7-Day Journey of the Wildebeest - Luxury

Introduction

This special safari focuses entirely on the Serengeti, following the path of the Great Migration. You will spend at least four nights in the park—typically two nights in the Central Area, known for its high concentration of big cats, and two nights in the area where the migration is currently taking place. The itinerary is designed so that your safari concludes in the most remote regions of the Serengeti, offering a true wilderness experience before flying onward to your next destination. Alternatively, the trip can be adjusted to return to Arusha by road.

Day by day

Day 1 – Lake Manyara National Park
Description: Begin your safari with an 8 am pickup from your hotel and a scenic drive across the Great Rift Valley. Explore Lake Manyara, a compact but stunning park known for lush acacia forests, giant figs, and mahogany trees. Spot giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, baboons, and blue monkeys, and marvel at hippos in the lake. Game drives along the lake offer incredible photo opportunities, framed by water and wildlife. Optional activities include a bike tour or boat excursion.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; all drinks except spirits

Day 2 – Ngorongoro Crater
Description: Rise early for a journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder with 2,000-ft high walls and 102 sq miles of pristine wilderness. Spot the Big Five, including the rare black rhino, as well as elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and flamingos on soda lakes. Explore swamps, forests, and open plains before ascending and transferring to your crater-rim accommodation.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lion's Paw Camp
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; all drinks except spirits

Day 3 – Central Serengeti National Park
Description: After breakfast, drive to the Serengeti, home of the “endless plains.” Stretching over 6,900 sq miles, this iconic park hosts the Great Migration, with millions of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes. Watch lions, cheetahs, and leopards roam across vast savannahs and forests, with dramatic river crossings often witnessed in this wildlife haven.
Accommodation: Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; all drinks except spirits

Day 4 – Central Serengeti National Park
Description: Enjoy a flexible day in the Serengeti. Opt for morning and afternoon game drives, with a relaxing lunch at the lodge in between, or choose a full-day adventure with a picnic lunch. Your guide will plan the day according to your preferences, maximizing wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities.
Accommodation: Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; all drinks except spirits

Days 5-6 – Serengeti National Park (Following the Great Migration)
Description: Spend two incredible days tracking the Great Migration across remote Serengeti plains. Depending on the season, you may explore the northern park near Kenya, the southern Ndutu area, or the western reserves. Witness the spectacular movement of wildebeest, zebras, and predators, with unforgettable encounters across vast, untouched landscapes.
Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp (Kogatende)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; all drinks except spirits

Day 7 – Flying Out of the Serengeti
Description: Begin the day with an optional early morning game drive to experience the Serengeti sunrise and active wildlife. Return to camp for brunch before transferring to the airstrip for your onward flight to Arusha, Zanzibar, or your next destination. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely morning at the camp before departure.
Accommodation: None (end of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch; all drinks except spirits