8 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

Day by day Itinerary

Arrival Day: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Arusha

Your adventure begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport where our driver will pick you up. You will be transferred to a budget-friendly hotel in Arusha for your first night. The drive takes about one hour, and you can enjoy the view of local farms along the way. This day is for resting and meeting your guide for a short briefing about the 8-day budget safari ahead. You might see the peak of Mount Meru if the evening sky is clear.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

New Safari Hotel

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park then Manyara or Karatu

After an early breakfast, you head to Tarangire National Park, known for its massive baobab trees and large elephant herds. This park offers some of the best wildlife viewing at a lower cost compared to other regions. You will spend the day driving along the Tarangire River. The distance is 150 kilometers, which takes about 3 hours. A positive moment you might experience is seeing a group of elephants spraying themselves with mud to cool down near your vehicle. In the late afternoon, you drive to your budget accommodation in Manyara or Karatu.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Karatu Villas Lodge

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Manyara or Karatu to Serengeti for a Half-Day Game Drive

The journey continues toward the Great Serengeti. You will drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands before reaching the Serengeti gates. This is where your 8-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration truly starts to feel vast. The drive covers 200 kilometers and takes about 6 hours including time for registration at the gate. You might spot a pride of lions lounging on a large granite rock, known as a kopje, just as the sun begins to set.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Seronera Campsite Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Central to Northern Serengeti Full Day Tour

Today you move from the central plains to the northern region to get closer to the migration herds. This is a longer driving day but very rewarding as the landscape changes. The distance is roughly 150 kilometers and takes 4 to 5 hours. You will see thousands of wildebeests and zebras filling the plains. A surprising moment for many is hearing the constant, low grunting of the herds which sounds like a distant engine and fills the entire air around you.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti Full Day Migration River Crossing

This full day is dedicated to tracking the herds near the Mara River. Your guide will find a safe spot to wait for the dramatic river crossings where wildebeests face crocodiles. This is the heart of the 8-day Serengeti Migration budget safari. Patience is key here, and you might be rewarded with the sight of a massive herd suddenly deciding to plunge into the water together. Watching the animals successfully reach the other side is a very emotional and positive experience.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Northern Serengeti Full Day Tour to Central Serengeti

After a morning drive in the north, you begin your return journey to the Central Serengeti. This area is famous for resident predators like leopards and cheetahs. The drive back is about 150 kilometers and takes 4 hours. You might encounter a leopard resting in a tree with its kill, a classic Serengeti sight. Returning to the central area allows you to see the different wildlife that stays in the Seronera Valley all year round.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Seronera Campsite Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Central Serengeti Full Day Tour

You will spend the whole day exploring the central plains. This region has a high concentration of lions and hyenas. Your 8-day budget safari allows for plenty of time to stop and watch animal behavior rather than rushing. You may see a cheetah family teaching their cubs how to hunt in the tall grass. The Seronera River is a great place to see hippos huffing in the water and colorful birds in the reeds.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Seronera Campsite Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Serengeti Morning Game Drive to Ngorongoro

Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti as you head toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive is about 140 kilometers and takes 4 hours. You will stop at the crater rim for a breathtaking view of the caldera below. A positive moment is often the change in temperature and the lush green forest that appears as you climb the highlands. This is a stark contrast to the golden plains of the Serengeti you just left.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Crater Rim View Inn

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day Tour to Arusha

The final day takes you down into the Ngorongoro Crater for a 6-hour game drive. This is the best place to see the endangered black rhino and huge bull elephants. After a picnic lunch, you will start the drive back to Arusha. The trip to Arusha is 180 kilometers and takes 4 hours. You might see Maasai children herding goats right next to zebras on the outer slopes of the crater, showing how humans and wildlife coexist.

Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Overnight:

New Safari Hotel

budget 2 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.

Tour Cost

No of pax	Adult Price	Child Price
1 Pax	From $3,771 pp	From $2,828 pp
2 Pax	From $2,591 pp	From $1,943 pp
3 Pax	From $2,198 pp	From $1,648 pp
4 Pax	From $2,001 pp	From $1,501 pp
5 Pax	From $1,883 pp	From $1,412 pp
6 Pax	From $1,804 pp	From $1,353 pp
7+ Pax	From $1,748 pp	From $1,311 pp

PRICE INCLUSIONS & PRICE EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions

✓ All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)

✓ All Taxes/VAT

✓ All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)

✓ Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)

✓ Rescue fee

Exclusions

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

International flights to/from the start/end of the tour

Personal items

Tips: tipping guideline

The Booking Form

8 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

Save on your 8-day Serengeti Migration budget safari. Witness river crossings, see the Big Five, and explore Ngorongoro Crater at an affordable price.

N.B: After you send your booking we will get back to you with in 24 hours.

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Booking form

This form has four short pages please enter valid details. Filling this forms marks the official first step of your booking with us. After its submission you will receive an e-mail in the coming few hours telling you what to do next.

Personal Details

Contact Details

Travelers in Numbers

Number of Adults

Number of Children

Dates & Reach

When do you want to travel?

Before you book

FAQs about 8 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

What is the accommodation like on an 8-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration?

On a budget safari, you typically stay in public campsites within the parks or budget lodges outside the gates. Camping involves sleeping in sturdy tents on comfortable mattresses with shared bathroom facilities. This keeps the cost low while keeping you close to the sounds of the African wilderness at night.

Is it safe to sleep in a tent during an 8-day Serengeti Migration budget safari?

Yes, it is very safe as the campsites are monitored and animals generally keep their distance from human settlements. Your guide will provide safety instructions on how to behave in the camp. Sleeping in a tent is actually a highlight for many as you can hear lions roaring in the distance

Are meals included in the 8-day budget safari price?

Yes, all meals are included from the time you start the safari until you return to Arusha. On a camping safari, a private chef travels with you to prepare fresh, hot meals every day. You will have a hot breakfast, a picnic lunch box, and a cooked dinner at the campsite or lodge.

How many people will be in the safari vehicle?

To keep the 8-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration affordable, vehicles are often shared with other travelers. Most vehicles hold up to six or seven people, ensuring everyone has a window seat for the best view. This is also a great way to meet fellow travelers from around the world.

What is the best time for an 8-day budget safari to see river crossings?

The best time to see the migration crossings in the northern Serengeti is between July and October. During these months, the weather is dry and the herds are forced to cross the Mara River. Booking during this window gives you the best chance of witnessing the dramatic action.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag for the camping portions?

Most budget packages include all camping gear like tents and mattresses, but sleeping bags are often available for rent or you can bring your own. We recommend checking with us beforehand to see what fits your preference. Bringing your own can be more comfortable for some travelers.

Will we see the Big Five on this budget tour?

Yes, the itinerary visits Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, which are the best places to see the Big Five. While sightings are never guaranteed, the 8-day budget safari covers the areas with the highest concentrations of these animals. Your guide will work hard to track them throughout the week.

Are park fees included in the 8-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration?

Yes, all national park entrance fees and camping fees are included in the total package price. These fees are a significant part of the cost, so having them included helps you manage your budget easily. There are no hidden costs for entering the parks mentioned in the itinerary.

Can I charge my camera and phone during the safari?

Most safari vehicles are equipped with power sockets or USB ports for charging devices while you are driving. Many campsites also have a central charging station in the dining area. It is always a good idea to bring a power bank as a backup just in case.

What should I tip the guide and the chef?

Tipping is a common practice in the Tanzanian tourism industry and is greatly appreciated. A typical tip for a guide is around 20 dollars per group per day and 15 dollars for the chef. This is a nice way to show appreciation for their hard work in making your 8-day budget safari a success.

Amazing safari

5/5

I was worried about camping, but the tents were very comfortable and the food prepared by our chef was better than some restaurants.

By: Lukas Fischer

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