9-Day Best Tanzania African Safari (Great Migration) Safari
Overview
Overview
Our 9-Day Best Tanzania African Safari (Great Migration) Safari takes you through Tanzania’s most iconic national parks and conservation areas, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness the Great Migration phenomenon. Your Tanzania African Safari begins in the cultural hub of Arusha and winds through diverse ecosystems, including Tarangire’s elephant corridors, Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions, and the vast Serengeti plains. Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure as you track millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles during their epic seasonal migration across the Serengeti ecosystem.
The Tanzania African Safari continues through the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” for its incredible wildlife density and geological significance. This remarkable conservation area houses over 25,000 large mammals within its 260-square-kilometer caldera, providing guaranteed Big Five sightings. Your Tanzania African Safari experience includes visits to Lake Natron, the breeding ground for millions of flamingos, and the remote Northern Serengeti, where river crossings create dramatic wildlife spectacles. Each destination on this Tanzania African Safari has been carefully selected to maximize your chances of witnessing the Great Migration while exploring Tanzania’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
This expertly crafted Tanzania African Safari culminates with cultural interactions in Mto wa Mbu, where you’ll experience authentic Tanzanian traditions and local communities. The journey showcases Tanzania’s incredible biodiversity, from the seasonal movements of over two million wildebeest to intimate encounters with tree-climbing lions and massive elephant herds. Your Tanzania African Safari includes premium accommodations, expert local guides, and exclusive access to prime wildlife viewing areas. This comprehensive adventure ensures you experience the very essence of African wildlife while creating lifelong memories of your Tanzania African Safari journey through some of the continent’s most spectacular wilderness areas.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for elephant viewing and baobab trees
Day 3: Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for tree-climbing lions and flamingos
Day 4: Continue with the tour to Lake Natron for the flamingo breeding grounds
Day 5: Proceed to Central Serengeti National Park for Great Migration viewing
Day 6: Transfer to Northern Serengeti for river crossing spectacles
Day 7: Continue with Central Serengeti game drives and Big Five encounters
Day 8: Proceed to Ngorongoro Crater for caldera wildlife viewing
Day 9: Continue with the Mto wa Mbu cultural tour and departure to Arusha
Price Includes
Price Includes
Park fees for all national parks and conservation areas
All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Ground transport per 4WD custom safari vehicle
Bottled water in the safari vehicle throughout the journey
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Driver allowances and guide fees
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Game drive activities in all parks
Cultural tour in Mto wa Mbu
Price excludes
Price Excludes
Tanzania Visa fees
International and internal flights
Personal needs such as gratuities, beverages, etc.
Visa processing fees
Air ticket costs
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Laundry fees
Tips for guides and drivers
Life insurance coverage
Other drinks apart from water
Personal shopping and souvenirs
Travel insurance (recommended)
Itineraries
Day 1Arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
Your spectacular Tanzania African Safari begins with arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, where our professional team welcomes you to this extraordinary East African adventure. The 60-kilometer transfer to Arusha takes approximately 1.5 hours through Tanzania's beautiful northern landscapes, providing your first glimpse of the stunning scenery that defines this Tanzania African Safari experience. Upon arrival in Arusha, situated at 1,400 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Meru, you'll check into your comfortable accommodation and receive a detailed briefing about your upcoming Tanzania African Safari itinerary. This inaugural day allows you to rest, acclimatize to the altitude, and prepare for the incredible wildlife encounters that make this Tanzania African Safari an unforgettable journey through some of Africa's most pristine wilderness areas.
Day 2Transfer to Tarangire National Park for elephant viewing and baobab trees
Transfer to Tarangire National Park initiates the wildlife viewing portion of your Tanzania African Safari, departing Arusha at 8:00 AM for this remarkable elephant sanctuary covering 2,850 square kilometers. The 120-kilometer journey takes approximately 2.5 hours through the scenic Maasai Steppe, leading to one of Tanzania's most underrated gems and a crucial component of your Tanzania African Safari experience. Tarangire National Park, named after the Tarangire River that flows through its heart, supports the largest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania and forms an essential part of any comprehensive Tanzania African Safari. Your afternoon game drive reveals massive baobab trees, seasonal swamps, and diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 550 bird species, establishing the exceptional quality that defines this Tanzania African Safari adventure.
Day 3Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for tree-climbing lions and flamingos
Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park, continuing your Tanzania African Safari with a 70-kilometer journey that takes approximately 1.5 hours from Tarangire through the Great Rift Valley escarpment. This compact but incredibly diverse park covers 330 square kilometers and offers unique wildlife experiences that perfectly complement your comprehensive Tanzania African Safari itinerary. Lake Manyara National Park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavioral adaptation that makes this destination a highlight of any Tanzania African Safari adventure. The park's diverse ecosystems range from groundwater forests to grassy plains and alkaline lakes, supporting flamingo populations, elephants, hippos, and buffalo, ensuring your Tanzania African Safari provides varied and exciting wildlife encounters throughout this remarkable East African journey.
Day 4Continue with the tour to Lake Natron for the flamingo breeding grounds
Continue with your Tanzania African Safari journey to Lake Natron, departing Lake Manyara for this extraordinary alkaline lake located 150 kilometers north via a 4-hour drive through remote Maasai territories. Lake Natron, situated at 600 meters above sea level near the Kenyan border, serves as the primary breeding ground for over 2.5 million lesser flamingos, creating one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife phenomena and a unique highlight of your Tanzania African Safari. The lake's extreme alkalinity and high temperatures create otherworldly landscapes of salt flats, hot springs, and mineral deposits that provide dramatic photographic opportunities during your Tanzania African Safari exploration. This remote destination offers intimate encounters with Maasai communities and stunning views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the sacred "Mountain of God," adding cultural and geological dimensions to your comprehensive Tanzania African Safari experience.
Day 5Proceed to Central Serengeti National Park for Great Migration viewing
Proceed to Central Serengeti National Park, the heart of your Tanzania African Safari Great Migration experience, beginning with a 200-kilometer journey that takes approximately 5 hours through Tanzania's legendary wilderness. The Serengeti ecosystem covers 30,000 square kilometers and represents the pinnacle of any Tanzania African Safari adventure, hosting the world's largest terrestrial mammal migration involving over 2 million animals. Your arrival in Central Serengeti places you at the epicenter of this natural phenomenon, where your Tanzania African Safari reaches its most exciting phase with incredible wildlife densities and predator-prey interactions. The afternoon game drive introduces you to the vast Serengeti plains, acacia woodlands, and seasonal rivers that support resident wildlife populations year-round, ensuring your Tanzania African Safari provides exceptional game viewing regardless of migration timing.
Day 6Transfer to Northern Serengeti for river crossing spectacles
Transfer to Northern Serengeti represents the most thrilling segment of your Tanzania African Safari, covering 100 kilometers in 2.5 hours to reach the legendary Mara River crossing points. The Northern Serengeti, bordering Kenya's Masai Mara, becomes the stage for the most dramatic wildlife spectacles during your Tanzania African Safari, particularly from July to October when massive herds attempt dangerous river crossings. These death-defying crossings, where crocodiles wait for migrating wildebeest and zebras, create the most iconic scenes of any Tanzania African Safari and provide unparalleled photographic opportunities. Your full day in this remote region ensures maximum chances of witnessing these incredible natural dramas while exploring landscapes that epitomize the raw wilderness experience that defines an authentic Tanzania African Safari adventure
Day 7Continue with Central Serengeti game drives and Big Five encounters
Continue with intensive game drives in Central Serengeti, returning to this wildlife-rich region for comprehensive Big Five encounters that showcase the diversity of your Tanzania African Safari experience. The 80-kilometer transfer from Northern Serengeti takes 2 hours, bringing you back to areas with the highest concentration of resident predators and large mammals in East Africa. Central Serengeti's kopjes (rocky outcrops) serve as perfect vantage points for lions and leopards, while the open plains support cheetah populations, making this day crucial for completing your Tanzania African Safari Big Five checklist. The extensive game viewing throughout this region demonstrates why the Serengeti remains the gold standard for African safari experiences, ensuring your Tanzania African Safari provides encounters with Africa's most iconic wildlife species in their natural habitat.
Day 8Proceed to Ngorongoro Crater for caldera wildlife viewing
Proceed to Ngorongoro Crater, the crown jewel destination of your Tanzania African Safari, beginning with a 140-kilometer journey that takes 3 hours through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, spanning 260 square kilometers and supporting approximately 25,000 large mammals in one of Africa's most concentrated wildlife areas. Your Tanzania African Safari reaches its climax during the crater floor game drive, where virtually guaranteed Big Five sightings occur within this natural amphitheater that serves as a microcosm of East African ecosystems. The 600-meter descent into the crater provides breathtaking panoramic views while offering exceptional wildlife photography opportunities, making this crater exploration the highlight of your comprehensive Tanzania African Safari adventure.
Day 9Continue with the Mto wa Mbu cultural tour and departure to Arusha
Continue with your Tanzania African Safari conclusion in Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant multicultural town where over 120 Tanzanian tribes coexist, adding authentic cultural experiences to your wildlife adventure. The 50-kilometer morning journey from Ngorongoro takes 1.5 hours, leading to this fascinating community nestled between Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley escarpment. Your Tanzania African Safari cultural immersion includes visits to local markets, traditional banana beer brewing, and interactions with Maasai, Chagga, and other indigenous communities that call this region home. The 70-kilometer afternoon transfer back to Arusha takes 2 hours, concluding your magnificent Tanzania African Safari with final opportunities to purchase authentic souvenirs and reflect on nine days of incredible wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and cultural discoveries that define the ultimate East African safari experience
