Northern Serengeti 8-Day Safari: Great Migration & Tribal Experience in Tanzania

Overview

Tour Overview
Starting Point: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Ending Point: Northern Serengeti (Kogatende Airstrip)
Duration: 8 Days
Highlights:
Lake Manyara National Park
Tarangire National Park
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Cultural visits to the Maasai, Datoga, and Hadzabe tribes
Packing Essentials
Camera with zoom lens, extra memory & batteries
Binoculars
Lightweight clothing and safari boots
Mosquito repellent
Sunhat and UV-protected sunglasses
Accommodation Options
Luxury Safari Lodges and Camps

Tour Description
This immersive 8-day African wildlife safari combines thrilling game drives with unforgettable cultural encounters in northern Tanzania. Designed for travelers seeking a deep connection to nature and indigenous culture, the tour covers the iconic Northern Circuit, including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the world-renowned Serengeti during the Great Migration.
You’ll witness tree-climbing lions, massive herds of elephants, and the dramatic wildebeest river crossings in Northern Serengeti. Off the beaten path, you’ll spend time with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes near Lake Eyasi and meet the Maasai, gaining unique insights into traditional African lifestyles.

Itinerary

Day 1 :

Arrival & Tarangire National Park

Travel Time: Approximately 2½ hours
Distance: 120 kilometers
Activities: Non-game viewing

After breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park, a scenic journey of approximately 2½ hours. Located along the Tarangire River, the park is characterized by gently rolling hills and lies within the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The landscape is dominated by expansive Acacia woodlands and majestic African Baobab trees, with vast swamp areas in the southern region.

During the dry season, the river and swamps become a vital water source and attract large concentrations of wildlife. Tarangire is renowned for hosting some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. It is also home to three rare species: the Greater Kudu, the Fringed-eared Oryx, and the Ashy Starling.

Dinner and Overnight: Accommodation in a mid-range or luxury safari lodge, depending on your selected package.

Day 2 :

Lake Manyara National Park

Travel Time: 0.5 hrs | Distance: 30 km
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Lake Manyara, famous for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and breathtaking scenery at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment.
Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge

Day 3 :

Cultural Experience – Hadzabe & Datoga Tribes at Lake Eyasi

Travel Time: 1.5 hrs | Distance: 68 km
Join the Hadzabe Bushmen on a morning hunt and learn ancient survival techniques. Visit the Datoga blacksmith village and gain first-hand experience with indigenous Tanzanian tribes.
Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge

Day 4 :

Journey to Serengeti via Ngorongoro

Travel Time: 6 hrs | Distance: 205 km
Travel through Ngorongoro Conservation Area to central Serengeti, the heart of Tanzania’s wildlife territory. Afternoon game drive upon arrival.
Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge

Day 5 :

Serengeti to Northern Serengeti

Option 1: Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (pre-arranged at extra cost)
Option 2: Full-day game drive en route to Northern Serengeti, reaching the Mara River region in the evening.
Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge

Day 6 :

Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossings

Early morning game drives along the Mara River to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration. Observe wildebeest and zebras as they confront the river’s crocodile-infested waters in their dramatic attempt to cross into the Masai Mara.

Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge.

Day 7 :

Northern Serengeti – More Mara River Encounters

Another full day exploring the northern Serengeti and following the migration herds. With patience and a bit of luck, you may witness another breathtaking river crossing or predator-prey interactions on the open plains.

Dinner & Overnight: Mid-range or luxury safari lodge.

Day 8 :

Northern Serengeti – Flight to Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar

Enjoy a final morning game drive before transferring to Kogatende Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or Zanzibar. Reflect on your incredible safari experience as your adventure concludes.

Included & Excluded

8-day guided safari through Tanzania’s Northern Circuit
All park entry fees & permits
Airport transfers before and after the safari
Accommodation in mid-range or luxury lodges
All meals during the safari
4x4 customized safari vehicle with pop-up roof, fridge, power outlets (230V), and Wi-Fi (optional)
Professional, English-speaking, multi-lingual safari guide
Unlimited game drives and cultural visits
1.5 liters of bottled water per person per day