8 Days Wildebeest River Crossing Safari
8-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Go on an exciting 8-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania, visiting Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater—three of the best wildlife parks in Africa. In the Serengeti, you will see thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving together in the Great Migration. Along the way, spot lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, and many more animals. Tarangire National Park is home to big elephant herds and giant baobab trees, while the Ngorongoro Crater is a beautiful place full of wildlife in a massive volcanic crater.
This safari is a great mix of adventure and comfort. You will enjoy exciting game drives, relax in cozy lodges and luxury tented camps, and even visit a Maasai village to learn about their culture. Watch incredible African sunsets, see animals up close, and experience the beauty of Tanzania. Whether this is your first safari or a dream trip, this 8-day journey will be unforgettable!
What animals can you see in Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
Safari Highlights – 8 Days Tanzania Budget Safari
- Witness the Great Migration – See thousands of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Serengeti plains.
- Big Five Sightings – Spot lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo in their natural habitat.
- Ngorongoro Crater Adventure – Explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, home to diverse wildlife.
- Tarangire’s Elephant Paradise – Experience large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees.
- Serengeti’s Endless Plains – Enjoy breathtaking landscapes and thrilling predator action.
- Authentic Maasai Culture – Visit a Maasai village and learn about their traditional way of life.
Tour Summary
Duration
8 Days
Vehicle Type
4WD Safari
Tour Type
Private
Languages
Any Language
Places to Visit
Tour Itinerary
Day to day Best of Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1:
Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu
Tarangire National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
Wildlife Experience
Enjoy a one-day wildlife safari that includes a 4×4 game drive to see diverse African wildlife, including the Big Five
Travel Time
Day 2:
Karatu to Serengeti Central for Game Drive
After a good breakfast, begin a four-hour drive to the famous Serengeti National Park. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes before arriving for an exciting game drive in this incredible wildlife haven.
A game drive in Serengeti is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You might witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, where over two million animals move across the plains. Keep an eye out for the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, and hyenas. The open savannah, rocky kopjes, and winding rivers create the perfect setting for amazing wildlife sightings. As the sun sets, the golden light over the plains makes the experience even more magical.
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Serengeti National Park
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
Day 3:
Serengeti Central to North Kogatende
After breakfast, continue your journey through the stunning Serengeti wilderness, heading north to see the great wildebeest migration in action. This region is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife sightings.
Day Activities
Serengeti Central to North Game Drive
Travel across the Togoro plains and past the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes (small rocky hills) as you make your way to northern Serengeti. Along the drive, enjoy the changing scenery, from wooded hills to open grasslands. Keep an eye out for a variety of animals, from the tiny dik-dik to the massive elephants and giraffes.
In the north, the Mara River is the highlight, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the crocodile-filled waters in their search for fresh grazing land. This is one of the most dramatic events in the animal kingdom and a truly unforgettable sight.
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Kogatende - Northern Serengeti
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
Day 4:
Full Day Serengeti North Kogatende Wildebeest Migration Experience
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting full-day game drive in Kogatende, the northern part of Serengeti National Park. Here, you will see thousands of wildebeests gathering as they prepare to move towards Maasai Mara. Watching these animals in such large numbers is an incredible experience that will stay with you forever.
This journey is not just about wildebeests. Along the way, you might also see zebras, gazelles, and predators like lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles. The Mara River crossing is the most thrilling part, as the animals risk strong currents and hungry predators to reach the other side. It’s a truly unforgettable safari adventure!
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Kogatende - Northern Serengeti
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Full Day Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - River Crossing
The North Hills are filled with acacia trees and home to elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, and predators. This is a great place to see many of Africa’s famous animals in a short time.
Next, we head to Bologonja and Kogatende, where the Mara River awaits. This river is full of hippos and Nile crocodiles, making it a dangerous challenge for migrating wildebeests and zebras.
If lucky, you might witness the great river crossing, where thousands of animals brave the strong currents and hungry crocodiles to reach the safety of Maasai Mara.
Day 5:
Serengeti North Kogatende to Central Seronera
After breakfast, you will set off on a game drive towards Serengeti Central, a place known for its rich wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. This region is home to the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos—along with many other fascinating animals like cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras. As you drive through the vast plains, you will witness the beauty of the African savanna, with its golden grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see.
Serengeti Central is also a prime spot for watching predators in action, as lions and cheetahs hunt in the open plains. The scenery here is stunning, from scattered acacia trees to rocky kopjes where big cats often rest. This unforgettable game drive will give you a deeper appreciation of the Serengeti’s beauty and its incredible wildlife.
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Serengeti National Park
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Game Drive From North Serengeti To Central Serengeti
Day 6:
Game Drive in Serengeti along the way towards Karatu
After a filling breakfast, head out early for a game drive through the stunning Serengeti. As the day starts, the animals become more active, giving you a great chance to see them up close in their natural home.
In the afternoon, continue your drive towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying another game drive along the way. By evening, you’ll reach your place to stay for the night, where the peaceful sounds of nature will help you relax and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
Day 7:
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive to Arusha
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
Facts about Ngorongoro Crater
Day 8:
Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or transfer to Zanzibar.
- Transfer To Jro Airport/Zanzibar
We've got you covered
Our tours are top-notch but give you great value. The price we tell you upfront covers most of the costs for one person, like flights and all transfers.
Includes
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
Excludes
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
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Popular questions about 8 Days Wildebeest River Crossing Safari
Kogatende is a region in the northern part of Serengeti National Park, renowned for its scenic beauty, vast savannahs, and as a prime location for witnessing the wildebeest migration.
The best time to visit Kogatende is during the dry season, from June to October, when the wildebeest migration is in full swing. The herds move through Kogatende between July and September.
Kogatende can be accessed by light aircraft from Arusha or other nearby airstrips. You can also drive from the central Serengeti, though the road can be challenging.
Kogatende is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). It’s also a hotspot for cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and numerous bird species.
Yes, Kogatende is located within the Serengeti National Park, specifically in the northern region of the park.
Kogatende is a key area for the Great Migration, particularly for the wildebeest and zebra herds that cross the Mara River. This makes it a fantastic destination for observing dramatic river crossings.
Yes, Kogatende offers luxury lodges, mobile camps, and tented camps, providing comfort and proximity to wildlife and the Great Migration action.
The main safari activities in Kogatende include game drives, river crossings (during migration), walking safaris, and birdwatching.
Yes, walking safaris are available in Kogatende, offering a unique and intimate way to experience the wilderness with experienced guides.
Kogatende is approximately 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) from the central Serengeti. Travel time by car can take around 4 to 6 hours, but it's much faster by plane.
While it is possible to visit Kogatende during the rainy season (November to May), it may be less ideal for the Great Migration, and some areas could be inaccessible due to the weather.
Pack lightweight clothing in neutral colors, comfortable footwear, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, a camera, and a good jacket for the cooler mornings and evenings.
Yes, nearby villages offer cultural visits, where travelers can learn about the traditions and way of life of the Maasai people who inhabit the region.
Yes, it is safe to visit Kogatende. However, it’s important to follow all safety guidelines provided by your safari guide and tour operator for a secure and enjoyable experience.
Kogatende is unique for its remote location, providing a more exclusive safari experience, especially during the migration. The area also offers spectacular views of the Mara River and its dramatic river crossings.
Yes, many itineraries combine visits to Kogatende with other regions of the Serengeti, such as the central and southern parts, allowing visitors to explore different wildlife and landscapes.
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