Serengeti & Ngorongoro: 10-Day Great Migration Safari Trails

Summary

Wildebeest crossings, big cats, crater mornings and endless plains—Serengeti’s wild drama up close

You’ll follow migration trails across the Serengeti with a local guide by your side—watching river crossings up close, spotting lions in Central Serengeti, waking up above Ngorongoro Crater’s rim, and ending among Tarangire’s ancient baobabs. Each day feels unpredictable but deeply alive—this isn’t just sightseeing; it’s sharing space with wildness itself.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I thought I knew what “the migration” meant before landing in Arusha. But that first night at Gran Meliá, listening to the city’s distant hum and the soft clink of tea cups, I realized I had no idea what was coming. Our guide, Joseph, met us at sunrise with this gentle patience—he’d seen plenty of wide-eyed travelers like me. He told us stories about his childhood near Tarangire while we bumped along red roads out of town. The air smelled faintly of rain and eucalyptus. I remember thinking: is this really happening?

The Northern Serengeti felt endless—sky swallowing land, then herds swallowing sky. We spent hours tracing the Mara River’s muddy banks. Sometimes it was quiet, just birds and wind and our own nervous whispers. Then suddenly, chaos: wildebeest surging into water so fast you could hear their hooves thudding even from the jeep. Joseph would point out crocodiles lurking just under the surface (I never spotted them first). One afternoon he handed me a piece of dried mango as we waited for a crossing; I chewed slowly, trying not to blink in case I missed something. The keyword “migration trails of the Serengeti safari” kept popping into my head—I guess because it actually felt like following a trail through someone else’s wild story.

Central Serengeti was different—less frantic but somehow more intense. Lions draped over granite rocks like they owned the place (which they kind of do). We watched a cheetah nap under an acacia tree while our camp chef packed up lunch boxes with hot chapati and stewed beans. At night there were hyena whoops somewhere beyond my tent flap and stars that didn’t look real at all. Joseph laughed when I tried to pronounce “Ngorongoro”—I still can’t get it right—but he promised me the crater would surprise me anyway.

And it did: mist curling above ancient slopes, elephants moving like shadows through morning grass. That last day in Tarangire, after seeing those giant baobabs and herds of elephants dust-bathing in gold light, I caught myself thinking how strange it was to feel both small and lucky at once. Even now when someone asks about my favorite part of Africa, my mind jumps back to those uneven days—waiting by riversides or sipping coffee as dawn crept over camp—and I never know quite how to explain it all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Arusha hotel

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Meet safari representative
• Transfer to hotel in Arusha
• Unwind and prepare for safari

Day 2 — Travel to Northern Serengeti and game drive

• Breakfast at hotel
• Fly or drive to Northern Serengeti
• Settle into Enkutoto Migration Camp
• Afternoon game drive in Kogatende

Day 3 — Full-day Mara River game drives

• Breakfast at camp
• Full-day game drives along Mara River
• Observe wildebeest river crossings
• Watch wildlife on plains and kopjes
• Dinner at camp

Day 4 — Northern Serengeti wildlife viewing

• Breakfast at camp
• Game drives to watch herds and predators
• Observe lions, cheetahs, and hyenas
• Dinner at camp

Day 5 — Travel to Central Serengeti and game drive

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive south to Seronera region
• Settle into Enkirari Wilderness Camp
• Afternoon game drive in central Serengeti

Day 6 — Full-day Central Serengeti exploration

• Breakfast at camp
• Full-day game drives in central Serengeti
• Spot elephants, giraffes, and buffalo
• Enjoy sundowners and storytelling

Day 7 — Additional Central Serengeti game drives

• Breakfast at camp
• Full-day wildlife viewing with guide
• Overnight at Enkirari Wilderness Camp

Day 8 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Relax at crater-rim camp

Day 9 — Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park

• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive to see wildlife in crater
• Lunch and drive to Tarangire National Park
• Settle into Serian Tarangire Camp

Day 10 — Morning Tarangire drive and departure

• Morning game drive in Tarangire
• Return to Arusha
• Drop off at hotel or airport

Top questions

What animals can I expect to see on this Serengeti migration safari?

You’re likely to see wildebeest, zebras, gazelles during river crossings; plus lions, cheetahs, hyenas in both Northern & Central Serengeti; elephants and buffalo throughout; hippos and possibly black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater.

How long is the drive from Arusha to Northern Serengeti?

The drive can take most of a day (8-10 hours), but there’s also an option for a short flight from Arusha to Kogatende airstrip if you prefer less time on rough roads.

Are meals included during this 10-day migration safari?

Yes—all meals listed in your itinerary are included throughout your stay at camps and lodges.

Is airport pickup provided for this tour?

Yes—pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport is included at the start of your trip.

Will there be a local guide with us during game drives?

A professional English-speaking safari guide will accompany you throughout all game drives and transfers between parks.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in luxury camps or lodges each night—including Gran Meliá Arusha, Enkutoto Migration Camp, Enkirari Wilderness Camp, Naserian Safari Camp & Serian Tarangire Camp.

Is this migration safari suitable for children?

Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult; specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated on this tour?

Please advise any specific dietary needs when booking—meals can be adapted accordingly by camp chefs.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup and drop-off from Kilimanjaro International Airport, all park entry fees and conservation charges covered up front, daily private game drives with unlimited mileage in a pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (with fridge and binoculars), unlimited bottled water plus soft drinks or coffee during drives, nine nights’ luxury accommodation across carefully chosen camps and lodges—with all meals as per itinerary prepared fresh onsite by local chefs.