9 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

Day by day Itinerary

Arrival Day: Arrival Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha

A driver will pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to your budget hotel in Arusha. This drive takes about one hour. You will spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your 9-day Serengeti Migration budget safari. A briefing with your safari guide will happen at the hotel to discuss the schedule and gear needed for the trip. This is a great time to ask questions about the landscapes you will see.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

New Safari Hotel

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park Manyara/Karatu

After an early breakfast, you drive for about 3 hours to Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for having thousands of elephants and giant baobab trees. You will spend the day exploring the river area where animals gather. A funny and unexpected moment often occurs at the picnic site where clever monkeys try to steal snacks from travelers. After the game drive, you will head to a campsite or budget lodge in Karatu for the night

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Africa Safari Lodge

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Manyara/Karatu to Serengeti (Half-Day Game Drive)

Today you travel to the Serengeti, a journey of 240 kilometers taking about 6 hours. You will drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and stop at the crater viewpoint for pictures. Once you enter the Serengeti, you will start seeing vast plains filled with zebras and gazelles. You might see a lion pride resting right next to the road in the shade of a tree. You will reach your budget camp in the Central Serengeti by early evening.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Serengeti Wild Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

You will head north today to follow the movement of the wildebeest. The 140-kilometer drive takes about 5 hours because you will be spotting animals along the way. This area is less crowded and offers a wilder experience. You might see a group of giraffes blocking the road, which is a great chance for close-up photos. You will set up camp in the northern region to be close to the river action for the next few days.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti (Full Day migration river crossing)

The entire day is dedicated to the Mara River. You will wait at various crossing points to see the wildebeest jump into the water. This event is full of energy and tension as crocodiles wait for the herds. A positive surprise is often seeing a small calf make it across the dangerous water against all odds. Your guide will provide a packed lunch so you do not have to leave the riverbanks during the peak crossing times.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Northern Serengeti (Full Day migration river crossing)

Spend another day in the north to increase your chances of seeing multiple crossings. Every crossing is different, some are small and some involve thousands of animals. Between the crossings, you will explore the nearby hills for leopards and lions. You might spot a leopard protecting its kill high up in a tree. This 9-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration allows you enough time to be patient for these natural events.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour) to Central Serengeti

You will have a morning game drive in the north before starting the 5-hour drive back to the central plains. This gives you a chance to see animals you might have missed before. You will drive through areas with many small waterholes where hippos play. A highlight of this drive is often seeing the transition from the rocky northern terrain back to the endless golden grass of the Seronera Valley.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Shuhudia Adventure Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Central Serengeti (Full Day Tour)

This day is spent in the Seronera area, the heart of the Serengeti. It is the best place to see big cats because there is water and prey all year round. You will spend the day tracking cheetahs and lions on the hunt. A very cool moment is seeing a group of hyenas interacting at their den in the early morning. You will return to your central budget camp for your final night in the Serengeti.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Shuhudia Adventure Camp

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Serengeti (Morning Game Drive) to Ngorongoro

After a final morning drive in the Serengeti, you will head toward the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The drive takes about 4 hours. As you climb the highlands, the air gets much colder and the trees become taller and greener. A positive moment today is seeing the Maasai people herding their cattle alongside wild zebras in the conservation area. You will stay at a budget lodge or campsite on the rim with great views.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day Tour) to Arusha

You will descend 600 meters into the crater floor for a 6-hour tour. This is the best place to see the rare black rhino. The wildlife here is very concentrated, and you will see lions, buffaloes, and huge elephants near the marshes. After lunch, you will drive 4 hours back to Arusha. This marks the end of your 9-day Serengeti Migration budget safari as you prepare for your flight home or your next destination

Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Overnight:

New Safari Hotel

budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch

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 $4,204 pp	From $3,153 pp
2 Pax	From $2,899 pp	From $2,174 pp
3 Pax	From $2,464 pp	From $1,848 pp
4 Pax	From $2,247 pp	From $1,685 pp
5 Pax	From $2,116 pp	From $1,587 pp
6 Pax	From $2,029 pp	From $1,522 pp
7+ Pax	From $1,967 pp	From $1,475 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

9 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

Join our 9-day Serengeti Migration budget safari to see the Great Migration and the Big Five. Enjoy affordable travel through Tarangire and Ngorongoro.

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 9 Days Serengeti Migration Budget Safari

What is the accommodation like on a 9-day budget safari?

On a budget trip, you usually stay in public campsites where you sleep in waterproof tents on mattresses. These campsites have shared bathrooms and dining areas, and a private chef travels with you to prepare fresh meals

How can I save money on a 9-day Serengeti Migration budget safari?

The best way to save money is to join a group tour where you share the costs of the vehicle, fuel, and guide with other travelers. Staying in campsites instead of luxury lodges also significantly reduces the total price of the trip.

What kind of meals are provided on a budget safari?

Your private chef will prepare three meals a day, including hot breakfasts, packed lunches for the road, and delicious dinners with soup, meat, and vegetables. Even on a budget, the food is fresh and very filling for a long day of driving.

Is the 9-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration safe?

Yes, the campsites are located inside or near the parks and are monitored by rangers. Your guide is experienced in animal behavior and will ensure you stay at a safe distance from the wildlife at all times.

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

Most budget operators can provide sleeping bags for a small rental fee, but many travelers prefer to bring their own for personal comfort. We provide the tents and mattresses as part of the standard package

How many people will be in the safari vehicle?

For a budget group tour, there are usually 4 to 6 people in a vehicle to ensure everyone has a window seat for the best views. This makes the 9-day budget safari both social and affordable for solo travelers.

Is there power to charge my camera at the campsites?

The safari vehicles are equipped with charging ports where you can charge your phones and cameras during the day. Some public campsites also have power points in the common dining areas, though they can be busy.

Can I see the Big Five on this budget itinerary?

Yes, this route goes through the best areas to find all the Big Five animals. You have excellent chances of seeing lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards in the Serengeti, and rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater.

What should I tip the guide and the chef?

Tipping is a common practice in Tanzania to show appreciation for good service. We suggest around 20 dollars per day for the guide and 15 dollars per day for the chef, which can be split among the group members.

Can I book a 9-day budget safari in Serengeti Migration as a private tour?

Yes, if you are traveling with friends or family, you can book this as a private budget tour. This gives you the privacy of your own vehicle while still using affordable camping accommodations to keep the cost low.

Serengeti Migration budget safari

5/5

The 9-day Serengeti Migration budget safari was the best way to see the river crossings without spending a fortune

By: Lars Nielsen

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