9-Day Northern Serengeti Great Migration Mid-Range Tour

Welcome to Arusha! Nestled closely against the slopes of the volcanic Mount Meru, this town serves as the informal gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. When your plane arrives at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, one of our friendly representatives will be waiting to meet you. Then it’s off to our lovely hotel accommodations at Arusha Planet Lodge, situated amongst splendid gardens right on the outskirts of town. You’ll enjoy peaceful rondavel-style cottages, an appetizing dinner from the accomplished local chef, and plenty of time to relax before your epic Tanzania Safari begins in earnest tomorrow.

The first wildlife reserve on our northern circuit Tanzania Safari is none other than Tarangire National Park: an alluring, mysterious woodland where giant baobab trees reach for the sky and rolling hills yield fantastic panoramic views of the bush that seem to go on forever. If you’ve never heard of Tarangire, that’s likely because it’s often overshadowed by its better-known neighbors, like the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. But this national park stands tall amongst its peers on Tanzania’s northern circuit, particularly for elephant lovers. Huge herds of these delightful pachyderms can be found roaming throughout the park—there’s even a small-scale seasonal migration that takes place within the park. After exploring Tarangire on a rewarding game drive, we’ll get checked in at our charming treehouse-style accommodations at Eileen’s Trees Inn, located in the nearby town of Karatu.

Today’s agenda will bring us face-to-face with some of the most spectacular sights on our entire nine-day Tanzania Safari. First, we’ll drive northwest for about an hour to reach Ngorongoro Crater. This astonishing caldera was created more than two million years ago, when a massive volcano collapsed upon itself in one of the most momentous geological incidents in Tanzania’s history. Today, the crater’s lush environs support a wide range of species, including the rare black rhinoceros and a thriving population of predators. After exploring the crater during our morning game drive, we’ll continue our expedition into Tanzania’s heartlands by driving for another two hours to reach the Serengeti National Park. The sheer size of this expansive wildlife reserve is staggering: encompassing nearly 15,000 square kilometers, the park contains several distinct regions and an astounding degree of biodiversity.

The Serengeti’s Seronera region is situated near the center of this vast national park, and our full-day game drive is sure to rank amongst the most memorable moments of your nine-day Tanzania Safari. We’ll trace the riverbanks of the Seronera River on the hunt for leopards and lions, and we’ll venture further afield to find cheetahs gracefully stalking their prey on the wide-open savanna. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also find that the Great Migration passes through this part of the park; following the winding dirt roads through masses of snorting, stomping, grazing wildebeest is an experience you’ll never forget. After enjoying a picnic-style lunch and continuing to explore the park in the afternoon, we’ll return to Tanzania Bush Camp for dinner as the cloak of the African night settles over the Serengeti National Park.

While we’ll be staying in the Serengeti for the next two nights, it’s time for a change of scenery. We’ll pack our bags and travel north this morning, approaching the muddy waters of the Mara River near the Kenyan border. If you’re travelling during the recommended months between August and October, our accommodations at the Mara River Bush Camp will reward us with front-row seats to the very best of the wildebeest migration. It’s here that wildebeest and zebra negotiate perilous riverbanks as they attempt to reach the opposite side, avoiding the dangers of crocodiles lying in wait—not to mention the steep terrain itself. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll witness a river crossing for yourself, rest assured that your time in the northern Serengeti will be full of high adventure and memorable game sightings.

With another full day in the Serengeti at our disposal, we’ll roam far and wide through the unique open woodlands and rolling hills in this part of the park. Elephants are especially abundant here in the northern Serengeti, and we’ll make sure to spend plenty of time in the company of these gentle giants. We’ll also be sure to search out any animals we haven’t yet found on your Tanzania Safari: giraffe, eland, hippopotamus, topi, and so much more. As the day draws to a close, we’ll celebrate our adventure in the Serengeti with a classic African sundowner: after selecting your drink of choice, we’ll pick a scenic spot in the bush and watch the sun go down over the East African savanna. Tonight, we’ll return to the Mara River Bush Camp for a sumptuous meal and one last night under canvas.

This morning, we’ll enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti as we leave the park behind, winding our way through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area once more on the way to Lake Natron. This will be the last major stop on our nine-day Tanzania Safari, and it’s sure to be one of your favorite destinations on this classic northern safari circuit. The mesmerizing waters of this alkaline lake appear red or orange at their most shallow levels, and the environment serves as an important breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingoes. We’ll be staying at the sustainable Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge, situated right at the foot of the massive Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. The lodge is a great place to learn more about local culture as you explore the surroundings of Lake Natron itself.

On the last full day of our Tanzania Safari, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the unique scenic and cultural attractions of Lake Natron. We’ll set out from camp with a local Maasai guide to get an up-close-and-personal view of the lake itself, learning about Maasai wisdom and culture along the way. In addition to Natron’s splendid natural scenery, you’ll also have the opportunity to discover ancient human footprints preserved in clay. After lunch, we’ll embark on a short hike to the nearby Engaresero waterfall, marveling at the enormous gorges of the Great Rift Valley before wading into the water for a refreshing dip beneath the falls. Tonight, we’ll return to the Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge for our last night in the African wilderness.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll depart from the Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge and return to Arusha. The trip should take us approximately five hours, and we’ll make sure to arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in plenty of time for your outgoing flight. Thank you for choosing JM Jungle Safaris—we can’t wait to welcome you back when you’re ready for another taste of Tanzania.