When is the best time to do the Great Migration & Zanzibar: Herds to Turquoise Horizons?

Year-round — region depends on migration position. We run this itinerary year-round and simply re-route game drives and camps to follow the wildlife and the weather. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm exactly what the Arusha National Park will be like that week.

What's included in the price?

All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day; Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed; Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout; Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary; All game drives and activities named in the itinerary; All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations; Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary; Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered. Prices are per person sharing and quoted in USD; your proforma invoice itemises everything before you pay.

What is not included?

International flights and airport departure taxes; Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory); Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits; Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving; Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure); Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included. International flights, visas, travel insurance, premium drinks and gratuities are always quoted separately so there are no surprises.

How do we travel between parks?

Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, window seat guaranteed for every guest, and a professional driver-guide for the whole route. Longer legs on this trip are flown on scheduled light aircraft to save you a full day on the road. Airport pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, cooler box and Wi-Fi in the vehicle are included.

How much are park and conservation fees?

Arusha National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park. Park and conservation fees work out to about USD 1,760 per adult for this routing (children under 12 pay roughly half, infants under 3 are free). Kenyan and Tanzanian statutory taxes — 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge — are shown as separate lines on your proforma invoice.

Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black); Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives; Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen; Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot; Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor; Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs; Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed; Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required. Soft-sided bags are essential if your trip includes a light-aircraft leg (15kg limit including hand luggage).

Is it safe, and what about health requirements?

Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor; Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country; Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark; Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting; Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory; Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days. Every Tanzania & Kenya & Zanzibar departure is escorted by a licensed guide, vehicles carry a first-aid kit and satellite communications, and all guests are covered by AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation while on safari.

How do we book and what deposit is required?

Request availability or book directly from this page. We hold your camps for 48 hours, issue a proforma invoice with the full breakdown, then confirm on a 50% deposit with the balance due 45 days before travel. Card and M-Pesa payments are both accepted.

← All safarisBush & beach · Jul – Sep

Great Migration & Zanzibar: Herds to Turquoise Horizons

Northern Serengeti & Zanzibar 10 Days / 9 Nights From $7,980 per person

Overview

The journey

The crossings and then the ocean, with no backtracking. Four nights in the northern Serengeti while the herds are on the river, then a flight straight to Zanzibar for a slow, salty second week.

Compare tiers side by side

Why this safari

What makes it different

10 days across 3 camps, every sector flown, with your own guide on the ground.

3 distinct ecosystems in 10 days
Arusha · Northern Serengeti · Zanzibar — each chosen for a different animal, landscape and light, and ordered so you never double back.
An unhurried pace — long stays, few moves
Around 3 nights per camp, so you can follow a lion pride across several days instead of ticking off a checklist.
Your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and private guide
No shared vehicles and no fixed departure times — you decide when to leave camp, how long to sit with a sighting, and where to have breakfast.
Every transfer flown by private charter
You are in a game vehicle minutes after landing, with luggage handled planeside — the same route by road costs the better part of two days.
Ultra-Luxury is genuinely all-inclusive
All meals, premium drinks, laundry, park and conservancy fees, private guiding and the charter flights are in the price. You should not need your wallet until you tip.
Priced honestly, with fees shown up front
Park and conservation fees, taxes and levies are itemised on your proforma invoice — 50% confirms the booking and the balance is due before travel.

At a glance

Trip essentials

Best season

Year-round — region depends on migration position

Pace & difficulty

Relaxed — long stays, few moves · Easy — suitable for all ages

Group size

Private departure — 2 to 6 guests per vehicle

Game viewing

30–40 hours of guided game viewing across 5 active days

Destinations routed

Arusha National Park → Maasai Mara National Reserve → Serengeti National Park → Zanzibar Archipelago

Ideal for

Great Migration chasers · Safari-and-beach combinations · Private departures for 2–6 guests

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

Every day is planned to the hour, with the flexibility to change anything before you confirm.

Route overview

1
Arusha National Park
Day 1 · 1 night
2
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 2 · 1 night
3
Serengeti National Park
Days 3–4–5–6–7 · 5 nights
4
Zanzibar Archipelago
Day 8 · 1 night
5
Serengeti National Park
Day 9 · 1 night
6
Zanzibar Archipelago
Day 10 · journey ends

1
Photo credit
Day 1 · Arrive Kilimanjaro
Arusha National Park
Arrival
Arrival and overnight in Arusha.
Morning
Arrival, immigration assistance and meet-and-greet by your Perch Africa representative
Afternoon
Transfer, luggage re-pack for light aircraft, and a full trip briefing with your guide
Evening
Welcome dinner and route walkthrough with your safari specialist
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Legendary Lodge Arusha
Dinner
Private airport transfer
Visa/e-TA must be approved before departure — we send the checklist on booking
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
2
Day 2 · Fly to Kogatende
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flight
Transit
Light aircraft north. Afternoon drive along the Mara River.
Morning
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive on arrival — hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast
Evening
Camp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Sayari Camp
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
3
Day 3 · Crossing day
Serengeti National Park
Wildlife viewing
Safari
Full day held at the crossing points with packed meals.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — mobile camping that follows the migration
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then walking safaris in northern concessions
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Sayari Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
4
Day 4 · Lamai wedge
Serengeti National Park
Sundowners
Safari
Resident prides and hyena clans north of the river, sundowners on a kopje.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — walking safaris in northern concessions
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then game drives across seronera, western corridor, northern serengeti
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Sayari Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
5
Day 5 · Second crossing chance
Serengeti National Park
Wildlife viewing
Safari
Another full day on the river — the herds cross on their own schedule.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — game drives across seronera, western corridor, northern serengeti
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then hot-air balloon safari over the plains
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Sayari Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
6
Photo credit
Day 6 · Fly to Zanzibar
Serengeti National Park
Scenic flight
Beach
Serengeti to Zanzibar by air, then transfer up the north-east coast.
Morning
Morning dhow sail with fresh fruit and coffee on board
Afternoon
Village and spice-market visit with your local guide
Evening
Beach bonfire, Swahili tasting menu and live taarab music
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Matemwe Lodge
Breakfast, Dinner
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
Spare camera batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
7
Photo credit
Day 7 · Mnemba reef
Serengeti National Park
Ocean experience
Beach
Morning snorkelling or diving on the atoll, afternoon at leisure.
Morning
Slow breakfast on the terrace, then the reef at high tide — snorkelling over the coral gardens
Afternoon
Free afternoon: paddleboards, kayaks or a book in the shade of the palms
Evening
Sunset cocktails on the sand, then a seafood dinner grilled to order
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Matemwe Lodge
All inclusive
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
8
Photo credit
Day 8 · Stone Town
Zanzibar Archipelago
Sundowners
Safari
Spice farm and Stone Town history morning, back to the coast for sunset.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — stone town walking tour
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then spice farm visit
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Stone Town — UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Mnemba Atoll snorkelling & diving
- Spice plantation tours
Matemwe Lodge
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country
Modest dress respected in Stone Town & villages
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
9
Photo credit
Day 9 · Dhow and spa
Serengeti National Park
Boat experienceOcean experienceSundowners
Beach
Sunset dhow with cocktails and a treatment overlooking the reef.
Morning
Morning dhow sail with fresh fruit and coffee on board
Afternoon
Village and spice-market visit with your local guide
Evening
Beach bonfire, Swahili tasting menu and live taarab music
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Matemwe Lodge
All inclusive
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Park fees: USD 82.60/adult/day (non-resident)
Best river crossings: Aug–Oct (Mara River, north)
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
10
Photo credit
Day 10 · Depart
Zanzibar Archipelago
Departure
Final swim, then transfer to Zanzibar airport.
Morning
Final sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
Afternoon
Transfer to the airport with time for the last of your shopping
Evening
Assisted check-in for your international flight home
Highlights
- Stone Town — UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Mnemba Atoll snorkelling & diving
- Spice plantation tours
Accommodation confirmed on booking
Breakfast
Private transfer to the airport
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country
Modest dress respected in Stone Town & villages
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise

You leave Arusha National Park with the sound of the plains still in your ears — and a standing invitation to come back for the season you missed.

Transparent pricing

Park & conservation fees included

Destination	Type	Per adult / day	Days	Per adult
Arusha National Park	Park entry fee	$60	1	$60
Maasai Mara National Reserve	Park entry fee	$200	1	$200
Serengeti National Park	Park entry fee	$250	6	$1,500
Total statutory fees per adult				$1,760

Children under 12 pay 50% and infants under 3 are free. Your proforma invoice itemises 16% VAT, the 2% catering levy and the 2% service charge separately.

What's included

All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed
Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary
All game drives and activities named in the itinerary
All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations
Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary
Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered
Flying-doctor evacuation cover (AMREF) for the safari days
24/7 in-country support line and a proforma invoice with every quote
Beach transfers and one guided marine excursion at the coast

Not included

International flights and airport departure taxes
Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory)
Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits
Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving
Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure)
Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included

What to pack

✦Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black)
✦Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives
✦Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
✦Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot
✦Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor
✦Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs
✦Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed
✦Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required

Health & safety

✦Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor
✦Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country
✦Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark
✦Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting
✦Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory
✦Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days

Good to know

✦Kenya e-TA is applied for online and usually approved within 72 hours
✦Park fees are payable in USD and are included in your quoted price
✦Conservancy camps allow night drives and walking; the reserve itself does not
✦M-Pesa is universal for small payments — ask us how to load it
✦Tanzania e-visa should be applied for at least 10 days before travel
✦Ngorongoro Crater descent is charged per vehicle per 6-hour period
✦Serengeti fees are levied on a 24-hour basis from the time of entry
✦18% VAT applies to Tanzanian park fees and is shown on your invoice
✦16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge are itemised on your proforma invoice
✦Book 6–9 months ahead for July–October and the festive season
✦Drones are prohibited in national parks without a written permit
✦A deposit of 50% confirms your dates; the balance is due 45 days before travel

Your safari investment

$25,935

per adult · 10 Days / 9 Nights · Luxury

Includes 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser & guide

Choose your tier

Iconic camps with character — e.g. Mara Plains Camp

Travel start date

Add your date and every stay below is dated automatically.

Adults

Children

2–11 yrs

Infants

under 2

Subtotal$51,870

Auto discount (10%)− $5,187

Total$46,683

≈ $23,342 per person, all-inclusive

Included value

Selected accommodation and meal plan
Private transport and professional guide
Park and conservation fees
Government taxes and service charges

Highlights

What to expect

✦ Four nights on the Mara River crossing points
✦ Direct light-aircraft hop from the Serengeti to the island
✦ Four nights on the reef at Matemwe facing Mnemba atoll
✦ Stone Town spice and history morning
✦ All park fees, flights and transfers in one price

Special events

Celebrate on safari

Route

Start to finish

Start · Arusha Finish · Zanzibar

Start & stops
Finish
Direction of travel
Drive
Flight

Calendar timezone

Add to Google Calendar

Where you'll stay

Accommodation

Arusha
Legendary Lodge Arusha
Coffee Farm Lodge·$1,040/pp/night
4.8(88 traveller reviews)
Garden cottages on a coffee estate. Legendary Lodge Arusha is positioned for game viewing in Arusha, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Luxury category, expect hand-crafted suites, a private guide and all-inclusive dining.
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.
Northern Serengeti
Sayari Camp
Luxury Tented Camp·$1,040/pp/night
4.8(99 traveller reviews)
Minutes from the northern crossing points. Sayari Camp is positioned for game viewing in Northern Serengeti, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Luxury category, expect hand-crafted suites, a private guide and all-inclusive dining.
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.
Zanzibar
Matemwe Lodge
Beach Lodge·$1,040/pp/night
4.6(86 traveller reviews)
Reef-front suites with plunge pools facing Mnemba. Matemwe Lodge is positioned for game viewing in Zanzibar, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Luxury category, expect hand-crafted suites, a private guide and all-inclusive dining.
Heated plunge bathPrivate guide & vehicleMini libraryCurated barBush spa
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.

Limited 2026 dates

Best availability: Jul–Oct & Jan–Feb

Guest reviews & credentials

Why travellers trust us with the Great Migration & Zanzibar: Herds to Turquoise Horizons

“Our guide read the plains like a book — we were the only vehicle at a leopard sighting twice. Every transfer, camp and park fee was exactly as quoted.”

Amelia & Tom R. · London, UK

Maasai Mara · 6 nights

“Travelling with a 6-year-old and grandparents could have been chaos. Perch planned the driving days around nap times and picked family tents with connecting rooms.”

The Okoth Family · Nairobi, Kenya

Amboseli & Tsavo · 5 nights

“The migration timing advice was spot on. When one camp went full they moved us to a better one in the same conservancy at no extra cost, same day.”

Dr. Karin H. · Munich, Germany

Serengeti & Ngorongoro · 8 nights

KPSGA silver & gold guides

Every driver-guide is Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified, with 8+ years in the parks on your route.

Licensed tour operator

Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (Kenya) and TALA-licensed operations in Tanzania.

AMREF Flying Doctors cover

Air-evacuation cover for every guest for the full duration of the safari, included in your rate.

Vehicle & safety standards

Serviced 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, first-aid kits, satellite comms and daily driver check-ins.

Transparent proforma pricing

Park fees, conservancy levies, 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge itemised before you pay.

4.9 / 5 guest rating

Across 380+ reviewed departures, with a 62% repeat-and-referral rate from past travellers.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

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Great Migration & Zanzibar: Herds to Turquoise Horizons

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Great Migration & Zanzibar: Herds to Turquoise Horizons

The journey

What makes it different

Trip essentials

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 · Arrive Kilimanjaro

Day 2 · Fly to Kogatende

Day 3 · Crossing day

Day 4 · Lamai wedge

Day 5 · Second crossing chance

Day 6 · Fly to Zanzibar

Day 7 · Mnemba reef

Day 8 · Stone Town

Day 9 · Dhow and spa

Day 10 · Depart