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10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari

A private 10 day lodge safari: Lake Natron, Northern and Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Eyasi cultures and the Kilimanjaro foothills.

Experience the best of northern Tanzania on this 10 Day private lodge safari with Golden Memories Safaris, combining spectacular wildlife, dramatic landscapes, cultural encounters, and off the beaten path adventures. Your journey takes you from Arusha to Lake Natron, where the Great Rift Valley meets the sacred Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and thousands of lesser flamingos gather around the alkaline lake. Continue into the remote Northern Serengeti, followed by unforgettable game drives in Central Serengeti and the world famous Ngorongoro Crater. The adventure continues to Lake Eyasi, where you can experience the traditional cultures of the Hadzabe and Datoga communities, before returning to Arusha for a memorable Materuni Waterfalls, coffee and Kikuletwa Hot Springs excursion near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

At a glance

Highlights

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Arusha City Experience

Upon arrival in Tanzania, your Golden Memories Safaris representative will warmly welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed Arusha city tour visiting some of the city’s cultural and local highlights. You may visit the local markets, Maasai Market, Cultural Heritage Centre and Arusha City Museum.

Stay: Njiro Legacy Hotel. Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Arusha to Lake Natron

After breakfast, depart Arusha and travel north toward Lake Natron, following the spectacular Great Rift Valley Escarpment, the journey takes you through traditional Maasai country, with dramatic landscapes and views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the sacred volcanic mountain known by the Maasai as the “Mountain of God.” Arrive in the Lake Natron area and enjoy a guided walk toward the lake. Lake Natron is famous for its highly alkaline waters and is an important breeding area for lesser flamingos. Depending on conditions and your interests, you can also visit a nearby waterfall for a refreshing nature experience.

Stay: Lake Natron Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Lake Natron to Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, leave Lake Natron and continue toward the remote Northern Serengeti. The road climbs through the Rift Valley landscape before continuing toward Wasso and the northern Serengeti region. Enter Serengeti through the northern area and begin your first game drive. The Northern Serengeti is renowned for its spectacular wilderness, resident wildlife and, during the appropriate migration season, the movement of huge herds of wildebeest and zebra.

Stay: Moyo Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Full Day Northern Serengeti Safari

This remote section of Serengeti offers a quieter safari experience, with rolling plains, rocky kopjes, river valleys and abundant wildlife, during the Great Migration season, the northern Serengeti can become a spectacular wildlife destination as wildebeest and zebra move through the region toward the Mara River. Throughout the year, the area also supports resident wildlife including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and numerous antelope species.

Stay: Moyo Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti

After breakfast, begin your journey from Northern Serengeti toward the wildlife-rich Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti, enjoy game viewing along the way as you explore one of the most productive wildlife areas in Tanzania. Seronera is particularly famous for its year round concentration of predators. You may encounter lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas, together with elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, impalas, topi, warthogs and zebras.

Stay: Moyo Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Highlands

Enjoy a morning game drive in Serengeti before continuing toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as you leave the Serengeti plains behind, your guide will share stories about the history, geology and wildlife of the region. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Tanzania’s most remarkable landscapes, combining volcanic highlands, grasslands, forests and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, arrive at your accommodation near the crater rim and enjoy breathtaking views over the surrounding landscape.

Stay: Heritage Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Lake Eyasi

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive, the crater’s permanent water sources support an impressive concentration of wildlife. During your game drive, look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and, with some luck, the endangered black rhinoceros, enjoy a picnic lunch while surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the crater before ascending and continuing toward Lake Eyasi.

Stay: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Lake Eyasi Cultural Experience, Hadzabe & Datoga

Lake Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe and Datoga communities, whose traditional ways of life provide a fascinating cultural experience, with a local guide, visit the Hadzabe community and learn about their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle. You may have the opportunity to observe traditional skills and learn about their close relationship with the surrounding environment. Continue with a cultural visit to the Datoga community, known for their traditional pastoral lifestyle and metalworking skills, after the cultural experience, begin your drive back to Arusha.

Stay: Tulia Boutique & Spa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Experience & Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Today, discover the natural and cultural attractions around the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, begin with a visit to Materuni Village, where you will take a scenic walk through lush landscapes to the impressive Materuni Waterfalls. Continue to a local coffee farm and learn about the traditional process of growing, harvesting and preparing Tanzanian coffee, later, relax at Kikuletwa Hot Springs, a beautiful natural swimming spot surrounded by greenery. Enjoy time in the warm, clear water before returning to Arusha in the evening.

Stay: Tulia Boutique & Spa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 10: Airport Transfer & Departure

At your preferred departure time, your Golden Memories Safaris driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your onward journey.

Stay: Not required unless an additional night is requested. Meals: Breakfast.

What is included

What is not included

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari cost?

The 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari starts from USD 3,750 per person. The final price depends on your group size, travel dates and accommodation level, so send an inquiry with your dates for an exact quote.

How long is the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari and where does it go?

It lasts 10 days and 9 nights and covers Arusha, Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Eyasi. The day-by-day itinerary on this page lists each stop.

What is included in the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari?

The price includes private safari in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, professional English-speaking safari guide, airport transfers, accommodation as specified in the itinerary, meals as indicated and national park and conservation area entry fees. The "What is included" list on this page has everything.

What is not included in the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari?

Not included: international flights, tanzania visa fees, travel insurance, tips for safari guide and other staff, alcoholic and soft drinks and personal expenses. The "What is not included" list on this page has everything.

When is the best time to book the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari?

Tanzania can be visited all year. The dry months from June to October give the easiest wildlife viewing, the calving season in the southern Serengeti runs from about January to March, and the green season is quieter with good birdlife. Tell us your dates and we will confirm what to expect.

How do I book the 10 Day Great Wildebeest Migration, Cultural & Soda Lake Safari?

Press "Book this safari" on this page or send an inquiry with your dates and number of travellers. We confirm availability and the details by email.

Do I need travel insurance for Tanzania?

Yes. Travel insurance is required for travel to Tanzania, and it should cover medical care and evacuation. See our travel insurance guide before you buy a policy.

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