10-Day Tanzania Wildebeest Migration & Big Five Safari Experience
10 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari, Overview
Join us on this unforgettable 10-day safari adventure through Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations, specially crafted for those seeking to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration and encounter the legendary African Big Five.
This journey begins and ends in Arusha, taking you deep into the heart of the Serengeti National Park, where you’ll have front-row seats to one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events—the annual migration of over a million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles. From there, explore the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, the striking landscapes of Tarangire National Park, and other breathtaking regions teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
Whether you’re a first-time traveler to Africa or a seasoned safari-goer, this tour offers an exceptional opportunity to experience Tanzania’s vast savannahs, rich culture, and unmatched wildlife diversity.
Detailed itinerary #10 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari
Day 1: Arrival – Airport Pick-Up and Transfer to Arusha#10 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by our professional driver-guide from Mum and Dad Uganda Tours , who will be waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a sign with your name.
You will then be transferred in a comfortable, private safari vehicle to your hotel in Arusha, a bustling town often referred to as the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.
Take this evening to relax, recover from your journey, and prepare for the exciting adventure ahead. Your guide will provide a short briefing about the upcoming safari.
Meals Included: Dinner
Location: Tanzania
Accommodation: Hatari Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water throughout
Day 2: Arusha – Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, your safari driver-guide will pick you up and begin the scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
This compact yet diverse park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare sight in the animal kingdom. Upon arrival, you’ll enter the park for an afternoon game drive, exploring the rich habitats ranging from groundwater forests and grassy plains to marshes and the alkaline lake itself.
During your game drive, expect to see a variety of wildlife including buffaloes, elephants, hippos, giraffes, dik-diks, baboons, and possibly even leopards. Lake Manyara is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to species such as pelicans, cormorants, storks, flamingos, and many more.
After the game drive, you’ll head to your selected lodge or campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Location: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Lake manyara tree hotel
Mid-range: Kirurumu tented lodge
Budget: Olmasera tented camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water and fruits throughout
Day 3: Lake Manyara – Drive to Serengeti National Park
On this 10 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari After breakfast, you will check out and depart Lake Manyara for the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destination and a highlight of your safari.
The drive takes you through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering beautiful views of highland forests, Maasai villages, and rolling savannahs. Along the way, you may stop for photos and enjoy the changing landscape as you approach the vast plains of the Serengeti.
By early afternoon, you’ll arrive in Central Serengeti (Seronera area), known for its year-round game viewing and incredible wildlife density. Depending on the season, you may witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, with massive herds stretching to the horizon—an unforgettable sight.
Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you’ll have a chance to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and a wide variety of birdlife
In the evening, check in at your lodge for a relaxing evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
Dinner and Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Asilia Dunia Camp
Budget: Usanja Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water Throughout
Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 10 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will embark on a full-day game drive in the expansive Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations.
Today’s excursion offers the chance to explore deeper into the park in search of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as many other species that roam these endless plains. The Serengeti is especially famous for its role in the Great Wildebeest Migration, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles cross the ecosystem in search of greener pastures.
Even outside of migration season, the Serengeti remains rich with resident wildlife, including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, baboons, antelopes, and a wide variety of birds.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. Your guide will continue tracking wildlife throughout the day until it’s time to return to your lodge in the late afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Asilia Dunia Camp
Budget: Usanja Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water Throughout
Day 5: Serengeti Southern Plains – Wildebeest Migration Viewing
After an early breakfast, you’ll board your safari vehicle with packed lunch and set out toward the southern Serengeti, particularly the Ndutu region—one of the best areas to witness the dramatic Wildebeest Migration during the calving season (typically from December to March).
This part of the Serengeti ecosystem comes alive with millions of wildebeests, accompanied by over 200,000 zebras and thousands of gazelles, all moving in a synchronized flow across the open plains. The sight of this massive herd, along with predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas trailing close behind, creates one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the animal kingdom.
You’ll stop at a scenic spot in the bush to enjoy your picnic lunch, and then continue following the migration, observing thrilling wildlife moments throughout the afternoon.
In the evening, transfer to your camp or lodge in the southern Serengeti for a warm meal and rest after a day filled with awe-inspiring encounters.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner
Location: Ngoro Ngoro Conservation area
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Mid-Range: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Budget: Simba A Campsite
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water Throughout
Day 6: Serengeti – Transfer to Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge
Begin your day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, taking advantage of the best time to spot predators in action and witness the golden light over the plains. After the game drive, return to your lodge or camp for a hearty breakfast, followed by check-out and preparation for your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
En route, you’ll make a stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Here, you’ll visit a small museum and learn about the significant paleoanthropological discoveries made in the area, including early human fossils by Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey.
After the tour, continue the scenic drive along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoying stunning views and possibly spotting wildlife along the way. Arrive at your lodge or campsite near the crater in the evening.
Dinner and Overnight:
Location: Ngorongoro Crater Area
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Location: Ngoro Ngoro Conservation area
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Mid-Range: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Budget: Simba A Campsite
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water Throughout
Day 7: Full-Day Tour of Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most remarkable natural wonders in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the crater offers an unmatched concentration of wildlife in a truly breathtaking setting.
Your game drive will take you through a variety of ecosystems—lush forests where you may spot monkeys and bushbucks, the lake region frequented by graceful flamingoes, and the open savannah, where you’ll have a chance to see the legendary Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the critically endangered black rhino.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site within the crater, typically near a hippo pool, and then continue your game viewing throughout the afternoon.
In the late afternoon, ascend back to the crater rim and return to your lodge or campsite for relaxation, dinner, and a night’s rest.
Dinner and Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), and Dinner
Location: Ngoro Ngoro Conservation area
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Mid-Range: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Budget: Simba A Campsite
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water Throughout
Day 8: Ngorongoro – Transfer to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you will depart from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with your packed lunch, heading toward Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic and less-crowded wildlife destinations.
Upon arrival in the early afternoon, enjoy a short break for lunch before embarking on an evening game drive. Tarangire is well known for its giant baobab trees, vast elephant herds, and diverse landscapes. As you explore, you may encounter a variety of animals including lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and many species of birds.
The park is also bisected by the Tarangire River, a vital water source that attracts animals year-round, especially during the dry season.
After the game drive, proceed to your accommodation inside or near the park for a warm dinner and restful overnight stay.
Dinner and Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner
Location:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Mid-range: Tarangire Hotel
Budget: Tarangire Loika Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water and fruits throughout
Day 9: Tarangire – Cultural Encounters with Local Tribes
Today offers a unique cultural experience as you take a break from wildlife viewing to immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Tanzania’s indigenous communities.
After an early breakfast, you will visit nearby local villages surrounding Tarangire National Park, where you’ll engage with tribes such as the Maasai and Datoga. These cultural encounters provide a deep insight into their daily lives, ancestral customs, traditional dress, and fascinating history.
Expect to learn about cattle herding practices, local medicine, traditional huts, and even try your hand at crafting or beadwork. The visit also includes a performance of vibrant cultural dances and songs, giving you a personal and respectful window into their heritage.
This day not only enhances your understanding of the Tanzanian way of life but also supports local communities directly through responsible tourism.
Return to your lodge or campsite in the afternoon to relax and enjoy your final evening in the bush.
Dinner and Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Location:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Mid-range: Tarangire Hotel
Budget: Tarangire Loika Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water and fruits throughout
Day 10: Tarangire – Drive Back to Arusha & Departure
After an early breakfast, begin your journey back to Arusha with packed lunch boxes, enjoying the scenic landscapes one last time. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your outbound flight.
End of Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari
The Package Includes:
- Airport Pick & Drop
- Park entry fees.
- Ground transportation.
- Experienced driver-guide.
- Mineral water
- Cultural encounters
- All game drives.
It excludes:
- Tourist Visa.
- Luxury drinks.
- Laundry & other personal expenses.
- Tipping fees.
- Extra activities are not mentioned in the itinerary.
Tarangire National Park, Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Park NgoroNgoro, Lake Manyara, combines all that we think is great about going on safari in Tanzania. A great relaxing and amazing adventure you will never forget. All these parks awaits you to visit, trust and we take you where you have not been before.
This 10 Day Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour is quoted with staying at mid-range type of accommodation (comfort level). However the same package can be offered using an upgraded lodge or cheaper option if possible. Kindly contact us for a free advise and customization.
Best Time for a 10-Day Wildebeest Migration & African Big Five Safari
The ideal time for experiencing both the Great Wildebeest Migration and sightings of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) in Tanzania depends on the movement of the herds and seasonal wildlife concentrations.
Recommended Travel Periods:
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June to October (Dry Season):
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Best for: River crossings in the northern Serengeti (especially July–September).
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Why: The migration herds are active, and animals congregate near water sources, offering prime viewing opportunities.
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Weather: Cooler, dry, and with fewer mosquitoes.
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January to March (Calving Season):
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Best for: Calving in the southern Serengeti and predator action.
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Why: Over 500,000 calves are born during this time, attracting big cats and other predators.
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Weather: Warm and generally dry with occasional short rains.
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Avoid:
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April and May (Long rains): Roads can become muddy and some camps may close, though the scenery is lush and prices are lower.