8 Days Serengeti safari overview
This 8 Days Serengeti Safari will take you to Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, Serengeti National Park, a vast wilderness spanning 14,763 km², where each day presents a new landscape and an exciting adventure and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration. You will also explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, home to one of the largest concentrations of game and arguably the highest density of predators and carnivores in Africa. Here, you will witness the remarkable spectacle of African wildlife thriving in a self-contained world teeming with animals.
The cost of an 8-day Serengeti safari varies depending on the safari company, the level of accommodation, the time of year, and other factors. A budget safari costs $2000-$3000 per person, while a mid-range safari can cost $3000-$4000 per person, and a luxury safari costs $5000 or more per person.
Ultimately, the best time for an 8-day Serengeti safari depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you want to see the wildebeest migration, the high season may be best. If you want to avoid crowds and save money, the shoulder or low season may be better.
High season: The high season for safaris in Tanzania is generally from July to October when the wildebeest migration is in full swing and wildlife is abundant. This is a popular time to visit, so prices may be higher and accommodations may be booked up in advance.
Shoulder season: The shoulder season, from November to March, can be a good time to visit for lower prices and fewer crowds. This is also a good time for bird watching and seeing newborn animals.
Low season: The low season, from April to June, can be a good time to visit for even lower prices and fewer crowds. However, this is the rainy season, so you may encounter some wet weather and some roads may be inaccessible.
Itinerary for 8 Days Serengeti safari
8 day Serengeti safari itinerary is tailored to include multiple game drives, presenting you with ample opportunities to catch a glimpse of the famed Big Five and Serengeti migration where millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra, gazelle, and impala shift in Serengeti and Masai-Mara ecosystem for pasture and Calving grounds. Whether you're an avid wildlife enthusiast or simply seeking an adventure, a game drive is an excellent way to get up close and personal with nature's beauty. You'll have the opportunity to witness firsthand the raw power and majesty of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Day 1 of 8 Days Serengeti safari: Arrival and transfer to Arusha town
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your safari guide who will transfer you to your accommodation in Arusha. Your guide will explain everything to you and give you a brief for your safari the next day. You can rest at your hotel or take a stroll across Arusha town your guide will be there for you
Day 2 of 8 Days Serengeti safari: Arusha to Serengeti national park
You will begin on an exciting 8-day Serengeti safari that commences promptly at 6:30 AM on the first day. You will be collected from your lodging in Arusha and journey towards the Ndutu area. The trip to Ndutu spans 260 kilometers and takes 5.5 hours. Exactly, two hours into the journey, you will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), where you will observe the landscape transitioning from hilly forests to expansive, verdant grasslands.
Upon arrival in Ndutu, you will commence a half-day game drive with a convenient stop for a picnic lunch. The vast grasslands that blanket the area eventually give way to the Serengeti. Ndutu plays a crucial role in the annual Serengeti migration of 2 million wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras, antelopes, and gazelles. During game drives in the appropriate season, which runs from December to April, you will witness the fertile plains transforming into calving grounds for the grand migration. This time attracts a multitude of predators hunting down vulnerable young calves.
The region's waterholes, including Ndutu Lake and Lake Masek, host an abundance of wildlife during the dry season. Ndutu is also home to six species of big cats, including leopards, lions, cheetahs, caracals, servals, and wildcats. The action-packed game drive concludes late in the evening, at 5 PM. You will then proceed to your chosen accommodation, where a freshly prepared dinner awaits you. Ensure that you rest well and recharge yourself for another exciting day.
Day 3 of 8 Days Serengeti Safari: Ndutu Area and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After being amazed by the migration spectacle of the previous day, you are presented with another opportunity to witness the stunning wildlife scene. The Ndutu region is an integral part of the magnificent Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Following breakfast, you will embark on a full-day game drive, tracking the migration's location in either NCA or Serengeti.
Between December and April, the proper season for game drives, the fertile plains transform into calving grounds for the great migration. This time of year attracts numerous predators preying on vulnerable young wildebeest. Observing the circle of life unfold before your eyes will be an unforgettable experience, ingrained in your memory for a lifetime. The action-packed game drive will conclude at 5 PM, leaving you ample time to return to your chosen accommodation, where a freshly prepared dinner awaits you. Make sure to get a good night's sleep to replenish your energy for another exciting day.
Day 4 of 8 Days Serengeti safari: Ndutu area Calving grounds
Having been amazed by the incredible sight of the Serengeti migration the day before, you are now presented with another opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring display of wildlife. The Ndutu area is situated within the magnificent Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, both of which are renowned for their stunning scenery and diverse animal populations. Following a satisfying breakfast, you will embark on a full-day game drive to track the migration, which could be located either in the NCA or the Serengeti.
If you visit during the right season, between December and April, you will be treated to a truly remarkable spectacle as the fertile plains transform into a calving ground for the great migration. This time of year attracts a plethora of predators who prey on the young and vulnerable wildebeest. Witnessing the circle of life unfold before your very eyes will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience that will stay with you forever. After an action-packed day of game viewing, the tour will conclude around 5 PM, and you will make your way back to your preferred accommodation, where a delectable dinner will be awaiting you. Make sure to get a good night's sleep to rest and rejuvenate yourself for another exciting day ahead.
Day 5 of 8 Days Serengeti safari: Ndutu to Serengeti national park
Get ready for an exhilarating experience as you embark on a journey to the world-renowned Serengeti Wildlife Park. After relishing a scrumptious breakfast, you will make your way towards the Serengeti National Park, traversing the vast expanse of the grasslands. The Serengeti, which means "endless plains" in the local African language, offers an awe-inspiring vista of the grassland stretching as far as the eye can see, merging with the horizon in a beautiful blend with the sky. Covering an expansive land area of 14,763 sq km, it is humbling to contemplate its sheer scale.
The Serengeti is home to the "Big 5," comprising the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard, offering visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of these majestic animals in their natural habitat. In addition, you can witness the graceful Impala, considered one of Africa's most stunning animals. The Serengeti ecosystem is known for harboring the highest concentration of plains game in Africa. Don't forget to watch out for the Serengeti "Kopjes," the massive granite boulders that provide shelter to an array of flora and fauna amidst the sea of grass.
During the day-long game drive, you will enjoy a picnic lunch, savoring the breathtaking scenery and experiencing the wild beauty of the Serengeti. As the day draws to a close, you can indulge in a sumptuous dinner and retire to your accommodation for a good night's rest, recharging for the upcoming adventure.
Day 6 of 8 Days Serengeti Safari: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
Today, starting at 9 AM, you'll embark on a brief safari drive through the Serengeti following a delicious breakfast. Once you've completed the half-day safari drive and savored a picnic lunch, we'll divert and head towards the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. The journey spans 75 kilometers and takes 2.5 hours, with some mild game activity to witness en route.
The Ngorongoro crater is a remarkable geological wonder a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the day draws to a close, you'll indulge in a hearty dinner before retiring to your preferred lodging for a well-deserved rest. Ensure that you get plenty of rest and replenish your energy, as you'll be venturing down into the massive crater the next day.
Day 7 of 8 Days Serengeti safari: Ngorongoro crater full day
You will start your day early, with a prompt breakfast before descending into the crater floor around 6:30 AM. The Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world's most extensive dormant volcanic caldera, remains unblemished and unoccupied. With a massive floor spanning about 260 square kilometers and over 2,000 feet deep, the crater offers a breathtaking view.
During the five-hour game drive on the crater floor, you will witness a multitude of animal activities. We highly recommend keeping your camera close by to capture these moments. You will come across various animals such as African elephants, buffalos, black rhinos, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions in their natural habitat. After enjoying a delightful picnic lunch at the stunning Hippo pool and continuing with the game drive, Late afternoon you will embark on a steep climb to the top of the crater and head to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 of 8 Days Serengeti Safari: Game Drive and Departure Day
After a remarkable journey filled with unforgettable experiences, it is time to bid farewell to your team. We are delighted that you had the opportunity to explore the Motherland and embark on an authentic Serengeti safari. Undoubtedly, you will return to relive these cherished moments. For now, your guide will accompany you until we reach the airport to say our goodbyes. We sincerely appreciate your choice to experience the wonders of nature with Nature Horizons.
Price inclusions and exclusions
Price inclusions for 8 Days Serengeti safari
- Transport from Arusha to Serengeti [Go and Return]
- Park fees
- Accommodation in Serengeti
- Experienced safari driver guide
- All meals during the 8-day tour
- Drinking water
- Game drives
Price exclusions for 8 Days Serengeti safari
- Personal items
- Visa fees
- Gratuities and tips for driver guide
- Optional Tours that are not in the itinerary such as balloon safari
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation in the park