East Africa Migration

Witnessing the Great Migration is undoubtedly one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet and a true bucket-list safari adventure.

Every year, spurred on by the dry season on the African plains in Kenya and Tanzania, close to two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles make the epic journey from their breeding grounds in the southern Serengeti to greener, wetter grass on the northern plains during what is known as the Great Migration. As the dry season turns to wet, they travel full circle back south. Year after year, governed by the seasons as they evolve from wet to dry and back again, this cycle repeats itself.

Our fantastic 10-day Great Migration safari will take you to some of the most well-known safari destinations in East Africa, including Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire National Parks in Tanzania.

Starts in Nairobi

Ends in Arusha

Duration: 10 Days

Next departure: 1-10 Sept 2025

Day to day summary:

Day 1	Arrival in Kenya (Nairobi)
Day 2	Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 3-4	Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 5	Maasai Mara to Serengeti
Day 6-7	Serengeti
Day 8	Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Day 9	Ngorongoro Crater
Day 10	Arusha & departure

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Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1:
Start of safari in Nairobi, Kenya – Welcome to East Africa! Your fantastic migration safari begins the moment you touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, just outside Nairobi. You will be transferred to your hotel, and depending on your arrival time, there might be an opportunity for an optional excursion to one or more nearby attractions.

Notably, just 20 minutes from the city center, Lions and African buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve, Nairobi National Park. This 117 km² (45 sq mi) reserve, established in 1946, boasts a diverse range of habitats and species.

Tonight, we will have dinner at the hotel, get to know each other, and discuss our plans and the target fauna and flora species for the exciting safari ahead. Afterward, we will retreat to our rooms for our first night in Africa!

DAY 2:
Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve  – After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Maasai Mara, a journey of about 5 to 6 hours to the west. We will stop along the way to enjoy our packed lunch, arriving at our accommodation in the mid-afternoon. After checking in, we’ll enjoy some drinks before setting off on our first game drive.

Our lodge is perfectly situated to explore this magnificent African game reserve. The Maasai Mara is the best area to see big game up close. Some of the many mammals we hope to see include African elephant, African buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, giraffe (Maasai or Tippelskirchi subspecies), common eland, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, serval, and of course, hundreds of thousands of zebras and wildebeest.

Around July each year, these animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains to the Maasai Mara in search of fresh pasture, returning south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving approximately 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 97,000 topi (a subspecies of tsessebe), 18,000 common eland, and 200,000 zebras. Astoundingly, about 250,000 wildebeest and other mammals die during the journey from Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve due to thirst, hunger, exhaustion, or predation.

After our exciting first game drive, we will return to our lodge to freshen up and have dinner. Before settling into your room, be sure to look up at the sky tonight – the stars are truly remarkable out here!

DAY 3:
Maasai Mara National Reserve – We will spend our first full day on safari in the magnificent “Mara,” as the locals fondly call it. The day will start with a delightful breakfast, followed by a morning game drive.

As we journey through the Mara in our comfortable safari vehicle, we will be treated to unforgettable sights, including the vast herds of migrating mammals. But the migration is just one part of the experience. We may also witness predators trailing the herds, birds soaring overhead, and smaller creatures bustling around us. Our knowledgeable guides will keep you informed about the diverse fauna and flora throughout the day.

We’ll return to our lodge for lunch and a brief siesta during the hottest part of the day. In the afternoon, we’ll head out for another game drive, eager to spot more spectacular wildlife and perhaps witness some predator-prey interactions for which the Mara is famous.

The Maasai Mara is considered the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas and one of the world’s greatest wildlife reserves. Like the Serengeti, it is dominated by wildebeest, with numbers estimated in the millions. Nowhere in Africa is wildlife more abundant, and we are almost certain to see the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino). Additionally, over 90 species of mammals, more than 500 bird species, and many amphibians, reptiles, and other fascinating creatures have been recorded in the reserve.

We will return to our lodge in the early evening for dinner, enjoying the unique experience of being out in the African bush—a memory we will cherish forever!

DAY 4:
Maasai Mara National Reserve – This morning, after breakfast, we will embark on another game drive, searching for mammals and birds we may have missed during our earlier excursions into the reserve.

We will also focus on spotting some of the Mara’s special bird species. With over 500 bird species identified in the park, including nearly 60 species of raptors, our birdwatching adventure will be remarkable. Birds we hope to see include various vultures, Saddle-billed, Woolly-necked, and Marabou Storks, Secretarybirds, numerous hornbill species, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, seven species of kingfishers, Ross’s and Schalow’s Turacos, Kori and Denham’s Bustards, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, the aptly named Long-crested Eagle, Superb Starling, Grey Crowned Crane, the charming Pygmy Falcon, Sooty Chat, Jackson’s Widowbird, Kenya Sparrow, Southern Grosbeak-canary, Rufous-bellied and Malagasy Pond Herons, Lesser Kestrel, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, and the stunning Lilac-breasted Roller, Kenya’s national bird. It’s not uncommon to see over 200 species during a three-day trip in the Mara!

We will also keep an eye out for the colossal Nile crocodiles in the Mara River and later in the Grumeti River. These ancient reptiles, some exceeding 5 meters (16 feet) in length, lie in wait for migrating mammals. Witnessing one of these giants catch a zebra is a stark reminder of our fragility in the greater scheme of nature.

After returning to our lodge for lunch and some downtime, we will set out on another afternoon game drive.

Don’t forget to bring extra batteries for your camera, as the reserve is a photographer’s paradise, teeming with wildlife, birds, stunning African landscapes, and excellent weather. The BBC television show “Big Cat Diary” was filmed in both the Reserve and Conservation areas of the Maasai Mara.

Following another fantastic day in the Mara, we will return to the lodge for our final dinner here. We will sit under the African sky, reminiscing about our wonderful time before heading to bed for a good night’s rest. Tomorrow, we’re of to the Serengeti!

DAY 5-6:
Maasai Mara to Northern Serengeti (Tanzania) – After an early breakfast, we will cross the Isebania border into Tanzania, heading straight into the renowned Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous wildlife reserves in Africa, if not the world.

To maximize our game viewing time in the Serengeti, we will have a packed lunch en route.

We will arrive at our camp in the Northern Serengeti in the late afternoon and will stay here for two nights. Our intimate migration camp is a semi-permanent mobile tented camp designed to follow the movements of the great migration. It offers stunning views and first-class amenities, ensuring luxurious accommodation in the heart of the wilderness. Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature and savor this once-in-a-lifetime experience in the perfect African wildlife setting.

Tonight, we will enjoy dinner around a classic African campfire, soaking in the vast East African sky.

DAY 7:
Central Serengeti – This morning, we will embark on a full game drive in the central section of the Serengeti before returning to our camp for lunch.

The Central Serengeti is a key part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration. While the sight of these herds is captivating, the Serengeti also boasts a rich variety of other wildlife, including big game. Approximately 70 large mammal species and 500 bird species inhabit this area. We may encounter packs of African wild dogs, prides of lions (over 3,000), cheetahs, leopards (over 1,000), and spotted hyenas (nearly 8,000), often following the herds. The Serengeti is also home to a wide range of grazers such as African buffalo, African elephant, common warthog, common eland, waterbuck, and topi. With so much activity, it’s easy to witness a full spectrum of African wildlife during our safari.

Bird enthusiasts will also have plenty to enjoy. In addition to the migration scenes, we will look for some of the Serengeti’s notable bird species. These include Fischer’s lovebird, Kori bustard, Secretarybird, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Southern ground Hornbill, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, Red-throated Tit, Karamoja apalis, Abyssinian Wheatear, Swahili Sparrow, Verreaux’s and Martial Eagle, Silverbird, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, and Rüppell’s vulture, among many others.

We will also keep an eye out for the Serengeti’s reptiles, such as the massive Nile crocodile, leopard tortoise, East African serrated mud turtle, common agama, Nile monitor, various chameleon species, African rock python, black mamba, black-necked spitting cobra, and puff adder.

After our thrilling day, we will return to our camp for some relaxation and dinner. Our camp offers a perfect blend of old African charm and elegance, with breathtaking views of the surrounding savannah plains. If the weather permits, we will once again unwind around the fire before retiring to bed.

DAY 8:
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – After breakfast, we will embark on an extended morning game drive before returning to camp for lunch. In the late afternoon, we will set off southeast to Ngorongoro for the next leg of our adventure.

On our way, we will visit an authentic Maasai village, gaining insight into their fascinating culture and daily life. Interestingly, the name Ngorongoro comes from the Maasai pastoralists, who named the area after the sound produced by the cowbell (ngoro ngoro)!

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans approximately 8,500 km² (3,300 sq mi) adjacent to the Serengeti plains. Its main attraction is the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. The caldera is surrounded by steep walls rising 600 m (2,000 feet) above the crater floor. It’s a must-visit destination on any tour to Tanzania or East Africa.

The grasslands within the crater are home to about 25,000 large mammals. The most numerous ungulates include common wildebeest, hartebeest (Coke’s subspecies), African buffalo, plains zebra, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, and common eland. Other mammals we hope to spot include hippopotamus, African elephant, black rhinoceros, waterbuck, bushbuck, baboons, monkeys, and the rare Bohor reedbuck. The crater also hosts a substantial population of predators, including lions, spotted hyenas, and servals.

We will have dinner and some relaxation time at our lodge on the eastern rim of the crater. This location offers awe-inspiring views and some of the most breathtaking sunsets in Tanzania. Enjoy!

DAY 9:
Ngorongoro Crater – We will spend the entire day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoying a picnic lunch on its 260 square kilometer (100 square mile) floor, before heading back to our lodge on the crater rim in the late afternoon for dinner. Prepare to witness some incredible wildlife and plant life!

While the mammals are a major draw, birdwatching within the crater and on the crater rim is equally rewarding. Some of the specialty bird species we might see include Schalow’s turaco, Hunter’s cisticola, Rüppell’s robin-chat, Tacazze sunbird, and the striking golden-winged sunbird.

After a wonderful day of game viewing in the crater, we will return to our lodge for a delicious dinner and to reflect on our thrilling safari in East Africa.

DAY 10:
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha and Departure – And so, our incredible East Africa migration safari sadly comes to an end.

After breakfast, we will drive to Arusha, approximately three hours away. We’ll stop for lunch and perhaps some last-minute shopping before continuing to Kilimanjaro International Airport for our flight home.