5-Day Southern Serengeti Great Migration Safari – Ngorongoro, Tarangire & Lake Manyara
5-Day Southern Serengeti Great Migration Safari
Experience the incredible wildlife of Tanzania on this 5-day safari featuring the Great Migration in the Southern Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. This adventure combines unforgettable wildlife encounters, spectacular landscapes, and the opportunity to explore some of Tanzania’s most famous safari destinations with a knowledgeable local guide.
Your safari begins in Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful destination known for its diverse habitats, abundant birdlife, elephants, and tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive through the park’s forests, open grasslands, and lakeshore while searching for wildlife.
Continue to the Southern Serengeti, where the Great Migration offers remarkable opportunities to witness enormous herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains. Between December and April, the Ndutu region is often a highlight of the migration, particularly during the calving season from January to March. Depending on rainfall and animal movements, you may see newborn calves and predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Your journey then takes you to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary scenery and concentration of wildlife. Descend into the crater for a game drive across grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands, with opportunities to search for elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, and, with luck, the endangered black rhino.
The adventure continues in Tarangire National Park, famous for its impressive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and diverse wildlife. Explore its savannah landscapes and seasonal river areas, where animals gather in search of water, creating rewarding opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
Throughout the safari, travel in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, giving you excellent views of the surrounding landscapes and wildlife. Your local safari guide will share insights into animal behaviour, the Great Migration, and Tanzania’s remarkable ecosystems.
This 5-day safari is an excellent choice for travellers seeking a memorable wildlife adventure that combines the migration experience in Southern Serengeti with three other outstanding national parks. Every day brings new scenery and wildlife encounters, making it a rewarding introduction to the natural beauty of Tanzania.
Please note: Wildlife sightings and the exact location of the Great Migration depend on seasonal rainfall and animal movements. The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu are particularly rewarding from December to April, but specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Trip highlights
- Great Migration in Southern Serengeti(Ndutu)
- Wildebeest calving season in Ndutu (January–March)
- Game drives in Lake Manyara National Park
- Big Five wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater
- Large elephant herds in Tarangire National Park
- Lions, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes
- Scenic African landscapes and baobab trees
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Experienced local safari guide
What's included
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All national park entrance fees
- Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- Game drives in Lake Manyara, Southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
- Accommodation during the safari
- All meals during the safari
- Drinking water during game drives
- Picnic lunch boxes during game drives
- Arusha airport pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the safari guide ($15–$20 per day)
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Accommodation in Arusha before and after the safari
Day by day
Arrival in Arusha and Lake Manyara National Park Safari
Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, you will be welcomed by your local safari guide and begin your exciting Tanzania wildlife adventure. After a short introduction, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park with a packed lunch for a game drive.
Explore this beautiful park, famous for its diverse landscapes, lush groundwater forests, open grasslands and scenic lake views. Keep your eyes open for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, baboons and a variety of bird species. With some luck, you may also spot the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day while surrounded by the natural beauty of the African wilderness. Your guide will help you search for wildlife and share fascinating information about the animals and their habitats.
After your game drive, you will leave Lake Manyara National Park and continue to Mto wa Mbu, where you will spend the night at a local lodge. Relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings as you prepare for the next day's journey to the Southern Serengeti and the unforgettable Great Migration experience.
Mto wa Mbu to Southern Serengeti – Great Migration Safari
After breakfast at your lodge in Mto wa Mbu, you will begin your journey towards the Southern Serengeti, carrying a packed lunch for your exciting day of wildlife exploration. Travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying views of rolling hills, open plains and traditional Maasai lands along the way.
As you approach the Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu region, the scenery opens into vast grasslands that provide an important habitat for the Great Migration. Depending on the season, you may encounter enormous herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing.
Enjoy a game drive as you explore this remarkable wildlife area, looking for elephants, giraffes, gazelles and predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas. From December to April, Ndutu is particularly rewarding for migration viewing, with the calving season generally taking place between January and March.
Your experienced local safari guide will help you search for wildlife and explain the fascinating movements of the Great Migration. Stop for a picnic lunch surrounded by the natural beauty of the African wilderness before continuing your game drive.
After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, proceed to your accommodation in the Ndutu or Southern Serengeti area, where you can relax and prepare for another memorable day on safari.
Southern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Big Five Safari
After an early breakfast, you will depart from the Southern Serengeti and travel towards the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy an en-route game drive through the Serengeti plains, where you may spot wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, gazelles and predators as you make your way towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Upon arrival at Ngorongoro Crater, you will descend into this magnificent natural wonder for an unforgettable game drive. Surrounded by towering crater walls, the crater floor features open grasslands, acacia woodlands, freshwater springs and wetlands that support an incredible variety of wildlife.
Keep your eyes open for the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and the rare black rhino. You may also encounter large herds of zebras and wildebeest, hippos resting in pools, hyenas and many colourful bird species. Your experienced local safari guide will help you search for animals while sharing fascinating insights into the crater’s unique ecosystem.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the crater before continuing your wildlife exploration.
After your game drive, you will ascend from the crater and continue to your accommodation in the Karatu area, where you can relax after a remarkable day discovering one of Tanzania’s most famous wildlife destinations.
Mto Wa Mbu to Tarangire National Park – Elephant Safari and Baobab Landscapes
After an early breakfast at your lodge in Karatu, you will depart for Tarangire National Park with a packed lunch, ready for another exciting day of wildlife exploration.
Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and beautiful savannah landscapes. During your game drive, you will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including open grasslands, acacia woodlands and areas along the Tarangire River, which attracts wildlife in search of water.
Keep your camera ready as you look for elephants moving in family groups, giraffes browsing among the trees, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and various antelope species. The park is also home to predators such as lions and leopards, which you may spot with some luck. Tarangire’s rich birdlife adds even more colour to the safari experience.
Your local safari guide will help you discover the park’s wildlife and explain how its seasonal water sources influence animal movements. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing your afternoon game drive through the spectacular African wilderness.
After a rewarding day exploring Tarangire National Park, you will drive to Arusha, where you will spend the night at your accommodation and relax after another memorable day on safari.
Arusha to Arusha Airport – End of Your Tanzania Safari
After breakfast at your accommodation in Arusha, enjoy a relaxed morning before your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax or explore the town independently.
At the agreed time, your driver will transfer you to Arusha Airport for your onward journey. If you are departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport instead, please arrange the transfer in advance, as it is a different airport.
Your 5-day Tanzania safari comes to an end, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the Great Migration in Southern Serengeti, the wildlife of Lake Manyara, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, and the magnificent elephant herds of Tarangire National Park.
Thank you for choosing Serengeti Budget Safari. We hope to welcome you back to Tanzania for another adventure!
Common questions
Yes. Every itinerary here can be extended with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar or a Ngorongoro Crater add-on. Tell us your dates and interests and we will adapt one of the options below or build a custom route.
The best time to visit Southern Serengeti and Ndutu for the Great Migration is generally from December to April. The calving season usually takes place between January and March, when thousands of wildebeest give birth on the southern plains. Wildlife movements depend on rainfall and grazing conditions.
This safari includes Lake Manyara National Park, Southern Serengeti (Ndutu), Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. Each destination offers different landscapes and opportunities to observe Tanzania's remarkable wildlife.
You may see wildebeest, zebras, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and many bird species. Ngorongoro Crater also offers a chance to spot the endangered black rhino. Sightings depend on natural conditions and animal movements.
The safari includes the scheduled pick-up and drop-off specified in your confirmed package. The itinerary begins with pick-up at Arusha Airport and ends with a transfer to Arusha Airport. Transfers to or from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) should be confirmed separately before booking.