9 Days Family Great Migration Safari Migration Safari
Family Great Migration Safari
Lake Manyara • Tarangire • Serengeti (Central + North) • Ngorongoro
Description
Witnessing the Great Migration as a family is one of Africa's most extraordinary shared experiences. This 9-day family Great Migration safari positions your family in the Northern Serengeti during prime migration season for the best chance of seeing the dramatic wildebeest and zebra Mara River crossings.
Your family-specialist guide transforms the experience into a living classroom, explaining the science of the migration, the ecology of the Serengeti, and the behavior of crocodiles and predators in child-friendly ways that fascinate children and adults equally. This is the safari that families talk about for generations.
Safari Highlights
Witness the Great Migration river crossings with the whole family
Northern Serengeti positioning for prime Mara River crossing views
Expert family guide explains migration science and ecology to children
Full day Ngorongoro Crater Big Five for unforgettable family memories
Two nights in Northern Serengeti migration camp for maximum viewing time
Junior ranger activity books and wildlife identification cards for children
Age-appropriate wildlife education makes every sighting a learning experience
Family campfire storytelling and guide-led star-gazing sessions every evening
Safe, private family vehicle with child-safe doors and comfortable rear seating
Day-by-Day 9-Day Family Great Migration Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Family Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) where your private safari guide will welcome your family. Transfer to your comfortable family-friendly hotel in Arusha. Enjoy a relaxed evening, safari briefing, and preparation for your upcoming Great Migration adventure.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury family hotel in Arusha | Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Karatu
After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and rich birdlife. Enjoy a full-day family safari with a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury lodge or camp in Karatu area | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Karatu – Central Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Serengeti National Park. Enjoy wildlife sightings along the way before entering Central Serengeti for an afternoon game drive. Search for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other resident wildlife across the endless plains.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury safari camp or lodge in Central Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Full Day Central Serengeti Family Safari
Spend a full day exploring the famous Seronera Valley, one of the best wildlife areas in Serengeti. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, and abundant plains wildlife. A picnic lunch is enjoyed in the wilderness during your family safari adventure.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury safari camp or lodge in Central Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Central Serengeti – Northern Serengeti Migration Area
After breakfast, continue north through the Serengeti towards the Mara River region. Enjoy game viewing along the way as you enter the Great Migration area, famous for seasonal wildebeest movements, dramatic landscapes, and excellent predator sightings.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury safari camp or lodge in Northern Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Full Day Northern Serengeti Great Migration Safari
Enjoy a full-day safari in Northern Serengeti exploring the Mara River region and surrounding plains. During migration season, witness huge herds of wildebeest and zebra, while predators such as lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles create unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury safari camp or lodge in Northern Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti
Enjoy a morning game drive in Northern Serengeti before continuing south towards Central Serengeti. The journey offers more wildlife viewing opportunities including elephants, giraffes, lions, and other plains animals before arriving at your camp for relaxation.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury safari camp or lodge in Central Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, enjoy a final Serengeti game drive before travelling towards the Ngorongoro Highlands. Pass through the beautiful conservation area with optional stops at scenic viewpoints or a Maasai cultural experience before arriving at your lodge.
Accommodation: Midrange/Luxury lodge or camp in Ngorongoro/Karatu area | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Arusha Departure
Descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for your final safari experience. Explore the crater floor searching for the Big Five including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and the rare black rhino. After a picnic lunch inside the crater, ascend and continue to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
Accommodation: N/A | Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Includes & Excludes
All national park entry and conservation fees
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking guide
Full board accommodation
All meals during safari
Bottled water during game drives
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Junior ranger certificates and wildlife education resources
International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Alcoholic beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round. The dry season (June to October) is ideal as animals gather near water sources making game viewing easier. The short dry season (January to March) is great for bird watching and the calving season. For the Great Migration river crossings, plan for July to October in Northern Serengeti. Contact us to discuss the best time for your specific interests.
Yes, all our safari itineraries are fully customizable. We can adjust the number of days, parks visited, accommodation category (budget to luxury), add Zanzibar beach extension, Kilimanjaro trekking, cultural experiences, or any other special request. Simply contact us with your preferences and we will design your perfect Tanzania safari.
Pack light, neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige, olive green), a warm fleece or jacket for early morning drives, comfortable walking shoes, wide-brim hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera with extra batteries and memory cards, and any personal medications. A detailed packing list is provided upon booking confirmation.
We welcome children from 5 years old on standard game drives. Walking safaris or boat safaris require a minimum age of 12. Children under 12 must share a vehicle with parents at all times. Our guides are experienced with children of all ages and know how to keep young travellers engaged and excited throughout.
Safari vehicles are enclosed 4x4s with roof hatches for photography — children remain inside the vehicle at all times during game drives. Accommodation is family-friendly and child-safe. Your guide receives a full family briefing on day one covering safety protocols, what to do at camp, and how to behave around wildlife. Tanzania is a very family-friendly destination with excellent child safety records.
All camps and lodges on our family itineraries offer full children’s menus including familiar foods like pasta, rice, grilled chicken, eggs, and fresh fruit. Packed picnic lunches include sandwiches, fruit, and juice boxes. Please advise of any dietary requirements or allergies when booking and we will ensure all camps are informed in advance.

