8-Day Kenya–Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration Safari
8 Days – 7 Nights
8-Day Kenya–Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration Safari
Overview
Embark on the ultimate East African adventure with this 8-Day Kenya–Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration Safari—an unforgettable journey following the spectacular annual migration of wildebeests and zebras. Witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth as millions of animals thunder across the plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing lands and water. This safari offers incredible game viewing opportunities, stunning landscapes, and cultural encounters.
The tour begins in Nairobi, Kenya, and ends in Arusha, Tanzania, combining two of Africa’s most iconic national parks—Masai Mara and Serengeti—along with the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. It’s ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to experience the raw magic of the African savannah.
Best time to travel: July to October – peak season for the Great Migration and dramatic Mara River crossings.
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8 Days/ 7 Nights
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Kenya & Tanzania
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Guided, Private Safari
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Airport TransfersCar hireServices of an English-speaking guideRefreshments like waterAll accommodation & MealsAll activitiesAll Taxes /VATA professional driver /guideFuelDrinking water
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Tips and gratuitiesAll items of personal natureInternational flightsAlcoholic drinks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Nairobi to Masai Mara – Begin Your Safari Adventure
After breakfast and a short briefing from your safari guide, begin your drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most renowned wildlife destination. The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley with opportunities for photo stops along the way.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a short rest before heading out for an afternoon game drive. This is your first chance to see the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—as well as other wildlife like giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.
Overnight: Mara Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara – Wildebeest Migration Watch
Spend the entire day exploring the vast plains of Masai Mara. Follow the wildebeest herds near the Mara River, where the thrilling river crossings take place—an unforgettable experience if timed right. Crocodiles lie in wait as thousands of wildebeests and zebras plunge into the water, creating heart-pounding moments of survival.
Enjoy a packed picnic lunch under a tree or by a riverbank, then continue your game drive in search of predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas trailing the migration.
Overnight: Mara Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Masai Mara and Transfer to Serengeti – Cross the Border into Tanzania
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Masai Mara before crossing into Tanzania via the Isebania or Sirari border. After clearing immigration, continue your drive into the legendary Serengeti National Park, arriving in the central Serengeti area by evening.
Check in to your camp and relax after a day of travel and wildlife viewing.
Overnight: Thorn Tree Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti – Explore the Endless Plains
Wake up to the sounds of the wild and set off for a full-day game drive in the central Serengeti. This region is well-known for its high predator density, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Visit the Retima Hippo Pool to see massive hippos wallowing in the water and crocodiles basking in the sun.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring different areas of the park before returning to camp for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Thorn Tree Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Serengeti (Central to North) – Migration Tracking Near the Mara River
On this day, drive north through Serengeti National Park toward the Kogatende and Mara River regions—prime locations to witness the migration. Along the way, stop for game drives as you search for herds on the move and predators on the hunt.
Arrive at your migration-tented camp close to the Mara River, a key crossing point where you’ll have the best chance to witness the dramatic river crossings.
Overnight: Acacia Migration Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Full Day in Northern Serengeti – Wildebeest River Crossing Adventure
Enjoy a full day dedicated to tracking the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti. Drive along the Mara River, where thousands of animals gather before taking the plunge across the crocodile-filled waters. It’s a spectacle of life, struggle, and instinct like no other on Earth.
Take stunning photographs, enjoy picnic meals in the wild, and soak in the beauty of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Overnight: Acacia Migration Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Transfer from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Optional Cultural Experience
After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. En route, enjoy a final game drive in the northern Serengeti and optionally stop at Olduvai Gorge, a significant archaeological site where early human fossils were discovered, or visit a local Masai village for a cultural encounter.
Arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater rim in time for dinner, with breathtaking views of the caldera below.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Tour and Drive to Arusha – End of Safari
On this day, descend over 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Africa to spot the Big Five in one place. The crater hosts over 25,000 large animals, including black rhinos, hippos, elephants, lions, zebras, and more.
Enjoy a thrilling game drive across the crater floor, exploring forests, lakes, and open grasslands. After lunch, begin your journey to Arusha, where your safari ends with drop-off at your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
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Suggested Kenya Safari Ideas
The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what’s possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.
