7-Day Great Migration Mid-Range Safari

TOUR OVERVIEW

Get ready for an unforgettable 7-day safari adventure through Tanzania’s most famous national parks! This mid-range tour takes you to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater—home to the Big Five and the breathtaking Great Migration. You’ll enjoy exciting game drives, comfortable lodges, and the chance to see thousands of animals in their natural habitat. Along the way, your friendly and knowledgeable guide will share stories and facts about the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. Perfect for travelers who want a mix of adventure, comfort, and amazing wildlife moments!

ITINERARy

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (or Arusha Airport), you will be met by your friendly safari guide who will transfer you to your mid-range lodge in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the lodge or take an optional cultural or town tour. In the evening, your guide will give you a full safari briefing, preparing you for the exciting adventure ahead. Dinner will be served at the lodge, where you’ll also spend the night.

Main Destination: Arusha City
Distance from JRO to Arusha: ~54 km
Travel Time: Approx. 45 minutes to 1 hours
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, a journey of about 2 hours through scenic countryside. Known for its large herds of elephants and ancient baobab trees, Tarangire offers a great start to your wildlife adventure. You’ll enjoy your first game drive through the park, spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many colorful bird species. After a picnic lunch in the bush, continue your afternoon game drive before heading to your nearby lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Distance from Arusha to Tarangire: ~120 km
Travel Time: Approx. 2 to 2.5 hours
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge a mid-range lodge located 2-3hr drive from Tarangire NP

Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park

Today you’ll drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse park set beneath the Great Rift Valley wall. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and flocks of flamingos along the lake shore. Explore the forest, open grasslands, and lakeside environments during your game drive, guided by your expert safari driver. After a day of wildlife viewing, drive to your lodge in Karatu, located on the way to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by nature.

Accommodation:

Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Distance from Karatu to Lake Manyara National Park: ~26 km
Travel Time: Approx. 30 min to 45 minutes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge a mid-range lodge located 2-3hr drive from Tarangire NP

Day 4: Karatu to Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, depart from Karatu and drive toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The journey covers about 210 km and takes approximately 5–6 hours by road. Along the way, you will pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a short stop at the crater viewpoint to enjoy breathtaking scenery.

As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape unfolds into vast grasslands filled with wildlife. Enjoy a game drive en route to your tented camp, spotting lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and—depending on the season—the spectacular Great Migration as thousands of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains.

Arrive in the late afternoon at your camp for dinner and overnight stay in the heart of safari country.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Distance Covered: Approx. 210 km (5–6 hours)
Accommodation: Moyo Tented Camp (tented camp inside Serengeti)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti – Following the Great Migration

Rise early for a full-day adventure in the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. Begin with a morning game drive, the best time to spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards when they are most active.

The rest of the day is spent exploring different areas of the park, following the movement of wildlife. If traveling during the Great Migration season (June–October or December–March), you may witness the breathtaking sight of thousands of wildebeest and zebras on the move—sometimes even facing the dramatic challenge of a river crossing.

Your guide will lead you through the vast plains and woodlands, helping you track not only the big cats but also elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and countless bird species. After an exciting day, return to your tented camp in the evening to enjoy dinner and storytelling around the campfire.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Moyo Tented Camp (tented camp inside Serengeti)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Sunset at the Crater Rim

After breakfast, set out on a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, taking in the last sights of its endless plains and wildlife. Later, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying en-route game viewing along the way.

On the drive, you may choose to stop at a traditional Maasai village or the historic Olduvai Gorge Museum (optional, at extra cost) to learn more about local culture and early human history.

Arrive in the late afternoon at your lodge located near the Ngorongoro Crater rim. From here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s largest unbroken caldera as the sun sets. Dinner will be served at the lodge, where you’ll spend the night preparing for tomorrow’s early descent into the crater.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Distance Covered: Approx. 145 km (4–5 hours)
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (lodge near crater rim)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Big Five Safari & Return to Arusha

Rise early for an unforgettable descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best places in Africa to spot the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard—all in a single day.

The crater floor is a diverse habitat of open grasslands, acacia forests, and a freshwater lake, supporting a remarkable density of wildlife. Enjoy a half-day game drive with opportunities to see hyenas, hippos, flamingos, and countless bird species alongside the larger mammals. A picnic lunch will be served at the scenic hippo pool.

After your safari, begin the drive back to Arusha, arriving by late afternoon. You will be dropped off at your hotel or directly at the airport, depending on your onward travel plans.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Distance Covered: Approx. 190 km (4–5 hours)
Accommodation: End of Tour (no accommodation included)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

End of tour

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost and upon request.

COST INCLUDES

Park fees and government taxes
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Soft Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Roundtrip airport transfer

COST NOT INCLUDED

International flights (From/to your home country)
Tips for your guide, cook and crew.
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Extra accommodation before and after tour
Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary

Optional Safari Add-Ons (Extra Charges Apply)

All add-ons are optional and available at extra cost. Just tell us what you’d like, and we’ll make it happen.

Hot Air Balloon Ride in the Serengeti or Tarangire National Park
Lodge or Tented Camp Upgrade - Stay in a higher-end lodge or luxury tented camp
Special Occasion Setup - Surprise setup for birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons
Maasai Village Visit - Visit a traditional Maasai village and learn about their culture
Child-Friendly Safari Activities - Fun extras for kids—games, guides, and family-friendly options
Bush Breakfast or Bush Lunch - Enjoy a meal in the wild, surrounded by nature
Airport Pick-Up or Drop-Off - Private transfer to or from Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
Extra Park Visit - Add another national park to your trip (e.g., Ruaha NP or Nyerere NP)
Extra Night Before or After Safari - Stay in Arusha/Moshi before or after your safari
Safari Video Package - Edited video of your safari experience to keep or share
Travel Essentials Kit - Includes sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, and a refillable water bottle
Professional Photographer - A local photographer joins your trip to capture beautiful safari moments