Overview
Embark on an unforgettable seven-day journey through Tanzania’s renowned wildlife sanctuaries, specially crafted for the Serengeti migration. This exclusive safari experience combines the Serengeti’s vast plains with the remarkable wildlife diversity of Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks. Starting and ending in Arusha, you will be flown directly to the Serengeti, where thrilling game drives will immerse you in the heart of the great migration. Accompanied by an expert guide from Migration Venture Africa, you will explore iconic parks teeming with wildlife. Each day promises exciting wildlife encounters, luxurious stays, and a deep connection with Tanzania’s natural wonders.
Itinerary
After breakfast, your driver-guide will collect you, and your safari will commence. It will take 3 hours to drive to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park is spectacular in any season, and many of the migratory wildlife species can be found at the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands, and Oryx gather until the onset of the rain, when they migrate again to good grazing areas. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Serengeti, defined as “endless plains” in Kiswahili, is inhabited by more than two million large mammals, including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle. Large predators, including lion, cheetah, and hyena, are drawn to the area by the abundance of prey, which migrate throughout the park. Smaller animals like rock hyrax, bat-eared fox, mongoose, honey badger, jackals, monkeys, baboon, and African hare, with nearly 500 species of birds, also inhabit the area.
Your safari will begin by 8AM in the morning with a pick up from your hotel in Karatu and head towards the Ndutu region. A few minutes commencing the drive, you will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) where you will notice the landscape changing from hilly forests to plain and green grasslands. Once you reach Ndutu you will begin a half day game drive with a convenient stop for your picnic lunch. Sweeping grasslands cover the region which gradually fade into the Serengeti. Ndutu forms a part of the route for the annual migration of more than 2 million wildebeests and thousands of zebra, antelope and gazelle. During game drives at the right season between December and April, you will be able to see the fertile plains turn into calving grounds and nursery for the great migration. This season attracts hordes of predators prying on vulnerable young wildebeest.
After game viewing, you will now head towards your choice of accommodation, where a freshly prepared dinner awaits you.
Your day will start early with breakfast followed by a morning game drive in the Ndutu region. This area is particularly rewarding during the migration season, with opportunities to witness wildebeest herds spread across the plains and predators on the hunt. After a few hours of exploration and wildlife viewing, you will begin your journey towards the Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley).
On the way, you will enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot while still in the wild. As you proceed further into Serengeti, the landscapes open up to the classic endless savannah dotted with acacia trees. The Seronera area is famous for its resident big cats—lions, cheetahs, and leopards are commonly spotted here alongside elephants, giraffes, and diverse birdlife.
In the evening, arrive at your lodge/tented camp in Central Serengeti, where you will have dinner and overnight stay under the starry African skies.
Wake up early for a half-day game drive in the Central Serengeti, making the most of your morning in one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife habitats. The Seronera Valley is known for frequent sightings of lions, cheetahs, and leopards, often seen resting on the iconic kopjes or hunting in the grasslands. After a few hours of game viewing, you will enjoy a picnic lunch on the way out of the park.
In the afternoon, begin your journey towards the Ngorongoro Highlands, passing through scenic rolling hills, crater viewpoints, and Maasai villages that dot the landscape. The cooler highland climate and lush greenery provide a refreshing contrast after the open plains of Serengeti.
Later, descend towards Karatu town, where you will check in at your lodge. Here, a freshly prepared dinner and a comfortable overnight stay await you.
After an early breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the planet, offering a unique opportunity to spot the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare black rhino—all in a single day.
Your game drive will take you across the crater floor, where you will also see hippos wallowing in pools, flamingos covering Lake Magadi, and hyenas prowling the grasslands. After several hours of exciting wildlife viewing, you will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before beginning your ascent back to the crater rim.
In the afternoon, you will drive back to Arusha, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your safari adventure.
| Number of Travelers in Group Discount | Cost Per Traveler in US($) |
|---|---|
| 2-4 People | 2250 |
| 5- People | 2010 |
The Trip Cost Includes
Cost include
- Destinations transfers (airport transfer)
- Private professional safari guide
- Private 4 x 4 safari with roof for game viewing
- Daily bottle of mineral water during Safari
- All meals during safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Entrance, park fees and 18% VAT to our entrance fees
Cost exluded
- International flights
- Tip to the driver guide and hoteliers
- Insurance fees
- Cost of Visas.
- Bank transfer charges & card payments processing fee.
- Expenses belong to person nature e.g Drinks not included on the meal plans, personal purchases, Laundry etc.
FAQs
Migration Venture Africa will pick you up and transfer you to designated Hotels. Pick up on arrival airport and drop off are included on our package. We arrange also other group transport if required.
A valid visa is required for travel to Tanzania. A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to expiry is required.
A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)for US$50. (For U.S. Citizens, the cost is US$100 for a multiple entry visa.) However, it is advised that visitors traveling from a country where visa services are available should obtain a visa prior to arrival in order to avoid potential delays at the airport
The Tanzanian Shilling is the currency of Tanzania. The exchange rate is roughly 1 USD = 2300 TZS. (December 2024). Credit cards are not widely accepted. However, USD is accepted in most places visited by tourists. Please note that US bills printed before 2003 are not accepted in Tanzania, as there was a large amount of illegal processing of dollar bills in the country.
Swahili is the national language of Tanzania, but many tribal languages are spoken amongst the 120+ ethnic communities in Tanzania. English is considered the de facto official language. It is widely spoken by those who work in tourism and hospitality.
Summer: September to April. Temperature: 20°C to 30°C.
Winter: May to August. Temperature: 19°C to 25°C.
Rainfall: April-May (long rains) and November to mid-December (short rains).
Safaris are casual vacations! Dress comfortably and pack lightly. As you will be spending most of your safari viewing in the vehicle, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing is recommended. Avoid dark colors (i.e. black, dark blue) as they tend to attract unwanted attention from insects such as the tsetse fly.
SAFARI CLOTHING
- One pair of comfortable walking shoes (i.e. sneakers, hiking shoes)
- One pair of sandals or flip-flops
- Casual, loose-fitting clothing
- Swimsuit
- One warm fleece or sweater
- Extra Cotton socks and underwear
- Hat
- Lightweight jacket or windbreaker
Other items
- Passport, plane tickets
- S. Dollars (both large and small denominations) and credit cards
- Sunglasses
- Contact Lens Solution, extra contact lenses, and spare glasses.
- If you wear contact lenses, be sure to bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from the dust
- Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
- Lip balm (SPF 45)
- Insect repellant (DEET 30%)
- Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
- Camera and extra batteries
- UK plug adapter
- Journal for recording daily observations and encounters
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable
- Small Personal Medical Kit including aspirin, anti-malarial pills, cold and allergy medicine, cream of itches (i.e. Benadryl itch relief), stomachache medicine (i.e. Pepto-Bismal), antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin), prescription antibiotic effective against a broad range of bacteria including travelers diarrhea (i.e. Ciprofloxacin or also known as Cipro)
All park fees and conservation fees have a 24-hour limit. We plan your itinerary according to the park permits paid. Your safari driver guide will brief you the night before and provide suggestions regarding your schedule. Please note that any penalty fee resulting from the client’s wish to extend their stay will be at the guest’s expense.
If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand at the time of booking, so we can advise the lodgings accordingly. Most places will be able to accommodate to your preferred meal options, though sometimes vegetarian/vegan options may be a bit limited and repetitive. If you require any special health supplement, please kindly bring it with you.
This is your safari trip, your adventure! You decide how you want to spend your time on this vacation. If you would like to spend a full day on safari, you are definitely welcome to do so. Safari Infinity does not restrict your mileage, fuel, or how much time you want to be on safari. While some days you may decide to set out by sunrise, other days you can have a slower-paced breakfast before starting your daily exploration. Simply sit down with your guide to plan your day and meals the night before. Your guide will have plenty of suggestions, but of course, the decision is yours.
Bottled water is included in the safari vehicle. You can also buy any drinks along your way to the safari. There will be mini-markets in town.
They are licensed by TALA, trained, friendly, and have years of experience!
We use 4 or 6-passenger 4-wheel-drive Land Cruisers, all with viewing roofs for the safaris. The vehicles have an inverter for charging batteries, a radio, and a cooler.
Yes, just let us know what’s in your mind and we will put all together for you!
We recommend booking your trip as soon as possible. Lodges and tented camps on safari are booked quickly, so we need to reserve those before they fill up.
You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Many of the people in places that receive a steady stream of travelers are used to having their pictures taken and some may ask for money. You can usually tell the people who will ask for money, as they pose for pictures as their “job” and will be standing around looking for tourists, asking if you want to photograph them.
Tanzania is generally a very safe country to travel to. There is petty theft in the major cities (and in Zanzibar) but this is usually targeted either at tourists who are clearly displaying their wealth (with a bulging wallet, expensive camera/watch/jewelry) or who are walking home late at night. If you follow basic precautions and use your common sense, you are very unlikely to have a problem.
There are also some basic rules that you should follow when on safari. Some of these may sound extremely obvious but you would be surprised at some of the stories we hear of other guests so we prefer to err on the side of caution!
Never ever get out of your vehicle when on safari. Even if the vehicle breaks down and you are desperate for the toilet you must remain in the vehicle. Many animals are remarkably camouflaged and you may not see them nearby. Whilst in the jeep you are safe as they just see this as a big target; the moment you get out of the vehicle you may suddenly be seen as prey. All vehicles are counted in and out of the park so if you do break down, the park rangers will soon find you.
If you do need the toilet when on a safari drive, please try to give the driver as much notice as possible. They will find a big open area where they are happy that it is safe for you to stop. Unfortunately, you will usually not be given a bush to hide behind as you never know what else may be behind that bush! The drivers will be respectful and look the other way (or ‘check the tire pressure which is the local euphemism for a pee stop!).
Don’t wave anything outside the car or stick your arms out. This can be seen as a sign of aggression and in extreme cases, could cause an elephant to charge the vehicle.
Always follow the instructions of your guide, no matter how strange they may seem. This is particularly important when on a walking or canoeing safari but applies at any time.
If staying in a tented camp, never leave your tent once it is dark without asking for one of the rangers who will be patrolling the property to accompany you. If you are traveling with younger children, you should ensure that one adult is in the tent with them.
Always wear shoes and socks when walking around the bush (rather than flip-flops). This provides a level of protection against biting insects, snakes, and scorpions.
Tipping
Tipping is very much an integral part of tourism in Tanzania and wages are generally low and are then supplemented by tips. The following guidelines should help you to work out how much to tip, but you should remember that tipping is discretionary and it is up to you whether you tip or not. If you have not received a good service, you do not need to tip whereas if the service has been particularly good, you might want to give more than we suggest.
We have quoted amounts in GBP but it is generally best to tip in either local currency or US dollars.
Concierges – $2-$3 when checking in and checking out
Drivers / Guides – approximately $20+ per day
Housekeeping staff – $2-$5 per day (there will often be a tip box in the hotel reception where you can leave a tip that will be distributed amongst the hotel staff)
Waiters – Most meals are included so you will not be given a bill. However, if purchasing drinks from the bar it would be customary to leave a tip of around 10%
You should consult your doctor about what vaccinations are required for travel to the region and check whether they recommend the use of malarial prophylactics. Please note that a yellow fever certificate is required by the authorities in Tanzania if your international flight has routed through Kenya, Ethiopia, Dubai and a number of other countries. Please check this with us so that we can provide advice depending on your airline.
