9 Days Tanzania Safari – Spot Great Migration
This nine-day Tanzania migration safari starts with an arrival night in Arusha and a flight to the Serengeti's seasonal migration area. Continue through Central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro area and Tarangire before returning to Arusha or the airport.
This nine-day Tanzania safari itinerary combines a flight into the seasonal migration area with later game drives focused on resident wildlife and different landscapes. Herd movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed, so the safari location matters as much as the month you travel.
Read about when to see the Great Migration as you plan your dates. You can also compare our other Tanzania safari tours if you prefer a different mainland route.
9 Days Great Migration Safari Tanzania– Overview
- Day 1 - Kilimanjaro - Arusha
- Day 2 - Mara River or Ndutu
- Day 3 - Serengeti Great Migration
- Day 4 - Serengeti
- Day 5 - Serengeti
- Day 6 - Serengeti to Ngorongoro
- Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 8- Tarangire
- Day 9- Departure from Arusha
Day 1
Arrival to Tanzania
Pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport
First Night in Tanzania
Meet and greet upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight stay at full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
Day 2
Arusha to Mara River or Ndutu
A Morning Scenic Flight to Serengeti
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha airport for your scheduled flight to the Serengeti. The planned seasonal route uses the northern Serengeti near the Mara River from June to October, or the Ndutu area on the southern plains from December to March. These travel windows do not guarantee herd locations or river crossings; confirm the camp’s operating dates and arrival airstrip for your booking.
Flight duration depends on the scheduled service and any intermediate stops.
Your safari starts when you land at the airstrip with a driver waiting to show you the magic of the Serengeti plains.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
Day 3
The Great Migration Experience
Great Migration Tracking
Spend the day exploring the migration area with your guide. Wildebeest and zebra move through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem in search of grazing and water, with their location influenced by rainfall and local conditions.
From a northern Serengeti base, game drives may offer a chance to observe Mara River crossings when herds gather nearby. In the southern Ndutu area, the focus may be on the calving herds. These are different seasonal experiences, not events promised on the same day.
Your guide will plan the day’s viewing around the booked camp and conditions. River crossings, births and predator activity cannot be guaranteed; there is also time to enjoy resident wildlife and the surrounding landscape.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
Day 4 & 5
Big Cat's Serengeti Exploration
Big Cats and Residences of Central Serengeti
Day 4 :Safari En Route to Serengeti
Your journey continues to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. Known for its vast plains and the Great Migration, Serengeti offers unrivaled wildlife encounters. You’ll enjoy game drives in search of the park’s resident predators and grazers. Spend the night in a lodge within the Serengeti.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
A full day in the Serengeti allows for in-depth exploration. Witness the dynamic ecosystem and experience the thrill of tracking wildlife on the endless savannah. Another night in your Serengeti camp awaits.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
Day 6
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Final Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro
Enjoy your final game drive in Central Serengeti before continuing by road to the Ngorongoro area. Allow time for the transfer and arrive at your selected accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Today is the transfer day; the descent into Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing takes place on Day 7.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp
Luxury
High-End
Day - 7
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Transfer to Tarangire
After an early breakfast, descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Look for wildlife across its grasslands, wetlands and forest, with a picnic lunch during the visit. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
After ascending from the crater, travel to your selected Tarangire accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay. The schedule includes time for this onward road transfer. Stay at the same selected accommodation on Day 8 after your Tarangire safari.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
DAY 8
Tarangire National Park
The Elephants of Tarangire and Baobab Trees
A day spent in Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania unfolds as a thrilling encounter with nature and wildlife in one of the country’s most diverse and picturesque landscapes.
Morning: Game Drive and Elephant Sightings
– The day typically starts at dawn when the wildlife is most active. As you venture out on a morning game drive, the park’s landscape, dotted with ancient baobab trees and acacia woodlands, creates a stunning backdrop.
– Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant population. Early mornings often provide the best opportunities to see these majestic creatures as herds gather at the Tarangire River or meander through the grasslands.
– Besides elephants, you may spot giraffes, waterbucks, and various bird species, including the colorful lilac-breasted roller and the large ground hornbill.
Midday: Picnic and Relaxation
– As the day heats up, you might stop for a picnic lunch at one of the park’s designated areas, often with views overlooking the river or a landscape teeming with wildlife.
– This time is also perfect for rest, perhaps at a lodge or a shaded spot in the park, as animals retreat from the midday sun.
Afternoon: Further Exploration and Predator Sightings
– As the afternoon cools, another game drive takes you through different parts of the park. This is an excellent time to spot predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, which become more active as the day cools.
– The park’s diverse habitats, including swamps and savannah, support a rich variety of wildlife. You might see herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, and smaller animals like mongooses, dik-diks, and warthogs.
Evening: Sunset and Reflection
– As the sun sets, the skies often turn into brilliant shades of orange and red, providing a perfect backdrop for reflection on the day’s experiences.
– Evening game drives or time spent at a campsite or lodge offer a chance to listen to the sounds of the African bush, a peaceful yet thrilling conclusion to a day in Tarangire.
A day in Tarangire National Park is a journey through a landscape filled with natural beauty and abundant wildlife, offering a serene yet exciting safari experience.
Accommodations
Mid-Luxury
Luxury
High-End
DAY 9
Drop off at the Airport
Last Day with Us
Join us for a morning safari in Tarangire before checking out of the park to continue to the airport or Arusha town for an onward journey.
See you next time!