Great migration - Tanzania's northern safari circuit
From US$ 8,235 per person sharing (10 days)
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
This is the ultimate Tanzania northern safari circuit, taking you from the foothills of Mount Meru in Arusha to the elephant-studded plains of Tarangire, the lush Ngorongoro Crater, and the predator-filled northern Serengeti.
Expect a smorgasbord of wildlife encounters, dramatic great migration river crossings, and a birds-eye view of ancient, iconic landscapes
The best way to enjoy Tanzania's legendary northern parks
Highlights
Incredible wildlife viewing, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant & buffalo), cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas. Then there are the vast herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra that fill the horizon, with predators in constant attendance.
Mara River crossings, as the migrating herds cross and recross the Mara River in search of better grazing. Sometimes the herds plunge en masse off steep banks in their desperate attempts to get across the river, or after being spooked by lions, and the fall alone will kill many individuals. Others drown as they are crushed by the sheer volume of panicking wildebeest trying to scramble up the equally steep banks on the other side. Every death means dinner for crocodiles, birds and fish – such is nature’s bounty.
The other-worldly Ngorongoro Crater, where your descent into this volcano is like entering another world - one populated by large-tusked elephants, black-maned lions and rare black rhinos.
Spectacular scenic flights over these ancient landscapes
Luxury lodges that are understated and authentic
Locations
Tarangire National Park: A place of giant baobabs, fever tree forests, shimmering swamps fed by the Tarangire River - and sweeping vistas. In the middle of the park, the Silale Swamp becomes the primary water source, attracting predators and large herds of elephants as the Tarangire dry season peaks.
Ngorongoro Crater: The largest intact volcano caldera in the world is home to extraordinary biodiversity, including the Big 5, and has amongst Africa's highest lion and hyena densities. Visitors to Ngorongoro have a high chance of spotting large-tusked elephants and black rhinos, which are notoriously difficult to see elsewhere.
Serengeti National Park: The plains of the Serengeti host the Great Wildebeest Migration throughout the year - from the busy river crossings season in the north to the quieter months when the herds are calving and moving between grazing areas in the south. Even when the migrating herds are elsewhere, the Big 5 Serengeti has an abundance of wildlife year-round. Big cat sightings are a certainty: lions pose majestically on picturesque kopjes, leopards seclude themselves in the boughs of huge sausage trees, and cheetahs stretch out to their full stride through the golden grass.
Lodges
1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn: A peaceful lodge set in lush gardens outside Arusha.
3 nights at Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge: A luxury camp perfectly positioned for Tarangire game drives.
2 nights at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp: A camp perched on the crater rim with sweeping views.
3 nights at Lemala Mara: A seasonal tented camp in the northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River crossings.
Timing
This safari is designed to witness the dramatic Mara River crossings during the Great Wildebeest Migration. The only time to witness Mara River crossings is from June to October, when the wildebeest and zebra herds are in the northern Serengeti in Tanzania and southern Maasai Mara in Kenya.
This is also Tarangire’s peak season, as elephants gather in large numbers along the river. Ngorongoro offers excellent year-round game viewing, though conditions are especially favourable during the dry months with clear skies and concentrated wildlife.
Price per person sharing
9 nights (10 days) | ||
Low great migration season | June 2026 | from US$ 8,235 |
High great migration season | July to September 2026 | from US$ 9,765 |
Includes: Flights Manyara-Kogatende-Arusha, airport and intercamp transfers, all accommodations, all meals, local drinks at Lion’s Paw & Lemala Mara, half-day Crater Tour, all park and conservation fees, snacks and drinks on shared safari drives, laundry, emergency medical evacuation facilitation, lunch in Arusha on the final day, and 24/7 office support
Excludes: International flights and airport taxes; visas, mandatory travel and medical insurance, gratuities, personal items, optional activities and services not specified in the itinerary.
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
“Unforgettable”
Stefan Winterboer, AG Tanzania safari expert: “Witnessing the Great Migration is unforgettable – thundering herds, dramatic river crossings, and predators in action. This season offers the most authentic, immersive out-of-Africa safari experience imaginable."
“Tarangire magic”
Linda Fox, AG Tanzania safari expert: "I love starting a northern Tanzania safari in Tarangire. Diverse habitats, 500+ bird species, elephants in wetlands, lions on termite mounds, and lovebirds in baobabs. A magical start to any Tanzania adventure!"
"Effortless travel"
Luis Gama, AG Tanzania safari expert: “Tarangire’s elephants, Ngorongoro’s vast crater, and the Serengeti migration. The fly-in convenience made travel effortless, letting me fully enjoy incredible wildlife encounters without long drives or lost time”
Safari planning
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The best of Tanzania's northern safari circuit
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!