8 Day Northern Tanzania Great Migration Safari & Crater

This 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari drives from Arusha through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, 3 nights in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi.

Overview

Day by Day

Includes/Excludes

FAQs

Safari Overview

This 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari is a 7-night road safari from Arusha through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi. You spend 3 nights at Moyo Tented Camp in the Serengeti, with a full day in the Western Corridor along the Grumeti River. It costs from USD 2,526 per adult and suits first-time visitors who want the migration, the crater and cultural visits in one trip.

It suits couples, families and small groups who are happy with a few long drives, travelling in a modified 4WD Land Cruiser with a roof hatch, on full board, with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.

Why choose an 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari?

This northern Tanzania safari links the flagship parks of the northern circuit in one loop from Arusha. Tarangire is known for big elephant herds and baobab trees, Lake Manyara for its soda lake and birdlife, and the Ngorongoro Crater for one of the best chances in East Africa to see black rhino.

The Serengeti is the centre of the trip. Three nights at one camp give you two full days of game drives following the wildebeest and zebra herds, including the Western Corridor, where the Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers hold hippos and large crocodiles.

Migration seekers: 3 nights in the Serengeti with full-day game drives.
Big Five hopefuls: a full crater game drive with a picnic lunch.
Culture lovers: a final morning with the Hadzabe and Datoga people at Lake Eyasi.

What to expect on the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari

Day 1 leaves Arusha at 08:30 for Tarangire National Park, about 120 km away, for elephants along the Tarangire River and a night at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge. Day 2 is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch, then a night at Farm of Dreams Lodge in Karatu.

Day 3 crosses the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, with an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge and a sunset game drive to Moyo Tented Camp. Days 4 and 5 are full days in the Serengeti, the second in the Western Corridor along the Grumeti River with sundowners, both nights at Moyo Tented Camp.

Day 6 starts with a morning game drive in the Serengeti, then you drive to Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge. Day 7 is a crater floor game drive with a picnic lunch and a night at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge. On day 8 you meet the Hadzabe and Datoga people at Lake Eyasi before driving back to Arusha.

When is the best time for this great migration safari?

The great migration in the Serengeti moves all year, so the best time depends on where the herds are. The herds usually pass through the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River area around May to July, and reach the northern Serengeti from about July to October. We plan your game drives around the herds’ location at the time. See our Great Migration month by month guide to choose your dates.

What is included in this northern Tanzania safari?

The price includes all meals and accommodation on the itinerary, transport and game drives in a modified 4WD Land Cruiser with a roof hatch, a professional English-speaking driver-guide, all park entry fees, all game drives on the itinerary and drinking water during game drives.

Not included are international and domestic flights, drinks, personal items, tips, travel insurance, visa fees and the Olduvai Gorge entry. Read more about the first and last parks in our Tarangire National Park guide and our Ngorongoro Crater wildlife guide, or compare a longer route on the 8-day Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari.

How much does the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari cost?

From USD 2,526 per adult. The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and lodge availability, and we confirm every lodge in your written quote.

WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888, email [email protected] or request a free tailor-made quote, and we will reply with dates and availability.

Some gallery photos by Elizabeth Morgan on Unsplash.

Safari Highlights

Elephants along the Tarangire River on day 1
Lake Manyara game drive with a picnic lunch
3 nights at Moyo Tented Camp with full days following the Serengeti herds
Western Corridor game drive along the Grumeti River with sundowners
Ngorongoro Crater floor game drive, home to black rhino
Hadzabe and Datoga cultural visit at Lake Eyasi

Day 01 :

Arusha - Tarangire National Park

Leave Arusha with packed lunch boxes at 0830hrs for Tarangire National Park tour in this great migration Northern Tanzania Safari. This park is located 120km away from Arusha.

In this astonishing park, Expect to see substantial herds of Elephants gathering alongside the Tarangire River along with many others species of animals e.g. Wildebeests, Lions, Buffaloes, Zebras and prolific birds. Dinner and overnight at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge

Day 02 :

Tarangire National Park- Lake Manyara National Park

Depart with lunch boxes to the Lake Manyara National Park. This impressive park is one of Tanzania's most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park) at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment.

The park's varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos attracted by the algae in the lake. In afternoon you will get lunch at the picinic in manyara after which we will drive to the Lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight at Farm of dream Lodge Karatu

Day 03 :

Lake Manyara National Park- Serengeti National Park

After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park. Passing via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge (optional) where anthropologists Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa.

After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park with sunset game drive en route. Moyo tented Camp

Day 04 :

Serengeti National Park Ultimate Great Migration Northern Tanzania Safari

Full day Serengeti National Park tour in this Northern Tanzania Safari where you expect to see lots of the animals. Serengeti`s Name comes from Masai language meaning endless plains. Therefore is home to many animals including Lions, Elephants, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebra, Leopards, Cheetahs, warthogs, Hyenas plus a lots and lots of bird life.

In many cases great migration takes place around Serengeti National Park and at that particular time millions of Wildebeest and Zebra are mingling together followed by predators. Moyo tented camp Serengeti

Day 05 :

Serengeti National Park Great Migration Northern Tanzania

Breakfast at the camp leave with the packed lunch. Enjoy full day of game viewing drive viewing Great Migration Northern Tanzania Safari at the Western Corridor of Serengeti, Nyasarori plains, along Grumeti River.

The key features of the Western Corridor are the Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers, running almost parallel to each other, each supporting a bank of evergreen forest.

The rivers sustain a permanent game population of zebra, wildebeest, all the predators and birdlife. It is also possible to find large pods of hippo’s and huge crocodiles in the Grumeti River. Later evening game drive with sundowners. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight at Moyo Tented Camp Serengeti

Day 06 :

Serengeti National Park -Ngorongoro Crater

Just after your hot breakfast, Embark on an early morning game drive in the great migration in Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti name comes from Maasai Language meaning endless plain. Therefore is home to many animals including Lions, Elephants, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebra, Leopard, Cheetah, warthogs, Hyena plus a lots and lots of bird life.

In many cases migration is taking place around Serengeti and at that particular time millions of wildebeest and zebras are mingling together followed by predators. Afternoon after Lunch, drive to Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge

Day 07 :

Ngorongoro Crater- Lake Eyasi

After breakfast , you will descend into the crater for a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater often described as one of the wonders of the world.

It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest animal populations. It is one of the few places where the rare black rhino can be observed in their natural setting.

As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species.

With a bit of luck the ‘Big Five’ can be spotted during one game drive only. Then late afternoon drive to Lake Eyasi . Dinner and overnight at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge

Day 08 :

Lake Eyasi- Arusha

Today it’s time to interact with the Bushmen in this Northern Tanzania Safari , the Hadzabe Tribe, who sleep in groups hunting with bow and arrows and gathering roots, tubers and wild fruits very much like humankind lived within the Stone Age.

The Datoga tribe are blacksmiths, a trade developed over centuries and still practiced in vary much an equivalent way today.

They produce the arrow heads for the Hadzabe and brass trinkets, a number of which can be purchasable by maker himself. Late afternoon drive back to Arusha, marking the end of great migration northern Tanzania safari.

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When is the best time for the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari?

The best time for the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari depends on where the herds are. They usually cross the Western Corridor and Grumeti River area around May to July and reach the northern Serengeti from about July to October. Tarangire, Manyara and the crater are good all year, so tell us your dates and we plan around the herds.

What is included in the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari?

The 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari includes all meals and accommodation, a 4WD Land Cruiser with a roof hatch, an English-speaking driver-guide, all park entry fees, all game drives and drinking water during game drives. Flights, drinks, tips, travel insurance, visa fees and the Olduvai Gorge entry are not included.

Where do you stay on this northern Tanzania great migration safari?

On this northern Tanzania great migration safari you stay at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge near Tarangire, Farm of Dreams Lodge in Karatu, Moyo Tented Camp in the Serengeti for 3 nights, Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge and Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge, all on full board. We confirm each lodge in your written quote.

Is the great migration northern Tanzania safari suitable for families?

Yes, the great migration northern Tanzania safari suits families with children who can manage several long drives, such as the day from Lake Manyara to the Serengeti. You travel in a private 4WD Land Cruiser, so the guide can take breaks when needed. Tell us your children’s ages so we can check rooms and lodge age rules.

How do I book the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari?

To book the 8 day northern Tanzania great migration safari, send the enquiry form on this page, WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888 or email [email protected] with your dates and group size. We reply with a written quote, lodge availability and the best Serengeti area for your travel month.