Tour Overview
Experience one of Africa’s greatest wildlife adventures on this 10-day Great Migration Safari through Tanzania’s renowned Northern Circuit. Carefully designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities, this journey takes you through some of the country’s most iconic destinations, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the world-famous Serengeti National Park.
Your safari begins in Arusha before heading into the wilderness, where you will encounter large elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, diverse birdlife, and an incredible variety of wildlife. The highlight of the journey is the Northern Serengeti, where, during migration season, millions of wildebeest and zebras undertake the dramatic Mara River crossings, braving strong currents and crocodile-filled waters in one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles.
Travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide who will provide expert insight into Tanzania’s wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation efforts. Comfortable lodges and tented camps offer excellent hospitality, delicious cuisine, and relaxing surroundings after each day’s adventure. Optional experiences such as a sunrise hot air balloon safari add an unforgettable perspective to the Serengeti plains.
Combining exceptional wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, and comfortable accommodations, this safari offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of Tanzania’s most celebrated safari destinations.
Itinerary
Your private safari begins when you are warmly welcomed at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). This airport is about 50 kilometers from Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is a safari town at the base of Mount Meru. After you clear immigration, a private transfer will take you to a lovely boutique lodge. It is located in beautiful gardens and coffee estates. Here, you’ll check into a lavish suite that comes complete with a marble bathroom, private deck, and views of the surrounding highlands. In the afternoon, enjoy a spa treatment, like a relaxing massage. You can also walk around the grounds to see birds, such as the silvery-cheeked hornbill. Enjoy a special welcome dinner with local dishes and fine wines. It will be served outside with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro. An expert guide will share insights and details during your dinner. You will learn about the Great Migration and the exciting adventure ahead. As you rest in incredible comfort under the African sky, your journey is primed to be astonishing.
Activities: Airport transfer, lodge relaxation, safari briefing
Animals to See: Local birdlife (e.g., silvery-cheeked hornbill)
Accommodation: Luxury boutique lodge in Arusha
Meals: Dinner
After enjoying fresh Tanzanian coffee and tasty pastries for breakfast, get into your private 4x4 safari van. You will drive for 2 hours (130 km) to Tarangire National Park. It is a wild area of 2,850 square kilometers. It is known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Activities include an all-day game drive along the Tarangire River. Here, hundreds of elephants gather to bathe and drink. This happens during the dry season from June to October. There are giraffes eating acacia leaves. Zebras and wildebeests graze together peacefully. Lions relax by water holes. If you are lucky, you might see leopards resting in the tree tops! Along with 550 bird species like the lilac breasted roller are some great views. Your guide will take you to the best viewing spots. They will explain animal behaviors and serve you a gourmet lunch. You will enjoy this meal under the shaded acacia tree, with views of endless savannas. After you check into a luxurious tented camp, you will find a suite. It has an ensuite bathroom with a hot shower. There is also a private deck that you can reach from the river. In the end, a multi course dinner served while listening to the authentic sounds of the bush by a starlit canopy ends the day.
Activities: Full-day game drive
Animals to See: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards (rare), lilac-breasted rollers
Accommodation: Luxury tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with a gourmet breakfast at the tented camp, before setting off on a 1.5 hour drive (approx. 80 km) to Lake Manyara National Park. This small park covers 330 km². It sits under the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is famous for its rich biodiversity. The diverse plants and animals include tree-climbing lions, hippos, and over 400 bird species like pelicans and storks. You can best enjoy them during morning game drives. From November to April, the park hosts thousands of flamingos. This makes the shores of Lake Manyara a beautiful sight. After a game drive, enjoy the gourmet picnic lunch along the shores of the lake alongside a breathtaking view of The Rift Valley. Afterward, go on an optional nature walk. An armed ranger will guide you. You can look for smaller, beautiful things in nature, like butterflies and herbs. After you are full, check into the luxurious treetop lodge. Here, you can enjoy a fancy dinner with local and continental dishes. You will also have stunning views of the sunset. Activities: Morning game drive and optional nature walk
Animals to See: Lions, buffalo, hippos, baboons, flamingos, pelicans, storks
Accommodation: Luxury treetop lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the crater-rim lodge, undertake a three-hour journey to Serengeti National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage Site spans 14,763 km² and is renowned for its endless plains along with the Great Migration. After a picnic lunch on the way, go for an afternoon game drive at the central Seronera region. This is where you begin to see the iconic features of the Serengeti: the cheerful cries of children are the soundtrack as you observe lions lounging on the kopjes, whilst majestic cheetahs sprint through the verdant grasslands. Watch leopards resting in the branches of acacia trees along with elephants welcoming their calves during foraging season. If it’s the right time of year (June-July), wild herds of wildebeests and zebras are a welcome sight as they prepare to embark on their northward trek. Your guide provides vivid description of the landscape and keeps you entertained while enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch with incredible views under an acacia tree. At the end of the eventful day, relish a delicious dinner at the lodge before unwinding in one of its elegant suites. As the day draws to an end, the allure of the Serengeti comes to life with its star-filled sky glowing in the distance, accompanied by wild calls.
Activities: Afternoon game drive (Ngorongoro Crater)
Animals to See: Black rhinos, lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards (rare), hyenas, zebras, flamingos, hippos
Accommodation: Luxury lodge on the crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the crater-rim lodge, undertake a three-hour journey to Serengeti National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage Site spans 14,763 km² and is renowned for its endless plains along with the Great Migration. After a picnic lunch on the way, go for an afternoon game drive at the central Seronera region. This is where you begin to see the iconic features of the Serengeti: the cheerful cries of children are the soundtrack as you observe lions lounging on the kopjes, whilst majestic cheetahs sprint through the verdant grasslands. Watch leopards resting in the branches of acacia trees along with elephants welcoming their calves during foraging season. If it’s the right time of year (June-July), wild herds of wildebeests and zebras are a welcome sight as they prepare to embark on their northward trek. Your guide provides vivid description of the landscape and keeps you entertained while enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch with incredible views under an acacia tree. At the end of the eventful day, relish a delicious dinner at the lodge before unwinding in one of its elegant suites. As the day draws to an end, the allure of the Serengeti comes to life with its star-filled sky glowing in the distance, accompanied by wild calls.
Activities: Afternoon game drive
Animals to See:
Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeests (seasonal), zebras
Accommodation: Luxury lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with a delightful sunrise breakfast on your private deck before driving approximately 150 kilometers (149 miles) to Northern Serengeti. It is the best area to see the heart-stopping Great Migration river crossings that happen between July and October. You can enjoy an exciting afternoon game drive along the Mara River, where the mighty herds of wildebeests and zebras gather on the banks and prepare to cross the crocodile-infested waters in the epic survival contest alongside lions, hyenas, and crocodiles waiting for their chance. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a leopard or cheetah hiding nearby and waiting to stalk. Your guide will give you an unparalleled experience of this wonders of nature with a delicious gourmet picnic lunch beside the river. After, check into a lavish mobile tented camp located conveniently close to the migration route that comes with large opulent tents with en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, private terraces, and cozy fireplaces. The camp offers mouthwatering dinners over the fireside while the sounds of the migrating herds thunders through the campsite during the night.
Activities: Afternoon game drive, migration tracking
Animals to See: Wildebeests, zebras, lions, hyenas, crocodiles, cheetahs, leopards
Accommodation: Luxury mobile tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To be ready for an exhilarating full-day adventure that begins with private game drives, you will have to wake up early from your sumptuous mobile tented camp located in the Northern Serengeti. The family suites with soft bedding, private verandas, and en-suite bathrooms will make your stay near the Mara River pleasurable. You will be treated to overflowing views of the Great Migration when you wake up. You will witness an astonishing view of private game drives as the sun steers its way over the horizon. The plush family suites located near the Mara River will provide you stunning views of the migrations. You will be awed with the view of gigantic herds of zebras and wildebeests surging across the plains. Cheetahs and leopards, along with crocodiles, hyenas, and lions, will be vividly growing at the edge of the river, all busy stalking prey. You will need to pause midday to enjoy a lavish outdoors lunch served on white table linens along with crystalware. He fascination that fills the eyes of people watching the dramatic river crossings is more than just a natural spectacle, hence you will find the magnificent river crossings to be enchanting as well. You will be returning for an unparalleled outdoor dinner while your family watches the signs of the African wildlife while enjoying a glass of fine wine under the star sky. Your evenings will be topped at the camp with scenic sundowners together with bush cocktails while you enjoy the feeling of peace.
Activities: Full-day game drives, river crossing observation, sundowners
Animals to See: Wildebeests, zebras, lions, hyenas, crocodiles, cheetahs, leopards
Accommodation: Luxury mobile tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You should get out of bed before the sun comes up. This will ensure that you get to enjoy a relaxing hot air balloon ride as the sun begins to rise over the Northern Serengeti. For approximately one hour, you would be floating silently over the plains while witnessing the Great Migration. You would be able to see the majestic herds of wildebeest and zebras touching the horizon with predators lurking below and the Mara River glimmering. From the sky, it looked astonishing and after that, you would be served with champagne breakfast. Enjoy bush meals served outdoors on white table linens with crystal ware. After that, you would go back to the mid morning tented camp for a relaxing spa treatment and reading session. You can sit on the private veranda and enjoy the peace and quiet. Finally, you end the day with an exquisite outdoor dinner while listening to the sounds of nature, accompanied by some great tasting wine.
Activities: Hot air balloon safari, relaxation
Animals to See: Wildebeests, zebras, predators (from above)
Accommodation: Luxury mobile tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After enjoying a relaxed breakfast at the tented campsite, head out for a 3 to 4 hours drive (about 150 Kms) back to the Central Serengeti while doing game sighting drives on the way; search for hunting lions, leopards on acacia trees, grazing elephants, giraffes feeding and if you are lucky, ostriches and their colorful birds alongside, goats, wildebeests, zebras and some ostriches and if the trails of migration are still around, Struggling. Before arriving at the lodge, indulge in some fine blended picnic lunch with the opulent suites, enormous vista of the majestic plains, and waterhole filled with hippos;Enjoying the afternoon by the pool or indulging yourself with some spa treatment followed by a lavish dinner mixed with local and international cuisine served with exquisite wines, reliving the experience under the enveloping sky of the serengeti.
Activities: Morning game drive, lodge relaxation
Animals to See: Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests (seasonal), zebras, ostriches, hippos
Accommodation: Luxury lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the lodge, you will take a short charter flight (around 1.5 hours) from Arusha using a nearby airstrip. While boarding, you will have a wonderful aerial view of the vast plains of the Serengeti. You will reach Arusha around noon (12:00 – 1:00 PM), and with it comes the opportunity to utilize a dayroom in one of the lavish lodges to eat, unwind, or get a light lunch or spa treatment. This all happens before you’re shuttled to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. During your travels, you will enjoy the supremely luxury and exclusivity that Tanzania has to offer alongside breathtaking memories of the Great Migration, Tanzania’s splendid wildlife, and unparalleled beauty.
Activities: Charter flight, dayroom relaxation, departure
Animals to See: Aerial views of wildlife (weather permitting)
Accommodation: None (Departure Day)
Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch
