This excellent-value migration safari runs from July to October 2026. Enjoy a seamless cross-border journey combining private Tanzania game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti, and Northern Serengeti, followed by shared vehicle safaris in the world-famous Masai Mara. Capture the peak of the Great Migration and the legendary Mara River crossings from both the Tanzania and Kenya sides. From elephant-rich landscapes to plains filled with vast herds and predators in their wake, this itinerary delivers exceptional wildlife encounters, luxurious safari camps, and the best seats in the house for nature’s greatest spectacle.
This itinerary can be customized according to your requirements.
Your excellent-value Kenya & Tanzania Fly-In Migration Explorer Safari begins on your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and private transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the vibrant cafés, markets, and craft shops of this lively town.
About African Tulip Hotel, Arusha
Located in the leafy suburbs of Arusha, the African Tulip is a charming boutique hotel known for its warm hospitality and elegant Swahili-inspired décor. Guests enjoy spacious en-suite rooms with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, comfortable bedding, and modern bathrooms. The hotel offers a swimming pool, a popular on-site restaurant, cosy lounge areas, and beautiful gardens.
Your Kenya & Tanzania Safari departs Arusha in a private 4x4 safari vehicle to journey to Tarangire National Park, famed for its sweeping savannahs, giant baobabs, and huge herds of elephants. Enjoy a thrilling safari game-viewing drive in search of lions, leopards, buffalo, and plains game. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Continue to Tarangire Safari Lodge for your overnight stay.
About Tarangire Safari Lodge, Tarangire National Park
Perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking the Tarangire River, Tarangire Safari Lodge offers some of the finest views in the park. Stay in spacious en-suite canvas tents designed to blend with the wilderness. The lodge features a pool, viewing terrace, open-air dining, and excellent access to Tarangire’s wildlife corridors.
Enjoy a final early-morning game drive in Tarangire before your Kenya & Tanzania Safari heads into the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands. Today’s sightings may include elephants, lions, cheetahs, rare wild dogs, gerenuk, and fringe-eared oryx. Arrive at your forest-edge retreat in the highlands for an afternoon at leisure.
About The Retreat at Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Highlands
Set on 60 acres overlooking the Ngorongoro Forest, this eco-lodge offers tranquillity and immersion in nature. Over 40,000 indigenous trees create a lush, wildlife-rich environment. The lodge features an infinity pool, forest-view terraces, a fireplace lounge, and beautifully furnished en-suite rooms with mosquito nets, private decks, and serene forest vistas.
Today your Kenya & Tanzania Safari descends into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheatre, formed by a collapsed ancient volcano, teeming with a high density of wildlife including lions, elephants, buffalo, hyenas, flamingos, and abundant plains game. After a full morning of exceptional game viewing, leave the crater and head to the nearby Serengeti National Park. Head to the Central Serengeti, enjoying your first thrilling Serengeti game-viewing en route to your tented safari camp.
About Serengeti Wilderness Central Camp, Serengeti National Park
Set near the renowned central Seronera region — the Serengeti’s “big cat capital” — this intimate wilderness camp offers year-round predator sightings and prime game viewing. Ten spacious en-suite tents feature comfortable beds, private verandahs, and solar lighting. A dining tent, relaxed lounge area, library, charging station, and nightly campfire complete the experience, along with all meals and local drinks.
Your Kenya & Tanzania Migration Explorer begins with an early-morning safari game-viewing drive in Central Serengeti before travelling to the dramatic Northern Serengeti, home of the seasonal Mara River crossings of the Great Migration. Enjoy wildlife sightings en route and settle into your comfortable camp for two nights. Your days are spent searching for migrating herds, predators, and the pulse-raising action of the Mara River crossings. From July to October, this region offers the best opportunities to witness the drama of wildebeest plunging through crocodile-filled waters - and you are best placed to witness all the action.
You may opt for a hot air balloon safari for an unforgettable aerial view of the Serengeti plains.
About Serengeti North Wilderness Camp, Serengeti National Park
This seasonal eco-camp sits close to the Mara River and Kogatende Airstrip, perfectly positioned for Migration sightings. Ten en-suite solar-powered tents provide comfort amid remote wilderness, each with a verandah and cosy furnishings. Guests enjoy a central lounge, library, dining tent, and campfire under the stars.
On Day 7, your Kenya & Tanzania Fly-In Migration Explorer heads to the Kogatende airstrip for a flight into Kenya and the Masai Mara. Transfer to Ilkeliani Camp - home for the next three nights. Here, the wildlife action continues with opportunities to witness the Great Migration river crossings from the Kenya side. Enjoy shared morning and afternoon game drives across the wildlife-rich Masai Mara in search of the Big Five animals and all the Great Migration action. In between, relax at camp as animals wander past the riverbanks. Optional guided walks, birding, or cultural encounters add depth to your stay.
About Ilkeliani Camp, Masai Mara
Ilkeliani is an elegant boutique safari camp overlooking the Talek River, offering stylish tented suites raised on wooden decks. Each en-suite tent is tucked into a grove of trees for privacy and features flowing canvas, hardwood decks, comfortable furnishings, bathrooms with indoor–outdoor showers, and views across the golden Masai Mara plains. The main area of camp offers viewing decks with sweeping views over the river, lounges, and a dining area.
After breakfast, fly from the Masai Mara to Nairobi's regional Wilson Airport. Here you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where your Kenya & Tanzania Fly-In Migration Explorer comes to a close.
This Kenya Tanzania fly-in migration safari includes light aircraft flights from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, then on to Nairobi. Flights Included:
Luggage restriction: only soft luggage, maximum 15kg. Please consult with your travel advisor for further details regarding the luggage policy.
For more details, contact African Budget Safaris
Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration is a seasonal event. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering approximately 1,200 miles (1,931 km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek, the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season, but the movement of these large wildlife herds also varies from year to year.
Please speak with a travel expert at African Budget Safaris to learn more about witnessing the Great Migration during your East African safari. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
This tour does take children.
All Arusha Departures |
1. Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Rd, Tanzania
2. 4 Serengeti Rd, Arusha, Tanzania
3. Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Rd, Tanzania
4. Tloma, Karatu, Tanzania
5. 8WF3+88, Nyamburi Village, Tanzania
6. Talek River, Masai Mara, Kenya
7. Wilson Airport, Wilson Airport, Karen, Langata Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
This classic African safari travels to the best parks in Kenya and Tanzania, Serengeti and Masai Mara included. Stay at exclusive tented camps while enjoying wildlife safaris in Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Nakuru and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, travelling in a small group of less than seven guests.
More on this 10 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Discover Tanzania's best wildlife and cultures on this affordable 10-day safari featuring Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and authentic village visits.
More on this 10 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An affordable Tanzania & Kenya Safari to Masai Mara, Serengeti & Best Safari Parks (Ngorongoro Crater, Manyara & Tarangire) staying at top budget safari lodges.
More on this 10 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Enjoy an 11-day private Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday—Serengeti & Ngorongoro wildlife, then fly to Zanzibar for island relaxation. Customisable package.
More on this 11 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Experience Tanzania's best national parks on this 10-day private safari. Visit Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron & Tarangire. Expert guides included.
Climb Kilimanjaro on this 9-day Lemosho Route hiking tour. Includes guided trekking, mountain camping, meals, park fees, transfers and summit attempt.
More on this 9 Day Hiking Tour
Climb Kilimanjaro on this private 9-day Lemosho Route hiking tour. Includes guided trekking, mountain camping, meals, transfers and summit attempt.
More on this 9 Day Hiking Tour
An affordable Tanzania wildlife safari, the Northern Tanzania Safari visits Serengeti Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with a private tour driver/guide.
More on this 6 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Explore an 8-day Tanzania wildlife safari on the Northern Circuit, visiting Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. Lodge-based safari with a private guide and flexible departures.
More on this 8 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
