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This 7-day safari is one of the best ways to experience the world-famous Wildebeest Migration, while also exploring Tanzania’s most beautiful national parks. You’ll visit Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Central and Northern Serengeti, and the Mara River, where the most dramatic river crossings happen. Along the way, you’ll enjoy comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps, expert guides, and breathtaking wildlife encounters.
Arusha-Tarangire | Lake Manyara Park | Ngorongoro Crater | Central Serengeti | Northern Serengeti - ✈️ Arusha
Best Time to Visit:
July – October (River Crossings)
7-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari Detailed Itinerary and price
- Highlights: Mara River Crossings, Big Cats, Great Migration Herds
- Safari style: Private safari with handpicked Mid Range lodges
🗓️ Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha. You’ll drive around 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large herds of elephants, huge baobab trees, and the Tarangire River that attracts wildlife all year round. You'll go on a full-day game drive, where you can also spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and possibly leopards. This park is less crowded, giving you a peaceful start to your safari. After the game drive, you'll head to your lodge near the park for dinner and rest.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Tarangire Safari Lodge
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🍽️ Meals: Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 2: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Discover tree-climbing lions and colorful birdlife
After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to Lake Manyara National Park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley. This park may be small in size, but it offers a lot to see in one day. You’ll explore dense groundwater forests, open grassy areas, and the shores of Lake Manyara, home to flamingos, hippos, and many types of birds. Keep an eye out for the famous tree-climbing lions that rest on branches during the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, drive to the town of Karatu for overnight.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or Eileen’s Trees Inn
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 3: Karatu – Central Serengeti via Ngorongoro
Enter the Serengeti and begin your big cat adventure
After an early breakfast, start the scenic drive toward the Central Serengeti, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll travel through beautiful highlands, see Maasai villages, and maybe spot animals like zebras and gazelles on the way. Once inside Serengeti National Park, the landscape opens into endless plains. You'll arrive in the Seronera Valley, a central area famous for year-round wildlife, especially big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. After a game drive in the afternoon, head to your tented camp for dinner.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Camp or Tanzania Bush Camp – Central
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 4: Central Serengeti – Drive to Northern Serengeti
Head toward the Great Migration crossing zone
Today you’ll journey north through the Serengeti, enjoying a full-day game drive along the way. As you move toward the Mara River region, the scenery changes and becomes more remote and wild. This area is known for the famous wildebeest river crossings, where thousands of animals risk their lives to cross crocodile-filled waters. Along the way, you'll still have great chances to see predators, elephants, antelope, and more. You’ll arrive in Northern Serengeti by afternoon and settle into your lodge or camp near the river.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp or Mara River Tented Lodge
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive – Northern Serengeti
Witness the Great Migration at the Mara River
This is one of the most exciting days of the safari. You’ll spend the whole day exploring the Kogatende and Lamai regions near the Mara River, where the wildebeest migration herds gather between July and October. Your guide will take you to the best spots to see river crossings, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras try to cross while avoiding crocodiles and other predators. You may also spot lions, cheetahs, and vultures waiting nearby. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild before continuing your game drive.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp or similar
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive – Northern Serengeti
Another chance to see the migration and more wildlife
Today, you have another full day to enjoy this remote and beautiful part of the Serengeti. Since wildlife is always on the move, your guide will help track herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles; and look for predators that follow them. The Northern Serengeti is less visited, so you’ll enjoy a more private safari experience. With fewer vehicles, this is a great place for photography and peaceful viewing. Spend the day exploring different areas, stopping for lunch in the bush.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp or similar
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🗓️ Day 7: Morning Game Drive – Fly Back to Arusha
Last wildlife moments and flight over the Serengeti
Wake up early for a morning game drive, your last chance to see animals active in the cooler hours. After breakfast, you'll head to Kogatende Airstrip for your scenic flight back to Arusha. The flight offers beautiful aerial views of the Serengeti plains, mountains, and lakes. Once you land, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel or to the airport for your journey home.
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🛏️ Accommodation: Not included (can be arranged upon request)
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🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
✅ What's Included
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All park entrance fees and government taxes
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Flight from Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) to Arusha
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Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
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Experienced, English-speaking safari guide
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6 nights’ accommodation in mid-range lodges/tented camps
All meals and drinking water during the safari -
Airport transfers in Arusha
❌ What's Not Included
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International flights to/from Tanzania
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Travel insurance
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Visa fees
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Tips & gratuities
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Optional Maasai village visit ($20)
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Personal expenses (alcohol, laundry, etc.)
Important Notes for the 7-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari
Best Time to Go
The best time to see the Great Migration river crossings in Northern Serengeti is between July and October. However, this itinerary can be adjusted for any time of year to follow the herds in different parts of the Serengeti.
Why You’ll Love This 7-Day Safari
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See four top parks in just one week
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Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in action
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Enjoy a mix of landscapes: baobabs, lakes, plains, and rivers
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Stay in comfortable mid-range camps close to wildlife
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Travel in a private safari vehicle with your own guide
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End your safari with a flight back to Arusha to save time
📩 Ready to Book or Customize Your Safari?
Contact us now to get a quote, check availability, or personalize this 7-day wildebeest migration safari. We’re happy to help you plan your dream African adventure!
