When can I see the Great Migration river crossings?

The dramatic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti typically happen between July and October. Timing varies year to year with the rains — message Ombeni with your travel dates and he'll advise where the herds are likely to be.

Budget or mid-range — what's the difference?

The route, vehicle and guiding are the same; the difference is accommodation. Budget uses simpler tented camps, mid-range uses more comfortable camps and lodges. Both are full board.

Can I combine this safari with a Kilimanjaro climb?

Yes — many travellers climb Kilimanjaro first and add this safari afterwards. We arrange it as one trip with a single price. Just ask Ombeni on WhatsApp.

Is the vehicle private?

Yes. You travel in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, so drives are tailored to your group's interests rather than shared with strangers.

7-Day Safari · budget / mid-range

7-Day Great Migration Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

From

$2,200

per person

Per person, sharing, group of 2+. From $2,200 budget / $2,800 mid-range camps and lodges.

Plan on WhatsApp

Track the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti with game drives in Tarangire and a full day inside the Ngorongoro Crater — seven days covering northern Tanzania's headline parks in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof. Your guide tailors each drive to your interests, whether that's river crossings, big cats or photography.

Best months to travel: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1
Tarangire National Park — Baobabs and Elephants
Morning pickup and drive to Tarangire for a game drive among iconic baobab trees and large elephant herds along the Tarangire River. Look for lions, leopards, buffalo, zebra and an exceptional variety of birdlife, with a picnic lunch in the park.
Lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range tented camp near Tarangire
2
Ngorongoro Crater — The Eden of Africa
Descend at dawn into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa — lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos and flamingos. Picnic lunch by a hippo pool, then a Maasai village visit on the way out.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range lodge on the crater rim
3
Into the Serengeti — Endless Plains
Drive into the Serengeti, game-viewing as you go. The afternoon is spent tracking wildlife across the southern and central plains — home to the Big Five — before a sundowner as the sun dips below the horizon.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range tented camp in the Serengeti
4
Northern Serengeti — Tracking the Migration
A full day following the Great Migration toward the Mara River. In season (July–October) you may witness thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle massing to cross, watched by lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range tented camp in the Serengeti
5
Serengeti — Big Cats and River Crossings
Another full day in the heart of the Serengeti, with drives customized to your interests — photography, predators, or quieter corners of the park. Your guide reads the herds to give you the best chance at a crossing.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range tented camp in the Serengeti
6
Serengeti — Full Day Game Drives
A final full day exploring the vast plains, returning to favourite sightings and chasing new ones. Enjoy a sundowner in a scenic spot before your last night under the Serengeti sky.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Budget or mid-range tented camp in the Serengeti
7
Return to Arusha — Farewell Tanzania
An early morning game drive for last sightings, then breakfast and the scenic drive back to Arusha. Depending on your flight, there's time for a coffee plantation or cultural visit and a farewell dinner of Tanzanian cuisine.
Breakfast, lunch · —

What's included

✓Six nights' accommodation in budget or mid-range tented camps and lodges
✓Full board throughout — breakfast, lunch and dinner
✓Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
✓All national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees
✓Professional, English-speaking safari guide
✓Game drives, Maasai village visit and a birdwatching checklist
✓Pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Not included

✕International flights and Tanzania visa ($50–100 depending on nationality)
✕Optional hot air balloon safari ($600 per person)
✕Tips for guides, drivers and lodge staff
✕Travel insurance (recommended for all travellers)
✕Alcoholic drinks and items of a personal nature

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.

: The dramatic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti typically happen between July and October. Timing varies year to year with the rains — message Ombeni with your travel dates and he'll advise where the herds are likely to be.
: The route, vehicle and guiding are the same; the difference is accommodation. Budget uses simpler tented camps, mid-range uses more comfortable camps and lodges. Both are full board.
: Yes — many travellers climb Kilimanjaro first and add this safari afterwards. We arrange it as one trip with a single price. Just ask Ombeni on WhatsApp.
: Yes. You travel in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, so drives are tailored to your group's interests rather than shared with strangers.

Read before you go

Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.

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Safari · 11 min read

Ready to go?

Plan your 7-Day Migration Safari with Ombeni

Per person, sharing, group of 2+. From $2,200 budget / $2,800 mid-range camps and lodges.

Get a free itinerary on WhatsApp

From

$2,200

per person

Plan on WhatsApp

7-Day Great Migration Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Tarangire National Park — Baobabs and Elephants

Ngorongoro Crater — The Eden of Africa

Into the Serengeti — Endless Plains

Northern Serengeti — Tracking the Migration

Serengeti — Big Cats and River Crossings

Serengeti — Full Day Game Drives

Return to Arusha — Farewell Tanzania