7-Day Great Migration Safari
Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, timed to follow the herds.
This is a sample itinerary showing how a 7-day Northern Circuit safari typically runs. Every trip we plan is adjusted to your travel dates, group size and budget — including exactly where the migration is likely to be when you travel — so treat this as a starting point for the conversation, not a fixed package.
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Style
Mid-range lodges (upgradable)
From
$2,900 per person
Day by day
1
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Pick-up from your Arusha hotel and drive to Tarangire, known for its huge elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Afternoon game drive en route to your lodge or tented camp.
2
Tarangire to Central Serengeti
A full day’s drive west with game viewing along the way, arriving in the Serengeti’s Seronera area by afternoon. Overnight in a lodge or tented camp inside the park.
3
Serengeti — following the herds
A full day of game drives, positioned to follow the Great Migration wherever it is during your travel dates — the northern crossings in July–August, the southern plains in January–February, or central Seronera at other times of year.
4
Serengeti — second day of game drives
A second full day in the Serengeti, exploring different areas of the park for the best chance at predator sightings and, in season, migration river crossings.
5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands
Depart the Serengeti with a final game drive, then climb to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight at a lodge on the crater rim, with views down into the caldera.
6
Ngorongoro Crater full-day game drive
Descend onto the crater floor for a full day among one of Africa’s densest concentrations of wildlife, with a real chance of seeing all of the Big Five in a single day.
7
Lake Manyara and return to Arusha
A morning game drive at Lake Manyara, known for its tree-climbing lions and groundwater forest, before the drive back to Arusha and your onward flight or hotel drop-off.
What’s included
- All park entry and conservation fees
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle and driver-guide throughout
- 6 nights’ accommodation as specified
- All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 7 breakfast
- Airport or hotel transfers in Arusha
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your driver-guide
- Personal spending and drinks
Questions about this itinerary
Can this itinerary be shortened or extended?
Yes. This 7-day version is our most popular length for the Northern Circuit, but we regularly run shorter 3–4 day versions and longer 8–10 day trips that add the southern or western Serengeti.
What if the migration isn’t where you planned?
The migration’s exact location shifts year to year and we plan your route around its likely position for your travel dates. Even outside peak crossing periods, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro offer excellent year-round game viewing.
Can I upgrade to luxury lodges?
Yes, this itinerary can be built at any budget level, from camping to luxury lodges and fly-in camps. Tell us your preference when you request a quote.