8-Day Big Time to Visit Mara River Wildebeest Migration Tour

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival, a Big Time Adventures representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a moment to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. Known as the gateway to northern safaris, Arusha offers a vibrant introduction to Tanzania’s culture, warmth, and hospitality.

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation for a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2.5 hours on paved roads). Named after the Tarangire River, the park becomes a vital wildlife haven during the dry season, drawing large elephant herds and diverse species. Enjoy a game drive spotting giraffes, bushbucks, hartebeests, and predators such as lions and leopards, alongside abundant birdlife and iconic baobab trees. A picnic lunch is served inside the park. Later, continue to Karatu for your overnight stay.

Set out on a scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater along the way. Continue onward into the southern Serengeti National Park, renowned for its endless plains and rich wildlife. Watch for impalas, buffalo, crocodiles, and hippos, as well as predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, before settling into your accommodation in the Central Serengeti for the night.

Continue your journey north through Serengeti National Park, enjoying rewarding wildlife sightings along the way. The Serengeti is world-famous for the Great Migration, when vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and antelope move in search of fresh grazing often concentrated in the northern plains during this season. Keep watch for predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards following the herds, adding thrilling moments to your drive. By evening, settle into your accommodation at Nyikani Migration Camp, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Serengeti wilderness.

Spend a full day immersed in the northern Serengeti National Park, focusing on the renowned Kogatende region, where the Great Migration unfolds dramatically along the river crossing points. Witness wildebeest and zebras braving crocodile-filled waters, while predators linger nearby, creating intense wildlife encounters. This area offers exceptional opportunities to observe raw predator prey interactions throughout the day. As the sun sets, return to your accommodation at Nyikani Camp, surrounded by the untamed beauty of the Serengeti.

Depart the northern Serengeti National Park (Kogatende) and enjoy a scenic game drive as you journey back toward the Central Serengeti. Rather than a long return to Ngorongoro, this route allows more time to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife-rich corridors. En route, continue spotting predators, grazing herds, and abundant birdlife across the endless plains. Arrive in the Central Serengeti by late afternoon and settle into your accommodation, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the Serengeti.

Descend into adventure as you journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where sweeping views of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater unfold before you. Venture onto the crater floor for a rewarding game drive in one of Africa’s most wildlife-dense habitats, home to rhinos, elephants, lions, flamingos, and more. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery from open grasslands to soda lakes teeming with life. After this unforgettable experience, continue to Karatu and settle into Eileen’s Trees Inn for a relaxing evening surrounded by the tranquil highlands.

On your final day, embark on a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippos, and vibrant birdlife. After this last wildlife adventure, return to Arusha for your onward departure, carrying unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and safari experiences.