8 Days Lake Natron & Northern Serengeti Migration Safari. Your Tanzania safari takes you to some of the most sought-after wildlife destinations in Tanzania and Africa as a whole, the Serengeti National Park, Lake Natron, and Ngorongoro Crater. This week-long Tanzania safari itinerary starts with your arrival, then drives to see Tanzania’s largest breeding site of the lesser flamingos in Lake Natron, get to witness the great wildebeest migration in Serengeti, and thereafter drives through the Ngorongoro Crater floor for the big five animals.
This 8 Days Lake Natron & Northern Serengeti Migration Safari is available for traveling from July to November: Any other time, you shall follow the migration cycle as per your month of travel.
Detailed Itinerary of 8 Days Lake Natron & Northern Serengeti Migration Safari
Day 1: Lake Natron Shores Visit
Our Tanzania safari guide will meet you at your hotel of stay in Arusha at 8 am. After a short break, proceed on a scenic drive to Lake Natron, watching the Rift Valley landscape drift away gradually. Lake Natron is home to the country’s largest breeding ground for lesser pink flamingos. Once in the area, embark on a guided walk to the shores where you will enjoy sights of the crimson lake and large flocks of flamingos, as well as other water birds. Also, enjoy the stunning sights of the waterfalls.
Drive to the lodge, check in, and enjoy a relaxed evening. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge for all accommodation ranges.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Northern Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge. With a packed lunch, drive to the northern Serengeti National Park, famous for the great wildebeest migration in the months of July-November, for the Mara River crossing. Enjoy an exhilarating game drive to introduce you to the plains of northern Serengeti.
Have a picnic lunch at a scenic area, and thereafter, another game drive following the Mara River area, migrating herds. Drive to the camp later in the evening, watching the golden rays of the sun drifting away. Check in and relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Robin Migration Camp for Budget, Mara Bush Camp by Tanzania Bush Camps for Mid-range, Ole Serai Luxury Tented Camp Kogatende for Luxury.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3-5: Great Wildebeest Migration Game Drives
Spend these 3 full days on a Serengeti migration safari in the Mara River area, following the migration for a chance to witness the iconic Mara River crossing. Look out for predators both on shore and on the waters, lurking and ready to pounce on the unsuspecting wildebeests and grazers. On each day, breakfast is enjoyed at the camp, lunch is over a picnic in the wilderness, with an option of returning for a hot lunch at the camp available, before proceeding for an afternoon game drive yet again. Chase the sunsets as you return to the camp. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Optional Activity: Hot air balloon
Day 6: Mara River Area Game Drive, Central Serengeti National Park
Have another chance at witnessing the iconic Mara River crossing today, on a game drive yet again. Look out for the different animals in Serengeti National Park. Enjoy breakfast and with your packed lunch, proceed on a transfer to Central Serengeti. Look out for the famous common sightings in Serengeti, especially lion prides and herds of elephants, buffalo, and much more. Drive to the lodge/camp, check in, and relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Tukaone Serengeti Camp for Budget, Central Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp for Mid-range, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge for Lower-Luxury.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Ngorongoro, Ol Duvai Gorge Visit and Crater Rim Walk
After breakfast at your camp/lodge in Serengeti, check out with your packed lunch boxes. Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is about 3 hours away. Make a stop at the Ol Duvai Gorge for a lesson through history and work as discovered by the Leakeys many years ago. Have a picnic lunch and then a crater rim walk. This Ngorongoro Crater rim walk is a guided walking safari with armed rangers, leading you through some of the most scenic areas of the conservancy, coming up close with nature. Note that the terrain is quite rugged.
Proceed to drive to your lodge thereafter. Check in and relax at the lodge. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn for Budget, Hhando Coffee Lodge for Mid-range, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge for Lower-Luxury.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Drive, Departure
Wake up to an early breakfast and, with your packed lunch box, descend the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a half-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is famous for hosting all the big five animals, well over 25,000 animals, which are residents throughout the year, and amazing scenic beauty. Enjoy a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, looking out to tick off so many animal sightings as well as several birds. At Lake Magadi, be sure to spot a considerable population of pink flamingos.
Enjoy your lunch over a picnic at a select area, and thereafter proceed on a transfer back to Arusha. You will be dropped off at the airport for your flight, or at the hotel of your stay in Arusha, as per preference. This ends your 8 days safari in Tanzania.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Inclusions:
- Airport pick up and drop off as per the itinerary
- 4×4 safari land cruiser with fuel
- Professional English-speaking driver guide
- Lake Natron fees
- Park entrance fees and activities mentioned
- Transit and concession fees
- Ngorongoro Crater fees
- Full board accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary
- Complimentary drinking water in the safari vehicle
- Government taxes on tourism
Exclusions:
- Flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses like beverages, laundry, internet, etc.
- Extra and optional activities
- Tips and souvenirs
