6-Day Northern Tanzania Great Migration Safari from Zanzibar

Your safari begins with a morning flight from Zanzibar to Arusha. On arrival, your guide meets you and you drive to Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and unique baobab trees. During your first game drive in Tarangire National Park, you may see elephants moving in groups, giraffes feeding, and zebras crossing the open land.

The pace is relaxed, giving you time to enjoy your first real Tanzania safari experience.

After breakfast, you travel toward Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through the Ngorongoro highlands before opening into the wide plains of the Serengeti.

As you enter, wildlife sightings begin immediately. You may see zebras, wildebeest, and predators along the way.

By afternoon, you arrive in central Serengeti and enjoy a game drive as the sun begins to go down—one of the best times for wildlife activity.

Today is fully dedicated to exploring the Serengeti and tracking the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park.

You head out early when animals are most active. Your guide will follow the movement of the herds, giving you the best chance to see thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving together.

You may also see lions, hyenas, and other predators staying close to the herds. This is a full wildlife safari in Serengeti, with time to explore different areas.

Another full day in the Serengeti gives you more time and flexibility to follow the migration.

This extra day makes a big difference. Instead of rushing, you can move with the herds and spend more time in the best areas. Depending on the season, your guide may take you toward locations where the Great Migration river crossing in Serengeti happens or where large groups are gathering.

You also have the option to do a sunrise balloon safari for a different view of the plains.

After an early breakfast, you leave the Serengeti and drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

You descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. This is one of the best places for a Ngorongoro Crater safari in Tanzania, with a high chance of seeing the Big Five.

Inside the crater, animals are easy to spot. You may see lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and hippos, and if lucky, the rare black rhino.

After your game drive, you head to your lodge in Karatu or nearby for the night.

On your final day, you visit Lake Manyara National Park.

This park feels very different from the others. It is green, with forest, underground water, and a peaceful atmosphere. You may see baboons, monkeys, birds, and sometimes flamingos along the lake.

Lake Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on luck.

After your game drive and lunch, you return to Arusha for your flight back to Zanzibar.