Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to Safari

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha, a bustling town at the foot of Mount Meru. Relax and recover from your flight while enjoying views of lush gardens and the surrounding mountains.

Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel or similar

Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

Begin your adventure with a drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This small but diverse park is home to tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, and flocks of flamingos around the soda lake. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through forested areas, open plains, and acacia woodlands.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge or similar

Day 3: Drive to Serengeti National Park – Into the Migration Corridor

After breakfast, journey into the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stage for the Great Migration. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering breathtaking views of highlands and wildlife along the way.

Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, big cats, and if the timing is right, large herds of migrating animals.

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or a mobile migration camp

Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive – Follow the Migration

Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti, focusing on the migration route depending on the season:

• December–March (Southern Serengeti): Calving season in Ndutu with thousands of newborn wildebeest and predators.

• June–July (Western Corridor): Herds gather for the Grumeti River crossing.

• July–October (Northern Serengeti): Mara River crossings, with heart-stopping encounters between wildebeest and crocodiles.

Your guide will take you to the best locations for dramatic wildlife viewing, including lions on the hunt and cheetahs chasing prey.

Accommodation: Serengeti mobile migration camp or similar

Day 5: Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari & More Game Drives

Start with an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti (pre-booking required). Drift above the plains at sunrise and see herds from the sky—a magical and silent experience followed by a champagne bush breakfast.

Continue with morning and afternoon game drives. The Serengeti is home to over 500 bird species and an impressive number of predators, making each outing full of surprises.

Accommodation: Serengeti mobile migration camp or similar

Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Today, enjoy a final game drive as you leave the Serengeti and drive toward Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, visit a Maasai village for a cultural experience. Learn about their nomadic lifestyle, traditions, and how they live alongside wildlife.

Arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim and enjoy panoramic views of the world’s largest intact caldera.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar

Day 7: Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early for a full-day game drive. This natural sanctuary is home to nearly 25,000 animals, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, and flamingos on Lake Magadi. The dense population and stunning scenery make for exceptional photography and wildlife encounters.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot before returning to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar

Day 8: Return to Arusha and Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Arusha with a stop at a local market or craft center for souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell lunch before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, ending your unforgettable migration safari.