7 Days The Great Serengeti Migration Safari — Complete Travel Guide
7 Days Migration Northern Serengeti Safari 2025/2026 — Itinerary, Cost & Travel Guide
If there is one safari experience that captures the very soul of Africa, it is the 7 Days The Great Serengeti Migration Safari. This carefully crafted journey takes you across some of Tanzania’s most iconic destinations, including the Ngorongoro Crater, the endless plains of the Serengeti, and the northern wilderness of Kogatende. Here, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow the rains in search of greener pastures, creating the largest land migration on Earth.
A 7 days Tanzania safari is perfectly designed for travelers who want to balance comfort and adventure. It is long enough to allow you to fully immerse yourself in the magic of the wilderness, but not so long that you feel exhausted. Unlike shorter itineraries that rush through the highlights, this safari gives you two full days in the northern Serengeti, maximizing your chances of witnessing the dramatic wildebeest river crossings. And unlike longer safaris, it concludes with a short flight from Kogatende back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, sparing you the long 7-hour drive back to Arusha.
With luxury lodges, comfortable tented camps, and expert guiding throughout, this is a safari designed to give you the best of Tanzania. Whether it is your first time in Africa or a long-awaited return, the 7 days Serengeti migration safari offers breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable moments at every step.
Fun Facts About the Serengeti Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is filled with fascinating details that make it even more extraordinary. Did you know that wildebeests can actually smell rain up to 50 kilometers away? This remarkable sense of smell guides them across vast landscapes in search of fresh grazing. Zebras, on the other hand, have excellent memories of migration routes, which is why they often lead the way, with wildebeests following close behind.
Every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles participate in this incredible journey. It is the largest terrestrial animal migration in the world, and it follows a clockwise pattern across Tanzania and Kenya, moving with the seasonal rains.
7 Days The Great Serengeti Migration Safari Photo Gallery
Below are stunning photos captured during the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, showcasing the breathtaking moments of millions of wildebeest and zebras on their epic journey across the plains.
Expert recommendation
As a Tanzania safari specialist, I highly recommend the 7 Days Great Serengeti Migration Safari because it offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and time. In just one week, you’ll experience the Big Five in Ngorongoro Crater, the vast plains of Serengeti, and the breathtaking wildebeest river crossings in Kogatende—all without the stress of long drives, since your safari ends with a convenient flight back to Kilimanjaro Airport. This itinerary is not too short to miss the highlights and not too long to feel overwhelming, making it the ideal choice for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike. If you want a safari that truly captures the heart of Tanzania, this is the one to book.
Laurent Karume
Tanzania Safari Specialist
7 Days The Great Serengeti Migration Safari Highlights
- Discover the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Explore the vast plains of Central Serengeti.
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Northern Serengeti, especially the Mara River crossings.
- Experience predator action in Central Serengeti, where lions, leopards, and cheetahs thrive.
- One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
- Enjoy thrilling game drives with diverse wildlife.
- End with a scenic flight back to Kilimanjaro Airport.
At a glance
- Tanzania
- Safari
Tailormade itineraries
Every Tanzania Safari Experience adventure is customized just for you—no fixed tours or set dates. Speak with our Tanzania Safari experts to help you plan your perfect Tanzania Safari itinerary.
Safari Spots
These are the safari spots—Tanzania safari destinations—you will visit on your journey. Each stop offers unique wildlife, landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
Arusha City
Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park
Detailed Itinerary – 7 Days Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari
Your safari is carefully planned to maximize wildlife viewing while still giving you time to relax and enjoy the journey. Here’s what you can expect day by day.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro – Transfer to Arusha
Your adventure begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide. After a short orientation, you will be transferred to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, located about an hour away. This transfer gives you a chance to relax after your flight and soak in your first views of Tanzania’s landscapes.
Once you arrive in Arusha, you will check into Gran Melia Arusha, a luxurious hotel with stunning views of Mount Meru and beautifully landscaped gardens. This evening is all about rest and preparation. You can enjoy the hotel’s facilities, savor a delicious dinner, and prepare yourself for the safari adventure that awaits.
Day Highlights:
- Meet your personal safari guide
- Transfer to Arusha accommodation
- Dinner and overnight stay
Arusha City Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
Gran Melia Arusha (Click to View)
- Location: Arusha City
- Room Type: Deluxe City View
- Meal Plan: B&B - Bed and Breakfast
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Travel Tip: It’s always a good idea to arrive a day before your safari officially begins, ensuring you are well-rested and ready to make the most of your experience.
Day 2: Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater for Game Drive
After breakfast, you set off toward the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most famous safari destinations. The drive takes you through picturesque landscapes, with rolling hills, coffee plantations, and Maasai villages along the way.
Once you reach the crater, you will descend 600 meters into its lush floor. This natural amphitheater is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. It is one of the best places in Africa to spot endangered black rhinos, as well as flamingos, zebras, and wildebeest.
During the game drive, you will stop for a picnic lunch at the hippo pool, a unique spot where you can enjoy your meal while watching hippos wallow in the water. The rest of the afternoon is spent exploring the crater before you head to your lodge near Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight.
Day Highlights:
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Photo
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
Escarpment Luxury Lodge - Manyara (Click to View)
- Location: Lake Manyara National Park
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
🌿 Safari Tip: Ngorongoro Crater is often called a “natural zoo” or “Garden of Eden” because it’s one of the few places in Africa where you can see so many animals in such a small area. In just a few hours, you might spot lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and countless other wildlife all living together inside this breathtaking volcanic crater. It’s like nature showing off all its wonders at once!
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Serengeti National Park (Central & Western Grumeti)
Your morning begins with a final game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, giving you another chance to spot its incredible wildlife before continuing toward the Serengeti National Park. The journey itself is an adventure, as you pass through Maasai lands and vast savannahs.
The Serengeti is the crown jewel of Tanzania, famous for its wide-open plains and abundant wildlife. On your way to your lodge, you will enjoy your first Serengeti central game drive, exploring the Seronera region, which is well known for its thriving lion and leopard populations. You may also spot cheetahs, elephants, and large herds of antelope grazing the plains.
By evening, you arrive at Lahia Tented Lodge, located in the Grumeti area. The lodge offers a perfect blend of luxury and immersion in nature, with tented suites overlooking the rolling savannah.
Day Highlights:
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
Ngorongoro Crater Photo
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
Lahia Tented Lodge (Click to View)
- Location: Grumeti — western Serengeti
- Room Type: Luxury Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Serengeti National Park – Home of the Great Migration
Serengeti is the most famous park in Tanzania, known for endless plains, big cats, and the Great Wildebeest Migration. It is a very large area, and we recommend spending at least 3 days to enjoy a good safari experience and see many animals. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see, but the park is full of wildlife all year round.
Day 4: Serengeti Central – Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
After breakfast, you begin your journey north through the Serengeti. This drive is not just a transfer—it is a full game drive, taking you across diverse landscapes from Seronera’s central plains to the rugged kopjes and acacia woodlands of the north. Along the way, you are likely to encounter elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and perhaps even cheetahs hunting in the open grasslands.
Your destination is Kogatende, in the northern Serengeti. This is one of the best places in Africa to witness the Great Migration river crossings, where wildebeests and zebras risk everything to cross the crocodile-filled Mara River. This evening, you will settle into Nyikani Migration Camp, a luxury mobile camp strategically placed near the migration routes. It provides the perfect base for your next two days of migration-focused game drives.
Day Highlights:
- Serengeti Central To North Game Drive
Serengeti National Park (Kogatende Area) Photo
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
Nyikani Migration Camp - Kogatende (Click to View)
- Location: Kogatende - Northern Serengeti
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
🌅 Next Morning Balloon Safari at Kogatende
After arriving at Kogatende, we will arrange an optional balloon safari for the following morning at an additional cost. This unforgettable adventure begins early, allowing you to drift silently over the Serengeti as the sun rises. From above, you’ll witness animals awakening across the plains, and with a bit of luck, you might even catch the dramatic sight of wildebeest crossing the Mara River from the sky.
Day 5 - 6: Full Day Wildebeest Migration at Kogatende
These two days are dedicated entirely to exploring Kogatende and witnessing the wildebeest migration river crossing. Your guide will take you to the best vantage points, where you can watch thousands of wildebeest gather along the Mara River, nervously pacing the banks before plunging into the water. Crocodiles wait in the river, while lions and hyenas prowl nearby, creating one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the world.
But Kogatende is not just about the migration. The region is rich in wildlife all year round. Herds of elephants move through the valleys, giraffes browse acacia trees, and predators like cheetahs, leopards, and lions patrol the plains. The scenery is equally stunning, with rolling hills, riverine forests, and wide savannahs stretching as far as the eye can see.
For those seeking an extra-special experience, you can opt for a hot air balloon safari. Floating silently above the Serengeti at sunrise gives you a bird’s-eye view of the migration and the opportunity to see wildlife from an entirely new perspective.
After thrilling game drives each day, return to Nyikani Migration Camp for dinner under the stars and the sounds of the African night.
Day Highlights:
- Full Day Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - River Crossing
Serengeti National Park (Kogatende Area) Photo
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
Nyikani Migration Camp - Kogatende (Click to View)
- Location: Kogatende - Northern Serengeti
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
📌 Safari Tip – Kogatende
Kogatende is one of the best places to witness the Great Migration, especially the thrilling Mara River crossings. As a sustainable safari company, we ensure a respectful experience by limiting vehicle numbers at sightings, supporting conservation projects, and practicing eco-friendly tourism.
Day 7: Kogatende – Flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport
On your final day, enjoy one last morning game drive in Kogatende, soaking in the beauty of the Serengeti and cherishing your last encounters with its incredible wildlife. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the nearby Kogatende Airstrip for your domestic flight back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
This short flight is a highlight in itself, giving you breathtaking aerial views of the Serengeti before landing at JRO, where you will connect with your international flight home. Choosing this option saves you from a long 7-hour drive back to Arusha, making your safari both comfortable and time-efficient.
This marks the end of your unforgettable 7 days Serengeti migration safari, a journey filled with incredible wildlife sightings, dramatic landscapes, and lifelong memories.
Day Highlights:
- Serengeti North Game Drive
- Transfer to JRO
DAY FLIGHTS
DEPT: 14:10 FROM: Kogatende Airstrip
ARRV: 16:45 TO: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Kogatende Photos
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- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
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7 Days Great Migration Safari Price & Cost Breakdown
One of the most common questions travelers ask is, “What is the 7 days great migration safari price?” The cost of this adventure varies depending on your travel style, accommodation level, and the season in which you choose to travel. Generally, prices fall into three main categories—luxury, mid-range, and budget safaris.
For those seeking the finest experience, a luxury Tanzania safari can range between $5,500 and $7,500 per person. This level of safari typically includes exclusive lodges and tented camps, personalized services, and extra comforts such as sundowner experiences or private vehicles. For travelers who want comfort without going all out, mid-range safaris cost around $3,800 to $4,800 per person, offering excellent lodges and tented camps with full amenities. Budget-conscious travelers can opt for a budget Tanzania safari, which generally costs between $2,800 and $3,500 per person, providing basic yet comfortable accommodations with all the essential inclusions.
The 7 days Serengeti migration safari cost usually covers park entry fees, crater permits, professional safari guides, 4×4 vehicles, domestic flights from Kogatende to Kilimanjaro, all meals during the safari, and airport transfers. However, it is important to note that international flights, visa fees, optional activities (such as balloon safaris), and personal expenses are typically not included.
By offering different price categories, this itinerary ensures that every traveler—from luxury seekers to budget explorers—can experience the wonder of the Serengeti migration.
📌 Travel Tips for Your Tanzania Safari
Planning your safari well ensures you get the most out of your 7 days Serengeti migration safari. One of the most important things to consider is timing. The best time for the Great Migration river crossings in Kogatende is between July and October, when wildebeests gather in the northern Serengeti before crossing into Kenya. If you prefer the calving season, visit from December to March in Ndutu, where thousands of wildebeest give birth, attracting predators in dramatic numbers.
Packing smart also makes a huge difference. Lightweight clothing in neutral colors is ideal for game drives, while layers are useful for cooler mornings and evenings. Don’t forget a good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and insect repellent. These essentials will help you stay comfortable and fully enjoy your safari experience.
Another common question is “How many days do you need for safari?” A 7 days Tanzania safari is widely considered the perfect length. It gives you enough time to explore the Ngorongoro Crater, central Serengeti, and the northern migration zones without feeling rushed. Shorter safaris, like a 5 days safari or a 6 days safari Tanzania, can feel too tight, while longer safaris may be tiring for first-time visitors.
Finally, consider extending your adventure with a beach holiday. Many travelers combine this trip into a Tanzania and Zanzibar itinerary (7 days or more), pairing thrilling game drives with the relaxation of white sandy beaches. The combination of safari and beach is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Tanzania.
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Everything You Need to Know About Your Safari
Every safari adventure begins with a question. Whether it’s your first or second time, it’s natural to wonder about the best time to visit, what to pack, or how the journey works. Here, we’ve answered the most common questions travelers ask before booking their Tanzania safari, so you can plan with confidence and look forward to unforgettable memories.
The best time to experience the 7 days Serengeti migration safari depends on what you want to see. For the dramatic Mara River crossings in Kogatende, the ideal period is July to October. This is when wildebeests gather in huge numbers at the riverbanks, creating unforgettable wildlife spectacles. For the calving season, which happens in Ndutu, the best time is December to March, when thousands of calves are born, and predators are highly active.
The 7 days great migration safari cost ranges between $2,800 and $7,500 per person, depending on whether you choose a budget, mid-range, or luxury option. The price usually includes accommodation, meals, park fees, professional guides, and domestic flights, but it excludes international flights, visas, and optional extras.
Yes! Many travelers extend their trip by adding a 8 to 10 Days Tanzania Safari that includes Lake Manyara or Tarangire, or even finishing with a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar. Combining destinations makes your trip even more rewarding.
Yes, a 7 days safari Tanzania itinerary is considered ideal for most travelers. It provides enough time to explore Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and the northern migration zones. Shorter safaris, such as 5 or 6 days, can feel rushed, while longer safaris may be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Seven days strike the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation.
Absolutely. Many travelers choose to extend their 7 days Serengeti migration safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar. This creates the ultimate Tanzania itinerary—wildlife adventure followed by rest and relaxation. A Tanzania and Zanzibar itinerary (7 days or more) allows you to experience the best of both worlds: thrilling game drives and tranquil beaches.
The key difference is the time spent in the northern Serengeti. Unlike a 5 days safari or a 6 days safari Tanzania, this 7 days migration safari includes two full days in Kogatende. This greatly increases your chances of witnessing the wildebeest river crossings, which are the highlight of the migration. It also allows for a more relaxed pace, so you can fully enjoy each destination without feeling rushed.
Yes, Tanzania is considered one of the safest safari destinations in Africa. National parks are well-managed, and guides are highly trained to ensure your safety. While in cities, it’s always best to take normal precautions, such as avoiding walking alone at night. Traveling with a trusted operator ensures a smooth and safe experience.