About this safari
The 10-Day Great Migration Safari is designed around the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Rather than a fixed route, the itinerary follows the 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle as they move with the rains across the Serengeti ecosystem — from the southern calving grounds to the Grumeti River and on toward the Mara River.
We use mobile tented camps that follow the herds, so your camp is often positioned within minutes of the migration. This flexibility is the secret to being in the right place at the right time, whether the drama is a river crossing, a calving surge or a predator hunt.
The journey still gives you Tarangire’s elephants, the Rift Valley scenery and birdlife of Lake Manyara, and a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater. But the heart of the trip is the Serengeti, where you spend more time than on any classic safari.
Timed well between June and October, this tour puts you on the northern plains for the legendary Mara River crossings, when thousands of animals plunge into crocodile-filled water. It is a privilege few safaris deliver.
What makes this tour special
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The Great Migration
Track over two million wildebeest and zebra moving with the rains across the Serengeti.
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River crossings
Witness the Mara and Grumeti crossings — the most dramatic moments of the migration.
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Mobile camps that follow the herds
Stay within minutes of the migration with camps repositioned throughout the season.
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Prime predator country
Lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena shadow the herds, making for extraordinary sightings.
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Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into a caldera packed with Big Five wildlife, including the rare black rhino.
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Extended Serengeti time
More nights in the ecosystem than a standard tour, for far richer migration encounters.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival in Moshi or Arusha
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening your guide discusses the migration’s current position and the plan for the days ahead — because a true migration safari is guided by where the herds are right now.
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Drive south into Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab forests and enormous elephant herds. An afternoon game drive traces the Tarangire River, where wildlife concentrates through the dry season. Overnight in a tented camp near the park.
Lake Manyara National Park
A short drive brings you to Lake Manyara National Park, a sliver of forest and soda lake at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Look for tree-climbing lions, baboon troops, hippos and — in season — thousands of flamingos. Continue to the highlands for the night.
Into the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and enter the Serengeti National Park. Depending on the season and the herds, drive toward the Seronera Valley or the southern plains for your first migration game drive. Settle into your camp as the plains glow at sunset.
Serengeti – following the herds
A full day tracking the migration. From December to March the herds gather on the southern short-grass plains to calve; your guide reads the signs and positions you for the massed herds and the predators that follow them. Dawn and dusk drives maximise sightings.
Serengeti – Grumeti & the western corridor
Move west toward the Grumeti River and the western corridor, where the migration funnels through in the middle of the year. Huge columns of wildebeest cross the plains, and the river holds some of the largest crocodiles in Africa. Another night under canvas close to the action.
Serengeti – north toward the Mara River
Head north through the Serengeti’s quieter, wilder reaches. Between July and October the herds mass on the northern plains before attempting the Mara River crossings into Kenya. Spend the day working the river banks and the surrounding kopjes for the best vantage points.
Northern Serengeti & the crossings
A second day dedicated to the northern Serengeti. River crossings are unpredictable by nature, so patience and positioning matter. When the herds do plunge in, the scenes of chaos, spray and crocodile are among the most powerful in all of wildlife watching. Kopje and woodland drives fill the rest of the day.
Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater
Leave the plains and climb through the highlands to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. An optional visit to a Maasai village en route offers a window into local life. From the rim, the caldera opens below — one of the great views of Africa.
Ngorongoro Crater & departure
Descend to the crater floor for a full morning game drive among some 25,000 large animals, with all of the Big Five possible. After a picnic lunch, climb out and drive back to Arusha or Moshi for your onward flight — or extend with Zanzibar or a Kilimanjaro climb.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Park entry fees for all parks on the itinerary
- All meals as listed (B, L, D) and drinking water on drives
- 9 nights’ accommodation including mobile migration camps
- Unlimited game drives with no set mileage limits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Luxury mobile camps
Premium mobile tented suites that follow the herds, with ensuite bathrooms, fine dining and attentive service.
Comfortable mobile camps & lodges
Well-equipped mobile camps and selected lodges positioned close to the migration route.
Classic tented camps
Traditional safari tents with proper beds and shared or ensuite facilities at a lighter price point.
10-Day Great Migration Safari in pictures
Best time to take this tour
The migration is a year-round cycle. Where the herds are depends on the month, so we match your dates to the best migration location.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec–Mar | Warm, short dry spells | High | Calving on the southern Serengeti plains; predators everywhere |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Herds move north; lush, quiet and lower rates |
| Jun–Jul | Dry, cool mornings | High | Mating season and dramatic Grumeti River crossings |
| Aug–Oct | Dry, sunny | High | Northern Serengeti and the famous Mara River crossings |
Route & logistics
This tour begins in Arusha or Moshi and arcs through Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the length of the Serengeti before the final descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. The exact Serengeti routing is adjusted to the migration’s position, which is why mobile camps are used.
All road transfers are in a private safari-equipped 4x4. Because the herds move, some long driving days are unavoidable — or short scenic flights can replace them on request at extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the river crossings?
The Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti typically occur from late July to October, while the Grumeti River crossings happen around June and July. We match your dates to the best chance of crossings.
Is a river crossing guaranteed?
No — river crossings are wild events and cannot be guaranteed. We position you where they are most likely and allow multiple days to maximise the chance, but nature sets the schedule.
How do mobile camps work?
Mobile camps are fully equipped tented camps that relocate to follow the herds through the season. They offer proper beds, ensuite bathrooms and dining, and keep you close to the migration.
Is this a private safari?
Yes, you travel in your own 4x4 with your own guide, and departure dates are flexible. We can also arrange small-group departures on request.
Can I add a balloon safari?
Yes. A hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti at dawn is a spectacular optional extra, ending with a champagne bush breakfast. It must be booked in advance.
Can this be combined with Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro?
Certainly. A Zanzibar beach stay or a Kilimanjaro climb pairs beautifully with the migration safari, and we will quote the extension for you.
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