of the world's most incredible migrations.
Highlights
- Afternoon game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, including the flamingos of Lake Magadi
- The Lobo area, where the migration passes in July/August and again in late October/November
- Quiet game viewing around Lobo and the Grumeti River, often without other vehicles
- The Wagakuria area of the far northern Serengeti and the dramatic Mara River crossings
- Lion prides of the Seronera area in central Serengeti
- Three nights at Mbugani Tented Camp
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 0Arrival – Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you receive a warm welcome from your safari driver, who will help with your luggage. You then transfer to Tulia Lodge for a restful evening, with dinner and an overnight stay, before your migration safari begins the next morning. Your guide will brief you on the plan for the days ahead.
Day 1Arusha – Ngorongoro
Non-game-viewing travel time: 4 hours. Distance: 190 km. After pick-up in Arusha, transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. After lunch, descend over 600 meters into the crater for an afternoon game drive. With a year-round supply of water and fodder, the crater supports herds of wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, eland, warthogs, hippos and giant African elephants, as well as a dense population of predators including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. We also visit Lake Magadi, a large, shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, where flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually be seen.
Day 2Ngorongoro – Serengeti (Lobo area)
Non-game-viewing travel time: 5 hours. Distance: 250 km. After breakfast, we leave the highlands behind and descend into the heart of wild Africa, the Serengeti National Park, with its endless plains rolling as far as the eye can see. We head to the Lobo area, just north of the Seronera area in central Serengeti. The wildebeest migration normally passes through Lobo every year around July/August on its way to Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve, and again in late October/November on its way to the southern Serengeti. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in the Lobo area.
Day 3The Great Serengeti Migration Safari
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The area around Lobo and the Grumeti River has good resident game throughout the year, and non-migrating animals such as elephants, buffalo, gazelles, zebras, lions, leopards and cheetahs can be seen here year-round. Game viewing is very good, and you can often follow animals for long periods without seeing other vehicles in this forgotten corner of the Serengeti plains. Magnificent riverine trees line the rivers, and birds such as kingfishers and fish eagles are found here.
Day 4The Great Serengeti Migration Safari – Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, we head to the far northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park, known as Wagakuria, with a game drive en route from the Lobo area. Heading north, there are often good sightings of giraffes, plains game, herds of buffalo and elephants. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the area. The wildebeest migration can normally be found around Wagakuria from August to October, depending on rainfall. A long stretch of the Mara River runs through the northern Serengeti and presents the migration with its most difficult obstacle; witnessing the frantic herds crossing the river is unforgettable.
Day 5Northern to Central Serengeti
After a hearty breakfast, you set off at 8 am, heading south toward central Serengeti. The four-hour drive offers some game viewing along the way, taking you from the Mara River valley through hill country, the Lobo area and woodlands into the Seronera region. Seronera is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park; the Seronera River provides a valuable water source that attracts most of the Serengeti's species. As the hilly, broken terrain gives way to open grassland, look out for the many lion prides that thrive here and offer excellent game viewing all year round. A picnic lunch is served during the drive.
Day 6Central Serengeti – Arusha
After breakfast at the camp, we set out on the return journey to Arusha, with game viewing on the way out of the Serengeti. The safari ends on arrival in Arusha, where you say goodbye to your guide and crew. If you would like to relax after your safari, you can extend your trip with four days on the beaches of Zanzibar, which we can arrange together with your safari package.
What is included
- All park entrance fees for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Transport in a custom-built 4x4 safari vehicle with roof hatches/pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver guide, familiar with the needs of photographers
- Unlimited game drives as per the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- All airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Mineral water during game drives
Not included
- All beverages while on safari
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Evacuation fees
- Telephone, laundry and any items of a personal nature
- Tips for guides and camp/lodge staff
- Travel and medical insurance
- Hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti (USD 490 per person)
Good to know
- Guide tipping guidance: the group should tip the guide around US$15 to US$20 per day.
- You can add 4 days on a Zanzibar beach after the safari for US$900 per person; contact us to arrange it with your safari package.
- Longer travel days include about 4 hours (190 km) from Arusha to Ngorongoro and about 5 hours (250 km) from Ngorongoro to the Lobo area, plus a 4-hour drive from northern to central Serengeti.
- Holiday supplements apply over late March and the Christmas and New Year period.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see a Mara River crossing?
The migration is normally in the Wagakuria area of the northern Serengeti from August to October, depending on rainfall, and this is when river crossings are most likely. Crossings are a natural event, so they can never be guaranteed.
Are there discounts for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 11 sharing a room with two adults pay 60% of the adult rate, and those sharing their own room with other children pay 80%. Children sharing with one adult pay the full adult rate.
Can I add a beach stay after the safari?
Yes. You can add 4 days on a Zanzibar beach for US$900 per person. Contact us and we will arrange it together with your safari package.
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