Duration
6 NIGHTSBest For
Guests prioritizing premium accommodations and seamless private logistics.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Arusha Coffee Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Melia Serengeti, Serengeti Migration Camp, The Manor NgorongoroSafari Overview
Northern Serengeti for Great Migration timing
This seven-day route layers Tarangire, Central Serengeti, and Northern Serengeti for the strongest possible Great Migration window between July and October.
Stays move from Arusha Coffee Lodge to luxury tented camps in the migration zone, finishing with sunset views from The Manor Ngorongoro on the crater rim.
Transfers: Private 4x4 road safari with optional internal flights
Safari Snapshot
Combine Tarangire elephants with Central and Northern Serengeti for prime Great Migration viewing, finishing on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Safari Style
Luxury Lodges
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
3-6 Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Tanzania
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Arusha
Arrival in Arusha
Airport welcome at Arusha or Kilimanjaro International, brief safari orientation, and transfer to Arusha Coffee Lodge for dinner and rest.
- Airport welcome
- Coffee Lodge gardens
Day 2 · Tarangire
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Full-day game drive in Tarangire amid huge elephant families and ancient baobabs. Picnic lunch in the park, then continue to Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge for dinner.
- Baobab forests
- Elephant families
Day 3 · Ngorongoro Highlands to Seronera
Karatu to Central Serengeti
Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Naabi Hill Gate for views before lunch and an afternoon game drive in Central Serengeti. Overnight at Melia Serengeti Lodge.
- Naabi Hill viewpoint
- Seronera big-cat drive
Day 4 · Northern Serengeti
Central to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Drive north into the Kogatende area, the heart of the Great Migration. Game drives along the Mara River with a chance of crossings during peak migration months. Overnight at Serengeti Migration Camp.
- Mara River corridor
- Migration herds
Day 5 · Kogatende
Full Day in Northern Serengeti
Full-day exploration of Northern Serengeti following the herds, watching crocodile-river crossings and predator action with picnic lunches in the bush.
- Mara River crossings (in season)
- Predator action
Day 6 · Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Scenic drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim with stops along the way. Overnight at The Manor Ngorongoro with views over the crater.
- Crater rim sunset
- Manor Ngorongoro
Day 7 · Crater floor to Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha or Departure
Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for Big Five game viewing—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the rare black rhino. Picnic lunch at the hippo pool, ascent of the crater, and drive to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.
- Crater Big Five
- Final game drive
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Arusha
Welcome and overnight at Arusha Coffee Lodge.
- 2
Day 2
Tarangire National Park
Full-day game drive among baobabs and elephants.
- 3
Day 3
Central Serengeti
Big-cat focused drives in the Seronera area.
- 4
Day 4-5
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Great Migration herds and Mara River crossings in season.
- 5
Day 6-7
Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Sunset views and crater descent for Big Five game drive.
What's Included
- All accommodation during the safari
- All meals as per the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All national park and crater entry fees
- Bottled drinking water daily
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- All government taxes
- Unlimited game drives
Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Accommodation after safari (optional on request)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide
- Drinks at lodges
- Balloon safari (optional)
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. We tailor pacing, lodge standards, and activities to your travel style, dates, and priorities.
Do I need special fitness for this safari?
Most game-drive itineraries are moderate. Gorilla/chimp treks require stronger mobility and we can advise accordingly.
How far in advance should I book?
For prime season travel, we recommend securing your trip 4-8 months in advance to guarantee preferred camps.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Masai Mara vs Serengeti: Which Route Fits Your Travel Style?
Both parks share a single ecosystem, but they reward very different traveller priorities. This side-by-side guide draws on field experience to help you choose between Mara concentration and Serengeti scale, or design an East Africa circuit that includes both with Zanzibar or Mombasa added on.
Read GuideTanzania Safari Circuits: Northern, Southern, and Western Explained
Tanzania's national parks are organised into three tourist circuits. The Northern Circuit delivers the headline Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Tarangire-Manyara experience; the Southern Circuit offers wilder, lower-density parks; and the Western / Central Circuit adds chimpanzee trekking and remote island destinations.
Read GuideWhat Makes the Serengeti So Special
The Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park that offers year-round safari adventures. From June to October, the Great Wildebeest Migration crosses the Mara River — a spectacular sight and the busiest window. Off-peak, the Serengeti still delivers cheetahs on termite mounds, vast elephant herds, and resident Big Five encounters.
Read GuidePlan Your Tanzania Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
Hear what our clients have to say
Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
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