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6 Days Great Wildebeest Migration Safari – Northern Serengeti & Mara River
6 Days / 5 Nights Days
Arusha, Tanzania → Arusha, Tanzania (or onward arrangements)
Wildlife
Easy
From
USD $3,747
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
This six-day safari from Wonders of Creation Tours is designed around one goal: to be in the right place as the Great Migration moves through the northern plains. The route heads into the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering about 14,763 square kilometres, where roughly 1.5 million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, follow the rains. Three nights in the Northern Serengeti, near the Kogatende area and the Mara River, give you two full days to follow the herds and look for river crossings, with predators such as lions and leopards waiting on the riverbanks. You begin with a game drive in Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, and you finish with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a crater floor of about 260 square kilometres enclosed by cliffs of about 600 metres. You stay in mid-range lodges and tented camps, and you will be looked after by expert guides throughout.
Safari Highlights
- We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodation in similar Lodges/TentedCamps in case of non – availability
- Upgrades are available eg To Luxury Accommodation Safari
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements
Destinations to Travel
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Karatu · Serengeti National Park (Northern Serengeti, Kogatende area, and Central Serengeti, Seronera area) · Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. The park covers about 2,850 square kilometres and more than 550 bird species have been recorded there. Lunch is served at a designated picnic site inside the park. In the afternoon you continue with game viewing before driving to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the Karatu or Tarangire area.
Day 2 — Karatu to the Northern Serengeti
After breakfast at around 8:00 am, you depart with a packed lunch and drive towards the Northern Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You look out for wildlife along the way and follow the movement of the Great Migration. Lunch is taken during the drive, and you continue to the Northern Serengeti plains. In the evening you arrive at your camp or lodge in the Kogatende area for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 — Northern Serengeti and the Mara River Area
You begin with an early morning game drive at around 6:30 am to explore the wildlife-rich Northern Serengeti. You return to the lodge for breakfast and some leisure time. After lunch you head out for an afternoon game drive around the Mara River, following the migration routes and searching for possible wildebeest river crossings. Dinner and an overnight stay are at your lodge in the Northern Serengeti.
Day 4 — Full Day at the Mara River, Northern Serengeti
You spend a full day in the Northern Serengeti focused on the Mara River. Early morning and afternoon game drives give you the best chance to see dramatic wildebeest river crossings, large crocodiles and predators such as lions and leopards waiting along the riverbanks. Crossings depend on where the herds are and on the rains, so they can’t be guaranteed. Dinner and an overnight stay are at your Northern Serengeti lodge.
Day 5 — Northern Serengeti to the Central Serengeti
After an early morning game drive you return to the lodge for breakfast. Later you check out, depart with a picnic lunch and drive towards the Central Serengeti (Seronera area), enjoying game viewing along the way. In the afternoon you take a game drive in one of the most wildlife-rich regions of the park. Dinner and an overnight stay are at your lodge or camp in the Central Serengeti.
Day 6 — Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha
After breakfast you drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor. The crater holds an incredible concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and black rhinos, which are rare, so sightings can’t be guaranteed. You enjoy a picnic lunch near the Lerai forest or the hippo pool. In the afternoon you climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha for your onward arrangements.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport on 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof, which enable you to spot wildlife easier
- Three meals a day on Safari
- Park entrance fees
- Driver’s allowances
- Service of an English speaking professional guide/Driver
- Camping fees, Mattresses (If Camping)
- Lodge fee
- Crater fees
- Food, cook and all kitchen utensils (If Camping)
- Mineral water 1.5lt per person per day
- Activities as per itinerary above
Rate Excludes
- International flights to/from your home
- Tips & gratitude’s
- The first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book with us),
- Personal insurance
- Sleeping bag (if Camping)
- Olduvai Gorge fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Serengeti Balloon (can book with us)
- Flying doctor’s insurance, we can arrange for requests.
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use
- Easter, Christmas & New Year’s supplements may apply
Best Time to Go
The best window for the Serengeti migration is July to early October, when the herds move north towards Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the river crossings and predator action can be seen. The migration begins at the start of the dry season in June and moves north through the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing and water. Herds usually arrive in the Maasai Mara around July and most leave around October, and timing changes from year to year with the rains, so our team can advise on your dates. Tarangire National Park is also at its best in the dry season, from June to November, when herds gather along the river. For the best overall balance of game viewing and travel comfort, aim for July to early October. You can read more on the Tanzania National Parks Authority and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority sites.
Pricing
From USD $3,747 per person
| Option | Price | Pax |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Range Accommodation Safari | US$ 3,747 per person sharing | Minimum 2 Pax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this safari start and end, and how long does it last?
It starts in Arusha with a drive to Tarangire National Park and ends back in Arusha on Day 6. It runs for 6 days and 5 nights, with one night in the Karatu or Tarangire area, three nights in the Northern Serengeti and one night in the Central Serengeti.
Will we see the wildebeest river crossings?
The itinerary spends Days 3 and 4 around the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti, which gives you a strong chance of seeing herds at the water. Crossings can’t be guaranteed, because they depend on where the herds are and on the rains. Our team can advise what to expect on your dates.
Do we go into Kenya to see the Maasai Mara?
No. This safari stays in Tanzania. The migration reaches Kenya’s Maasai Mara in the second half of the year, but this route follows the herds through the Northern Serengeti.
Where will we stay?
You stay in mid-range lodges and tented camps: one night in the Karatu or Tarangire area, three nights in the Kogatende area of the Northern Serengeti and one night in the Seronera area of the Central Serengeti. Our team will confirm the names when your booking is confirmed.
Can we see the black rhino in the crater?
Black rhinos live in the Ngorongoro Crater, but they are rare, so a sighting can’t be guaranteed. The crater is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes and hippos, and your guide will look for the rhinos during your Day 6 game drive.
What happens after the safari ends in Arusha?
You return to Arusha on Day 6 for your onward arrangements. Accommodation in Arusha is not included but is available on request.