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GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI

Great Migration
Safari

Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move continuously through the Serengeti ecosystem in response to rain and grass. This journey positions you around the movement, not around a fixed calendar.

Duration8–10 Days
DestinationsSerengeti (Seasonal Position)
StylePrivate Vehicle & Guide
PaceFlexible
Guide Price FromUSD 4,200 p.p.
Best ForMigration Enthusiasts, Wildlife Lovers
THE JOURNEY

Migration Planned Around Wildlife Position, Not Calendar Dates

The Great Migration is one continuous movement, not a single event. Depending on when you travel, the experience varies dramatically: calving season on the southern plains, the westward build along the corridor, or the iconic river crossings in the north. Each stage creates a completely different safari atmosphere.

We plan migration safaris by asking where the herds are likely to be during your dates, then positioning accommodation and game drives accordingly. This matters more than any fixed itinerary because migration timing shifts by weeks each year depending on rainfall and grazing patterns across the ecosystem.

This journey combines several Serengeti zones across 8 to 10 days, with enough flexibility to follow wildlife movement as it develops. A Tarangire day is included at the start to diversify the experience before the Serengeti focus begins.

Plan This Journey Migration Guide
Wildebeest herd during the Great Migration crossing Serengeti plains
DAY BY DAY

Journey Itinerary

This sample itinerary covers the calving season window (January–March). Northern Serengeti river crossing positioning is available on request for July–October travel.

Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
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KIA → Arusha (1 hr)DArusha lodge
Arrival transfer to Arusha lodge. Rest evening. The migration journey begins in the morning.
Day 2 Tarangire National Park
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Arusha → Tarangire (2.5 hrs)BLDLake Burunge Tented Lodge (mid)Tarangire Treetops (luxury)
A full day in Tarangire before the Serengeti focus begins. The elephant herds, baobabs, and Tarangire River create a strong contrast with the open plains ahead. Good way to settle into the safari rhythm.
Day 3 Journey into the Serengeti
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Tarangire → Southern Serengeti (5–6 hrs)BLDNdutu Safari Lodge (mid)Sanctuary Ndutu (luxury)
Travel south toward the Ndutu region at the Serengeti–Ngorongoro boundary. During calving season (January–March) the southern Serengeti and Ndutu hold the highest wildebeest density. The first afternoon reveals the scale of the migration.
Day 4 Calving Season in Ndutu
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Southern Serengeti · NdutuBLDNdutu Safari Lodge (mid)Sanctuary Ndutu (luxury)
Full day in the Ndutu area. During calving season, thousands of calves are born daily and predators, cheetah, lion, leopard, wild dog, are drawn to the density. One of Africa’s most concentrated and genuinely wild wildlife environments.
Day 5 Move to Central Serengeti
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Ndutu → Central Serengeti (3 hrs)BLDSafari Haven Serengeti Camp (mid)Serengeti Sametu Camp (luxury)
Transition from the calving grounds to central Serengeti. The kopje areas hold resident lion prides year-round. The change in landscape from short-grass plains to scattered acacia adds a different dimension to the game drive.
Day 6 Full Day in Central Serengeti
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Central SerengetiBLDSafari Haven Serengeti Camp (mid)Serengeti Sametu Camp (luxury)
A full day following the migration columns and resident predators. As herds begin their northward movement in late February, the central corridor starts to feel the momentum. Bush picnic lunch keeps maximum time in the field.
Day 7 Western Serengeti Corridor
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Central → Western Corridor (2 hrs)BLDSpeke Bay Lodge (mid)Faru Faru Lodge (luxury)
The western corridor runs alongside the Grumeti River. From April onward, the migration builds here before moving north. The Grumeti River crossing areas are less visited than the Mara in the north but equally dramatic in a good year.
Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater
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Western Serengeti → Ngorongoro (3 hrs)BLDNgorongoro Serena Lodge (mid)The Manor at Ngorongoro (luxury)
Transition to Ngorongoro for a crater descent on the final full safari day. A compact and reliable half-day on the crater floor rounds out the Serengeti-focused journey with a contrasting enclosed wildlife environment.
Day 9 Crater Morning & Return to Arusha
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Ngorongoro → Arusha (3 hrs)BL
Early crater descent before returning to Arusha by early afternoon. Departure transfer arranged around your flight time.
Want northern or southern Serengeti positioning?River crossings or calving season, we plan the itinerary around your dates and migration stage. Tell us when you are travelling and we will recommend the right positioning.
Customise This Journey
WHERE YOU STAY

Accommodation Preview

We select lodges based on access, atmosphere, service reliability, and how well they fit the pace of the journey. Both tiers are shown so you can see the range before we discuss what suits your travel style.

Ndutu Safari Lodge calving season Serengeti
Mid-Range · Southern Serengeti / Ndutu
Ndutu Safari Lodge
The most established lodge in the Ndutu conservation area. Strong calving season positioning from January to March.
Calving season in the Ndutu conservation area, southern Serengeti
Luxury · Southern Serengeti
Sanctuary Ndutu Camp
Premium tented camp in the Ndutu area with excellent guiding and access during calving season.
Safari Haven Serengeti Camp central Serengeti
Mid-Range · Central Serengeti
Safari Haven Serengeti Camp
Well-positioned central Serengeti camp. Good access to both southern plains and northern game drive areas.
Mobile or seasonal river camp, Great Migration crossing season
Seasonal · Western or Northern Corridor
Mobile or Positioned Camp
For July–October river crossing positioning, we use mobile or semi-permanent camps that shift with migration movement.
WHAT'S INCLUDED

Journey Inclusions

Included

  • Private vehicle and guide throughout
  • All park and conservation fees
  • All accommodation as listed
  • All meals: dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 9
  • Airport transfers
  • All game drives
  • Migration positioning consultation before your departure
  • Drinking water in vehicle
  • Emergency support

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa (USD 50)
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities
  • Hot air balloon (available as add-on)
  • Personal expenses
WAYS TO SHAPE THIS JOURNEY

Optional Experiences

These experiences can be added around the core itinerary. We arrange all booking and logistics.

Hot Air Balloon Safari, Serengeti

A sunrise balloon flight over the migration herds, with a champagne bush breakfast below. One of the most extraordinary perspectives on the Serengeti landscape.

Night Game Drive (Selected Areas)

Available in some private conservancy areas adjacent to the Serengeti. Encounters with nocturnal predators not possible during standard park game drives.

Ngorongoro Crater Extended Day

An additional crater day allows a morning and afternoon on the floor, capturing different wildlife activity at each session.

Zanzibar Extension

A 4–6 night Indian Ocean extension after Arusha. A domestic flight connects the two experiences in under 90 minutes.

BEST TIME

When to Go

Migration timing varies by year. The best approach is planning around a stage rather than fixed dates. Each season has its own distinct wildlife atmosphere.

Calving Season (Best for Predators & Scale)
JanuaryFebruaryMarch

Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Thousands of calves born daily, extreme predator activity. Open plains, good visibility, warm and dry.

River Crossings (Dramatic & Unpredictable)
JulyAugustSeptemberOctober

Northern Serengeti and Mara River. Herd crossings are dramatic but impossible to time exactly. Multiple crossing attempts may happen across the stay.

Corridor Movement (Quieter, Atmospheric)
MayJune

Western Serengeti corridor. Herds begin moving north. Lower visitor numbers, good game drive quality, some green season landscapes.

Full Tanzania Seasonal Guide →
GUIDE PRICING

Journey Investment

Guide prices are based on two adults sharing and mid-range accommodation. Migration-season pricing varies slightly by camp availability. Luxury positioning available on request.

Guide price from
USD 4,200
per person, based on 2 adults sharing
Mid-range accommodation · Migration positioning included
Luxury tier available on request

Final pricing depends on your travel dates, accommodation choices, and any extensions or add-ons. We provide a full itemised quotation after your initial conversation.

Request a Full Quote
COMMON QUESTIONS

About This Journey

The questions asked most often by guests considering this itinerary.

When are the river crossings?
Mara River crossings typically occur between July and October, with the peak concentration of crossing activity in August and September. However, they cannot be timed precisely, the herds gather at the river and wait, sometimes for hours. We position you for multiple days near the crossing areas to improve the likelihood of witnessing one.
Is calving season as good as river crossings?
For many guests, yes. Calving season (January to March) in southern Serengeti produces some of the most concentrated and sustained wildlife activity anywhere in Africa. The density of predators and prey across the Ndutu plains is extraordinary and does not require the waiting and uncertainty of river crossings.
How do you position the safari for migration?
We track migration positioning through our local guides and partner camps. In the weeks before your trip we confirm the most productive area for that specific window and adjust the camp sequence accordingly. The key is being in the right part of the ecosystem, this matters more than any fixed itinerary.
Can I see the migration year-round?
The wildebeest are always somewhere in the Serengeti ecosystem, so migration game drives are possible year-round. The high-density experiences, calving, river crossings, and large herd columns, are seasonal. We advise on what to expect from your specific window and set honest expectations about the experience.
Is this journey suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes, the northern circuit structure makes it a good first safari even without the migration focus. The addition of Ndutu or northern Serengeti positioning adds depth. We suggest first-time visitors consider extending to 10 days to allow time in both the migration areas and the classic northern circuit parks.
Can the migration safari be combined with Zanzibar?
Yes. A Zanzibar extension of 4 to 6 nights after Arusha is the most popular addition. Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar takes about 90 minutes and is arranged as part of the journey.
GUEST EXPERIENCES

What Our Guests Say

"Celebrating our anniversary in Tanzania with Amazing Gallery Expeditions was truly unforgettable. From the guiding to the lodges and overall experience, every detail felt thoughtful, seamless, and beautifully arranged from beginning to end."

Deirdre & Mark

Netherlands · Northern Circuit Safari

"Our Tanzania journey exceeded every expectation. From safari and cultural experiences to the lodges and guiding, every part felt thoughtful, immersive, and beautifully balanced. It was an unforgettable experience filled with remarkable moments and genuine connection throughout."

Giselle & Laura

United States · Private Safari

"From safari and the Usambara Mountains to Zanzibar, every part of our Tanzania journey felt thoughtfully organized and deeply memorable. The guiding, atmosphere, and experiences throughout made this one of the most remarkable holidays we have ever had."

Angela, Anna & Alois

Austria · Family Safari

Trusted by guests who've explored Tanzania with us
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OPTIONAL ADDITIONS

Extend This Journey

Hadzabe & Datoga EncountersOptional · usually needs an extra day near Karatu/EyasiCommunity & Village WalksOptional · half-day in Arusha or Mto wa Mbu
PLAN THIS JOURNEY

Begin Planning Your
Great Migration Safari

Tell us your intended travel dates and we will advise which migration stage you are likely to encounter, recommend the best camp positioning, and build the itinerary around realistic wildlife movement rather than fixed expectations.

Plan This Journey View All Journeys

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Private & Tailor-Made · Locally Operated from Moshi, Tanzania

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