9 days · Migration safari
9-Day Great Migration Safari
Witness the Greatest Wildlife Spectacle on Earth
Last updated
- Price
- From $6,800 pp
- Length
- 9 days, 8 nights
- Group size
- 2–6 guests
- Style
- Migration safari
- Stays
- Luxury lodges and camps
- Pace
- Moderate
Overview
About this safari
Follow the great wildebeest migration across the Serengeti on this expert-guided safari. With 5 nights in the Serengeti positioned in the migration's path, this trip maximizes your chances of witnessing river crossings and predator action.
The Great Migration is nature's most spectacular event. Over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras make a continuous journey across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, followed by hungry predators. This safari positions you in the migration's path for maximum wildlife encounters.
The migration follows a predictable pattern, though exact timing varies with rainfall. From December to March, the herds gather in the southern Serengeti for the calving season - 8,000 babies are born daily! From April to May, they move through the Western Corridor toward the Grumeti River. July through October brings the famous Mara River crossings in the north, the migration's most dramatic chapter.
Our guides have decades of experience tracking the migration. We stay in mobile camps and lodges that position you where the animals are. This isn't a fixed-itinerary safari - we follow the herds, adjusting our route to maximize sightings. You'll witness not just the migration, but the predators that follow: lion prides picking off weak animals, crocodiles lurking at river crossings, and cheetahs hunting in the open plains.
Highlights
- 5 nights in the Serengeti following the migration
- Expert migration-tracking guides
- Positioning based on current migration location
- Witness dramatic river crossings (seasonal)
- Lions and cheetahs follow the herds, so predator sightings are likely
- Hot air balloon safari included
- Ngorongoro Crater for Big Five
- Small group for intimate experience
Where you'll go
9 days
Day by day
| Day | Plan | Stay | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival - Migration Briefing | Lodge | – |
| 2 | Fly to Migration Zone | Tented Camp | – |
| 3 | In the Heart of the Migration | Tented Camp | – |
| 4 | River Crossing Watch (Seasonal) | Tented Camp | – |
| 5 | Hot Air Balloon Safari | Tented Camp | – |
| 6 | Final Migration Day | Tented Camp | – |
| 7 | Serengeti to Ngorongoro | Lodge | – |
| 8 | Ngorongoro Crater | Lodge | – |
| 9 | Departure | – | – |
- Day01
Arrival - Migration Briefing
Welcome to Tanzania! Transfer to your lodge where our migration expert will brief you on the current location of the herds. We'll discuss the migration cycle and what to expect based on current conditions.
Stay: Lodge
- Day02
Fly to Migration Zone
Board a bush flight to the Serengeti, landing at the airstrip closest to the migration's current position. Game drives begin immediately - within minutes of landing, you could be surrounded by thousands of wildebeest.
Stay: Tented Camp
- Day03
In the Heart of the Migration
Full day with the migration herds. The scale is impossible to comprehend until you're there - wildebeest stretching to the horizon in every direction. Watch for lion prides following the herds, and listen for the constant grunting chorus of a million animals.
Stay: Tented Camp
- Day04
River Crossing Watch (Seasonal)
If conditions are right, today we position near river crossing points. The tension is palpable as herds gather on the banks - will they cross? The actual crossing is chaos and drama: crocodiles, churning water, the struggle for survival. Even without a crossing, the anticipation is thrilling.
Stay: Tented Camp
- Day05
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Rise before dawn for an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti. Float silently over the migration herds as the sun rises - from above, you truly grasp the migration's scale. Land for champagne breakfast in the bush, then continue game driving.
Stay: Tented Camp
- Day06
Final Migration Day
Last full day following the migration. We'll explore new areas and search for predators we haven't yet seen. This is often when the most memorable sightings happen - a cheetah hunt, a lion pride on a kill, or a massive river crossing.
Stay: Tented Camp
- Day07
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Morning game drive en route to Ngorongoro. The contrast from the open Serengeti to the forested crater highlands is striking. Your lodge sits on the crater rim with spectacular views into the caldera.
Stay: Lodge
- Day08
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the crater at dawn. After the endless space of the Serengeti, the crater's intimate scale is remarkable - 25,000 animals packed into 260 square kilometers. Search for black rhino (this is one of the best places to see them) and enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool.
Stay: Lodge
- Day09
Departure
Final sunrise over the crater before transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. You leave Tanzania with memories of one of nature's greatest spectacles - the Great Migration.
Photos
What the price covers
Included
- All park fees and conservation fees
- Expert migration guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- Luxury tented camp accommodation
- Full board meals
- Hot air balloon safari with champagne breakfast
- All transfers and domestic transport
- Unlimited drinking water
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Personal items
When to go
The months we recommend for this trip are marked. It runs at other times too; ask and we'll tell you what to expect.
- Jan (recommended)
- Feb (recommended)
- Mar (recommended)
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul (recommended)
- Aug (recommended)
- Sep (recommended)
- Oct (recommended)
- Nov
- Dec
Where the herds are each monthBest time to visit TanzaniaWhat a safari costs
Questions about this safari
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
The migration is year-round but peak viewing varies: January-March for calving in southern Serengeti, June-July for Grumeti River crossings, and August-October for dramatic Mara River crossings in the north.
Will I definitely see a river crossing?
River crossings cannot be guaranteed as they depend on the herds' movement. However, with 5 nights in the Serengeti positioned in the migration path, you have excellent chances during crossing season (June-October).
How many wildebeest are in the migration?
The Great Migration involves approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 350,000 gazelles making a continuous clockwise journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
Is the hot air balloon included?
Yes! This package includes a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti with champagne bush breakfast. Floating over the migration herds at dawn is an unforgettable experience.
Where will I stay during the migration safari?
We use mobile tented camps that move with the migration, ensuring you're always positioned near the herds. Camps offer luxury amenities including en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, and gourmet meals.
Guest reviews
What our guests say
★★★★★
“Traveling with kids ages 8 and 11, we were nervous about a safari. Bald Eagle created a family-friendly itinerary that kept everyone engaged. The kids are still talking about the baby elephants in Tarangire!”
The Anderson Family · USA · December 2024 ★★★★★
“The combination of safari and Zanzibar beach was perfect. We saw all the Big Five in Serengeti and then relaxed on pristine beaches. The team handled every detail flawlessly. Can't recommend highly enough!”
Emma & David Williams · Australia · September 2024 ★★★★★
“I've been on safaris in Kenya and South Africa, but Tanzania with Bald Eagle was something special. The Ngorongoro Crater is like nowhere else on Earth. The attention to detail and personalized service exceeded all expectations.”
Michael Chen · Singapore · June 2024
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