6-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari

📌 Package Overview

Embark on the ultimate Northern Circuit wildlife expedition with our expanded 6-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari, masterfully curated by African Traces. This itinerary kicks off with a visit to the giant elephant herds and iconic baobab trees of Tarangire National Park before sweeping through Northern Tanzania's elite game reserves: Central Serengeti (Seronera), the migration river-crossing zone of Kogatende, and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater.

Begin your journey in Tarangire, famous for its high concentration of elephants, tree-climbing lions, and ancient baobab trees. Journey onward to the central Serengeti plains before heading north to Kogatende along the Mara River to witness herds of wildebeests and zebras tackling predator-filled river crossings.

Wrap up your African safari adventure with a descent into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, offering dense game concentrations and an opportunity to spot the endangered black rhino alongside the rest of the Big Five.

Travel comfortably in customized 4×4 Safari Land Cruisers with expert driver-guides and enjoy hand-picked lodges and tented camps near top game regions.

Safari Highlights

● Tarangire Elephant Haven: Spot massive elephant herds and iconic baobabs along the Tarangire River.
● Great Wildebeest Migration: Witness the river crossing action in Kogatende along the Mara River.
● Central Serengeti Action: Explore the predator-rich Seronera region, home to big cats and vast wildlife.
● Ngorongoro Crater Floor: Descend into the volcanic caldera for intense, high-density wildlife viewing.
● Complete Big Five Safari: Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rare black rhinos.
● Bush Dining & Picnics: Enjoy wild picnic lunches surrounded by panoramic African landscapes.
● Private 4×4 Land Cruiser: Travel in custom vehicles equipped with pop-up roofs for photography.
● Local Safari Experts: Gain wildlife insights from experienced English-speaking local guides.
● Curated Accommodations: Relax in top-rated wilderness lodges and tented camps.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Full Itinerary Short Itinerary

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha

• Activities: Airport Pick-up • Hotel Transfer • Tour Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), meet your African Traces driver-guide for a transfer to your Arusha hotel.
Rest after your journey and join an evening pre-safari briefing covering your upcoming itinerary.
• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

• Driving Time: Approximately 2.5 Hours
• Activities: Full-Day Game Drive • Baobab & Elephant Safari
After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its giant baobab trees and large elephant population.
Enjoy a full-day game drive along the Tarangire River, the main water source attracting lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. Enjoy a scenic bush picnic lunch in the park before heading to your lodge for dinner.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge / Tented Camp in Tarangire or Karatu

Day 2: Tarangire / Karatu – Central Serengeti National Park (Seronera)

• Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 Hours (game drive en route)
• Activities: Overland Transfer • Crater Highlands • Afternoon Game Drive
Depart after breakfast through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands into the endless plains of Central Serengeti (Seronera).
Explore the predator-rich Seronera Valley, home to lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Enjoy a picnic lunch before an afternoon game drive tracking wild game across the open savannah.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge or Tented Camp in Central Serengeti

Day 3: Central Serengeti – Kogatende (Northern Serengeti)

• Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 Hours (game drive en route)
• Activities: Game Drive Northward • Mara River Region Tracking
Drive north toward Kogatende in Northern Serengeti, the hub for Mara River Wildebeest Migration crossings.
Observe changing scenery along the way, keeping an eye out for elephants, giraffes, and apex predators. Arrive in Kogatende for lunch and begin exploring the riverbanks ahead of tomorrow's full-day search.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury Tented Camp in Kogatende / Northern Serengeti

Day 4: Full-Day Migration Tracking in Kogatende (Mara River)

• Activities: Full-Day River Crossing Safari • Bush Picnic Lunch
Spend a full day tracking the Great Migration along the iconic Mara River.
Position near major crossing points to watch wildebeests navigate river currents and Nile crocodiles. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch in the field and spend the afternoon tracking surrounding big cats.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury Tented Camp in Kogatende / Northern Serengeti

Day 5: Kogatende – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Driving Time: Approximately 6–7 Hours (game drive en route)
• Activities: Morning Game Drive • Scenic Transit Southward
Enjoy a morning game drive in Kogatende before heading south across the Serengeti plains with a packed lunch.
Head into the cooler, lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area by late afternoon for dinner and rest.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge on Ngorongoro Crater Rim or Karatu

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Return to Arusha

• Driving Time: Approximately 4 Hours
• Activities: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive • Return Transfer
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater after an early breakfast.
Spend 5 hours exploring the crater floor in search of black rhinos, lions, elephants, and hippos. Enjoy lunch by the Hippo Pool before ascending the crater rim and transferring back to Arusha or JRO Airport.
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Short Summary

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha

Airport greeting, hotel transfer in Arusha, tour briefing, and dinner. (Overnight: Arusha)

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Full-day game drive in Tarangire exploring baobab trees and large elephant herds. (Overnight: Tarangire/Karatu)

Day 2: Tarangire / Karatu – Central Serengeti National Park

Scenic drive through Ngorongoro highlands to Central Serengeti, picnic lunch, and afternoon game drive. (Overnight: Central Serengeti)

Day 3: Central Serengeti – Kogatende (Northern Serengeti)

Scenic game drive north towards Kogatende, afternoon wildlife tracking near the Mara River. (Overnight: Kogatende)

Day 4: Full-Day Migration Safari in Kogatende

Full day exploring the Mara River banks watching for Wildebeest Migration river crossings and predator action. (Overnight: Kogatende)

Day 5: Kogatende – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Early game drive in Kogatende, scenic game-viewing transit south to the Ngorongoro highlands. (Overnight: Ngorongoro Rim / Karatu)

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Return to Arusha

5-hour crater floor game drive searching for black rhinos and the Big Five, picnic lunch at Hippo Pool, transfer to Arusha/JRO Airport.

📋 Safari Inclusions & Exclusions

TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS

Serengeti National Park

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Tarangire National Park

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Lake Manyara National Park

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Ngorongoro Crater

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Arusha National Park

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SAFARI INFORMATION

ABOUT TANZANIA SAFARI

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Tanzania Safari with Kids

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Private Safari Tours

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Best Time for Tanzania Safari

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Why Safari with African Traces

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