7-Day Migration Wildlife Safari – Self-Launched: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Arrange your own transfer or take a shared shuttle from Arusha town to Tarangire (roughly 2–2.5 hours, ~£8 by shared shuttle or dalla-dalla to Makuyuni then local taxi). Book a shared-vehicle game drive directly with a local Arusha-based operator (e.g. via GetYourGuide or direct with a community safari company) — expect to pay ~£80–£110 per person including park fees. Tarangire is famous for its huge elephant herds and baobab-studded landscape. Bring a packed lunch or purchase a picnic lunch from your accommodation the night before. Stay at Tarangire River Camp or similar budget tented camp (~£20–£30pp for a dorm/shared tent).

🚌Shared shuttle Arusha → Makuyuni junction (~£5), then local taxi or arranged safari pickup (~£3). Total ~£8.

🛏Tarangire River Camp or Sangaiwe Tented Lodge (budget shared tent/dorm) – approx. £25pp/night

• →Shared 4WD game drive in Tarangire National Park (~6 hours)
• →Elephant herd and baobab landscape photography
• →Picnic lunch in the park
• →Sundowner at camp

Depart early from Tarangire with your booked local safari vehicle, heading north through Ngorongoro Conservation Area and into the Serengeti. The drive takes around 5–6 hours including a game drive en route. The Seronera area in the central Serengeti is one of the world's best year-round wildlife zones, home to lion prides, leopards, and the famous Seronera River crossing points. Book a shared-vehicle safari from Arusha inclusive of all park legs — this dramatically cuts cost. Stay at Serengeti Serena (budget rooms) or a community campsite (~£18–£25pp).

🚌Safari 4WD with local operator (included in multi-day safari booking). Park entry fees for Serengeti are included in shared safari package.

🛏Serengeti Community Campsite or Kati Kati Tented Camp (budget shared) – approx. £22pp/night

• →Overland transit game drive from Tarangire through NCA into Serengeti
• →Afternoon game drive around Seronera River area
• →Lion pride and leopard spotting
• →Picnic lunch in the park

A long but spectacular game drive north through the Serengeti, tracking the wildebeest migration corridor up toward Kogatende and the Mara River. This is the prime territory for witnessing dramatic river crossings between July and October. Stop for a picnic lunch on the plains. The Kogatende region is remote — accommodation is limited so book in advance. Opt for a budget tented camp close to the river for the best wildlife access.

🚌Safari 4WD (included in multi-day shared safari package). Long drive day — depart by 07:00.

🛏Kogatende Tented Camp or Mara Mara Tented Lodge (budget) – approx. £28pp/night

• →Full-day game drive from central to northern Serengeti (~7 hours driving + game viewing)
• →Exploration of Kogatende region
• →Mara River crossing reconnaissance
• →Picnic lunch on the Serengeti plains

This is the highlight of the entire trip. Spend a full day patrolling the Mara River crossing points with your guide, waiting for wildebeest herds to make their legendary (and harrowing) river crossings. Patience is key — crossings can happen multiple times a day or not at all. Optionally explore the Lobo Valley in the afternoon for lion and cheetah sightings. Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens if possible. Picnic lunch in the field.

🚌Safari 4WD stationed in northern Serengeti (included in package).

🛏Kogatende Tented Camp or Mara Mara Tented Lodge (budget) – approx. £28pp/night

• →Full-day game drive along Mara River crossing points
• →Great Wildebeest Migration observation (seasonal — best July to October)
• →Optional afternoon game drive into Lobo Valley
• →Cheetah, lion, and crocodile spotting
• →Picnic lunch at the river

Drive south back through the Serengeti, enjoying a continuous game drive through varied terrain — open plains, kopjes (granite outcrops), and riverine forest. The Seronera area is renowned for its resident lion prides and is one of the best places in Africa to observe big cats. Arrive at your camp by late afternoon and enjoy a sundowner watching the Serengeti sunset.

🚌Safari 4WD (included in multi-day shared safari package).

🛏Serengeti Community Campsite or Kati Kati Tented Camp (budget shared) – approx. £22pp/night

• →Full-day game drive heading south through varied Serengeti terrain
• →Kopje exploration for lion and leopard
• →Seronera River valley wildlife watching
• →Picnic lunch en route

Morning half-day game drive in the Serengeti before heading west and south out of the park and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater rim sits at around 2,300m altitude — evenings can be cold, so pack a layer. Arrive in time for sunset views over the crater — one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. Stay at a budget lodge or campsite on the rim.

🚌Safari 4WD (included in package). Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees payable on entry (~£60–£70pp for vehicle + conservation fee — check current rates).

🛏Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge or Simba Campsite (budget, crater rim) – approx. £20–£30pp/night

• →Half-day morning game drive in Serengeti (depart by 06:30)
• →Picnic lunch during game drive
• →Drive to Ngorongoro Crater rim (~3 hours from Seronera)
• →Sunset crater rim viewpoint walk

Depart the rim by 06:00 for the descent into the crater floor — a World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most wildlife-dense areas. The 260 sq km crater floor hosts around 25,000 animals year-round, including all of the Big Five and Tanzania's largest concentration of lions. Enjoy a 5-hour game drive with a picnic lunch at the famous Hippo Pool. Ascend by early afternoon and drive back to Arusha (approx. 3 hours), arriving by early evening. Budget a meal in Arusha town to celebrate.

🚌Safari 4WD descent/ascent (included). Return drive to Arusha ~3 hours.

🛏N/A – end point Arusha (overnight in Arusha if needed: budget guesthouses ~£12–£18pp)

• →Early descent into Ngorongoro Crater floor
• →5-hour Big Five game drive on crater floor
• →Picnic lunch at Hippo Pool
• →Black rhino spotting (Ngorongoro is one of few places in Tanzania to see them)
• →Ascent from crater and drive to Arusha