IAI African Wild AdventureArusha · Tanzania
Great Migration Express

5 days · Private departure

Great Migration Express

Front-row seats for the greatest show on earth

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Group size
Private departure — 1 to 7 travellers
Accommodation
Mid-range lodges or luxury tented camps
Best time
July – September for river crossings, January – March for calving
Starts in
Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport
From
From USD 1,690 per person

Trip overview

A focused five-day safari built around the Great Migration. We position you in the exact Serengeti sector where the herds are running on your dates — Ndutu for the calving season, the Western Corridor in early summer, or the Kogatende north for the dramatic Mara river crossings. A Ngorongoro Crater day anchors the trip, so you leave with both the migration and the caldera in one short, punchy itinerary. Best booked between June and October for river crossings.

Highlights

  • Chase the migration in its current location
  • Mara & Grumeti river-crossing season (Jul–Sep)
  • Optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari
  • Ngorongoro Crater Big Five day included
  • Bush-flight option to save a long drive

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1

    Day 1 · Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater

    Drive to the crater and descend at first light for a full day on the caldera floor; overnight in Karatu.

  2. 2

    Day 2 · Karatu → Serengeti (migration sector)

    Enter the Serengeti via Olduvai and head straight for where the herds are currently massed.

  3. 3

    Day 3 · Migration day

    Full day tracking wildebeest, zebra and the predators that follow them — lion, hyena, crocodile at the rivers.

  4. 4

    Day 4 · Migration & optional balloon

    Another full day on the plains; optional dawn balloon flight with a champagne bush breakfast.

  5. 5

    Day 5 · Serengeti → Arusha

    Morning game drive, then a bush flight or scenic drive back to Arusha for your onward connection.

What is included

  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide (wildlife certified)
  • All park, crater and conservation fees plus government taxes
  • Accommodation and all meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
  • Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha, Moshi or JRO
  • Flying-doctor emergency evacuation cover while on safari

What is not included

  • International flights and Tanzania visa (USD 50 – 100 on arrival)
  • Travel and medical insurance (compulsory)
  • Alcoholic drinks, laundry and personal shopping
  • Tips for your guide, cook and camp crew
  • Optional extras such as balloon safaris or night game drives

Questions about this trip

How far in advance should I book?

For June to October and the December holidays we recommend 6 – 9 months ahead, because the best camps sell out. Outside those windows 2 – 3 months is usually enough, and we can often arrange a trip at two weeks' notice.

How do I pay and is a deposit required?

A 30% deposit confirms your dates and accommodation, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. We accept bank transfer, credit card and secure payment links, all in US dollars.

Is this trip suitable for families and children?

Yes. Private vehicles mean we set the pace, and we choose family-friendly lodges with pools and interconnecting rooms. For children under six we suggest shorter driving days and parks close to Arusha.

What vaccinations and health precautions do I need?

Yellow fever certification is required if you arrive from an endemic country, and anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly advised. Speak to a travel clinic 6 – 8 weeks before departure.

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Ready for your Tanzanian adventure?

Every itinerary is private and tailor-made. Call, WhatsApp or email us and we will design your trip around your dates, budget and pace.