9 Day Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari

Safari Summary

Embark on an awe-inspiring 9-day wildebeest migration safari program to witness the world’s largest mammal migration, taking place in Serengeti, Tanzania, and Masai Mara, Kenya. Behold the breathtaking sight of approximately 2.5 million wildebeest, 0.5 million Thompson Gazelles, and 0.2 million Zebras as they journey across the vast plains in search of fresh pastures and water. Your adventure program also includes visits to Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, making this an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Itinerary by Day

Day 1: Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon your arrival at the Arusha Airport, your driver guide from Kuwa Huru Tanzania Adventure will warmly greet you and offer you a refreshing bottle of water. As you settle into the comfortable vehicle, your guide will take care of everything, driving you to Arusha Venus Premier Hotel, which is just a 45-minute drive to Arusha City Tanzania’s self-styled “safari capital.” During the ride, you’ll get a glimpse of the bustling Arusha City. Once you arrive at the hotel and check-in, our experienced safari driver guide will give you a brief but informative briefing before you embark on your unforgettable adventure. If you are interested in exploring the city of Arusha, click here to learn more.

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park 

Your private safari guide and 4×4 safari land cruiser will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and transfer you to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, and offers a variety of ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. It is situated on the way to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, making it a great stop in its own right. The park boasts groundwater forests, bush plains, baobab-strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs, which offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds. You will arrive in time for a hot lunch at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. Your private guide and safari jeep will take you on an evening game drive. The tour price includes full board accommodation. You will have dinner and spend the night at Nsiya Tented Lodge.

Day 3: Ndutu the Bodder between Ngorongoro and Serengeti

Get ready to be amazed once again as you witness the magnificent wildlife migration today. The Ndutu region, a part of the breathtaking Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is waiting for your arrival for a full-day game drive. You’ll be tracing the migration’s movements between NCA and Serengeti, observing as the fertile plains transform into calving grounds and nurseries for the great migration.

During this season, predators are drawn to the area to prey on young, vulnerable wildebeest, making it an incredibly moving and unforgettable experience. Seeing the circle of life in action will leave a profound impression on you. The exhilarating game drive will conclude late in the evening, and you’ll return to your chosen accommodation for a well-deserved, freshly prepared dinner. Rest well and recharge for the exciting day ahead.  Transfer in the evening to your lodge. Full board accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Ikoma Bush Tented Camp

Day 4: Serengeti Full day of game viewing at Serengeti National Park

Following breakfast at the camp, we will embark on a drive to Serengeti Central, which holds the distinction of being Tanzania’s oldest and most visited national park, as well as a designated world heritage site. The Serengeti is renowned for its annual migration, which sees over six million hooves traverse the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles join the wildebeest in their search for new grazing pastures. However, even during periods of inactivity, the Serengeti remains a prime location for game-viewing in Africa, with vast herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and thousands of elands, topis, kongonis, impalas, and Grant’s gazelles.

This region is home to a wide range of large mammals and boasts an impressive array of wildlife, such as the gaudy agama lizard and the rock hyrax, both of which can be observed scurrying around the park’s isolated granite koppies. Additionally, the area features a diverse range of dung beetles. The park’s exceptional birdlife is also noteworthy, with approximately 500 different species inhabiting the region. These range from the outsized ostrich and bizarre secretary bird of the open grasslands to the black eagles soaring effortlessly above the Lobo Hills. Dinner and overnight at Ikoma Bush Tented Camp

Day 5: Serengeti Full day of game viewing at Serengeti National Park

Commencing at 9 AM after a satisfying breakfast, your full-day game drive will take you through the central region of the Serengeti National Park. Known for its notable population of lions and leopards, the Serengeti National Park is an esteemed safari destination. The Seronera area situated in the central portion of the park is renowned for being one of the most prolific wildlife habitats. The area is characterized by the Seronera River, which serves as a vital water source and attracts most of the Serengeti’s species.

During the off-migration season, it is imperative to keep a lookout for the numerous thriving lion pride in the region. The interactions and survival of these lion prides provide an exceptional game-viewing experience all year round. A picnic lunch will be provided during the full-day game drive, which will come to an end at approximately 5 PM. Following a substantial dinner, a restful night’s sleep in your accommodation awaits you. Ensure you get a good nap, as the following day, you will proceed to the Ngorongoro Crater. Dinner and overnight at  Ikoma Bush Tented Camp

Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Your safari adventure for today will commence at 9 AM sharp. After a scrumptious breakfast, you will embark on a short game drive in the breathtaking Serengeti. Following this, you will indulge in a half-day game drive while relishing a delightful picnic lunch. Next up, we will make our way to the Ngorongoro crater rim, which is approximately 75 km away and takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach. En route, you can expect to witness some mild game action that will keep you engaged throughout the journey. The crater is a remarkable geological marvel and a wilderness lover’s paradise in Africa. After a full day of thrilling adventures, you can culminate your day with a sumptuous dinner and a good night’s rest at your preferred lodging option. It’s crucial to recharge yourself as the following day, you will descend into the massive crater. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After a quick breakfast, you will embark on an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the Ngorongoro crater floor, which is the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater floor spans about 260 sq km and has a depth of over 2000 feet. During the 5-hour game drive on the crater floor, you will witness a lot of animal activity, and it is highly recommended that you keep your camera ready to capture the stunning wildlife. You will come across a variety of animals such as African elephants, buffalos, black rhinos, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions, all in their natural habitat.

After the game drive, you will enjoy a picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, where you can relax and take in the breathtaking scenery. You will then begin a steep climb to the top exit of the crater, which will take you approximately 30 minutes. During the climb, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of the crater and its surroundings.

Once you reach the top exit of the crater, you will have a 30-minute drive left to your chosen accommodation. Your accommodation will have freshly made delicious dinner ready for you, which will be a welcome treat after a long day of exploring. It is essential to get a good rest to prepare for the next day, which is the last leg of your safari. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara National Park

On the final day of your safari, you’ll start as usual with a delicious breakfast at 8 AM. Today’s destination is Arusha via Manyara National Park, where you’ll have a half-day game drive. As you enter the national park at 9 AM, you’ll be surrounded by lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees that set the perfect mood for the day ahead. The game drive will continue until mid-afternoon with a short break for a picnic lunch. During the game drive, keep an eye out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and blue monkeys.

One of the highlights of Lake Manyara National Park is the tree-climbing lions, although spotting them is a matter of luck. If you’re there at the right time of year, you might see millions of flamingos flocking to the shoreline, turning it pink. Be sure to have your cameras ready for this stunning sight. By midday, you’ll head to Arusha, where you’ll be dropped off at your preferred location around 6 PM. With an unforgettable experience and plenty of memories to cherish, it’s time to bid farewell to your team.

Day 9: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Today is a day for you to unwind and enjoy, whether you choose to relax or explore. Your driver will take you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight, and on day 6, you will return home. If you’re interested in extending your safari with a beach holiday, Tanzania has plenty of idyllic destinations, such as Zanzibar Island.  This marks the end of our service

Price Includes:

• Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above-mentioned lodges
• Private safari guide
• Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop-up roof for game viewing
• Transfers in both directions between the Airport
• Ngorongoro Crater fees
• Game drives
• Drinking water during a game drive
• All government taxes  including VAT
• All entries and Park fees as listed in the itinerary

Price Excludes

• International airfares and departure taxes
• Walking Tour in the Ngorongoro Highland $20
• All items of personal nature such as telephone calls, fax, email, etc
• Tips for your service providers and gratuities to hotel, lodges, porters, camp staff, and driver-guide (recommended)
• drinks
• Laundry services