7 Days Great Migration Safari

Overview

The Great Migration never stops, so we plan this safari around your dates. From December to March we place you on the southern plains and calving grounds; in April and May the herds stream through the central Serengeti; in June the western corridor and Grumeti River; and from July to October the northern Serengeti and its dramatic Mara River crossings. Four nights in the Serengeti give you time to find the herds and their predators, and a final morning in the Ngorongoro Crater completes the trip.

• Four nights in the Serengeti, with camps placed around the herds
• Mara River crossings in the north (July to October)
• Calving season on the southern plains (January to March)
• Predators following the herds, from lion to cheetah
• Finish in the Ngorongoro Crater

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1 Arusha to Karatu

   Drive via Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu to the Karatu highlands, with an early night to prepare for the long drive into the Serengeti.

   Stay: Mid-range lodge in the Karatu highlands Meals: Lunch, dinner

2. Day2 Karatu to the central Serengeti

   Cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the plains, arriving at Seronera for an afternoon game drive along the river valley.

   Stay: Tented camp in the central Serengeti Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

3. Day3 Central Serengeti to the migration

   Drive to where the herds are this month: the southern plains, the western corridor or the northern Serengeti. Game viewing continues along the way, with long stretches of open plains.

   Stay: Seasonal migration camp Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

4. Day4 A full day with the herds

   Spend the day near the migration: river crossings in season, predators shadowing the herds, and quiet bush picnics. Your guide reads the herds' movements to find the best action.

   Stay: Seasonal migration camp Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

5. Day5 A second day with the herds

   Choose dawn and dusk drives, or a full day out. Optional sunrise balloon flights can be arranged in the central Serengeti.

   Stay: Seasonal migration camp Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

6. Day6 Serengeti to Ngorongoro

   Enjoy a final morning game drive, then travel to the Ngorongoro rim via Olduvai Gorge for sunset views over the caldera.

   Stay: Mid-range lodge on or near the Ngorongoro rim Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

7. Day7 Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha

   Descend into the crater at dawn for a half-day game drive, then return to Arusha.

   Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Where you'll go

Serengeti

Ngorongoro Crater