Ultimate Serengeti Adventure: The Great Migration
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 – Overnight flight from the UK – Kilimanjaro airport
After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport, you’ll be collected and transferred to Arusha, where you’ll spend the night in a charming lodge with scenic views of Mount Meru. Situated around 1.5 hours from Kilimanjaro Airport, this is the perfect starting point for the safaris and mountain treks this region is renowned for. Spend the evening relaxing in the lush tropical gardens, have a refreshing dip in the infinity pool and take in the stunning mountain views as the sun sets.
If you’re arriving in Kilimanjaro later in the evening and you’d prefer to stay closer to the airport, we can arrange for you to stay in a comfortable lodge just a 5-minute drive away.
Calving season: between November – April
The Great Migration is a remarkable wildlife event that takes place in the Serengeti and extends into the Maasai Mara. The weather in this area shifts throughout the year, creating alternating wet and dry seasons that drive the movement of millions of animals. Millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope species follow the rain in search of the freshest and most succulent grass. This cycle, which lasts all year round, is called The Great Migration. As the large herds of hooved mammals move around, the predators migrate with them at a reasonable distance. They are also looking for food, after all. The area where the migration takes place is very large. For this reason, we have developed this part of the itinerary so that you can travel along with the wild animals yourself. Between November and April, it’s calving season—the time when most young animals are born and have the best chance of survival. You’ll see huge herds gathered together, with both predators and prey making the most of this incredible season.
River crossing season: between May – October
Between May and October, you can find the migration in the west, northwest and north of the Serengeti, when the animals move towards the Masaai Mara in Kenya. You can also witness the dramatic river crossings, where vast herds of hooved mammals brave the Mara River. With crocodiles lurking in the water and big cats waiting on the banks, every crossing is a tense battle for survival that unfolds throughout the day. If you choose to travel here during this period, your itinerary will look a little different as you will not return to civilization by 4×4 vehicle, but instead follow a one-way route, travelling from Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater to the heart of the Serengeti. Your safari will end in the north, near the mighty Mara River. We can also arrange a ‘fly-out’ from the Serengeti to Arusha, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar for you.
Day 3 – Elephants and Baobabs in Tarangire National Park
Your English-speaking private driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha. After a short briefing and explanation of what the coming days will look like, what to look out for and how best to spot wildlife, you’re off. After all, you are in the ultimate wildlife destination in the world. From Moshi or Arusha, you will be driven around 3 hours to your first national park, and it’s not just any national park! Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems, known for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife. The national park is popular with many wildlife fans as it is home to large herds of elephants. Unlike the more famous Serengeti, Tarangire offers a quieter, less crowded safari experience with stunning landscapes including rolling savannahs, woodlands and swamps.
Since you will be far away from civilization in the coming days, it’s a good idea to stop at a local supermarket to buy drinks and snacks for the journey. This is particularly useful if you spend a lot of time in the national parks. After lunch, it is finally time to go in search of the majestic grey giants…
After spending the whole afternoon in the game park and as the sun slowly sets, it is time to head to your tented camp for the night. You will spend the night in a lodge on the edge of the park, where you will sleep in your own safari tent. In the evening you will enjoy a delicious dinner in the on-site restaurant, where you may be lucky enough to see elephants passing by. Since you are staying in a tented camp inside the national park, where wildlife roams freely, around the camp, an armed ranger will accompany you in the evening to make sure you are safe.
Day 4 – Jeep Safari in Tarangire
It’s an early start today, as you’ll be heading back into the national park for sunrise. This time of day is ideal for a game drive when the temperatures are cooler and many of the animals are at their most active, including elusive wildlife such as leopards and lions. You’ll continue exploring the park and looking out for wildlife with your guide who will tell you all about the game park and answer any questions you have – they know this park inside out. Lunch will be served at a picnic area in the middle of the reserve, eating among the wild animals is an experience you won’t forget! After lunch, you will go on another game drive and head towards the exit of the park. Since the drive to your next destination of the Serengeti is very long, you will be driven around an hour towards the cultural town of Mto Wa Mbu and continue your journey the following day.
Day 5 – Continue your Serengeti Safari
Your ultimate Serengeti experience starts today! A long journey awaits, however, you will witness incredible sights along the way, including the iconic Ngorongoro Crater and the inevitable wildlife encounters which are all part of the safari experience. After around an hour you will reach the gateway to the animal kingdom – Ngorongoro Gate and not long after passing through you will get your first glimpse of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. Next, you’ll pass the Olduvai Gorge, also known as the “Cradle of Humankind” – one of the oldest prehistoric sites in the world before arriving at the main gate to the game park at around midday. Once through the entrance, you’ll enjoy a tasty picnic lunch before continuing your journey to witness the highlight of the safari: The Great Migration. Between November and April, you will experience the magic of thousands of animals on the move, with newborns taking their first wobbly steps. You will spend the first two nights in the southern area (Ndutu Area) of the Serengeti. You will spend the night in your own safari tent equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay immersed in nature: a good bed, a private bathroom and enough space to move around.
Day 6 – Serengeti Jeep Safari
This morning, you’ll be waking up in the heart of the Serengeti. Along with your private guide, you will be spending today on a safari exploring the rich landscapes and incredible wildlife that this region is so well known for. Make sure your cameras are charged and you’ve had a good night’s sleep as you won’t watch to miss a moment of action. The chances of spotting wildlife are very high as your guide will be in constant contact with other guides in the area, meaning as soon as something is spotted, you’ll be taken straight there. If you have always wanted to see a specific predator or bird, let your guide know as they have a lot of experience learning how these animals move and where the best chances of finding them are. Once you catch sight of a wild animal in their natural habitat, it’s an experience you’ll never forget – so stay alert and ready for every magical moment.
The Serengeti National Park is incredibly large (about the same size as Northern Ireland!) and each area has its own unique landscape. The Ndutu area features sweeping short-grass plains, typical of the Serengeti, where you can see the horizon with few trees in sight. The landscape also includes patches of acacia woodlands and seasonal lakes that attract a variety of different wildlife throughout the year.
Day 7 – Ndutu to Seronera
After two nights in the southern part of the Serengeti, you will be travelling to the central area of the national park, Seronera. Unlike other areas of the Serengeti, Seronera offers wildlife sightings all year, as many animals rely on the permanent water sources that are here. This area is also known as a big cat paradise, with large populations of lions, leopards, and cheetahs and renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see leopards, thanks to the riverine woodlands.
You will spend the night at a small, eco-friendly tented camp surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness. As permanent construction is no longer allowed in the Serengeti, you will not see any fixed buildings disrupting the natural landscape. Here, too, an armed ranger will accompany you from your tent to the restaurant in the evening – after all, you’re sharing this wilderness with its wild inhabitants.
Day 8 – The Eighth Wonder of the World
Today, you’ll be saying goodbye to the Serengeti and travelling east, but don’t worry – the adventure isn’t over yet. You will enjoy one last game drive as you make your way back towards the same gate you entered. After three days in the wilderness of the Serengeti, it is time to move on, reaching the gate towards the end of the morning. As you continue your journey, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater comes back into view – the largest caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world and is home to the world’s highest concentration of wildlife.
Around midday, you will drive down into the crater and see the wild animals appear before your eyes. The Ngorongoro Crater offers a particularly beautiful landscape with high crater rims (up to 600 meters in height difference) and one of the best chances to spot the endangered black rhino. However, you have to look closely as they are experts in hiding among the trees. In the late afternoon, you will be driven to your next safari camp, where you will spend the night in a luxurious safari tent, in the village of Rhotia just outside the reserve.
Day 9 – Flight back to civilization
Today, you will fly back to Arusha and rejoin civilization following your safari adventures in the African bush. You will have one night in Arusha to relax and explore your final stop on the mainland before you set off for the tropical shores of Zanzibar tomorrow.
Day 10 – Arrival in Zanzibar
You’ll be travelling from Arusha to reach Zanzibar, which is a flight time of around an hour. On arrival, you will be met at the airport by one of our friendly representatives, who will take you over to the East Coast. Driving through the lush green interior of this beautiful island, you’ll pass swaying coconut palms and dense banana groves, with glimpses of daily life in small villages as you go.
The east coast of Zanzibar is known for its incredible beaches, vibrant marine life and rich cultural heritage. We have selected some of the most beautiful beach hotels for you, with friendly and accommodating staff. The bungalow resorts are also located directly on the beach (see photos at the end of the page), so it’s the ideal place to end a special trip through Tanzania.
Days 11 & 12 – Free time in Zanzibar
We have not planned anything for the next two days, so you can spend them however you wish. Unwind and read a good book in your hammock, or have a dip in the calm azure waters. However, if you’d like to do something a bit more active, there are plenty of activities you can arrange at reception. Explore the underwater world on a snorkelling trip and discover the vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life with crystal-clear waters and warm sea temperatures year-round. For around $15, you can take a boat to a nearby reef, or spend a bit more ($80) and visit the tropical islands of Memba or Fumba, where there are some fantastic diving opportunities. One thing is for sure: you will not be bored during your stay in Zanzibar!
Day 13 – Overnight in Stone Town
After breakfast, you will be collected by our driver and say goodbye to this tropical paradise. If you would like a longer stay here, just let your travel specialist know. Next, you’ll be heading across the green island to Zanzibar City. Hundreds of years ago, Zanzibar City was the lively trading center between Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Today, it still has a mystical, Arabian charm, with its winding streets and warm, welcoming locals.
We have chosen a beautiful and authentic hotel in the middle of the old town, where you can easily spend hours strolling through the small alleys and browsing for souvenirs. If you’re a fan of coffee, ask for directions to the Zanzibar Coffeehouse, where they also serve delicious brownies. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of narrow alleys, but don’t worry, the friendly locals are always happy to help point you in the right direction. You can book a guided tour of all the historical sights and discover Zanzibar’s mysterious past, ending the day enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the local waterfront restaurants.
Day 14 – Departure from Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport, which takes roughly 10 minutes. From here, you can catch an international flight back to the UK, or head on to your next destination in Tanzania.
Accommodation
