7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari

This 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari follows one of East Africa’s most exciting wildlife routes, starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha. The itinerary combines Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Ngorongoro Crater, giving travellers a strong chance to experience the migration route, big cats, open savannah plains, river wildlife, and classic game drives across two countries. The safari is designed for travellers looking for a cross-border Kenya and Tanzania migration safari with time in both Masai Mara and Serengeti. You will search for wildebeests, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, and other wildlife. The Mara River crossing is seasonal and never guaranteed, but this itinerary places you in the right migration areas during the best travel window, especially from July to September.

Safari Highlights

• Pick-up in Nairobi and drop-off in Arusha
• Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
• Wildebeest migration experience in Masai Mara
• Cross-border safari from Kenya to Tanzania through Isebania
• Game drives in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River
• Full day wildlife viewing in Central Serengeti
• Big cat viewing in Serengeti’s open plains
• Full day Ngorongoro Crater game drive
• Optional Maasai community visit
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Serengeti

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

Depending on your location in Nairobi, your safari driver guide will pick you up early in the morning for the drive to Masai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you through Kenya’s countryside and the Great Rift Valley region before continuing towards the Mara plains. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and relax after the journey. Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a short evening at leisure around the lodge before dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Sentrim Mara Lodge, Luxury, Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2, Full Day Wildebeest Migration Safari in Masai Mara

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge with a packed lunch for a full day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve. This day focuses on wildlife viewing across the Mara plains, with chances to see lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, and many other species. During the migration season, usually around July to September, large herds of wildebeests and zebras move through the Masai Mara ecosystem. The Mara River area is one of the key places where travellers hope to witness dramatic river crossings, though sightings depend on wildlife movement, rainfall, and timing. You may also see hippos and Nile crocodiles along the Mara River. Later in the afternoon, enjoy more game viewing across the rolling Mara plains before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional activity: You may visit a Maasai village or the Loita Hills area for a cultural experience. This visit gives you time to interact with Maasai community members, learn about their homesteads, dress, dances, crafts, and daily life before returning to the lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Transfer from Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park via Isebania Border

After an early breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and begin the journey towards Tanzania. You will enjoy game viewing as you exit Masai Mara through the western side of the reserve before continuing to the Isebania Border. At the border, you will complete immigration and customs formalities before meeting the Tanzania safari team and continuing towards Serengeti National Park. Depending on border clearance and arrival times, you will enter the park for en route game viewing as you head towards your lodge or camp. The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations, known for open plains, big cats, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and seasonal migration movement. Accommodation: Mid-range, Mara River Camp or Mara Heritage Camp. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4, Full Day Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Experience

After breakfast, you will leave with a packed lunch for a full day game drive in Northern Serengeti. This region is one of the most important migration areas between July and September, when wildebeests and zebras often move towards the Mara River. Your guide will focus on the best wildlife areas based on recent sightings, road conditions, and herd movement. You may see wildebeests, zebras, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, antelopes, hippos, and crocodiles near the river. If conditions are right, you may witness a Mara River crossing, but this remains a natural event and cannot be guaranteed. Later in the day, you will continue towards your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Osinon Camps and Lodges, Luxury, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Full Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will meet your driver guide and leave with a packed lunch for a full day game drive in Central Serengeti. This area is known for open savannah plains, kopjes, big cat sightings, and year-round wildlife viewing. During the game drive, you may see large lion prides, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, antelopes, and other wildlife. Your guide will explore different parts of the central plains depending on sightings and wildlife movement. Later in the evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional activity: A hot air balloon safari can be arranged early in the morning at an extra cost. This activity gives you aerial views of the Serengeti plains at sunrise, followed by breakfast before reconnecting with your driver guide. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6, Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

After an early breakfast, you will drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a picnic lunch. On arrival, you will descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Tanzania, with chances to see lions, elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos, gazelles, and black rhinos. The crater also offers beautiful scenery, with open grasslands, wetlands, and lake areas that attract different bird species. In the late afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and continue to your lodge in Karatu or the Ngorongoro area. If time allows, an optional Maasai village visit can be arranged before check-in. Accommodation: Mid-range, Karatu Tented Camp, Budget to mid-range, Hhando Coffee Lodge, Luxury, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Transfer from Ngorongoro to Arusha for Departure

After breakfast at the lodge, you will check out and start the drive back to Arusha. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the lodge location, traffic, and road conditions. On arrival in Arusha, your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel, Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari. Meal plan: Breakfast

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick-up in Nairobi and drop-off in Arusha
• Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
• Park entry fees
• Ngorongoro Crater fees
• Accommodation and meals
• 4×4 safari vehicle
• English-speaking safari driver guide
• Bottled drinking water during the safari

Exclusions

• International flights
• Visa fees for Kenya and Tanzania
• Travel insurance
• Tips for driver guides, lodge staff, rangers, and porters
• Optional Maasai community tour
• Optional hot air balloon safari
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks, and beverages