Your safari begins with a drive from Arusha into the golden savannas of Tarangire National Park, where ancient baobab trees rise like sentinels over the land. This lesser-known gem bursts to life in the dry months, as elephants converge in enormous numbers along the Tarangire River.

From the moment you enter the park, the wilderness takes over — giraffes browsing acacias, zebra herds trotting across floodplains, and the occasional lion pride resting in the shade. After a scenic afternoon game drive, settle into your lodge with a view, listening to the distant calls of bush babies and nightjars.

Today’s journey takes you through the lush Ngorongoro highlands and out onto the endless plains of the Serengeti. By early afternoon, you’ll descend into the Seronera Valley, the wildlife-rich core of Central Serengeti.

This region is predator country: watch for lions atop granite kopjes, leopards lounging in sausage trees, and cheetahs scanning the grass for prey. While many wildebeest have already begun their westward push, the trailing herds and resident animals ensure incredible sightings all around. Spend the night under canvas — with the stars blazing overhead and the sounds of the wild all around you.

After an early breakfast, set off toward the Western Corridor, where the herds begin to funnel toward the Grumeti River. May and June mark the height of their movement west, and today’s full-day game drive offers the chance to witness thousands of wildebeest trekking in synchronized waves across the grasslands.

Keep your eyes open for lion ambushes, massive Nile crocodiles basking along the Grumeti’s muddy banks, and hyenas trailing the action. With a packed picnic and a sense of adventure, your guide will track the most promising wildlife hotspots before returning to camp in Central Serengeti.

You have a second chance to dive into the drama of the Grumeti River ecosystem — a landscape where crocodiles lurk silently, waiting for the wildebeest to cross. While the Grumeti crossings are less frequent and more unpredictable than those at the Mara River, they are every bit as raw and primal.

Even if no crossing occurs, the sheer volume of game, the backdrop of riverine forest, and the anticipation hanging in the air make this an unforgettable day. Whether you witness a crossing or not, the Western Corridor delivers some of the most intimate migration encounters possible.

Enjoy a final morning game drive through the Central Serengeti — where lions may still be patrolling the grasslands and hyenas can be seen finishing off the night’s leftovers. From there, journey southeast into the rolling green hills of Karatu, passing Maasai villages and wide-open landscapes along the way.

Arrive in Karatu by afternoon, where you’ll rest at a charming lodge set among coffee farms and highland forests — the perfect contrast to the open plains you’ve just explored.

Wake early for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the eighth wonder of the natural world. Here, enclosed by ancient volcanic walls, live over 25,000 animals — from endangered black rhinos and tusker elephants to lions, zebras, and hippos.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool and a game drive that may very well deliver all Big Five species before you ascend the rim and begin your return to Arusha — ending your 6-day wildebeest migration safari with memories that will last a lifetime.