8 Days Big 5 Migrations Safaris - River Crossing

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

1. Tarangire National Park
   6h
   Your safari adventure begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Arusha, followed by a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive through the park, famous for its large elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, and diverse wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park while surrounded by the beautiful African wilderness. In the afternoon, continue exploring Tarangire’s landscapes and wildlife before driving to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Karatu to Central Serengeti

1. 7h
   he way. Upon entering the Serengeti, enjoy a game drive across its vast savannah plains, home to abundant wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, and large herds of wildebeest and zebras. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before continuing your afternoon game drive towards Central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera region, renowned for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year. In the late afternoon, proceed to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness.

Day 3: Full Day Central Serengeti

1. Serengeti National Park
   8h
   After breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in Central Serengeti, exploring the magnificent Seronera region, renowned for its abundant wildlife and excellent year-round game-viewing opportunities. Search for the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos—along with cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and large herds of wildebeest. The region’s rivers and rocky kopjes provide ideal habitats for predators and other wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive across the endless savannah plains. As the day draws to a close, return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the unforgettable atmosphere of the African wilderness.

Day 4: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti

1. Serengeti National Park
   8h
   After breakfast, depart from Central Serengeti and travel towards the remote and beautiful Northern Serengeti, enjoying a scenic game drive along the way. As you journey through the vast savannah plains, look out for wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and large herds of wildebeest. During the Great Migration season, Northern Serengeti offers excellent opportunities to witness the spectacular movement of wildebeest and zebras, with the famous Mara River being a key highlight during the river-crossing season. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before continuing your wildlife exploration towards the Kogatende area. In the afternoon, arrive at your lodge or tented camp, where you can relax, enjoy dinner, and spend the night surrounded by the wilderness of Northern Serengeti.

Day 5: Full day Northern Serengeti

1. Serengeti National Park
   8h
   After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive through Northern Serengeti, exploring its breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. This region is particularly famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, especially the dramatic Mara River crossings that typically occur between July and October, depending on the movement of the herds. With your experienced safari guide, explore the riverbanks and surrounding plains in search of wildebeest, zebras, crocodiles, and predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive, discovering more of the region’s remarkable wildlife and scenery. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay in Northern Serengeti.

Day 6: Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

1. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
   8h
   After an early breakfast, depart from Northern Serengeti and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying wildlife sightings and scenic landscapes along the way. Upon arrival at Ngorongoro Crater, descend approximately 600 metres into the crater for an unforgettable game drive across its spectacular wildlife-rich landscape. Explore the crater floor in search of the Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and the endangered black rhino, alongside zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and numerous bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site within the crater before continuing your afternoon wildlife exploration. Later, ascend the crater walls and proceed to Karatu, where you will check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park

1. Lake Manyara National Park
   8h
   After breakfast, depart from Karatu and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a memorable game drive. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is renowned for its scenic beauty, lush groundwater forests, and diverse wildlife. Explore the park in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, and the famous tree-climbing lions. The alkaline lake also attracts a variety of waterbirds, including flamingos and pelicans, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive through its varied landscapes. Later, exit the park and proceed to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, bringing another wonderful day of your Tanzanian safari to a close.

Day 8: Departure to Tanzania

1. 1h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at your lodge before departing for Arusha, depending on your international flight schedule. Upon arrival in Arusha, you may have some free time to relax or enjoy a short stroll around the town, subject to your departure time. Later, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Tanzanian safari adventure. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of Tanzania’s spectacular landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and warm hospitality.

Pickup details

Clients will be greeted at the airport by our friendly office representative holding a personalized pickup board with their name for easy identification. This ensures a smooth and welcoming start to your adventure with Williamson Adventures.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels