8 Days Great Migration Camping

8 Days / 7 Nights Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire Migration Focus

Follow the wildebeest migration in Serengeti and enjoy authentic camping in the wild. Experience the drama of river crossings, predators, and the endless plains of Tanzania's most famous park.

Destinations Overview

  • Day 1: Arusha (Arrival)
  • Day 2: Tarangire National Park
  • Day 3: Serengeti National Park
  • Day 4-6: Serengeti (Migration Focus)
  • Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater
  • Day 8: Arusha (Departure)

Highlights

  • Wildebeest migration (seasonal)
  • Camping in the Serengeti
  • Big cats and predators
  • Ngorongoro Crater exploration
  • Expert local guides
  • Campfire dinners & bush breakfasts

Rates

From $1,850 per person (based on 2 people, low season).
Contact us for a personalized quote depending on group size and season.

  • High season rates may apply (June–Oct, Dec–Feb)
  • Discounts for larger groups and children available
  • Single supplement applies for solo travelers

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Welcome to the heart of Tanzania, where your extraordinary Great Migration adventure begins! As you step off your flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll immediately feel the excitement building for what promises to be one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences on Earth. Your experienced safari guide will be waiting to greet you with a warm smile and transfer you to your comfortable hotel in Arusha, the gateway to the legendary Serengeti and the Great Migration. This charming town, nestled at the base of Mount Meru, offers the perfect introduction to your African adventure. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax in the lush hotel gardens, take a refreshing shower to wash away the travel fatigue, or explore the vibrant local markets where you'll find colorful Maasai crafts and fresh tropical fruits. In the evening, your guide will provide a comprehensive briefing about the incredible journey ahead, sharing insights about the Great Migration, the parks you'll visit, and the authentic camping experience that awaits you. This is your chance to ask questions about the migration patterns, discuss the best times for wildlife viewing, and get excited about witnessing one of nature's most spectacular events - the annual wildebeest migration that involves over two million animals.

Accommodation: Budget hotel in Arusha
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Awake to the sounds of Africa as the sun rises over Arusha, signaling the beginning of your Great Migration safari adventure! After a hearty breakfast featuring fresh local fruits, eggs, and traditional Tanzanian coffee, you'll board your comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle and begin the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, a magnificent prelude to the migration spectacle that awaits you. This stunning park, often called the "Elephant Playground," is famous for its massive herds of elephants that roam freely among the iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape like ancient sentinels. As you enter the park, you'll immediately notice the dramatic change in scenery - from the lush highlands to the golden savanna where thousands of animals gather around the life-giving Tarangire River. Your full-day game drive will take you through diverse habitats where you'll search for the Big Five, spot graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees, watch playful baboons, and marvel at the incredible variety of birdlife that calls this park home. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, conservation efforts, and the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Lunch will be a delightful picnic in the heart of the park, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness. As the sun begins to set, you'll arrive at your carefully selected public campsite where your experienced safari crew will have already set up your comfortable tent. Tonight, you'll enjoy your first campfire dinner under the vast African sky, sharing stories with fellow travelers while listening to the symphony of the night and anticipating the migration wonders that lie ahead.

Accommodation: Public campsite in Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park

Rise with the dawn chorus as the African wilderness comes alive around your tent! After a delicious breakfast prepared by your safari chef, you'll pack up camp and begin the journey to the legendary Serengeti National Park, the stage for the world's most spectacular wildlife event - the Great Migration. The drive takes you through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Highlands, where you'll stop at the crater rim to take in one of the most spectacular views in Africa - the vast Ngorongoro Crater stretching out below you like a natural amphitheater teeming with life. Your guide will explain the geological history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and point out the diverse wildlife that calls this unique ecosystem home. Continuing your journey, you'll enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate, where the endless plains stretch as far as the eye can see, earning the park its name from the Maasai word "Siringet," meaning "endless plains." This is the land where the Great Migration unfolds, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow ancient migratory routes in search of fresh grazing. Your first game drive in the Serengeti will introduce you to the incredible diversity of wildlife that makes this park world-famous. Keep your eyes peeled for prides of lions, elusive leopards, graceful cheetahs, and the countless other species that thrive in this pristine wilderness. As evening approaches, you'll arrive at your campsite in the heart of the Serengeti, where you'll spend the night surrounded by the authentic sounds of the African bush and the anticipation of tomorrow's migration encounters.

Accommodation: Public campsite in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4-6: Great Migration in Serengeti

These three extraordinary days are dedicated to immersing yourself in the magic of the Great Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth! Each morning, you'll wake up with the dawn chorus and embark on full days of exploration across the vast Serengeti plains, where the migration drama unfolds in all its glory. Your expert guide will use their intimate knowledge of the park and migration patterns to track the movements of the massive herds, where you might witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing. The migration is a year-round event, and depending on the season, you might witness different phases - from the calving season in the southern Serengeti (January-March) where thousands of wildebeest calves are born within weeks of each other, to the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti (July-October) where herds brave crocodile-infested waters in their quest for greener pastures. The Serengeti is also home to some of Africa's most impressive predators that follow the migration, and you'll spend time searching for prides of lions, solitary leopards lounging in acacia trees, and the lightning-fast cheetahs that can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Your guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, social structures, and the complex relationships between different species in this delicate ecosystem. Each day will bring new migration encounters, from watching herds gather at riverbanks before crossing, to witnessing the incredible coordination of thousands of animals moving as one. Return to camp each evening for hearty dinners prepared by your safari chef, followed by stories around the campfire as you share the day's incredible migration encounters with your fellow travelers.

Accommodation: Public campsite in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Bid farewell to the Serengeti and the Great Migration as you enjoy one final morning game drive through this magnificent park, taking in every last moment of the incredible wildlife encounters that have made this journey so special. Your guide will take you to some of their favorite spots, perhaps for one more chance to see that elusive leopard or to witness a pride of lions on the hunt. As you exit the Serengeti, you'll travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique landscape where wildlife and traditional Maasai communities coexist in harmony, creating a fascinating blend of natural and cultural heritage. You'll have the option to visit a traditional Maasai village (at an additional cost), where you can learn about the fascinating culture and traditions of these proud pastoralists who have lived in this region for centuries. The village visit offers a rare opportunity to see traditional Maasai homes, learn about their customs, and perhaps even participate in a traditional dance or ceremony. Continuing your journey, you'll arrive at the spectacular Simba Campsite, perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This is one of the most breathtaking camping locations in Africa, offering panoramic views over the crater floor where thousands of animals roam freely in this natural amphitheater. As you set up camp, you'll be treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets you'll ever witness, with the golden light painting the crater walls in brilliant colors. Tonight's dinner will be particularly special as you dine under the stars with the vast crater stretching out below you, creating memories that will last a lifetime and preparing you for tomorrow's grand finale.

Accommodation: Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro rim)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha (Departure)

Your final day begins with an early descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique wildlife viewing experiences in Africa, providing the perfect grand finale to your Great Migration adventure! This ancient volcanic caldera, formed over two million years ago, creates a natural enclosure that supports an incredible density of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. As you descend the steep crater walls, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the crater floor stretching out below you, dotted with lakes, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for an astonishing variety of animals. The crater is home to one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, and you'll have excellent opportunities to observe these magnificent predators in their natural environment. You'll also search for the critically endangered black rhinoceros, which finds sanctuary in the crater's protected environment, as well as large herds of elephants, buffalo, and countless other species. The crater's alkaline lakes attract thousands of flamingos, creating a spectacular pink spectacle against the backdrop of the crater walls. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about the crater's geology, ecology, and the conservation efforts that protect this unique ecosystem. After a memorable picnic lunch in the heart of the crater, you'll begin the journey back to Arusha, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters, migration spectacles, and authentic camping experiences that have made your Great Migration safari so special. Upon arrival in Arusha, your safari officially ends, but the memories of witnessing one of nature's greatest spectacles will stay with you forever. We can arrange additional accommodation in Arusha or transfers to the airport, ensuring your journey concludes as smoothly as it began.

Accommodation: No accommodation (end of tour)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport or your Arusha hotel.

Included

  • All park fees & taxes
  • Camping accommodation & equipment (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags)
  • All meals as per itinerary
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide & cook
  • 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Drinking water
  • Airport transfers

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips & gratuities
  • Optional activities (e.g. Maasai village visit, balloon safari)

How to Get There

  • Arrival Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off included in all packages
  • Private transfer to/from your hotel in Arusha
  • Assistance with domestic flights and connections available on request
Request a Quote / Book Now
Want a custom itinerary? Contact us for a personalized quote.