9 Days 8 Night
The "Wildebeest Migration Odyssey" is a captivating 9-day, 8-night Midrange Safari package that immerses you in the natural splendor of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This journey is designed to give you a front-row seat to the breathtaking annual wildebeest migration and introduce you to the diverse wildlife and bird species found in Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Below is a detailed description of each day, including animals and birds to be seen in each park.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), your professional guide will meet you for a warm introduction. Afterward, you will be transferred to your accommodation at Charity Hotel or a similar option in Arusha, where you’ll be treated to full-board service. Here, you’ll finalize your payments, receive a briefing about your safari, and relax as you prepare for the adventure ahead.
After an early breakfast, your safari begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Upon arrival at the park's gate, registration will be completed, and the game drive will commence. As you explore the park, expect to see large herds of elephants, as well as giraffes, buffaloes, lions, and possibly leopards. The open grasslands are a haven for herbivores like zebras and wildebeests, and you might also spot warthogs, impalas, and ostriches. Tarangire is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 550 species recorded, including the Kori bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird), the vibrant lilac-breasted roller, and flocks of yellow-collared lovebirds.Lunch will be served at a picnic site within the park. After lunch, your afternoon game drive continues until around 16:45 when you’ll exit the park and head to Karatu for dinner and overnight at Omega View Hotel or a similar lodge.
After breakfast, depart from Karatu and drive toward the Serengeti, entering the park through the Loduare Gate. En route to the Central Serengeti, you’ll witness the ever-changing landscapes as the lush vegetation of the Ngorongoro Highlands gives way to the vast, open plains of the Serengeti.Upon reaching Naabi Hill Gate, lunch will be enjoyed at a picnic site. In the afternoon, the game drive will continue as you explore the iconic Serengeti plains, renowned for its massive wildebeest herds and their accompanying zebra, gazelles, and impalas. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are frequently seen here, lying in wait for the next opportunity. Bird species to look out for include secretary birds, ostriches, and martial eagles.
By evening, you’ll arrive at Heritage Tented Luxury Lodge, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Following breakfast, your safari continues northward toward the Kogatende area, famous for the annual wildebeest river crossings at the Mara River. Along the way, you will traverse some of the most pristine parts of the Serengeti, encountering a wide range of wildlife.As you near the northern Serengeti, the landscape becomes more rugged, and you’ll likely encounter more elephant herds, giraffes, and large predators such as lions and leopards. Arriving in Kogatende, lunch will be served at a picnic site. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at Heritage Tented Lodge, where you’ll prepare for the next exciting days of safari.
For two days, you will have the privilege of exploring the northern Serengeti, home to the dramatic wildebeest migration river crossings. After breakfast, you’ll venture out to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles as thousands of wildebeest and zebras attempt to cross the crocodile-infested Mara River.Predators, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, are frequently seen in the northern Serengeti, making the area ideal for thrilling wildlife encounters. Nile crocodiles lie in wait by the river, while hyenas, jackals, and vultures follow the migration, scavenging for easy prey.Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the variety of species here, such as African fish eagles, grey crowned cranes, and the rare Denham’s bustard. Lunches will be enjoyed at picnic sites, and by evening, you’ll return to Heritage Tented Lodge for dinner and relaxation.
After a morning breakfast, the day’s adventure begins with a game drive en route to Central Serengeti, passing through the Tabora B Gate. The central Serengeti, particularly around the Seronera River, offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities, with an abundance of big cats, elephants, giraffes, and antelope species.Lunch will be served at a picnic site, and by late afternoon, you’ll check in at the Heritage Luxury Tented Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
On this day, after breakfast, you’ll head toward the Eastern Serengeti, a region known for its stunning granite kopjes (rock outcrops) and a high density of predators. These kopjes are often referred to as "predator playgrounds" because of the leopards, lions, and cheetahs that use them as vantage points for hunting.You’ll also have the chance to see various herbivores like hartebeests, impalas, and dik-diks. Birdwatchers can spot species such as rufous-tailed weavers and lappet-faced vultures. Lunch will be taken at a scenic picnic site, and you’ll return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and rest.
After an early breakfast, you’ll depart from Central Serengeti and head to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater is 600 meters deep and spans a diameter of about 19 kilometers, forming a unique, enclosed ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife.Upon entering the crater, you’ll be greeted by large herds of wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, and gazelles. Ngorongoro is also one of the best places in Tanzania to see the critically endangered black rhino. Predators such as lions and hyenas are commonly spotted, and the crater’s hippo pool is an ideal picnic spot for lunch.Flamingos can be seen wading in Lake Magadi, while African spoonbills and sacred ibises populate the wetlands. By evening, you’ll exit the crater and head back to Omega View Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Your final day begins with breakfast, followed by a cultural visit to the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes near Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe are one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa, and you’ll have the chance to join them on a hunt, while the Datoga tribe will showcase their blacksmithing skills and traditional customs.Lunch will be provided, and after your cultural immersion, you’ll begin the return journey to Arusha for your final overnight stay or be transferred to the airport for your departure, marking the end of your incredible safari adventure.