The 9 Days Tanzania Big Five and Great Migration Safari is an exciting wildlife adventure through some of the most spectacular destinations on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. This carefully planned Tanzania safari combines Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the world-famous Serengeti National Park, giving you excellent opportunities to experience diverse landscapes and search for iconic African wildlife. You will explore savannah plains, woodland, crater landscapes and wildlife-rich areas while accompanied by an experienced safari guide. The itinerary is designed to provide extended time in the Serengeti, where you can experience the remarkable wildlife spectacle associated with the Great Migration, depending on the season and location of the herds. You will also have opportunities to search for the Big Five, including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinoceros. With comfortable accommodation, guided game drives and carefully planned transfers, this Tanzania wildlife safari offers an unforgettable combination of nature, adventure and photography.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Safari Briefing
Your Tanzania safari begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Silverback Tour. You will then be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha, one of the main gateways to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. After checking in, you will have time to relax and recover from your journey before the safari adventure begins. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore parts of Arusha or simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Your safari guide will brief you about the upcoming itinerary, including the national parks, game drive arrangements, accommodation and general wildlife safety guidelines. You will enjoy dinner and spend the night in Arusha, preparing for your first wildlife experience in Tarangire National Park.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Arusha and travel towards Tarangire National Park, beginning your Tanzania Big Five safari. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant populations, impressive baobab trees and diverse wildlife habitats. As you enter the park, you will begin a game drive through open savannah, woodland and areas surrounding the Tarangire River. Your guide will help you search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas and numerous bird species. Predators such as lions and leopards may also be encountered as you explore the park, although wildlife sightings depend on natural movements and prevailing conditions. After lunch, you will continue with an afternoon game drive before proceeding to your lodge or camp. You will enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the Tanzanian wilderness.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Maramboi Tented Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will leave Tarangire and drive towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania, with opportunities to see local villages, agricultural areas and the changing scenery of the Great Rift Valley region. You may stop at a scenic viewpoint to enjoy panoramic views and take photographs before continuing towards the Ngorongoro highlands. Depending on your preferred programme, an optional cultural experience can be arranged to provide insight into local traditions and community life. You will arrive at your lodge or camp in the afternoon and have time to relax while enjoying the highland environment. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s Ngorongoro Crater safari and the expected programme. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided near the crater in preparation for an early start.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari
Today you will descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for an exciting Big Five wildlife safari. After an early breakfast, your guide will drive towards the crater descent road before entering the crater floor, where a variety of habitats support abundant wildlife. You will explore grasslands, wetlands, woodland and other areas while searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles. The crater also provides opportunities to search for black rhinoceros, although sightings are dependent on natural wildlife movements. You will enjoy a picnic lunch at a suitable location while taking in the remarkable scenery surrounding you. After lunch, you will continue your crater game drive, giving you more opportunities for wildlife photography and observation. Later in the afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will leave the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and continue towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. The landscape gradually changes as you travel from the highlands towards the expansive grasslands that have made the Serengeti one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. Your journey into the park becomes part of the wildlife experience, as your guide will watch for animals along the route. Depending on the season and location, you may encounter wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes and various antelope species. Serengeti is also renowned for its predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas, creating excellent opportunities for predator-focused game viewing. You will arrive at your lodge or tented camp later in the day and settle into your accommodation. Dinner will be followed by an overnight stay in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Big Five and Great Migration Safari
Today is dedicated to a full-day Serengeti wildlife safari, providing extensive time to explore the park’s spectacular landscapes. You will depart early in the morning with your safari guide and begin searching for wildlife while the plains are illuminated by the soft morning light. Depending on the season, you may encounter large concentrations of wildebeest and zebras associated with the Great Migration, although the precise location of the herds changes naturally throughout the year. Your guide will also search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife as you explore the Serengeti ecosystem. You will enjoy a packed lunch or suitable bush lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive. The day provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, bird watching and learning about the Serengeti’s ecology from your guide. You will return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Serengeti Great Migration and Predator Safari
You will begin another exciting day in the Serengeti with an early morning game drive. This provides an opportunity to explore different sections of the park and observe wildlife during the cooler hours of the day. Your guide will select the most promising areas based on recent wildlife activity, seasonal conditions and the location of the herds. If your safari coincides with the appropriate period and location, you may observe parts of the Great Migration as wildebeest and zebras move across the ecosystem. You will also have opportunities to search for Serengeti predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. After lunch, you will continue with another game drive across the plains, around rocky kopjes and near areas where wildlife gathers. You will return to your lodge or camp in the late afternoon for dinner and your final night in the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Serengeti to Arusha
After breakfast, you will enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before beginning your journey towards Arusha. The final game drive gives you another opportunity to photograph the Serengeti scenery and search for wildlife before leaving this iconic national park. Depending on the agreed travel arrangements, you can return to Arusha by road or take an internal flight from a Serengeti airstrip. If travelling by road, you will enjoy changing landscapes as you move away from the Serengeti plains and towards northern Tanzania. On arrival in Arusha, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax after several days of wildlife viewing. You may spend the evening enjoying the hotel facilities or exploring selected areas of Arusha if time permits. Dinner and overnight accommodation will bring your safari adventure towards its conclusion.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your accommodation and prepare for your departure from Tanzania. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to enjoy a short visit around Arusha or purchase souvenirs before leaving the country. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha Airport or another agreed departure point. Your driver will ensure that you reach the airport in sufficient time for check-in and departure procedures. This marks the end of your 9 Days Tanzania Big Five and Great Migration Safari, featuring some of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. You will depart with memories of Tarangire’s elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificent Serengeti plains. The safari concludes with your onward journey home or to your next destination.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Airport pickup and drop-off according to the agreed itinerary.
- Accommodation as specified or comparable alternatives, subject to availability.
- Meals as indicated in the daily itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Private or shared 4×4 safari vehicle according to the agreed package.
- Game drives in Tarangire National Park and Serengeti National Park.
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive.
- National park and conservation area entry fees according to the agreed package.
- Great Migration focused game viewing, subject to seasonal wildlife movements.
- All scheduled road transfers between safari destinations.
- Internal flight between Serengeti and Arusha where specifically included.
- Bottled drinking water during safari activities where included.
- Government taxes and applicable service charges.
- Safari briefing and assistance from Silverback Tour.
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights to and from Tanzania.
- Domestic flights unless specifically included in the quotation.
- Tanzania visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses and shopping.
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for safari guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Laundry services.
- Optional cultural experiences and excursions.
- Balloon safari and other optional activities.
- Additional accommodation before or after the itinerary.
- Souvenirs and personal purchases.
- Any service not specifically mentioned under the included items.