When is the best time to do the Serengeti Migration: Follow the Herds Across the Plains?

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, Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve. Park and conservation fees work out to about USD 960 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 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 safarisInter-park · year-round herds

Serengeti Migration: Follow the Herds Across the Plains

Ndutu, Central Serengeti, Grumeti & Kogatende 10 Days / 9 Nights From $8,940 per person

Overview

The journey

One ecosystem, four camps, no wasted driving. We place you in the sector the herds are actually in for your dates — Ndutu in the calving months, the central plains and western corridor mid-year, Kogatende for the river — and fly you between them.

Compare tiers side by side

Why this safari

What makes it different

10 days across 5 camps, every sector flown, with your own guide on the ground.

5 distinct ecosystems in 10 days
Arusha · Serengeti · Central Serengeti · Western Serengeti · Northern Serengeti — each chosen for a different animal, landscape and light, and ordered so you never double back.
A tight, purposeful route with no wasted days
Every move is planned around game movements and light, so short days still deliver full game-viewing mornings.
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

Balanced — two to three nights per camp · Easy to moderate

Group size

Private departure — 2 to 6 guests per vehicle

Game viewing

48–64 hours of guided game viewing across 8 active days

Destinations routed

Arusha National Park → Ndutu → Serengeti National Park → Maasai Mara National Reserve

Ideal for

Great Migration chasers · 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
Ndutu
Days 2–3 · 2 nights
3
Serengeti National Park
Days 4–5 · 2 nights
4
Ndutu
Days 6–7 · 2 nights
5
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Days 8–9 · 2 nights
6
Arusha National Park
Day 10 · journey ends

1
Photo credit
Day 1 · Arrive Kilimanjaro
Arusha National Park
Arrival
Met on arrival and transferred to Arusha for a quiet first night and route briefing.
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
Photo credit
Day 2 · Fly to the herd sector
Ndutu
Scenic flight
Transit
Light aircraft into the sector holding the herds for your dates. Afternoon drive among the columns.
Morning
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive on arrival — cultural & community visits
Evening
Camp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Serengeti Migration 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
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
3
Photo credit
Day 3 · Full day with the migration
Ndutu
Great Migration
Safari
Dawn until dusk with the herds, packed breakfast and lunch in the field.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching & photography
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then walking safaris (where permitted)
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Serengeti Migration Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
4
Photo credit
Day 4 · Central Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
Private transfer
Transit
Transfer to the Seronera valley for resident lion prides, leopard along the river and cheetah on the kopjes.
Morning
Early departure with a picnic breakfast, arriving Serengeti National Park before midday
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive on arrival — walking safaris in northern concessions
Evening
Camp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- The Great Migration — calving, river crossings, rutting
- Big cat coalitions in the Seronera Valley
- Kopjes (granite outcrops) hiding leopards & lions
Dunia Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof
Approx. 4 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
Photo credit
Day 5 · Seronera full day
Serengeti National Park
Balloon safariScenic flight
Safari
All-day drive with a bush breakfast, plus optional sunrise balloon flight.
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
Dunia Camp
All inclusive
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)
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
6
Photo credit
Day 6 · Western corridor
Ndutu
Scenic flight
Transit
Fly to Grumeti. Afternoon along the river where the crocodiles wait for the crossing.
Morning
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive on arrival — cultural & community visits
Evening
Camp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Grumeti Serengeti Tented 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
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Spare camera batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
7
Photo credit
Day 7 · Grumeti crossings
Ndutu
Great Migration
Safari
Full day working the Grumeti River crossing points.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching & photography
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then walking safaris (where permitted)
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
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)
8
Day 8 · North to Kogatende
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flight
Safari
Flight to the far north. Afternoon on the Mara River escarpment.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided bush walks (conservancies only)
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then maasai village visit
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
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
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
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
9
Day 9 · Mara River finale
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Wildlife viewing
Safari
A full day held at the crossing points — the climax of the whole route.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — maasai village visit
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then photographic hides & sundowners
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
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 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
10
Photo credit
Day 10 · Depart
Arusha National Park
Scenic flight
Departure
Final morning drive, then fly Kogatende to Kilimanjaro or Arusha for your departure.
Morning
Final sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
Afternoon
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Evening
Assisted check-in for your international flight home
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Accommodation confirmed on booking
Breakfast
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
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
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
Serengeti National Park	Park entry fee	$250	2	$500
Maasai Mara National Reserve	Park entry fee	$200	2	$400
Total statutory fees per adult				$960

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

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

$29,055

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$58,110

Auto discount (10%)− $5,811

Total$52,299

≈ $26,150 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 Serengeti sectors in one route — we move as the herds move
✦ Mobile camps repositioned each season so you sleep beside the columns
✦ Light-aircraft hops between airstrips instead of long transit days
✦ Grumeti crocodile crossings in the western corridor
✦ Mara River crossing finale at Kogatende

Special events

Celebrate on safari

Route

Start to finish

Start · Arusha Finish · Kogatende

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 minutes from Kilimanjaro airport. 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.
Serengeti
Serengeti Migration Camp
Mobile Tented Camp·$1,040/pp/night
4.9(133 traveller reviews)
Repositioned each season to sit with the herds. Serengeti Migration Camp is positioned for game viewing in 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.
Central Serengeti
Dunia Camp
Luxury Tented Camp·$1,040/pp/night
4.8(169 traveller reviews)
Classic canvas in the Seronera valley. Dunia Camp is positioned for game viewing in Central 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.
Western Serengeti
Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp
Luxury Tented Camp·$1,040/pp/night
4.6(232 traveller reviews)
Riverine forest camp above the Grumeti crossing points. Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is positioned for game viewing in Western 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.
Northern Serengeti
Sayari Camp
Luxury Tented Camp·$1,040/pp/night
4.8(99 traveller reviews)
Minutes from the Mara River crossings. 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.

Limited 2026 dates

Best availability: Jul–Oct & Jan–Feb

Guest reviews & credentials

Why travellers trust us with the Serengeti Migration: Follow the Herds Across the Plains

“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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Serengeti Migration: Follow the Herds Across the Plains

The journey

What makes it different

Trip essentials

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 · Arrive Kilimanjaro

Day 2 · Fly to the herd sector

Day 3 · Full day with the migration

Day 4 · Central Serengeti

Day 5 · Seronera full day

Day 6 · Western corridor

Day 7 · Grumeti crossings

Day 8 · North to Kogatende

Day 9 · Mara River finale

Day 10 · Depart