The Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater are the classic East African safari, with lions, cheetahs, elephants and the wildebeest migration. June to October is dry and best for game; the calving season runs January to March.
Good to know
- Book safaris through a reputable operator and fix the migration timing in advance.
- Pack neutral colors, a warm layer for dawn and binoculars.
- Altitude and dust can be harsh; carry a light scarf.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Full day drives across the endless plains looking for lions, cheetahs and herds.
Dawn flight over the plains followed by a champagne bush breakfast.
Dining beside a fire with the sounds of the bush all around.
Drive into the world's largest intact caldera for rhinos, lions and flamingos.
Learn about Maasai life, jumping dance and beadwork with local guides.
Learn about Tanzanian coffee from bean to cup at a plantation.
Tanzanian art, masks and carvings for a stopover afternoon.
Watch wildebeest cross the Mara River between July and October, a dramatic spectacle.
Park famous for large elephant herds and giant baobab trees.
Forest, hot springs and flamingo-lined lake, close to Ngorongoro.
Cradle of mankind with fossil finds and a small museum.
Guided walks among granite outcrops to spot leopards, hyraxes and birds.