6 Days Serengeti Great Migration Safari

The 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari is a carefully curated Northern Tanzania adventure designed to immerse travelers in one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles—the Great Migration. This safari focuses on tracking over a million wildebeest and zebra as they traverse the Serengeti plains and the surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area, following seasonal water and grazing patterns. Depending on the time of year, travelers will witness specific migration highlights: calving season in the southern Serengeti, river crossings at the Grumeti or Mara Rivers, or the southward return of herds during the short rains.

The safari begins in Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Circuit, or directly in nearby parks such as Tarangire or Lake Manyara, to break up long transfers and allow for early acclimatization. A 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof ensures optimal viewing, while a professional English-speaking guide provides deep insight into animal behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and the ecological significance of the migration. The 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari balances adventure, photography, and cultural encounters, giving guests a holistic experience of Northern Tanzania’s wildlife and communities.

Wildlife highlights are unparalleled. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs are active predators within migration zones, offering exciting encounters as they track the movement of the herds. Elephant families, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests populate the plains year-round, while bird enthusiasts can spot secretary birds, kori bustards, lilac-breasted rollers, hornbills, and African fish eagles. Optional cultural visits to Maasai villages enrich the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari, providing understanding of local pastoralist traditions, conservation practices, and community life adjacent to protected areas.

This safari is meticulously designed to maximize wildlife sightings, including dramatic river crossings, predator-prey interactions, and calving events, while also providing comfortable accommodations, meals, and guided expertise. Guests leave with lifelong memories, stunning photography, and a deep appreciation of Tanzania’s ecological and cultural richness. The 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, families, and anyone seeking an authentic and memorable African safari experience.

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to First Park

The 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari begins with arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), where you are met by your professional driver-guide from Winton Africa Safaris. Depending on your arrival time, the first day may involve a transfer to a hotel in Arusha for briefing or a direct drive to a nearby park such as Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. This initial stop allows travelers to rest, stretch after flights, and begin their safari experience with an afternoon game drive.

If visiting Tarangire, the landscape immediately impresses with massive baobab trees and herds of elephants moving along the Tarangire River. Lions, leopards, and large herbivores such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes are commonly seen, providing a first introduction to Tanzania’s rich biodiversity. Birdwatchers can enjoy secretary birds, lilac-breasted rollers, hornbills, African fish eagles, and storks. For those who choose Lake Manyara, the lush forests, soda lakes, and acacia woodlands create a unique setting for game viewing. Tree-climbing lions, hippos in the shallow lakes, and flocks of flamingos add dramatic visual interest.

Cultural immersion begins with encounters with Maasai communities, observing traditional beadwork, cattle herding, and homestead structures. The guide provides detailed explanations about the conservation challenges and community efforts in protecting wildlife adjacent to the park boundaries. Sundowners against the backdrop of an African sunset conclude the day, followed by a full dinner at the lodge or tented camp. This first day sets the stage for the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari, combining wildlife, culture, and scenic splendor.

Animals, Birds, and Cultures to spot: Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, impalas, waterbucks; secretary birds, lilac-breasted rollers, hornbills, African fish eagles, storks; Maasai pastoralists, village homesteads, traditional beadwork, cattle herding practices.

Day 2–4: Focused Serengeti Game Drives

For the next three days, the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari is devoted to tracking the Great Migration in the region most appropriate for the time of year. From January to March, travelers focus on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu Plains to witness calving season. April to May sees herds moving north through the central and western Serengeti, while June to July features the Grumeti River crossings in the western corridor. August to October highlights the iconic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti, and November to December observes the herds returning south during the short rains.

Full-day game drives are designed to maximize sightings of the migrating herds and their predators. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs actively follow the herds, offering incredible photographic opportunities. Observing the river crossings is particularly dramatic, as wildebeest and zebras navigate crocodile-infested waters, with guides explaining herd behavior, predator strategies, and ecological significance. Elephant families, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes populate the plains, creating dynamic, photogenic landscapes.

Birdlife is prolific and diverse, with secretary birds stalking prey, kori bustards displaying elaborate courtship rituals, African fish eagles hunting over water, and colorful rollers adding vibrancy. For the culturally inclined, optional Maasai village visits provide insight into pastoralist traditions, conservation practices, and interactions with the local environment. Lodges or tented camps in central Serengeti locations serve as a comfortable base, with sundowners and meals under the African sky enhancing the immersive experience.

Animals, Birds, and Cultures to spot: Wildebeests, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes; secretary birds, kori bustards, African fish eagles, rollers, hornbills; Maasai pastoralists, local traditions, conservation education, traditional dances.

Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

On day five, the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari transitions from the open plains of the Serengeti to the iconic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending from vast savannahs to volcanic highlands. The morning includes a final Serengeti game drive to spot predators, observe wildebeest herds, and capture photography opportunities. The drive toward Ngorongoro passes through fertile highlands, Maasai villages, and scenic farmlands. A stop at Olduvai Gorge may be arranged to explore this archaeological treasure, famous for early human fossils, adding a profound historical context to the safari.

Upon arrival near the crater rim, guests enjoy panoramic views of the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife. Sundowners at the rim provide awe-inspiring vistas of the crater floor, where Maasai herders and their livestock coexist with the resident wildlife. The lodge or tented camp accommodates travelers for an overnight stay, combining comfort with proximity to one of Tanzania’s most extraordinary ecological sites. Cultural insights from nearby communities, including traditional beadwork and pastoralist life, enhance the richness of the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari, bridging wildlife and human heritage.

Animals, Birds, and Cultures to spot: Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, hyenas; secretary birds, kori bustards, hornbills, African fish eagles, ostriches; Maasai pastoralists, Olduvai Gorge heritage, traditional village practices, livestock herding.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater and Departure

The final day of the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari is dedicated to a morning game drive within the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Descending 2,000 feet into the caldera, travelers encounter one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and black rhinoceros—the elusive member of the Big Five—are reliably observed. Zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, hippos, hyenas, and warthogs contribute to a dynamic ecosystem rich in predator-prey interactions.

Birdlife is abundant: flamingos, crowned cranes, African fish eagles, storks, and hornbills grace the crater’s diverse habitats. Guides provide detailed commentary on the ecological significance of the crater, conservation challenges, and interactions between wildlife and local Maasai communities, who practice sustainable pastoralism on the slopes. A picnic breakfast or lunch in the crater allows travelers to savor the surroundings before ascending back to the rim.

Following the game drive, travelers drive back to Arusha for transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) for departure, concluding the 6 Days Serengeti Migration Safari. The journey combines wildlife, culture, and photography opportunities, leaving guests with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s natural and cultural richness.

Animals, Birds, and Cultures to spot: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinoceros, zebras, wildebeests, hippos; flamingos, crowned cranes, African fish eagles, hornbills, storks; Maasai pastoralists, village communities, traditional grazing practices, crater conservation efforts.

Safari Inclusions

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Arusha (JRO or ARK)
• Accommodation in lodges or luxury tented camps as per itinerary
• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the safari
• 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for wildlife viewing
• Professional English-speaking safari guide throughout the safari
• All park entrance and conservation fees for Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire/Lake Manyara if included
• Morning and afternoon game drives as per itinerary
• Picnic lunches during full-day drives
• Bottled water during game drives and transfers
• Optional guided cultural walks in designated areas

Safari Exclusions

• International flights to and from Tanzania
• Tanzania visa fees
• Travel, medical, and personal insurance
• Personal expenses, souvenirs, and optional activities not specified in the itinerary
• Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
• Hot air balloon safaris or other premium optional activities