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Ness Dream Safari

9 Days Wildebeest Migration Safari

Overview

The 9-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Tanzania’s spectacular wilderness, designed for travelers who want to experience the Great Wildebeest Migration and explore some of the country’s most famous wildlife destinations. This safari combines Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, and the key migration areas of the Serengeti. With several days dedicated to Serengeti, there is more time to follow the herds and search for dramatic wildlife encounters. Depending on your travel dates, you may witness large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains, predator activity, calving, or river-crossing areas. The exact migration experience depends on the season and natural movement of the herds.

How To Get There

  • The safari starts and ends in Arusha or Moshi.

  • International travelers can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

  • Airport transfers can be arranged before and after the safari.

  • Additional accommodation before or after the safari can also be arranged.

Itinerary In Detail

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Karatu

Your safari begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds, impressive baobab trees, seasonal wetlands, and diverse wildlife. Enjoy a game drive through the park, with opportunities to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the safari before continuing with your afternoon game drive. Later, leave Tarangire and drive to your lodge in the Karatu area for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge/tented camp in Karatu

Day 2: Karatu – Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart Karatu and travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward the Serengeti. Enjoy the spectacular highland scenery before continuing toward the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. After entering the Serengeti, begin your game drive while making your way toward your accommodation. Depending on the season, you may already encounter large groups of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains. Continue to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 3: Full-Day Serengeti – Following The Migration

Enjoy an early breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive focused on finding the migrating herds. The Great Wildebeest Migration is a natural movement, and the location of the animals changes throughout the year. Your experienced guide will use current local information and knowledge of the park to determine the best areas to explore. Depending on the season, you may see thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains, along with predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your game drive in the afternoon. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 4: Serengeti – Migration Tracking

After breakfast, continue your exploration of the Serengeti with another full day dedicated to wildlife and migration viewing. Travel through different areas of the park in search of the herds and follow their natural movements. The Serengeti offers much more than the migration itself. Along the way, you may encounter elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, gazelles, and a variety of predators. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the game drive before continuing into the afternoon. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 5: Serengeti – Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, continue toward the Northern Serengeti, an important region for migration viewing during certain times of the year. Enjoy a game drive along the way, taking time to explore the changing landscapes and search for wildlife. Depending on the season, the northern Serengeti can offer opportunities to see large herds gathering near the Mara River area. River crossings are a natural event and cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day’s activities before continuing toward your accommodation. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp and relax in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/luxury tented camp in Northern Serengeti

Day 6: Full-Day Northern Serengeti – Migration Experience

Wake up early and enjoy a full day exploring the Northern Serengeti. This day is dedicated to following the migration and exploring the surrounding wilderness. Depending on the season, you may have the opportunity to observe large herds moving through the area. If conditions are suitable and the herds are near the river, your guide may take you to appropriate viewing areas around the Mara River. River crossings are unpredictable and depend entirely on the natural behavior of the animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your wildlife exploration in the afternoon. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/luxury tented camp in Northern Serengeti

Day 7: Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti

After breakfast, begin your journey toward the Central Serengeti, enjoying game viewing along the way. The central Serengeti is rich in wildlife and provides excellent opportunities to see predators, herbivore herds, and resident wildlife. Continue your game drive while making your way toward your accommodation. Enjoy lunch during the day’s activities before arriving at your lodge or tented camp. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the Serengeti.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp in Central Serengeti

Day 8: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Central Serengeti before beginning your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The morning provides another opportunity to search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and other wildlife. After the game drive, continue toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Arrive at your accommodation and enjoy the afternoon at leisure while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp in the Ngorongoro area

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for your final major wildlife experience. The crater is home to a remarkable concentration of wildlife. During your game drive, you may see lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, elephants, and numerous bird species. There may also be an opportunity to see the endangered black rhinoceros, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before ascending and leaving the conservation area. Continue to Arusha, arriving in the afternoon or evening. Your 9-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari comes to an end with Ness Dream Safari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Package Includes

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

  • Professional English-speaking safari guide

  • 8 nights of accommodation

  • Accommodation in selected lodges or tented camps

  • Full-board meals according to the itinerary

  • Picnic lunches during safari activities

  • Drinking water during the safari

  • National park entrance fees

  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees

  • Game drives as specified in the itinerary

  • Government taxes and applicable levies

  • Airport or hotel transfers where specified

Package Excludes

  • International and domestic flights

  • Tanzania visa fees

  • Travel insurance

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, and shopping

  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Accommodation before and after the safari unless specified

  • Any services not specifically mentioned under “Package Includes”

Important Information

The Great Wildebeest Migration is a natural event, and the location of the herds changes throughout the year. The best areas for migration viewing therefore depend on your exact travel dates. River crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. Ness Dream Safari will use local knowledge, current wildlife information, and experienced guides to maximize your chances of experiencing the migration. The accommodation and route can be adjusted according to the season, availability, travel style, and budget. For travelers interested in a more exclusive experience, the safari can be upgraded to luxury lodges and premium tented camps.

Travel With Ness Dream Safari

Follow the incredible journey of the wildebeest across the Serengeti and experience one of Africa’s most remarkable natural spectacles. From the endless plains of Serengeti to the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, experience the Great Wildebeest Migration with Ness Dream Safari.

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