Overnight Flight
A long-haul launch day focused on departure, transit, and shifting mentally into safari mode.
Route: Home to East Africa
Overnight: In transit
View day detailsKenya + Tanzania | July 19 to August 6, 2026
Great Migration Safari 2026
We are tracing a 19-day route through Nairobi, the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, Lake Eyasi, and Tarangire. Use this to check what comes next, where we are sleeping, and the shape of each day.
Route at a glance
The route
StopNairobi
StopMasai Mara
StopAmboseli
StopKaratu
StopSerengeti
StopLake Eyasi
StopTarangire
StopArusha
Along the route
Scenes to keep the stops recognizable
A few reference images make it easier to keep Amboseli, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and the rest of the route distinct as the days start to blend together.
Stay profile
Where we're staying
BaseNairobi
Ole Sereni Hotel for the city arrival, conservation, and transition days.
BaseMasai Mara
Mara Fig Tree Camp for the pre-tour wildlife extension.
BaseAmboseli
Kilima Safari Camp with Kilimanjaro-facing safari access.
BaseKaratu
Country Lodge for the Ngorongoro stage and crater access.
BaseSerengeti
ThornTree Camp for three nights in the park ecosystem.
BaseLake Eyasi / Tarangire
Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge and Sangaiwe Tented Lodge to close the route.
Destination spotlights
Why these stops matter
Elephants and open viewsAmboseli National Park
Amboseli is known for large elephant herds, wide-open plains, and one of East Africa’s most recognizable views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Crater landscapeNgorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro combines a dramatic crater landscape with dense wildlife populations and long human-history significance within the wider Serengeti ecosystem.
Longest safari stretchSerengeti
The Serengeti portion of the trip is built around extended time on the plains, maximizing sunrise, midday, and sunset wildlife patterns over three nights in camp.
Final wildlife chapterTarangire National Park
Tarangire closes the route with baobab-dotted landscapes, strong elephant sightings, and one of the trip’s best birdwatching windows.
Day by day
The 19-day itinerary
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi with a soft landing: transfer, recovery, and the first shared dinner.
Route: Nairobi, Kenya
Overnight: Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi
View day detailsInto the Masai Mara
A scenic Rift Valley transfer into the Masai Mara with the first real game drive at dusk.
Route: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Overnight: Mara Fig Tree Camp
View day detailsMasai Mara Game Drives
Morning and afternoon drives in the Mara with a mid-day reset back at camp.
Route: Masai Mara National Reserve
Overnight: Mara Fig Tree Camp
View day detailsAnother Day in the Mara
Another full Mara day with sharper eyes, better timing, and more confidence in the landscape.
Route: Masai Mara National Reserve
Overnight: Mara Fig Tree Camp
View day detailsReturn to Nairobi
A long road day back to Nairobi that bridges the pre-tour extension and the main itinerary.
Route: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Overnight: Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi
View day detailsConservation and Nairobi Icons
A Nairobi day centered on conservation, giraffes, local craft, and the formal welcome into the safari proper.
Route: Nairobi
Overnight: Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi
View day detailsAmboseli and Maasai Culture
Travel south to Amboseli, then trade city context for Kilimanjaro views and Maasai cultural perspective.
Route: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Overnight: Kilima Safari Camp
View day detailsFull-Day Safari in Amboseli
A full Amboseli safari day centered on elephant herds, open plains, and long mountain-facing horizons.
Route: Amboseli National Park
Overnight: Kilima Safari Camp
View day detailsCross into Tanzania
A border-crossing day into Tanzania with a social-impact stop in Arusha before settling in Karatu.
Route: Amboseli to Arusha to Karatu
Overnight: Country Lodge, Karatu
View day detailsNgorongoro Crater
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for one of the trip’s densest and most dramatic wildlife-viewing days.
Route: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu
Overnight: Country Lodge, Karatu
View day detailsFirst Serengeti Drive
Move into the Serengeti and begin the park stay with a first afternoon drive across the plains.
Route: Karatu to Serengeti
Overnight: ThornTree Camp, Serengeti
View day detailsSerengeti Full Day
A full Serengeti day devoted to long-range game viewing and the pleasure of staying out in the landscape.
Route: Serengeti
Overnight: ThornTree Camp, Serengeti
View day detailsMore Serengeti Wildlife
Another deep Serengeti day, now with the confidence to enjoy both drama and stillness.
Route: Serengeti
Overnight: ThornTree Camp, Serengeti
View day detailsToward Lake Eyasi
Leave the Serengeti for Lake Eyasi, with a wildlife-rich transfer and a guided walk near the salt lake.
Route: Serengeti to Lake Eyasi
Overnight: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
View day detailsLake Eyasi Communities
A cultural immersion day around Lake Eyasi centered on Hadzabe and Datoga community visits.
Route: Lake Eyasi
Overnight: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
View day detailsChoice Experience and Tarangire
Choose a village experience in the morning, then head into Tarangire for a fresh late-afternoon safari.
Route: Lake Eyasi to Mto Wa Mbu to Tarangire National Park
Overnight: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
View day detailsTarangire Finale
A farewell full-day safari in Tarangire with strong birding and one last shared dinner in Africa.
Route: Tarangire National Park
Overnight: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
View day detailsArusha and Departure
Return to Arusha, refresh in the dayroom, and close the route with one last transition homeward.
Route: Tarangire National Park to Arusha
Overnight: Departure day
View day detailsBefore we go
Things to have ready
- Kenya requires an eTA before arrival, and Tanzania visa requirements should be confirmed before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate is required when entering Tanzania from Kenya on this route.
- Soft duffel luggage is recommended for the safari vehicles and lodge transfers.
- Several transfer days are long and dusty, so it helps to treat the logistics as part of the trip instead of background detail.