6-Day Great Migration Tracker: Serengeti Wildebeest Adventure

Your Great Migration adventure starts in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. For this portion of the journey, an overnight stay in Arusha is not needed, as there is a domestic flight to the Serengeti or a scenic drive of 6 hours. An expert driver-guide will meet you at the airport and take you on a short domestic flight or drive to the Serengeti National Park. Arrive in the central Seronera region of the Serengeti by early afternoon for an introductory game drive, where you will witness the early drama of the migration. Look out for early signs of the wildebeest herds together with a view of lions, giraffes, and elephants. As the sun starts to set, check into the mobile tented camp - Serengeti Simba. This camp is designed to follow the migration’s path. While the sounds of the African bush help you sleep, your guide will debrief you on the thrilling days ahead over a delicious dinner served under the stars.

Highlights: Arrival in Serengeti but intro game drive first, Serengeti Simba stargaze dinner, Serengeti dinner.

Accommodation: Serengeti Simba Tented Camp or similar

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Following an early breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive in northern Serengeti, where the Mara River crossings can be witnessed from July to October, as one of the best places in the world to see this crossing. Your guide will bring you to the best vantage points along the river slice throughout the day to witness the dramatic spectacle where wildebeest and zebras risk their lives to cross the river filled with crocodiles. Also, catch a glimpse of lions and hyenas stalking the herds, trying to prey on them, which adds a lot of thrill to the experience. Engage in a bush breakfast while soaking in the beautiful views of the Serengeti safely, and in the afternoon, continue tracking the migration, exploring the Kogatende region for more crossings or predator activity. Enjoy a relaxing evening at your mobile camp with dinner by the fire, followed by sharing or journaling about the day’s sightings with your guide.

Highlights: Bush breakfast, exploration of northern Serengeti and Mara River crossings, predator-prey interactions.

Accommodation: Serengeti Simba Tented Camp or similar.

Meals: Dinner, lunch, breakfast.

After enjoying breakfast, we will drive for 3-4 hours to the western Serengeti to see the Grumeti River. This region is known for migration activities. It features lush corridors and significant river crossings where crocodiles and strong currents try to take down wildebeest. During the drive, your guide will place you at crucial observation spots to witness these action-packed scenes and also see some of the resident animals like cheetahs, leopards, and hippos. You will also be served a picnic lunch, which provides a nice break during the drive. After lunch, continue the game drive, paying attention to the different habitats within the western corridor, which includes grasslands and woodlands. Return to the location of the mobile camp, which has been set up to follow the migration and enjoy a gourmet dinner.

Highlights: Grumeti River crossings, western Serengeti game drive, picnic lunch, mobile camp experience.
Accommodation: Serengeti Simba Tented Camp or similar.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Spend an entire day in the Central Serengeti, paying particular attention to the Seronera area where the migratory herds frequently gather. Start with a sunrise game drive to view predators in action as both lions and hyenas aim for the weakest members of the herds. Your guide will customize the drive to focus on achieving the best possible view of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) and the migration's ever-changing movements. Savor a bush lunch in a shaded area as you listen to the sounds of the savanna and watch the sights around you. Afternoon drives also cover the Seronera River and kopjes (rocky outcrops), which are great for leopards and cheetahs. For an additional charge, you may book a hot air balloon safari with optional breathtaking views of the herds from above. Spend the rest of the evening with a relaxing fireside dinner and stargazing or photo reviewing.

Highlights: Sunrise game drive, Big Five migratory and resident wildlife bush lunch, optional balloon safari.

Accommodation: Serengeti Simba Tented Camp or comparable.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After your last morning game drive in the Serengeti, where you rounded up any remaining migration activity, head out towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which takes roughly three hours. Check into a lodge located close to the crater rim and enjoy a nutritious lunch while taking in breathtaking views of the landscape. Afterward, go for a private game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a wide range of fauna such as black rhinos, lions, and flamingos, which all reside within the compacted volcanic caldera. Your guide will explain the biodiversity of the unique ecosystem throughout the crater. Have a picnic lunch by a hippo pool – it is still intense, but much calmer compared to the Serengeti. Return to the lodge for the rest of the evening, where you will enjoy a fantastically prepared dinner while reflecting on the impact the migration has had on you.

Highlights: Morning game drive in the Serengeti, exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater, black rhino sighting, staying at be Ngorongoro rim lodge.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

For the last day, have a light breakfast followed by a light morning activity in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You can partake in a short game drive to further enhance sightings of some animals or visit a Maasai village to learn about their traditions and crafts. As you drive to Arusha, a small stop at a craft market is highly recommended to buy something like Tanzanite jewelry or Maasai beadwork. Reach Arusha in the early afternoon so you can relish a final meal at one of the local eateries while reminiscing about the unparalleled moments of the migration. When you head towards the airport, make sure you carry with you the most spectacular memories of the wild heart of the Serengeti and the deep effects the journey had on you.

Highlights: Morning activity in Ngorongoro, craft market visit, farewell lunch, and departure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.