8-Day Tanzania Safari: The Great Migration
Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara
- approx. 12 hours flight time
- On-site rescheduling possible
- Possible year-round
Introduction (Overview)
On an unforgettable 8-day safari in Tanzania, experience a wilderness adventure through East Africa's most spectacular national parks! This classic safari route takes you from Arusha through four of the most famous protected areas: Lake Manyara with its tree-climbing lions, the endless Serengeti with the legendary Great Migration, the majestic Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with its gigantic elephant herds.
On this private drive-in safari in a 4×4 Land Cruiser, you'll have the best chance of spotting the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and the rare black rhino. A special highlight is the visit to Olduvai Gorge, where major discoveries about human evolution were made, along with an authentic encounter with the Maasai people.
The best time to travel for this 8-day safari in Tanzania is the dry season from June to October, when the animals gather at the waterholes and spectacular sunsets bathe the savannah in golden light.
ROUTE OVERVIEW
- Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
- Day 2: Safari in Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 3: Drive to the Serengeti
- Day 4: Full-Day Safari in the Serengeti
- Day 5: Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge and the Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 6: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park
- Day 7: Safari in Tarangire and return to Arusha
- Day 8: Departure
Budget accommodations
2 people
2.606 € *
4 people
1.997 € *
6 people
1.794 € *
Mid-range accommodations
2 people
2.606 € *
4 people
1.997 € *
6 people
1.997 € *
Luxury accommodations
2 people
3.402 € *
4 people
2.687 € *
6 people
2.449 € *
Indicative costs per person, excluding flights to Tanzania
Our offer includes:
Optional additions:
Not included:
Customer testimonial
“Everything perfect – great trip and great price
Our safari with Safari Tanzania was unforgettable! Thanks to their collaboration with local providers, they offered us a huge selection of accommodations. While other providers were often hard to reach and had limited options, Safari Tanzania put together a tailor-made tour perfectly suited to our budget and preferences. We saw the Big Five and experienced the Great Migration! Our guide was top-notch, and the organization ran smoothly. Absolutely recommended for a personalized and affordable dream vacation!
Philipp Grünewald, a customer from Vienna
Daily Descriptions
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
After arriving in Arusha, the gateway to the northern national parks, you'll be given a warm welcome. Use this day to settle in and enjoy the anticipation of the adventure ahead. In the evening, you'll receive a detailed safari briefing in which your guide prepares you for the days to come.
Day 2: Safari in Lake Manyara National Park
After the briefing, you'll begin your safari with a 130 km drive to Lake Manyara National Park, set picturesquely at the foot of the Great Rift Valley. The lake takes up much of the park and draws an incredible variety of wildlife.
This park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions – a phenomenon seen in only a handful of places in Africa! Keep an eye out too for buffalo, giraffes, hippos, baboons and the spectacular birdlife, with flamingos, ostriches and over 400 other species. The hot springs in the west of the park lend this landscape a very special atmosphere.
Day 3: Drive to the Serengeti
After breakfast, your journey takes you through the fertile highlands of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the world-famous Serengeti. Leave the highlands behind and immerse yourself in the heart of wild Africa – the endless plains stretching to the horizon, exactly as you know them from countless nature documentaries.
You'll reach the Seronera region in the centre of the Serengeti, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the entire park. The Seronera River is a vital water source and draws the Serengeti's full diversity of species. After a picnic in the middle of the savannah, you'll enjoy your first afternoon game drive in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 4: Full-Day Safari in the Serengeti
A whole day in the heart of the Serengeti! Early in the morning, you'll set off along the Sogore River Circuit, which leads into the southern plains – a hotspot for lions, cheetahs, gazelles, topi and ostriches. The Serengeti is famous for its impressive predator population, with over 4,000 lions and 1,000 leopards.
In the afternoon, you'll explore the Kopjes Circuit around the Maasai Kopjes – these granite outcrops are favourite lookout points for lions and make for spectacular photo opportunities. The Serengeti is also the stage for the legendary Great Migration, in which millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains.
Day 5: Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro
After one last morning game drive in the Serengeti, you'll travel to the Ngorongoro Crater beginsAlong the way, you'll stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge – this is where anthropologists Dr Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the skulls of "Nutcracker Man" and "Handy Man," significant links in the chain of human evolution.
Another highlight awaits: meeting the Maasai people! Experience their traditional welcome dance, in which the men leap in brightly coloured robes – each trying to jump higher than the last. Visit a traditional hut, built by the Maasai women in just a single month. In the afternoon, you'll descend more than 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for your first game drive in this natural wonder.
Day 6: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park
Today your journey continues to Tarangire National Parkwhich stretches along the river of the same name. The park lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and impresses with its distinctive vegetation: acacia woodland, gigantic African baobab trees and expansive marshland.
During the dry season, the river and the marshes act like a magnet for wildlife. Tarangire is home to three rare species you'll seldom find elsewhere in Tanzania: the greater kudu, the fringe-eared oryx and the ashy starling. After a picnic, you'll enjoy an extended afternoon game drive through this fascinating landscape.
Day 7: Tarangire and Return to Arusha
Make the most of the early morning hours with one last game drive in Tarangire – the best time to watch the animals in the golden morning sun. The park is famous for its huge elephant herds and the majestic baobab trees that define the landscape and make the animals beside them look tiny. After this unforgettable finale to your safari, you'll drive back to Arusha.
Day 8: Departure
The final day of your trip has arrived. Depending on your departure time, you'll be taken to the airport or the bus station. Not quite ready to leave? Ask us about extension options – whether that's extra safari days, a Kilimanjaro climb or a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar!
Customer testimonial
“Top-organized safari with fantastic memories
Safari Tanzania, as an intermediary, enabled us to have highly individualized planning and saved us the effort of comparing dozens of providers online. They adapted everything to our wishes, connected us with the ideal local team, and offered flexible, prompt support – a relaxed highlight full of lasting memories.
Many safari organizers pushed for a personal call, only to offer a package tour in the end. Safari Tanzania sent us an offer after the first email, which we then minimally adjusted and swapped out one accommodation. This saved my girlfriend and me a lot of effort. Thank you very much!
Michael Simann, a customer from Frankfurt
Discover other tours
All prices listed are former prices for short and price-optimized trips. Current prices may be higher due to the respective season and inflation. Our terms and conditions apply.
Discover other 8-day safaris here.
passionate tour guide in Tanzania for 6 years
It fills me with pride to show guests the beauty of Tanzania and give them unforgettable moments. I love it when my guests see a lion in the wild for the first time or marvel at the savanna at sunset. It is important to me that my guests feel safe and well looked after – and return home with many beautiful stories.
My profession is not just a job for me, but something I'm passionate about."
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to travel for this safari?
The dry season from June to October offers ideal conditions – the animals gather at waterholes and the sunsets are spectacular.
Can I see the Great Animal Migration?
Yes! The Serengeti is the stage for the migration all year round. Depending on the month, you'll experience different phases of this natural spectacle.
Which parks do I visit on this tour?
Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire – four of Tanzania's most famous protected areas.
What makes Lake Manyara special?
The park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions and over 400 bird species, including flamingos.
Is a Maasai village visit included?
Yes – this tour includes an authentic encounter with the Maasai people and a visit to Olduvai Gorge.
What are the odds of the Big Five?
Very high! The combination of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire significantly maximises your chances of seeing all of the Big Five.
How strenuous is this safari?
The driving times between the parks are moderate. In a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, you'll travel through the wilderness in comfort.
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