This 9-day safari is the most comprehensive of the wildebeest migration series, adding Lake Manyara National Park to the Tarangire, Ndutu, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater circuit. Five distinct parks and ecosystems across nine days — from the elephant herds and tree-climbing lions of the southern circuit to the calving plains of Ndutu and the great open Serengeti.
For shorter versions without Lake Manyara, see our 7-day and 8-day wildebeest migration safaris. For the 10-day version with an extra Serengeti day, see our 10-day wildebeest migration safari.
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• $5,974 per person when 1 travels alone
• $4,495 per person when 2 people travel together
• $4,002 per person when 3 people travel together
• $3,756 per person when 4 people travel together
• $3,608 per person when 5 people travel together
• $3,508 per person when 6 people travel together
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel. A briefing outlines the nine-day safari ahead.
Distance: Airport transfer to Arusha
Activity: Transfer and safari briefing
Accommodation: Hotel or lodge in Arusha
Meals: Half Board
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park. The park is well known for its large elephant population and iconic baobab trees. Full-day game drives with a picnic lunch cover the park's open grasslands and the Tarangire River, where wildlife congregates.
Distance: Approximately 120 km from Arusha to Tarangire
Activity: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. A compact but diverse park, Lake Manyara is famous for its groundwater forest, alkaline lake, and the tree-climbing lions that rest in fig and acacia branches. Large groups of baboons, hippos, and flocks of flamingos on the lake shore round out a full day of game drives. A picnic lunch is served within the park.
Distance: Approximately 130 km from Karatu to Lake Manyara
Activity: Full-day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast, the journey heads south through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Ndutu region. On arrival, the first game drive covers the short-grass plains — the calving ground from December to March and an area of year-round predator activity and plains game.
Distance: Approximately 2 hours from Karatu to Ndutu
Activity: Afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Ndutu area
Meals: Full Board
A full day on the Ndutu calving plains. Game drives track wildebeest herds, newborn calves, and the predators that follow — lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. A picnic lunch is served in the bush.
Distance: Game drives within the Ndutu Conservation Area
Activity: Full-day game drives with picnic lunch in the bush
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Ndutu area
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast, drive north into Serengeti National Park. An en route game drive crosses the landscape from the short-grass plains to the central Seronera area, where wildlife is concentrated year-round around the Seronera River.
Distance: Approximately 2 hours from Ndutu to central Serengeti
Activity: En route game drive; afternoon arrival in central Serengeti
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
A full day in the central Serengeti. The Seronera area delivers reliable Big Five sightings alongside cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and vast herds of plains game. A picnic lunch is served in the field.
Distance: Game drives within Serengeti National Park
Activity: Full-day game drives with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast and a morning game drive in the Serengeti, the drive heads to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrival at the crater rim in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Distance: Approximately 145 km from Serengeti to Ngorongoro rim
Activity: Morning Serengeti game drive; afternoon transfer to Ngorongoro
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro crater rim
Meals: Full Board
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive with a picnic lunch near a water source. Elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and the rare black rhino are all regularly encountered. After the drive, return to Arusha.
Distance: Approximately 200 km from Ngorongoro to Arusha
Activity: Ngorongoro Crater game drive with picnic lunch; return to Arusha
Accommodation: N/A – return to Arusha
Meals: Half Board
For the 10-day version with an extra Serengeti day, see our 10-day wildebeest migration safari. For a 7-day version, see our 7-day wildebeest migration safari.
December to March for the Ndutu calving season. Year-round for Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the central Serengeti. Ngorongoro Crater is excellent in all seasons.
Tarangire is outstanding for elephant herds. Lake Manyara is famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos. Ndutu's calving season draws exceptional predator concentrations. The central Serengeti provides year-round Big Five sightings. The Ngorongoro Crater offers the rare black rhino alongside the full Big Five.
All park and conservancy fees, crater service fee, full-board accommodation throughout, a professional driver-guide, 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, all game drives as specified, drinking water, and airport transfers. International flights and visa fees are not included.
Wildlife movement cannot be guaranteed, but your guide monitors migration conditions before and during the safari to position you in the best areas. The parks on this itinerary deliver exceptional wildlife viewing year-round regardless of migration timing.
Yes. The combination of parks on this itinerary gives a thorough introduction to northern Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Yes. Extra nights in any park can be added, or the tour can be extended with a Zanzibar beach stay. Contact us to discuss options.
Most nationalities require a tourist visa, available as an e-visa in advance or on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Yellow fever documentation may be required.
Accommodation throughout is in lodges or tented camps as specified. Categories range from mid-range to luxury. Please specify your preferred category at booking.
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