4-Day Fly to Kogatende for the Great Migration

Price from: $2500

Overview

Arrival at Kogatende Airstrip

Arrive at Kogatende Airstrip after a scenic flight from Zanzibar. Your professional safari guide will welcome you with a picnic lunch before beginning your game drive. This northern region of Serengeti National Park is wildlife-rich and places you at the heart of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

First Game Drive and Migration Experience

Set out on your first game drive and witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles. Vast herds of wildebeest and zebra gather at the legendary Mara River, braving powerful currents while predators lie in wait. Your guide ensures you have prime viewing and photo opportunities throughout the day.

Fly-In Safari Advantage

By flying directly into the Serengeti, you avoid long overland journeys. This gives you more time to explore and observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Enjoy the comfort of semi-luxury migration lodges, perfectly positioned for excellent views of the migration.

Your Unforgettable Safari

This safari combines thrilling wildlife encounters with the ease of air transfers, allowing you to experience Tanzania’s wilderness in style. From breathtaking river crossings to close-up predator action, your adventure is both exhilarating and comfortable.

Highlights

Tanzania’s classic northern reserves: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
See the Big 5 in Ngorongoro and enjoy wonderful birding
Seasonal viewing of the annual Wildebeest Migration
Excellent year-round game viewing
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
Beautiful scenery and endless photographic opportunities
Stay in comfortable mid-range safari lodges surrounded by nature
Scenic fly-in safari from Zanzibar to northern Tanzania for maximum time in the wild
Expert professional safari guide for the best wildlife viewing experience
Convenient return flight back to Zanzibar after your safari adventure

Itinerary

Day 1: Zanzibar – Northern Serengeti (Mara River)

Scenic Transfer and Flight to Northern Serengeti

Your adventure begins with a scenic transfer from your Zanzibar hotel to the airport. Board a small flight to the Northern Serengeti. Upon landing at Kogatende Airstrip around 11:00 a.m., your private 4×4 safari vehicle and experienced guide will be ready to take you on your first wildlife adventure.

First Game Drive in the Northern Serengeti

Explore the Northern Serengeti, famous for dramatic landscapes and high concentrations of wildlife. Head to the Mara River, a prime location for observing the Great Wildebeest Migration. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the treacherous waters, teeming with crocodiles—a breathtaking display of nature and survival.

Wildlife Along the Mara River

Along the riverbanks and open plains, look for giraffes, elephants, impalas, and buffaloes. Your guide will provide insights into animal behavior and migration patterns, making this a highly informative and thrilling experience.

Evening at the Lodge

After an exhilarating afternoon of wildlife watching, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Relax under the African sky while reflecting on your first day in the Serengeti wilderness.

Accommodation: Nyikani Migration Camp

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti (Seronera Area)

Morning Game Drive in Northern Serengeti

After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in the Northern Serengeti. Maximize your chances to witness the migratory wildebeest and zebra herds in action. Observe apex predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as they stalk their prey. The timing of the migration depends on rainfall patterns. Herds move south to the grassy plains during November–December and return north during the long rains from April to June.

Scenic Transfer to Central Serengeti

Following your morning adventure, enjoy a scenic transfer to Central Serengeti in your private 4×4 safari vehicle. Travel across rolling savannahs and dramatic kopjes (rocky outcrops) that are home to abundant wildlife. This journey provides excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife spotting along the way.

Afternoon Game Drive in Seronera

Arrive in the Seronera area, the Serengeti’s heartland, renowned for its year-round animal activity. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, and predators in action. Your expert guide will help identify animals and explain the unique Serengeti ecosystem.

Evening at Your Central Serengeti Lodge

After the game drive, check in at your luxury or mid-range lodge in Central Serengeti. Relax with dinner and an overnight stay while reflecting on the spectacular wildlife encounters of the day.

Accommodation: Serengeti Central Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Highlands

Morning Game Drive in the Serengeti

Wake up to a hearty breakfast before your morning game drive in the Serengeti. Explore the vast plains in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and, depending on the season, the migrating wildebeest and zebra herds. Capture stunning photos of the Serengeti’s iconic landscapes, including endless grassy plains, dramatic kopjes, and watering holes teeming with wildlife.

Scenic Transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands

After a full morning of wildlife viewing, transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy scenic views of rolling hills, scattered acacia trees, and traditional Maasai villages, where the local Maasai people maintain their heritage alongside abundant wildlife.

Arrival at Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

Arrive at Ngorongoro Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Perched in the highlands, the lodge offers spectacular views overlooking the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This serene setting provides the perfect base for your next adventure into the Ngorongoro Crater.

Accommodation: Embalakai Ngorongoro Luxury Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha – Zanzibar

Early Breakfast and Crater Descent

After an early breakfast, descend over 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Africa’s top safari destinations, offering a unique chance to see the Big Five in a single day. The crater floor spans 20 kilometers and features a mix of grasslands, seasonal swamps, hippo-filled lakes, and dense forests.

Morning Game Drive

During your half-day game drive, spot lions lounging under acacia trees, leopards moving stealthily through the grass, and cheetahs chasing prey. Observe massive herds of wildebeest and zebras, elephants, Cape buffalo, warthogs, and the endangered black rhinoceros. Birds abound, making this one of the richest wildlife locations in Tanzania.

Picnic Lunch at Hippo Pool

Take a picnic lunch at the famous Hippo Pool. Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the African wilderness, capturing your final safari memories in this extraordinary ecosystem.

Return Transfer to Zanzibar

After your morning in the crater, drive back to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. This concludes your unforgettable 4-day fly-in safari, full of iconic landscapes, thrilling wildlife encounters, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Accommodation:N/A

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner