This 7-day safari through Tanzania’s Northern Circuit offers an immersive experience of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s most spectacular events. Starting in Arusha, the journey takes you through iconic landscapes like Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the vast Serengeti, where millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing lands. With expert guides, comfortable lodges, and game drives timed to maximize wildlife sightings, this adventure showcases the raw beauty of Tanzania’s ecosystems, vibrant cultures, and diverse wildlife, including the Big Five and the dramatic river crossings of the migration.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Your safari begins in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. After landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a friendly guide welcomes you and transfers you to a cozy lodge in the heart of the city. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring Arusha’s vibrant markets and coffee plantations. A pre-safari briefing in the evening prepares you for the adventure ahead, with dinner served under the stars, surrounded by views of Mount Meru.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive baobab trees and large elephant herds. The Tarangire River draws wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, offering prime game viewing during the migration season. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush, spotting giraffes, buffalo, and predators like lions and leopards. Overnight at a safari lodge overlooking the park’s rolling savanna.
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park
Today, head to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact gem known for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-filled soda lake. A morning game drive reveals diverse habitats, from groundwater forests to open plains, where early migration herds may pass through. After lunch at a scenic viewpoint, explore the park’s hippo pools and birdlife, with over 400 species recorded. Spend the night at a lodge with views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Day 4: Serengeti National Park
Journey to the Serengeti, the heart of the wildebeest migration. After a scenic drive, enter the park for an afternoon game drive across its endless plains. Depending on the season, witness massive herds of wildebeests and zebras moving toward the Mara River or southern grasslands. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas trail closely, creating thrilling predator-prey interactions. Overnight at a tented camp, immersed in the sounds of the wild.
Day 5: Serengeti Migration Tracking
Dedicate the day to tracking the migration in the Serengeti. Early morning and late afternoon game drives maximize chances of seeing dramatic river crossings or vast herds on the move. Your guide navigates to prime locations, sharing insights on the ecosystem and animal behavior. A bush lunch adds to the adventure, with optional visits to a Maasai village to learn about local culture. Return to the tented camp for a starlit dinner.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife. Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive, spotting black rhinos, elephants, and dense populations of predators like lions and spotted hyenas. The migration’s stragglers may linger in the crater’s grasslands. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo-filled lake before ascending to a lodge on the crater rim for a breathtaking sunset.
Day 7: Ngorongoro to Arusha
After a leisurely breakfast, take a final scenic drive back to Arusha, with a stop at a local craft market to shop for souvenirs like Maasai beadwork or Tanzanite jewelry. Arrive in Arusha by midday for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. The memories of thundering herds, vast savannas, and Tanzania’s warm hospitality linger long after the journey ends.
