7-Day Serengeti Migration Immersion:
Follow the Herds — From the Crater to the Mara River
Seasonal variant available July–October (river crossings), January–February (calving), and May–June (Grumeti). One program, three extraordinary seasonal configurations — all following the migration wherever it leads.
Overview
The Great Migration — Followed Wherever It Leads.
NT-S2 is built around a single principle: whatever the Great Migration is doing during your travel window, this program puts you in the exact right place to witness it. Three seasonal configurations cover the migration's annual cycle — each one calibrated to the herds' location and the specific wildlife drama of that period.
Every variant opens with a full Ngorongoro Crater descent on Day 2 — establishing the Big Five and black rhinoceros before the Serengeti sequence. Two nights in the Central Serengeti build the resident predator dimension, then the program moves into the primary migration zone: north to the Mara River (July–October), west to Ndutu (January–February), or to the Grumeti River area (May–June).
The July–October variant includes a charter fly-out from Kogatende Airstrip on departure day, eliminating the long return road journey and allowing a final morning at the crossing points. RYDER Signature provides current field intelligence at the time of booking confirmation — your guide is positioned for the optimal location within your specific seasonal window.
One program, three configurations — Mara River crossings (Jul–Oct), Ndutu calving (Jan–Feb), or Grumeti River crossings (May–Jun). Always following the migration’s most dramatic current moment.
Every variant includes a full Ngorongoro Crater descent — the Big Five and black rhinoceros before the Serengeti sequence begins.
Two nights in the Seronera zone add the resident predator dimension to the migration’s drama — the ecosystem works as a whole.
The July–October variant includes a charter flight out from Kogatende Airstrip — eliminating the long return road drive from the North Serengeti.
RYDER Signature provides up-to-date migration field intelligence at time of booking — your guide is positioned for the optimal location within your seasonal window.
Your own vehicle and guide throughout — the flexibility to position, reposition, and wait at crossing points without any group schedule constraint.
One program, three configurations — Mara River crossings (Jul–Oct), Ndutu calving (Jan–Feb), or Grumeti River crossings (May–Jun). Always following the migration's most dramatic current moment.
Every variant includes a full Ngorongoro Crater descent — the Big Five and black rhinoceros before the Serengeti sequence begins.
Two nights in the Seronera zone add the resident predator dimension to the migration's drama — the ecosystem works as a whole.
The July–October variant includes a charter flight out from Kogatende Airstrip — eliminating the long return road drive from the North Serengeti.
RYDER Signature provides up-to-date migration field intelligence at time of booking — your guide is positioned for the optimal location within your seasonal window.
Your own vehicle and guide throughout — the flexibility to position, reposition, and wait at crossing points without any group schedule constraint.
Itinerary at a Glance
Six Days, Three Parks, One Lifetime Memory
The table below outlines the daily progression of your safari, including overnight locations and meal arrangements.
| Day | Route | Overnight | Meal Plan | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive JRO → Arusha | Arusha | D | Arrival transfer · Rest · Migration briefing |
| 2 | Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater | Crater Rim | B L D | Full-day crater descent · Big Five · Black rhino · Picnic lunch |
| 3 | Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti | Central Serengeti | B L D | Scenic transfer · Naabi Hill · Afternoon game drive |
| 4 | Full Day — Central Serengeti | Central Serengeti | B L D | Predator tracking · Bush breakfast · Sundowner |
| 5 | Central Serengeti → Migration Zone* | Migration Zone | B L D | Drive to North Serengeti (Jul–Oct) / Ndutu (Jan–Feb) / Grumeti (May–Jun) |
| 6 | Full Day — Migration Zone | Migration Zone | B L D | River crossings / calving / Grumeti — full-day in migration area |
| 7 | Migration Zone → Fly-Out / Return → JRO | — | B | Morning drive · Charter fly-out (Jul–Oct) or road return · Departure |
B = Breakfast · L = Lunch · D = Dinner
Explore the Route
Your Safari Route, Mapped
Follow the animated route from Arusha through the parks.
Investment
Choose Your Safari Style
Every tier delivers the same exceptional guiding, the same game drives, and the same parks. The difference lies in where you sleep.
Mid-Range · MID
Essential
from USD 5,200 per person per person
- All nights accommodation as specified
- All game drives and park / conservation area fees
- All meals as indicated
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with expert guide
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation coverage
- Charter fly-out included — Jul–Oct variant
Arusha: Arusha Planet Lodge | Ngorongoro: Ngorongoro Serena | Central Serengeti: Tamu Tamu Tented Lodge | Migration Zone: Safari Haven / Ndutu Heritage / Kirawira Serena
Enquire Now ›Luxury · LUX
Signature
from USD 9,500 per person per person
- All nights accommodation as specified
- All game drives and park / conservation area fees
- All meals as indicated
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with expert guide
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation coverage
- Charter fly-out included — Jul–Oct variant
- Bush breakfast
Arusha: Gran Meliá Arusha | Ngorongoro: Ngorongoro Meliá | Central Serengeti: Salinero Serengeti | Migration Zone: Lemala Kuria Hills / Lake Masek / Kirawira Serena
Enquire Now ›High-End Luxury · HEL
Pinnacle
from USD 14,800 per person per person
- All nights accommodation as specified
- All game drives and park / conservation area fees
- All meals as indicated
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with expert guide
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation coverage
- Charter fly-out included — Jul–Oct variant
- Private bush breakfast + sundowner
- VIP arrangements
Arusha: Arusha Coffee Lodge | Ngorongoro: Crater's Edge | Central Serengeti: Four Seasons Safari Lodge | Migration Zone: Singita Mara River / Nyuki Migration / Singita Faru Faru
Enquire Now ›Day-by-Day
Your Journey, Day by Day
Day 1 — Arrival
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha
Your guide meets you at JRO. The evening briefing establishes your seasonal variant and what current conditions look like in the field — herd movements, crossing point activity, and the specific locations your guide is targeting.
Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater
Arusha → Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Descent
An early departure and full-day crater descent — lion prides, the black rhinoceros, buffalo herds, and flamingos on the soda lake. A picnic lunch inside the caldera maximises time on the floor before the transfer westward toward the Serengeti.
Day 3 — Into the Serengeti
Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti
The drive westward onto the Serengeti plains via Naabi Hill Gate begins the migration-following sequence. An afternoon drive introduces the Seronera zone’s resident wildlife.
Day 4 — Central Serengeti
Full Day — Central Serengeti
A full day in the Seronera predator core — resident lion prides, Seronera leopards, and cheetah on the open ground. A bush breakfast on the plains and a golden-hour sundowner. Between July and October, migration herds are passing through this zone on their northward push.
Day 5 — Migration Zone
Central Serengeti → Migration Zone
The drive to the migration zone varies by season: northward to Kogatende (Jul–Oct) for river crossing country, westward to Ndutu (Jan–Feb) for the calving plains, or west to the Grumeti River area (May–Jun) for the first river crossings of the season. Each routing is a full day’s drive with an afternoon game drive on arrival.
Day 6 — Migration Full Day
Full Day — Migration Zone
A complete day in the season’s primary migration location. July–October: Mara River crossing watch — herds building at the bank, the moment of commitment, Nile crocodile encounters. January–February: Ndutu calving plains with extraordinary predator density. May–June: Grumeti River crossings, wild dog, and the migration’s first major river challenge.
Day 7 — Departure
Migration Zone → Fly-Out / Return → JRO
Jul–Oct: A morning drive at the Mara River followed by the charter fly-out from Kogatende Airstrip to JRO. All other variants: a morning drive followed by the road return via Ngorongoro to Kilimanjaro Airport.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ What's Included
- Airport meet and greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- All road transfers in private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof hatch
- Professional English-speaking private safari guide throughout
- All nights accommodation as specified per tier
- All meals as indicated in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park entry fees and Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
- Bottled mineral water during all drives and transfers
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation coverage
- 24/7 RYDER Signature safari support access
✗ What's Not Included
- International flights to and from East Africa
- Tanzania entry visa (USD 50)
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation (mandatory)
- Tips and gratuities (USD 30–50/day per vehicle)
- Personal expenses and alcoholic beverages
- Optional supplements below
Enrich Your Safari
Optional Supplements
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
July–October delivers the most dramatic event — Mara River crossings with Nile crocodile encounters. January–February offers calving season — 8,000 wildebeest calves born daily. May–June provides Grumeti River crossings, less visited and equally extraordinary. RYDER Signature advises based on your travel dates.
Yes — for the July–October variant, the charter fly-out from Kogatende Airstrip is included in all three tiers.
Yes — Day 2 includes a full crater descent in all three seasonal configurations.
From USD 5,200 (Essential), USD 9,500 (Signature), and USD 14,800 (Pinnacle) per person, double occupancy.