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📍Arusha, Tanzania
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Home› Safari Packages› Great Wildebeest Migration Safari
CLASSIC SAFARI

Great Wildebeest Migration Safari

Private · 10 Days · Follow the Migration · The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth

📅10 Days / 9 Nights
🦁Luxury Safari
👥2–6 Guests
💰$2,900
💬 WhatsApp — Free Quote 📋 Book This Safari
🌍 Safari Overview
10 Days / 9 Nights
Duration
2–6 Guests
Group Size
Full Board
Meals
Jun–Oct (Mara Crossings) · Jan–Mar (Calving)
Best Season
Luxury Safari
Tour Style
Mid-range
Accommodation

Witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth — the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, complete a continuous 1,000-kilometre circuit between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This 10-day safari follows the migration through its most dramatic phase — the Mara River crossings (June–October), when massive herds plunge through crocodile-infested waters in scenes of primeval chaos. The itinerary covers the full Northern Circuit: Tarangire, Serengeti (both central and northern zones), and the Ngorongoro Crater, giving you the complete Tanzania experience built around the migration calendar.

✨ Safari Highlights

🦬
Mara River Crossings
Witness over 1.5 million wildebeest plunging through crocodile-infested Mara River waters — the most dramatic natural event on Earth. June–October.
🐊
Giant Nile Crocodiles
The Mara River is home to enormous Nile crocodiles — some over 5 metres long — ambushing the crossing herds in scenes of extraordinary natural drama.
🦁
Northern Serengeti Predator Density
No area in Africa has higher predator density during migration season — lion prides, cheetah families, and leopard all follow the herds north.
🌍
Complete Northern Circuit
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Central and Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater — the full Tanzania Northern Circuit in one exceptional 10-day safari.
🌿
Calving Season (Jan–Mar)
If booked January–March, witness the calving season in the Ndutu Plains — 300,000+ wildebeest calves born in just 3 weeks, with extraordinary predator action.
📷
Photography Paradise
Ten days in Tanzania's most photogenic locations — spectacular landscapes, dramatic predator-prey interactions, and the migration spectacle create world-class photography opportunities.

📋 Day-by-Day Itinerary

1
Arusha Arrival & Tarangire National Park
📍 Arusha🌿 Tarangire National Park
▾
  • Morning departure from Arusha
  • Drive to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2 hours)
  • Afternoon game drive: elephant herds, lions, baobab forest
  • Sundowner drinks at camp viewpoint
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
2
Full Day Tarangire
🌿 Tarangire National Park
▾
  • Full day game drives: Africa's largest elephant concentrations
  • Silale Swamp game drive — large concentrations of wildlife
  • Tarangire River corridor: lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffe, impala
  • Afternoon photography in the ancient baobab forest
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
3
Tarangire to Lake Manyara
🌿 Tarangire🌊 Lake Manyara National Park
▾
  • Morning exit game drive in Tarangire
  • Drive to Lake Manyara (approx. 1 hour)
  • Afternoon game drive: tree-climbing lions, hippos, flamingos, rich birdlife
  • Rift Valley escarpment forest exploration
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
4
Lake Manyara to Central Serengeti
🌊 Lake Manyara🌿 Serengeti National Park
▾
  • Drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands
  • Stop at Naabi Hill Gate for panoramic Serengeti views
  • Afternoon game drive in Seronera Valley: lions, cheetah, leopard, elephant
  • Sundowner on the Serengeti plains
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
5
Full Day Central Serengeti
🌿 Serengeti National Park
▾
  • Early morning predator game drive
  • Visit Seronera River: hippos and crocodiles
  • Explore kopjes for big cat sightings
  • Afternoon game drive in Moru Kopjes area
  • Evening sundowner on the plains
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
6
Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
🌿 Central Serengeti🌿 Northern Serengeti
▾
  • Morning game drive in central Serengeti
  • Drive to Kogatende via Lobo (3–4 hours with wildlife viewing en route)
  • Afternoon game drive near the Mara River
  • First migration river crossing observation attempt
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
7
Full Day Northern Serengeti — Migration Crossings
🌿 Northern Serengeti
▾
  • Early morning drive to Mara River crossing points
  • Full-day migration tracking and crossing observation
  • Afternoon predator tracking: lions, cheetahs, leopards
  • Sundowner overlooking the plains with migrating herds
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
8
Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro
🌿 Northern Serengeti⛰️ Ngorongoro Conservation Area
▾
  • Morning game drive near Mara River
  • Drive south via Lobo and Seronera
  • Optional visit to Olduvai Gorge Museum
  • Evening arrival at Ngorongoro Crater rim with sunset views
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
9
Full Day Ngorongoro Crater
⛰️ Ngorongoro Crater
▾
  • Early morning descent into the crater
  • Full-day game drive: Big Five sightings possible
  • Picnic lunch at Lerai Forest
  • Afternoon wildlife viewing: hyenas, jackals, wildebeest
  • Return to crater rim lodge
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
10
Crater Rim Morning & Return to Arusha
⛰️ Ngorongoro📍 Arusha
▾
  • Optional sunrise walk along crater rim
  • Leisurely breakfast
  • Drive back to Arusha (approx. 3 hours)
  • Farewell lunch in Arusha
  • Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included

💰 Safari Pricing

Start dates Solo 1 room 2 people 1 room 3 people 2 rooms 4 people 2 rooms 5 people 3 rooms 6 people 3 rooms 7+ people
Apr 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026 n/a* $2,275 $2,010 $1,820 $1,820 $1,820 Get Quote
Jun 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 n/a* $2,400 $2,140 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 Get Quote

All prices per person. Group discounts available. Contact us for custom pricing.

🏕️ Your Accommodations

🏕️
lodge

Suricata Boma Lodge

★★★☆☆
From Mid-range — $80–$150 per person / night
🏕️
Lodge

Boundary Hill Lodge

🏕️
lodge

Farm of Dreams Lodge

★★★☆☆
From Mid-range — $90–$160 per person / night
🏕️
Luxury Tented Camp

Land of Nature Camp

★★★☆☆
🏕️
Luxury Tented Camp

Ang’ata Serengeti Camp

★★★★☆
🏕️
tented-camp

Misako Serengeti Camp

★★★☆☆
From Mid-range — $150–$280 per person / night
🏕️
tented-camp

Safari Haven Migration Camp

★★★★☆
From Mid-range — $280–$450 per person / night
🏕️
lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

★★★★☆
From $350–$600 per person / night
🏕️
Lodge

Ngorongoro Farm House

🏕️
lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

★★★★★
From $450–$850 per person / night

✅ What's Included

  • All national park and conservation area fees
  • Private 4WD Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking certified guide
  • Full board — all meals as stated in itinerary
  • All accommodation as per itinerary
  • All transfers and ground transportation
  • Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
  • 24/7 WhatsApp support from Serengeti Insider Safaris team
  • Migration season WhatsApp briefing before departure
  • Olduvai Gorge entry fee
  • Park-to-park driving within itinerary

❌ Not Included

  • International flights to/from Tanzania
  • Tanzania visa fees (approximately $50 USD)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Alcoholic and soft beverages
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and staff
  • Personal items, laundry, and souvenirs
  • Optional activities not in itinerary

🌟 Experience Type

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the Mara River crossings?▾
The Mara River crossings occur during July–October when the migration reaches the northern Serengeti. The exact crossing dates cannot be predicted — the herds cross unpredictably based on grass conditions, rainfall, and predator pressure. Early July sees the first crossings; August–September is peak season; October sees the herds return south. Our guides monitor crossing activity in real time and position guests at the most active crossing points.
What if we don't see a crossing?▾
Crossings are not guaranteed on any single day — even experienced guides can wait days between major crossings. However, even without a crossing, the northern Serengeti in migration season has extraordinary wildlife: the presence of 1.5 million wildebeest draws every predator in the ecosystem, making game drives extraordinary regardless. Most guests witness at least one crossing during a 2-night northern Serengeti stay.
Can this safari be done in calving season (January–March)?▾
Yes — we offer the same itinerary adapted for calving season in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu Plains). January–March, the Ndutu Plains host 300,000+ wildebeest calves born in a 3-week window — the densest concentration of predator activity in the Serengeti ecosystem. This is arguably the most dramatic wildlife spectacle in Africa. Ask us about our dedicated calving season itinerary.
How far north is Kogatende from Arusha?▾
Kogatende is approximately 340km north of Arusha — a full day's drive (8–9 hours) via the Serengeti or reachable by light aircraft in 45 minutes to the Kogatende airstrip. On this itinerary, we drive north progressively over Days 4–6, turning the journey into a game drive. A fly-in upgrade is available for guests who prefer to maximise time at the crossings.
Is there a fly-in option for this safari?▾
Yes — we can arrange a fly-in upgrade for the northern Serengeti leg of this itinerary. A light aircraft from Arusha to Kogatende takes approximately 45 minutes and is a spectacular scenic flight over the Serengeti. This adds approximately $280–380 per person and maximises your time at the Mara River crossing zone.
What predators can we expect to see during migration season?▾
Migration season (June–October) brings extraordinary predator density to the northern Serengeti corridor. Resident lion prides can be seen daily; cheetah are among the most active and visible in the world during this period; leopard are regularly spotted in the Mara River riverine forest; spotted hyena clans follow the herds; and wild dog sightings are possible. The migration is a moving feast and every predator in the ecosystem takes advantage.
What is the difference between the Mara crossings and the calving season?▾
The Mara River crossings (June–October) are about drama — thousands of wildebeest plunging through crocodile-filled waters in scenes of chaos and survival. The calving season (January–March) in the Ndutu Plains is about abundance and vulnerability — 300,000+ calves born in weeks, with every predator making the most of easy hunting. Both are extraordinary; the choice depends on your timing and what kind of wildlife experience you want.
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