5 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

Join an affordable 5-day Serengeti Migration budget safari. See the Great Migration, Tarangire elephants, and Ngorongoro wildlife at a great value.

5 Days Experience the Great Migration on a Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

This 5-day Serengeti Migration budget safari is designed for travelers who want to witness the world-famous wildebeest trek at an affordable price. You will visit Tarangire, the vast Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater while using cost-effective accommodations like public campsites or budget lodges. This tour provides an authentic wild experience focused on high-quality game viewing and the massive herds of the Great Migration without the luxury price tag.

Tour Highlights:

Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire (Full Day Tour)
Day 2
Tarangire to Serengeti Central (Half-Day Game Drive)
Day 3
Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour)
Day 4
Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour) to Central Serengeti
Day 5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater (half day tour) to Arusha
Duration 5 Days
🚙
Tour Mode Drive In – Drive Out
🎯
Main Tour Focus NIL
Tour Type Private Safari
Destination/Accommodation
Start/End
Arusha
Tour Starting & Ending Point
1
Day 1
Tarangire
Overnight: Seasonal mobile operator camps
2
Day 2
Central Serengeti
Overnight: Thorn Tree Camp
3
Day 3
Northern Serengeti
Overnight: Heritage mara camp
4
Day 4
Northern Serengeti
Overnight: Thorn Tree Camp
5
Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater
Overnight: Kibo Palace Hotel

Arrival Day: Arrival (Kilimanjaro Airport) to Arusha

Arrival (Kilimanjaro Airport) to Arusha

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a representative will meet you and drive you to your budget hotel in Arusha. This drive takes about one hour. You will have a short briefing with your safari guide to go over the itinerary and check your gear. Arusha is known as the gateway to the northern safari circuit and offers a cool atmosphere to rest before your journey begins the next day.

Destination: Kilimanjaro Airport

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks: Lunch, Dinner

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire (Full Day Tour)

Arusha to Tarangire (Full Day Tour)

The safari starts with a drive to Tarangire National Park, which is about 120 kilometers away and takes 2 to 3 hours. Tarangire is famous for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds. You will spend the full day on a game drive along the Tarangire River. A positive moment you might experience is watching a family of elephants bathing in the river mud just a few meters from your vehicle. In the evening, you will head to a budget campsite or lodge nearby for dinner and your overnight stay.

Destination: Tarangire

Accommodation: Seasonal mobile operator camps

  budget 2 star lodge

Seasonal mobile operator camps
Seasonal mobile operator camps

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti Central (Half-Day Game Drive)

Tarangire to Serengeti Central (Half-Day Game Drive)

After an early breakfast, you will drive toward the Central Serengeti, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This journey is approximately 250 kilometers and takes about 6 hours. As you enter the Serengeti, you will begin a half-day game drive in the Seronera Valley. This area is a great place to spot big cats like lions and leopards. You may see a leopard resting on a tree branch with its kill, which is a lucky and exciting sight for any visitor.

Destination: Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Thorn Tree Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour)

Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour)

Today you travel north to catch up with the Great Migration. The drive is about 140 kilometers and takes 4 to 5 hours depending on the animals you see along the way. This 5-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration focuses on reaching the areas where the herds are most active. You will spend the afternoon watching thousands of wildebeest and zebras grazing. Hearing the constant, low grunting of a massive herd is a unique experience that stays with you long after the trip.

Destination: Northern Serengeti

Accommodation: Heritage mara camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

heritage-mara-image-1
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende
Mara Heritage Camp Kogatende

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour) to Central Serengeti

Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour) to Central Serengeti

You will spend the morning in the Northern Serengeti for further migration viewing and perhaps witness a river crossing if the season is right. After a picnic lunch, you will begin your drive back to the Central Serengeti. This return journey takes about 4 to 5 hours. On the way, you might spot a cheetah camouflaged in the golden grass while it prepares for a hunt. You will return to your budget accommodation in the central area for dinner and rest.

Destination: Northern Serengeti

Accommodation: Thorn Tree Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Thorn Tree Camp at Central Serengeti Images
Budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater (half day tour) to Arusha

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater (half day tour) to Arusha

You will leave early for the Ngorongoro Crater, which is a 3-hour drive. You will descend 600 meters into the crater for a half-day tour. This is the best place to find the rare black rhino. You will have lunch near the hippo pool before starting the 4-hour drive back to Arusha. A highlight of this day is the breathtaking view from the crater rim, where you can see the entire ecosystem inside the caldera. You will arrive in Arusha in the late evening.

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

TOUR PRICE/COST

We offer two pricing options:

  •   Private Tour (Sharing Price)
  • The cost is shared within your private group. More people means a lower price per person.

  •   Group Joining Tour
  • Join others on a fixed-date tour at a set per-person rate—ideal for solo travelers or small groups.

    Private (Shared) Price

    No of pax Adult Child
    1 Pax $2,472 pp $1,854 pp
    2 Pax $1,822 pp $1,367 pp
    3 Pax $1,605 pp $1,204 pp
    4 Pax $1,497 pp $1,123 pp
    5 Pax $1,432 pp $1,074 pp
    6 Pax $1,389 pp $1,042 pp
    7+ Pax $1,358 pp $1,018 pp

    PRICE INCLUSIONS & PRICE EXCLUSIONS

    Inclusions
  •  Rescue fee
  •  Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
  •  All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
  •  All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
  •  All Taxes/VAT
  • Exclusions
  •  International flights to/from the start/end of the tour
  •  Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  •  Tips: tipping guideline
  •  Personal items
  •  Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • The Booking Form

    RELATED FAQS ABOUT 5 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

    What is the best time for a 5-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration?

    The best time depends on the herds, but July to October is great for the northern crossings, while December to March is best for the calving season in the south.

    Does this 5-day Serengeti Migration budget safari include camping gear?

    Yes, if you choose the camping option, we provide tents, sleeping mattresses, and a professional cook who prepares all your meals. You only need to bring a sleeping bag or you can rent one from us.

    Is it safe to stay in public campsites inside the parks?

    The campsites are unfenced but very safe because rangers monitor the areas and the animals usually keep their distance from people and fires. It is a thrilling way to feel close to nature.

    How many people share the vehicle on a budget tour?

    In a budget group join-in safari, there are usually between 4 and 6 people in a 4x4 Land Cruiser. This ensures that everyone has a window seat for the best views.

    Can I charge my phone and camera during the safari?

    Most of our safari vehicles are equipped with power sockets or inverters where you can charge your electronic devices while driving.

    What kind of food is served on a 5-day budget safari?

    Our cooks prepare fresh, hot meals including soups, rice, pasta, chicken, and vegetables. We also provide a picnic lunch box for your full-day game drives.

    Is drinking water provided during the trip?

    Yes, we provide 1.5 liters of bottled mineral water per person per day to keep you hydrated during the hot afternoons on the plains.

    Are there bathrooms at the public campsites?

    Yes, the national park authority maintains public campsites with basic toilet and shower facilities for all campers.

    Can I book this 5-day budget safari as a solo traveler?

    You can join an existing group which helps keep the cost low, or you can book a private tour if you prefer more flexibility.

    What should I tip the guide and the cook?

    Tipping is a common practice in Tanzania. We recommend about 20 USD per day for the guide and 15 USD per day for the cook per group.

    REVIEWS FOR 5 Days Experience the Great Migration on a Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

    Write a Review

    well organized safari

    5/5

    The migration herds were massive and our guide from Burigi Chato Safaris CO LTD found the best spots for photos.

    By: Marcus Fischer
    From: Flag DE

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    the most amazing safari

    5/5

    This 5-day budget safari was worth every penny because we saw lions, leopards, and even a rhino in the crater.

    By: Sarah Jenkins
    From: Flag GB

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    amazing wildlife

    5/5

    Camping in the Serengeti was a wild experience and the food was surprisingly good for a budget trip.

    By: Jean-Luc Picard
    From: Flag FR

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    the best safari ever

    5/5

    I was impressed by how well Burigi Chato Safaris CO LTD organized our transport and the park entries.

    By: Hiroshi Tanaka
    From: Flag JP

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    dream come true safari

    5/5

    Seeing the elephants in Tarangire was my favorite part of the whole week.

    By: Emily Davis
    From: Flag US

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    fantastic adventure

    5/5

    A great way to see the migration without spending a fortune. The guide was very knowledgeable about the birds too.

    By: Carlos Mendez
    From: Flag ES

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    wildlife at it's best

    5/5

    The Ngorongoro Crater is like a paradise and our group had so much fun together in the vehicle.

    By: Linda van den Berg
    From: Flag NL

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    the most comfortable safari

    5/5

    Very professional service and the 4x4 vehicle was in great condition for the bumpy roads.

    By: Robert Smith
    From: Flag CA

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    the most amazing safari

    5/5

    I loved hearing the animals outside my tent at night in the Serengeti. It was a true adventure.

    By: Chloe O’Sullivan
    From: Flag AU

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    the beauty of nature

    5/5

    Everything was perfect from the airport pick-up to the final day at the crater. I highly recommend this tour.

    By: Matteo Rossi
    From: Flag IT

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