7 DAYS THE NORTHERN MIGRATION FLY-IN SAFARI

7 Days

Guide
Guided
Tour Availability
Available
Price
From US$ 3,476 per person sharing

Inclusions / Exclusions

Overview

Itinerary

Inclusions / Exclusions

Tour Introduction

This 7-day expedition offers a premium, high-reward approach to the Northern Circuit. By flying directly into the Northern Serengeti, you bypass the long initial drive and land straight in the heart of the action. This itinerary allows you to traverse the entire Serengeti ecosystem from north to south. You will start in the rolling hills and riverine woodlands of the North—home to the dramatic Mara River crossings (season dependent)—before driving down to the predator-rich Central Seronera Valley. The journey culminates with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, ensuring you witness the full spectrum of Tanzania’s wildlife diversity in a seamless, time-efficient loop.

Day 01 :

Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha (1 hour)

Your Tanzanian adventure begins as you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the gateway to the safari circuit. On a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak from the tarmac. You will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, a vibrant city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. Depending on your arrival time, you safari briefing may take place today or early tomorrow meaning.

Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha

Day 02 :

Arusha – Fly to Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport (ARK) to board a light aircraft bound for the Northern Serengeti. This scenic flight offers a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Great Rift Valley, the crater highlands, and the vast savannahs below. You will land at the Kogatende or Lamai airstrip, where your guide will be waiting. Your safari begins immediately with a game drive en route to your camp. This region is pristine and wild, characterized by rocky kopjes and the Mara River, which serves as a lifeline for hippos, massive crocodiles, and diverse birdlife.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge/Camp in Northern Serengeti

Day 03 :

Northern Serengeti

You have a full day dedicated to the Northern Serengeti. If you are traveling between July and October, this area is the stage for the Great Migration’s most dramatic chapter: the river crossings. You may spend hours by the riverbanks, hoping to witness the chaotic spectacle of wildebeest plunging into the water. Even outside of migration season, the North is spectacular; the landscape is lush and green for much of the year, and resident prides of lions and solitary leopards patrol the river lines. The sense of isolation here is profound compared to the busier southern sections of the park.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Lodge/Camp in Northern Serengeti

Day 04 :

Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti (3 hours)

Today, you will embark on a "game drive en route" as you travel south from the Northern Serengeti to the Central Seronera Valley. This journey allows you to witness the changing landscapes, from the hilly woodlands of the north to the classic "endless plains" of the center. Along the way, you may pass through the Lobo Valley, known for its elephant herds and lion prides. You will arrive in the Central Serengeti in the afternoon, just in time for an evening game drive in the predator-dense Seronera area.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge/Camp in Central Serengeti

Day 05 :

Central Serengeti

You have a full day dedicated to exploring the Seronera Valley, the vibrant heart of the Serengeti. This region is renowned for its year-round wildlife abundance, largely due to the permanent waters of the Seronera River. Your guide will help you track the Big Five, with a special focus on leopards, which are frequently spotted lounging in the branches of sausage trees along the riverbanks. You might also encounter cheetahs using termite mounds as vantage points to scout for prey, or massive prides of lions resting in the shade of kopjes (rocky outcrops).

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge/Camp in Central Serengeti

Day 06 :

Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro (3 hours)

After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti to track any wildlife you may have missed, you will bid farewell to the plains and drive back towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This return journey offers a second chance to spot wildlife across the plains, such as hyenas and jackals. You will ascend into the crater highlands, arriving at your lodge on the crater rim (or in nearby Karatu) in the late afternoon. The evening is spent relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views, preparing for the descent into the crater the next day.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge in Ngorongoro

Day 07 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Kilimanjaro International Airport (4.5 hours)

You will start this final day very early to maximize your time in the crater. It is a short drive from Karatu to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate, where you will descend 600 meters to the crater floor. This ancient volcanic caldera is a self-contained ecosystem teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five. You will spend the morning exploring the crater floor, with high chances of spotting lions, hyenas, and the critically endangered Black Rhino. After a picnic lunch near the hippo pool, you will ascend the steep walls and begin the drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The drive takes you past Arusha and on to the airport, arriving in the early evening.

Important Flight Note: Please note that your safari ends at around 18:00 hours at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Please plan your outbound flight to depart after 20:00 hours for domestic flight and 21:00 hours for International Flight. If you have an earlier flight please consider adding an extra night in Arusha.