9-Day Tanzania Safari – Chance to See the Great Migration

Q: Will I definitely see the Great Migration?

No. The migration is a natural wildlife phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, the itinerary is designed to maximize your opportunity by providing several days in the Serengeti and planning the route according to seasonal wildlife movements.

Q: What exactly is the Great Migration?

It is the large-scale seasonal movement of wildebeest and other herbivores across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water. The Serengeti is internationally recognized for this annual migration.

Q: When is the best time to see the migration?

There is no single month when the migration is guaranteed to be in one particular location. Different stages occur at different times of the year, so the best itinerary depends heavily on your travel dates

Q: Can I see river crossings on this safari?

Potentially, depending on your travel dates and where the herds are located. River crossings are natural events and cannot be scheduled or guaranteed.

Q: How many days will we spend in Serengeti?

This itinerary includes four nights in the Serengeti, giving you several opportunities to explore different areas and follow seasonal wildlife movements.

Q: Is this a private safari?

Yes. The itinerary is designed as a private safari with your own safari vehicle and professional guide.

Q: Can we change the Serengeti area depending on the migration?

Yes. This is actually one of the most important advantages of a migration-focused safari. The route and accommodation can be adjusted according to your travel dates and the expected location of the herds.

Q: Can we see the Big Five?

The Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire are home to many of the species commonly associated with the Big Five. However, sightings are never guaranteed.

Q: Can this safari be extended to Zanzibar?

Yes. You can add a Zanzibar beach holiday after the safari.

Q: Why choose a 9-day itinerary for the migration?

The additional days give you more time in the Serengeti, increasing your flexibility to explore different areas rather than relying on a single game drivE

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

9-Day Tanzania Safari – Chance to See the Great Migration

This 9-day Tanzania safari is designed for travelers who want to explore Tanzania’s iconic Northern Safari Circuit while maximizing their opportunity to experience the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti.

The journey combines some of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, including Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, with several dedicated days in the Serengeti. The extended Serengeti stay gives you more time to explore different areas of the ecosystem and follow seasonal wildlife movements.

The Serengeti is internationally renowned for the annual movement of millions of wildebeest and other herbivores in search of fresh grazing and water. Depending on your travel dates, you may have the opportunity to witness large herds gathering, moving across the plains, or crossing rivers during the migration season.

Because the migration is a natural phenomenon influenced by rainfall and grazing conditions, no specific sighting can be guaranteed. However, Nabaki Safaris will plan the route and Serengeti locations around your travel period to give you the best practical opportunity available.

Beyond the migration, this safari offers excellent opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, cheetahs, antelopes and many other species.

From the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire to the extraordinary wildlife concentration of Ngorongoro and the endless plains of Serengeti, this 9-day adventure provides an immersive introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife and natural heritage.

Safari Highlights

Chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
Spend multiple nights exploring the Serengeti
Explore the migration areas according to your travel season
Experience Tanzania's legendary Northern Safari Circuit
Search for the Big Five and other African wildlife
Explore elephant-rich Tarangire National Park
Descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater
Enjoy multiple Serengeti game drives
Experience the vast open plains of the Serengeti
Enjoy opportunities for wildlife photography
Travel with an experienced local safari guide
Stay in carefully selected safari lodges and tented camps

Itinerary at a Glance

Expand all

Day	Destination	Main Experience	Overnight
Day 1	Arusha	Arrival & Safari Briefing	Arusha
Day 2	Tarangire	Full-Day Game Drive	Karatu
Day 3	Karatu → Serengeti	Transfer & Game Drive	Serengeti
Day 4	Serengeti	Migration & Wildlife Safari	Serengeti
Day 5	Serengeti	Full-Day Migration Safari	Serengeti
Day 6	Serengeti	Full-Day Wildlife Exploration	Serengeti
Day 7	Serengeti → Ngorongoro	Game Drive & Transfer	Karatu
Day 8	Ngorongoro	Crater Game Drive	Karatu
Day 9	Karatu → Arusha	Transfer & Departure	—

Day 01 :

Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be welcomed by a representative from Nabaki Safaris and transferred to your hotel.

Arusha is the main gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit and provides the perfect starting point for your safari adventure.

Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel or explore the city.

Later, your safari guide will meet you for a briefing about the upcoming journey. You will receive information about the route, wildlife, accommodation, daily game drives and practical safari preparations.

Accommodation: Arusha hotel/lodge

Meals: Dinner

Day 02 :

Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Karatu

After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds, iconic baobab trees and diverse wildlife. The Tarangire River and surrounding habitats provide important water and grazing areas for wildlife, particularly during the dry season.

Enjoy a full-day game drive through the park.

Possible sightings include:

Elephants
Lions
Giraffes
Zebras
Wildebeest
Buffaloes
Antelopes
Warthogs
Numerous bird species

After the game drive, continue towards Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Safari lodge in Karatu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03 :

Karatu – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey towards the legendary Serengeti National Park.

The route takes you through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania before opening into the enormous plains of the Serengeti.

As you enter the park, your safari officially enters the heart of the migration ecosystem.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive while heading towards your accommodation.

Depending on your travel dates, your guide will focus on areas where wildlife and migrating herds are most likely to be found.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04 :

Serengeti – Migration & Wildlife Safari

Today begins your dedicated migration experience.

After an early breakfast, head out into the Serengeti with your experienced safari guide.

The location of the migration changes throughout the year, so the day's route will be planned according to the seasonal movements of the herds.

You may encounter enormous groups of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains, accompanied by gazelles and other herbivores.

The presence of large herds also attracts predators, creating opportunities to observe lions, cheetahs and other carnivores.

Return to your camp in the evening after a full day of wildlife exploration.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05 :

Serengeti – Full-Day Migration Experience

Today is dedicated entirely to the Serengeti and its seasonal wildlife movements.

After breakfast, venture into the park with a packed lunch.

Your guide will monitor the conditions and select areas offering the best opportunities for wildlife viewing based on the current season.

Depending on the time of year and location of the herds, the experience may include watching large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains.

During certain periods, migration activity may also bring predators close to the herds.

The Great Migration is a natural process rather than a scheduled event, so every day can bring a different experience.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06 :

Serengeti – Extended Wildlife Exploration

Enjoy another full day in the Serengeti.

The advantage of spending several days in the ecosystem is that your safari does not depend on a single game drive. You have more time to explore different areas and respond to wildlife movements.

Your guide may take you to areas with:

Wildebeest herds
Zebra
Lions
Cheetahs
Elephants
Giraffes
Buffaloes
Hippos
Various antelope species

Beyond wildlife, take time to appreciate the spectacular scenery and enormous scale of the Serengeti.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07 :

Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Karatu

After breakfast, leave the Serengeti and begin your journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania, with opportunities for wildlife viewing along the way.

Depending on the route and timing, you may enjoy additional game viewing before leaving the Serengeti ecosystem.

Continue towards Karatu and check into your lodge.

The evening is free to relax and prepare for your Ngorongoro Crater experience.

Accommodation: Safari lodge in Karatu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Full-Day Game Drive

After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend onto the crater floor.

The crater's unique ecosystem supports an impressive concentration of wildlife within its enclosed landscape.

During the game drive, you may encounter:

Lions
Elephants
Buffaloes
Zebras
Wildebeest
Hippos
Antelopes
Numerous bird species

The spectacular scenery is an equally important part of the experience, with grasslands, forests, wetlands and the crater walls creating a dramatic setting.

Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day's adventure before continuing your game drive.

Later, ascend from the crater and return to your lodge in Karatu.

Accommodation: Safari lodge in Karatu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09 :

Karatu – Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Arusha.

Depending on your departure time, you may have time for lunch, shopping or a short city experience before your transfer to the airport.

For travelers continuing their Tanzania holiday, Nabaki Safaris can arrange extensions to Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru or additional safari destinations.

Your 9-day Tanzania safari comes to an end in Arusha.

Meals: Breakfast