6 Days Tanzania Great Migration Safari – Northern Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire

Your Tanzania safari adventure begins at Zanzibar International Airport, where you will board a scheduled domestic flight to Kogatende Airstrip in the Northern Serengeti. The flight offers beautiful aerial views of Tanzania’s changing landscapes, from the Indian Ocean coastline to the vast wilderness of the Serengeti. Please note that the transfer from your hotel in Zanzibar to Zanzibar Airport is not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.

Upon arrival at Kogatende Airstrip, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional English-speaking safari driver-guide, who will introduce you to your private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser. After a short briefing, you will begin your first exciting game drive in the Northern Serengeti, one of Tanzania’s most rewarding wildlife destinations.

The Northern Serengeti is particularly famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, when enormous herds of wildebeests and zebras move across the plains in search of fresh grazing areas. Between approximately July and October, depending on seasonal rainfall and animal movements, the herds may gather along the Mara River, where dramatic river crossings sometimes take place. These crossings are unpredictable, but witnessing one is among the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in Africa.

As you explore the region, look out for lions resting beneath acacia trees, elephants moving through the grasslands, giraffes feeding on treetops and large herds of buffalo. Your guide will also help you search for leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and other wildlife that inhabit this beautiful ecosystem.

Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the natural beauty of the Serengeti before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, proceed to Sero Tented Camp, where you will check in, freshen up and enjoy dinner while listening to the sounds of the African wilderness.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Sero Tented Camp

Wake up to the peaceful sounds of nature in the Northern Serengeti and enjoy an early breakfast at your safari camp. Today is dedicated to a full-day game drive exploring the remote wilderness of the Northern Serengeti, with a particular focus on the Great Migration and the remarkable wildlife that follows the moving herds.

Your experienced safari guide will take you through different wildlife habitats, including open grasslands, riverine forests, rocky outcrops and the banks of the Mara River. During the migration season, thousands of wildebeests and zebras may gather near the river as they prepare to cross between Tanzania and Kenya. Crocodiles inhabit the river, while predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas often take advantage of the concentration of prey.

The Northern Serengeti is also an excellent destination for general wildlife viewing. You may encounter elephants, giraffes, buffalo, topi, impalas, gazelles and various bird species. Your guide will use their knowledge of animal behaviour and recent wildlife movements to maximise your chances of memorable sightings.

Enjoy a packed picnic lunch at a designated location within the park, allowing you to spend more time exploring without returning to camp during the day. After lunch, continue your game drive through the surrounding plains, stopping at scenic viewpoints and wildlife hotspots for photography.

As the afternoon progresses, enjoy the golden light over the Serengeti savannah before returning to your camp. Spend the evening relaxing, sharing stories of the day’s wildlife encounters and enjoying a freshly prepared dinner.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Sero Tented Camp

After breakfast, check out of your camp and begin your journey south towards Central Serengeti National Park. Today’s journey combines a scenic transfer with exciting game viewing as you travel through some of the Serengeti’s most beautiful landscapes.

The drive takes you across vast open plains, rolling grasslands and scattered acacia woodlands, offering excellent opportunities to observe wildlife along the way. Depending on the season, you may encounter migrating wildebeests and zebras, large buffalo herds, elephants, giraffes and various antelope species.

As you approach Central Serengeti, the landscape gradually changes, with rocky outcrops known as kopjes becoming more common. These formations provide excellent resting and observation points for lions and other predators.

Continue towards the famous Seronera Valley, one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the Serengeti ecosystem. The Seronera River provides an important water source, attracting wildlife throughout much of the year. This region is particularly well known for its resident lion prides, leopards, cheetahs and large populations of plains game.

Enjoy a picnic lunch during your journey before continuing with an afternoon game drive through the Seronera area. Your guide will explore wildlife hotspots, riverbanks and open plains in search of predators and other animals.

Later in the afternoon, proceed to Mbuni Serengeti Camp, your luxury tented accommodation in Central Serengeti. Upon arrival, check in and relax in the comfort of your safari tent before enjoying dinner under the African sky.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Mbuni Serengeti Camp

Begin your day with an early breakfast at Mbuni Serengeti Camp before setting out for a morning game drive in Central Serengeti. The early morning hours are among the best times to observe wildlife, as predators are often active and the temperatures are still relatively cool.

Explore the Seronera Valley and surrounding plains, searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and other animals. The Serengeti is famous for its impressive predator populations, and your guide will take you through areas where wildlife sightings are frequently reported.

During your morning game drive, you may encounter lions resting on rocky kopjes, cheetahs scanning the open grasslands or leopards concealed among the branches of acacia trees. Large herds of zebras, wildebeests and antelopes provide excellent photographic opportunities against the backdrop of the Serengeti’s endless plains.

After your morning wildlife experience, begin your journey towards Karatu, travelling through the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy views of Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes as the open savannah gradually gives way to the cooler highlands.

Your journey will take you through areas inhabited by Maasai communities, where traditional villages and grazing livestock form part of the cultural landscape. Depending on your travel schedule, there may be opportunities for scenic stops along the way.

Continue towards Karatu, a peaceful town located near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and surrounded by fertile farmland, coffee plantations and beautiful green hills.

Arrive at Farm of Dreams Lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. Check in and enjoy time to relax in the lodge’s peaceful surroundings before dinner.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Farm of Dreams Lodge

After an early breakfast at your lodge, depart Karatu and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for one of the most memorable experiences of your Tanzania safari.

The journey takes you through beautiful highland scenery before reaching the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. From the viewpoint, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the enormous volcanic caldera, which stretches approximately 19 kilometres across and contains one of Africa’s most remarkable concentrations of wildlife.

Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Tanzania’s most famous wildlife destinations. The crater was formed millions of years ago following the collapse of a massive volcano, creating a natural enclosure that now supports a remarkable variety of animals.

Descend approximately 600 metres to the crater floor in your private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser and begin your game drive through the diverse habitats of this extraordinary ecosystem.

The crater floor features open grasslands, freshwater springs, swamps, woodland and the alkaline Lake Magadi. These different habitats support lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos and numerous antelope species.

One of the highlights of visiting Ngorongoro Crater is the possibility of spotting the endangered black rhinoceros. Although sightings are never guaranteed, the crater is one of Tanzania’s important strongholds for this rare species.

During your game drive, you may also encounter large-tusked elephants, prides of lions resting in the grasslands and flamingos around the crater’s lakes when conditions are suitable.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated picnic area within the crater, surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery. After lunch, continue exploring the crater floor before ascending the crater wall in the afternoon.

Later, drive towards Mto wa Mbu, a lively town located near Lake Manyara National Park and known for its cultural diversity and beautiful surroundings.

Upon arrival, check in at Great View Lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening after an unforgettable day of wildlife viewing.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Great View Lodge

Enjoy an early breakfast at Great View Lodge before checking out and departing for Tarangire National Park, the final wildlife destination of your six-day Tanzania safari.

Tarangire National Park is famous for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees and beautiful landscapes. The park covers approximately 2,850 square kilometres and provides an important habitat for numerous wildlife species.

Upon arrival at the park, begin your morning game drive along the scenic tracks that wind through the savannah, woodland and riverine habitats. Your guide will help you search for large elephant herds, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, impalas and other wildlife.

During the dry season, particularly from July to October, animals gather around the Tarangire River and other remaining water sources, creating excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Lions are regularly encountered in the park, while leopards and cheetahs may also be spotted with some luck.

The park’s magnificent baobab trees provide a beautiful backdrop for wildlife photography, especially when elephants gather beneath their enormous branches.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location in the park before continuing with a short game drive, subject to your flight departure time.

Later, exit Tarangire National Park and drive towards Arusha Airport for your scheduled domestic flight back to Zanzibar.

Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, your six-day Tanzania safari comes to an end. A transfer to your Zanzibar hotel can be arranged at an additional cost.

Please note that the length of the Tarangire game drive will depend on your confirmed Arusha–Zanzibar flight schedule. An appropriately timed afternoon or evening flight is recommended to allow sufficient time for wildlife viewing and the journey to Arusha Airport.