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Image by Ahmed Galal

Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari

8 Days The Great Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari

Embark on an 8-day Serengeti wildebeest migration safari and experience one of the world's most incredible natural spectacles. Witness millions of wildebeest and other grazing animals as they make their annual trek across the Serengeti plains in search of greener pastures.

During your safari, you can expect to see large herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other herbivores, as well as predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas that follow the herds for their next meal. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Maasai villages and learn about their culture and way of life.

Your tour will include game drives through various parts of the Serengeti, including the famous Mara River crossing, where you can witness the wildebeest bravely crossing the river while avoiding crocodiles lurking in the water.

At night, you'll stay in comfortable lodges or campsites, and enjoy delicious meals while listening to the sounds of the wild. Overall, the 8-day Serengeti wildebeest migration safari promises an unforgettable adventure, fill

Image by Neil and Zulma Scott

SERENGETI WILDEBEEST MIGRATION 7 DAYS 

Where to see the Great Migration

The backdrop of this dramatic spectacle is the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem – an area that covers both Kenya and Tanzania.

The northernmost reaches of the great migration’s circuitous route cross the Masai Mara in Kenya before heading southwards through the Serengeti in Tanzania, as far south as to border on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara

Mid-June to November 

Northern Serengeti, Tanzania

From mid-June to November, the great herds of wildebeest gather on the banks of the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti, ready to brave the crocodile-infested waters and hungry predators on the other side. Dramatic, exciting and chaotic game viewing awaits as the wildebeest thunder across in their millions and the northern Serengeti is transformed into a pulsing hub of activity.

Eastern & Southern Serengeti

December to March

Eastern Serengeti, Tanzania
Just like the south, the rains bring new life to the Eastern (Namiri) Plains of the Serengeti, and the dry savannah is transformed into a carpet of fresh, green grass, drawing the great herds of wildebeest. The plains become the center stage for explosive action as big cats feast on the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, Tanzania
The vast grassland plains of the Southern Serengeti are the favored birthing grounds of the migrating wildebeest. With the new addition of vulnerable calves, predators such as lion, leopards, and cheetahs are not far behind to profit from the numerous newborns.

The herds and calves move as far south as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (but not within the Crater itself) to graze on the lush new grass of the plains.

8 Days Serengeti MigrationSafari itinerary 

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT

After arrival at the airport (Kilimanjaro / Arusha), your private driver guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation for dinner and overnight awaiting for your safari departure on the following day.

  • Accommodation

  • Under The Shade Safari Lodge

  • Meal Plan

  • Bed & Breakfast

 

DAY 2: ARUSHA TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, we depart for Tarangire National Park. The Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass, acacia woodlands. The Park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head to the Ngorongoro highlands arriving late afternoon for dinner and overnight at Marera Valley Lodge.

  • Accommodation

  • Marera Valley Lodge

  • Meal Plan

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Early morning after breakfast, we depart to Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest National Park and it is also one of the oldest ecosystems on earth.  Its climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years. Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration.  Vast numbers of wildebeest; accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing.  The precise timing of the Migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our Tented partner lodges for dinner and overnight.

  • Accommodation

  • Embalakai Camp

  • Meal PlanBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

DAY 4: NORTH SERENGETI (FOLLOWING THE MIGRATION)

After breakfast we head towards the far northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria. We will do a game drive en-route from the Lobo area to the Wagakuria area. As we head north, good sightings of giraffe, plain game, herds of buffalo and elephants can often be seen. Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration.  Vast numbers of wildebeest; accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing.  The precise timing of the Migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year. During End of July to September the Migration can be found in the Northern Serengeti where they are crossing the Mara River following the greener pastures of Maasai Mara where the provide the Mara river resident Nile crocodiles with annual fist.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our partner camp for dinner and overnight.

  • Accommodation

  • Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp (Kogatende)

  • Meal PlanBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: NORTH SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Early Morning after breakfast you will continue with your game drive in the Northern region. Mara river crossing is one of the must see in Serengeti and totally one of the most spectacular events in Serengeti. Many wildebeests perish trying to reach the mineral rich grass of Maasai Mara where they will spend at list 2 months before they start to migrate again to their ancestral birthing Ground Southern Ndutu where it will all start again. After a full day game drive and hopefully a sight of the crossing we will be back to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.

  • Accommodation

  • Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp(Kogatende)

  • Meal PlanBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: NORTH SERENGETI TO CENTRAL SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After a relaxed morning drive towards Central Serengeti spend the day observing wildlife in the Seronera Valley. The Seronera Valley offers lots of wildlife throughout the year including carnivores like hyenas, Lions, leopards and cheetah can often be found on and around these large rocky outcrops, as they offer a great vantage point to look over the plains in search of any prey, as well as ungulates including buffaloes, giraffes, hippopotami, impalas, topi, warthogs and zebras.  You will have dinner and overnight at out careful chosen tented camp.

  • Accommodation

  • Embalakai Authentic Camps

  • Meal PlanBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK TO NGORONGORO CRATER TO KARATU

Early morning after breakfast, we continue with our en-route drive inside the Serengeti National Park before we depart to Ngorongoro crater. You will descend down the crater which is almost 600m deep.

The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. It is famous for both its geological delights and for being a natural reserve which is home to some of the densest large mammal populations in the whole of the African continent. The drive down the into the Crater is an adventure in itself and when you reach the Crater floor, you quickly find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best

chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive inside the crater, we head for our comfort partner lodges in Karatu for dinner and overnight.

  • Accommodation

  • Marera Valley Lodge

  • Meal PlanBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8: KARATU TO ARUSHA

After a leisurely breakfast drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch and last minute shopping and re-packing. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or for a flight to Zanzibar.

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