Package Summary
This 13-night, 14-day premium itinerary is engineered for travelers whose primary goal is witnessing the Great Migration—specifically the dramatic Mara River crossings in the Northern Serengeti—before decompressing on Zanzibar’s Indian Ocean beaches. Unlike shorter safaris that rush through the Northern Circuit, this package allocates sufficient time in the Serengeti’s migration corridors (Kogatende/Lamai) during the peak crossing window of July–September, when wildebeest and zebra herds mass near the Mara River . The route also incorporates the Ngorongoro Crater for Big Five viewing and Tarangire’s elephant herds, ensuring a comprehensive wildlife experience beyond the migration alone. Accommodation is in premium safari lodges and tented camps, transitioning to a Zanzibar beach resort for the final four nights. With migration-focused mobile camps selling out 12+ months ahead, early booking is essential for 2027–2028 departures.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you are met and transferred to a premium lodge in Arusha. After checking in, relax and enjoy dinner. Your guide provides a comprehensive briefing on the migration-focused adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Premium lodge in Arusha (Dinner)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes, with opportunities to spot elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and over 500 bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner.
Accommodation: Premium safari lodge near Tarangire (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at a lodge in the Karatu or crater rim area. The afternoon is at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Premium lodge in Ngorongoro Highlands (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Descent
An early start for the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Enjoy a full morning on the crater floor with a picnic lunch, searching for the Big Five including the critically endangered black rhino. Return to the lodge in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Premium lodge in Ngorongoro Highlands (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, depart for the Serengeti, driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with en-route game viewing. Arrive in the central Serengeti (Seronera area) for an afternoon game drive. The Seronera Valley is renowned for its leopard and lion populations.
Accommodation: Premium safari camp in Central Serengeti (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
After an early breakfast, drive north through the Serengeti toward the Kogatende region, near the Mara River. The landscape shifts as you enter the migration corridor. Arrive at your mobile camp—positioned to follow the herds—in the afternoon. Evening game drive or relaxation at camp.
Accommodation: Premium migration camp, Kogatende (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Full Day Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossings
A full day dedicated to the migration. Your guide tracks the herds along the Mara River, positioning you at known crossing points. River crossings cannot be guaranteed—the herds may gather without crossing, move away, or cross at a distant location—but the Northern Serengeti offers exceptional wildlife viewing regardless, including resident predators and large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra . Picnic lunch in the bush. Return to camp for sundowners and dinner.
Accommodation: Premium migration camp, Kogatende (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Second Full Day Northern Serengeti
Another full day in the migration corridor. Depending on herd movements, your guide may explore different river viewpoints or track predators following the herds. The additional day significantly improves your chances of witnessing a crossing or observing the migration’s scale. Optional hot-air balloon safari available at additional cost (pre-booking required).
Accommodation: Premium migration camp, Kogatende (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Northern Serengeti to Arusha – Flight to Zanzibar
After a final morning game drive in the Northern Serengeti, transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha. Connect to your included flight to Zanzibar (approximately 1.5 hours). On arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, transfer to your beach resort for a four-night stay.
Accommodation: Premium beach resort in Zanzibar (Breakfast, Dinner on arrival)
Days 10–12: Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Three full days to relax on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches. The resort offers pools, beach access, and optional activities (additional cost):
Stone Town heritage tour (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Spice farm excursion
Snorkeling or diving
Jozani Forest red colobus monkey visit
Sunset dhow cruise
Accommodation: Premium beach resort in Zanzibar (Breakfast daily; meal plan as specified by resort)
Day 13: Zanzibar at Leisure
A final full day at the beach. Enjoy the resort’s facilities or explore nearby coastal villages. Dinner at the resort.
Accommodation: Premium beach resort in Zanzibar (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14: Zanzibar – Departure
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Includes & Excludes
What’s Included
Accommodation: 13 nights in premium safari lodges/camps (including migration-focused camp in Kogatende) and a Zanzibar beach resort
Meals: All meals as specified on safari (breakfast, picnic lunches, dinners); breakfast daily in Zanzibar with additional meals per resort plan
Safari game drives: All game drives as per itinerary in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional guide: English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari portion
Park entry fees: All national park and Ngorongoro Crater entrance fees
Included flights: Kogatende to Arusha; Arusha to Zanzibar
Airport transfers: All arrival and departure transfers in Arusha and Zanzibar
Bottled drinking water: In the safari vehicle during game drives
What’s Not Included
International flights: To/from Kilimanjaro (JRO) and from Zanzibar (ZNZ)
Tanzania visa fees: Check current requirements for your nationality
Travel insurance: Comprehensive coverage strongly recommended
Gratuities: Guides, lodge staff, and drivers (budget USD $15–$25 per day for guides)
Alcoholic and premium drinks at safari lodges and Zanzibar resort (unless specified)
Optional activities: Hot-air balloon safari (approximately USD $550–$650 per person); Stone Town tours; spice tours; snorkeling/diving
Laundry services (unless specified by lodge)
Personal expenses: Souvenirs, telephone charges, items of a personal nature
Zanzibar departure taxes: If applicable and not included in your air ticket
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Mara River crossing be guaranteed?
No. River crossings are natural events and cannot be scheduled or guaranteed. The herds may gather near the river without crossing, move away, cross before your vehicle arrives, or cross at a distant location . Booking multiple nights in Kogatende (as this itinerary does) significantly improves your opportunities, but nature remains unpredictable.
When is the best time to book this itinerary for the migration?
Target July–September for the Northern Serengeti river crossings. Migration timing varies year to year based on rainfall. Book 12+ months ahead for mobile camps that follow the herds—these are the most constrained component of the package .
How does this itinerary differ from a standard 14-day safari?
Most 14-day Tanzania packages allocate only 2–3 nights to the Serengeti, often in the central region. This itinerary dedicates three nights to the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) specifically during the migration window, plus a night in the central Serengeti. This is a migration-focused itinerary, not a general Northern Circuit tour.
What is the luggage limit for the internal flights?
Scheduled bush flights typically enforce a 15 kg (33 lbs) limit per person in soft-sided bags. Excess luggage can often be stored in Arusha. Confirm with your operator before departure .
Is this safari suitable for photographers?
Yes—the extended time in the Northern Serengeti and the private vehicle throughout make this ideal for wildlife photography. The migration concentrations and predator activity around the herds offer exceptional subject matter. A hot-air balloon safari (additional cost) provides aerial perspectives of the herds.
Booking Notes for 2027–2028
Pricing: The indicative price of approximately USD $9,332 per person reflects a premium-tier itinerary with migration-focused accommodation. Request firm quotations for your preferred dates, as peak-season migration camps command a premium.
Peak season urgency: July–September departures sell out 12+ months ahead. The Kogatende mobile camps are the highest-demand component. Book as early as possible for 2027–2028.
Migration timing: For the best chance of river crossings, target August–September when herds are most concentrated near the Mara River. July can offer excellent viewing but may require more flexibility as herds move north .
Alternative migration months: For calving season (January–March), the herds are in the Southern Serengeti/Ndutu area. This itinerary can be adjusted seasonally—request a migration-season-specific quotation.
