8 Days Serengeti wildebeest migration Safari with Ecolegacy Africa

After a hearty breakfast at the Hotel in Arusha, your journey into the wild begins as you head to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. Known for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds, Tarangire offers a classic African safari experience filled with breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Enjoy a full-day game drive, winding through open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and along the Tarangire River a vital water source that draws animals year-round. Keep your camera ready for sightings of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, lions, and, with luck, the elusive leopard or cheetah. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted with over 500 bird species, including colorful lilac-breasted rollers and the striking yellow-collared lovebird. In the late afternoon, the golden light filters through the baobabs, offering perfect photo opportunities. As the sun begins to set, you’ll drive to your comfortable lodge for the evening.

Overnight at: Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge or similar.

After breakfast, you’ll set out on a scenic drive northward to the remote and otherworldly landscapes of Lake Natron. Nestled at the base of the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, sacred to the Maasai, Lake Natron is unlike any other destination on your safari journey. As you descend into this semi-arid terrain, the landscape transforms into an alien beauty of volcanic rocks, dusty plains, and shimmering heat mirages. The lake’s vivid red and pink hues, caused by mineral-rich waters and salt-loving microorganisms, create surreal reflections and striking contrasts. This area is one of the world’s most important breeding sites for lesser flamingos. You’ll have the rare opportunity to observe flocks of these elegant birds feeding and nesting in their natural, undisturbed habitat. The area also offers incredible photographic backdrops, with the volcano looming behind and wildlife occasionally wandering through this stark yet stunning environment. Spend your evening soaking in the serenity of this wild corner of Tanzania. Overnight at: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge or similar.

After an early breakfast, your safari adventure continues with a scenic drive from Lake Natron to the legendary Serengeti National Park, traversing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area along the way. As you ascend the highlands, the lush forests give way to vast open plains, offering a rich contrast in landscapes. Along the route, you’ll make a special stop at the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites. Often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind,” this site has revealed early human fossils and tools that date back millions of years. A brief museum tour and panoramic views of the gorge bring ancient history vividly to life. As you enter the Serengeti, the endless savannas stretch before you, teeming with wildlife. Depending on the season, you may witness the thrilling movement of the Great Migration, as wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing.

By late evening, you’ll arrive at Serengeti Heritage Camp, located in Central Serengeti National Park. Overnight at: Serengeti Heritage Camp

After breakfast, prepare for an extraordinary full-day game drive through the central Serengeti, a place where Africa’s raw beauty and abundant wildlife come alive before your eyes. This region is not only home to the Big Five lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos but also a key staging area for the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration. Depending on the season, you may witness vast herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles surging across the plains or fording rivers in dramatic crossings, as predators lie in wait. It's one of the planet’s most powerful displays of survival and instinct. The Serengeti’s vast landscapes—from sun-soaked grasslands to shaded woodlands and hidden kopjes offer intimate encounters with wildlife. Your experienced guide will navigate the most active areas, helping you capture unforgettable moments: a cheetah scanning the horizon, a pride of lions at rest, or elephants guiding their young through acacia groves. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by birdsong and the sounds of the savannah, before continuing into the golden hours of the afternoon for more sightings and sunset photography. By the time you return to camp, you’ll have a heart full of awe and a camera bursting with memories.

Overnight at: Serengeti Heritage Camp

After breakfast, your journey continues as you head toward the majestic Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations on Earth. Formed from the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano, the crater is a self-contained ecosystem teeming with life, often referred to as Africa’s Eden. As your vehicle descends nearly 600 meters into the crater floor, you’ll enter a world unlike any other. The lush crater floor framed by steep walls and dotted with acacia trees, marshes, and open plains, hosts an incredible density of wildlife. Keep your camera ready as you search for leopards hiding in the forest, cheetahs scanning the horizon, hyenas trotting through the grasslands, and even the rare black rhino, one of the crater’s most sought-after inhabitants. The diversity of wildlife is matched by the beauty of the surroundings: pink flamingos wading in the soda lake, herds of wildebeests and zebras, elephants roaming the swamps, and lions basking under the sun. It’s an unforgettable experience, where every corner reveals a new scene from nature’s drama. After an exhilarating day of game viewing and a scenic picnic lunch inside the crater, you’ll ascend back to the rim and drive to Highview Hotel, nestled in the hills of Karatu or Similar Hotel. Spend the evening relaxing, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature and the warmth of Tanzanian hospitality.

Overnight at: Highview Hotel or Similar Hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll set off on your final safari adventure to the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park, a compact yet incredibly diverse sanctuary tucked beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Great Rift Valley. This park is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in ancient acacia branches. As you journey through the park’s varied landscapes from groundwater forests and open plains to hot springs and the shimmering soda lake, you’ll encounter a rich mosaic of wildlife. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, and hippos are frequently spotted grazing near the lake's edge or moving through the woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s charismatic primates, including blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and the always-entertaining olive baboon troops. For bird enthusiasts, Lake Manyara is a dream come true home to over 400 species. Flocks of pink flamingos, storks, and pelicans grace the shoreline, while vibrant birds like the lilac-breasted roller and powerful birds of prey soar overhead. After a scenic and photo-rich game drive, you’ll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch before beginning your journey back to Arusha. As you reflect on the incredible memories made during your safari from Tarangire’s giants and Serengeti’s drama to Ngorongoro’s wonders and Manyara’s charm you’ll feel the spirit of wild Tanzania forever etched in your heart. Overnight in Arusha.

After a hearty breakfast and some final moments of relaxation, our driver will transfer you comfortably to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward journey. If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, why not extend your adventure? You can choose from a range of exciting day trips, such as exploring nearby cultural sites, visiting local artisan markets, or enjoying a scenic nature walk in the Arusha area. Alternatively, take your journey to the next level with a post-safari escape to Zanzibar, a tropical paradise known for its white sandy beaches, vibrant Swahili culture, and historic Stone Town. Whether you’re seeking pure relaxation or immersive cultural exploration, Zanzibar offers the perfect balance to complement your safari experience. Explore more our Zanzibar Travel page to discover curated packages designed just for you.