Home Kenya & Tanzania Safari Packages 7 Days Great Migration Safari

Quick Facts

Duration7 days / 6 nights
StylePrivate safari — dedicated vehicle and guide, no shared vehicle
VehiclePrivate 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
FocusWildebeest river crossings and Big Five
DestinationsMasai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti ecosystem (Tanzania)
Price FromUSD 2,350–4,650 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing)
Best TimeYear-round, with the itinerary adjusted for seasonal herd tracking

This 7-day private safari puts you on the ground floor of the Great Migration across two of Africa's best wildlife ecosystems: the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. You travel in your own customised 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, guided by a local expert who reads the herd movements in real time.

No fixed group schedule. No shared vehicle. Every stop, every extra hour at a river crossing, every detour for a lion sighting is on your terms. This itinerary is built specifically for travellers who want unrestricted access to the migration, not a seat on someone else's timetable.

Safari Highlights

  • 7 days / 6 nights tracking the Great Migration across two countries
  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, unlimited mileage
  • Two full tracking days in the Mara, two in the Serengeti
  • Seasonal Mara River crossings, patrolled by crocodiles
  • Olduvai Gorge visit, one of the world's most significant paleoanthropological sites
  • Full crater-floor morning at Ngorongoro, strong black rhino odds
  • Kenya–Tanzania border crossing within one continuous ecosystem, no flights required
  • Itinerary flexes daily around real-time herd movement
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Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

Depart Nairobi by road, or take an optional light aircraft transfer to the Mara.

First contact with resident lion prides in the Masai Mara

Afternoon game drive en route to camp. First contact with the Mara's resident wildlife, lion prides, elephant herds, and grazing plains game.

  • Main destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Activities: Transfer, afternoon game drive
  • Meals: Full board
Day 2

Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara — Tracking the Great Migration

Full-day private game drives across the Mara Triangle and Mara River corridor. Dedicated migration tracking with your guide, timed around herd movement toward the river.

Mara River crossing during the Great Migration

Highlight: the Mara River crossing (seasonal), wildebeest and zebra fording waters patrolled by crocodiles.

  • Main destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Activities: Full-day migration tracking
  • Meals: Full board
Day 3

Day 3: Masai Mara to Serengeti — Border Crossing & Transit Drive

Private road transfer via the Isebania/Sirari border crossing into Tanzania, with game viewing en route.

Border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem

Transit drive through the northern Serengeti with stops for wildlife along the way. Crossing from Kenya into Tanzania within a single continuous ecosystem, no flights required.

  • Main destination: Serengeti (Northern/Central)
  • Activities: Border crossing, transit game drive
  • Meals: Full board
Day 4

Day 4: Full Day Serengeti — Tracking Herd Movements & Big Cats

Full-day private game drives across the Serengeti plains, adjusted to current herd location. Focused tracking of the migration alongside dedicated big cat viewing, the Serengeti holds some of East Africa's highest lion and cheetah densities.

Big cat tracking and herd movement in the Serengeti

Central Serengeti's resident predator populations and, seasonally, additional river crossing points.

  • Main destination: Serengeti National Park
  • Activities: Full-day migration and big cat tracking
  • Meals: Full board
Day 5

Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Private drive south to Ngorongoro, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world, followed by scenic Ngorongoro rim views.

Olduvai Gorge stop en route to the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Standing at the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater as the sun sets over the caldera floor.

  • Main destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Activities: Olduvai Gorge visit, crater rim arrival
  • Meals: Full board
Day 6

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour to Manyara/Karatu

Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a private game drive, then transfer to Manyara or Karatu.

Crater floor game drive at Ngorongoro with black rhino sightings

Crater floor game drive, one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including a strong chance of black rhino.

  • Main destination: Manyara / Karatu
  • Activities: Crater floor game drive, transfer
  • Meals: Full board
Day 7

Day 7: Return to Arusha/Nairobi for Departure

Private road transfer to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha airport, or connecting transfer back to Nairobi.

Final morning at leisure or an optional short game drive, depending on flight timing. Departure with flexible timing built around your outbound flight.

  • Main destination: Arusha / Kilimanjaro / Nairobi
  • Activities: Optional short game drive, departure transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Cost & Pricing

Pricing is per person, based on a private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser and full-board accommodation. Rates vary by group size and season.

Pricing note: Rates are indicative mid-range to luxury estimates for private Land Cruiser safaris and vary by camp/lodge selection. Contact us for a fixed quote based on your exact travel dates and accommodation preference.

Season Guide

  • Low SeasonApril–May
  • High/Shoulder SeasonJanuary–March, June, November–mid-December
  • Peak Migration SeasonJuly–October, late December

Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates (Per Person)

Season2 People4 People6 People
Low Season$3,150$2,650$2,350
High/Shoulder$3,850$3,250$2,900
Peak Migration$4,650$3,950$3,550
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What's Included & Excluded

Included
Private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and unlimited mileage
Dedicated expert local guide for the full 7 days
All park entry and conservation fees
Full-board accommodation (private tented camps or lodges)
Bottled water during game drives
Airport/airstrip transfers
Excluded
International flights
Visas (Kenya and Tanzania)
Tipping and gratuities
Optional hot air balloon safari
Travel insurance
Personal items and incidental expenses
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Getting There & Travel Logistics

Guests typically arrive via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) works as an alternative arrival or departure point for the Tanzania leg. Private airport pick-up is included.

Border Crossing Protocol

The Kenya-Tanzania leg of this itinerary crosses at Isebania/Namanga. Your guide handles the crossing process, and all necessary permits and paperwork are arranged in advance. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months, and East Africa visa requirements apply.

Vehicle Specifications

Every safari runs in a customised 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser fitted with a pop-up roof for unobstructed game viewing, a cooler/fridge for drinks, an HF radio for guide network communication, and charging sockets for cameras and phones.

Route Map

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Mara River crossings typically peak between July and October, when the herds move from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara. Crossing timing shifts year to year based on rainfall, so a flexible, private itinerary improves your odds of witnessing one.

A private Land Cruiser gives you full control over pacing, route, and time spent at sightings, with a pop-up roof for unobstructed photography. You're not sharing space or schedule with other travellers, which matters most during fast-moving migration events.

Yes. Seven days is enough to cover both ecosystems with two full tracking days in each, plus the Ngorongoro Crater. This itinerary is built to maximise migration viewing time while keeping travel days efficient.

The package includes a private 4x4 Land Cruiser, a dedicated guide, all park and conservation fees, full-board accommodation, bottled water, and airport transfers. International flights, visas, and gratuities are not included.

Peak season (July to October) camps and lodges book out 6 to 12 months in advance. For peak season travel, we recommend confirming your dates and accommodation at least 8 months ahead.
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