What You Need to Know: This 8-day private family safari costs from US$3,915 per adult for two adults at mid-range lodges (US$2,910 budget, US$6,650 luxury). Children aged 5 and under travel free, children from 6 to 15 get 30% off, and every family booking gets an 8% family discount. It runs from July to October in 2027 and 2028, when the herds are in the northern Serengeti; river crossings are busiest in August and September but are never guaranteed. Seven nights include Tarangire, a night in the central Serengeti, two at Kogatende near the Mara River, a night on the crater rim and a crater game drive. With two long drive days, it suits children from about six upward best.
Is This Family Safari Right for You?
We first planned this trip for a family of three adults and two children traveling at the start of July, who wanted the migration, a balloon flight and a Maasai village in one week. It covers the whole length of the Serengeti, which is what makes it exciting for older children and also why it isn't the right trip for toddlers: two days involve 5 to 8 hours in the vehicle, broken up by game viewing.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| Your children are about 6 or older and enjoy long game drives | Your children are very young: see the 3-day safari with short drives |
| You travel in the US summer vacation, July or August | You travel between January and March: see the 10-day family calving safari |
| You want the river crossings and the crater in one trip | You want the crossings with less driving: see the 4-day fly-in to the Mara River |
The Migration in the Summer Vacation
By July the wildebeest and zebra herds have moved north to the Kogatende area, where the Mara River flows into Tanzania from Kenya's Maasai Mara. They stay in the region until about October, crossing the river back and forth when they decide to, sometimes several times a day and sometimes not for days. August and September usually bring the most crossings. For children, watching thousands of animals gather on the bank and then pour down into the water is unforgettable; it can also be noisy and dramatic, with crocodiles waiting, so tell your guide if you'd rather watch from further back or move on.
Even without a crossing, the north is full of life in these months: herds on the plains, lions and cheetahs following them, and elephants and giraffes along the river. See where the herds are each month.
8-Day Family Migration Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Lodges are listed for each level, always "or similar", and confirmed for your dates; we ask each one for a family room or rooms next to each other.
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Day 1: Arrival and a quiet evening in Arusha
Your driver-guide meets the family at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you, in about an hour to an hour and a half, to your hotel in Arusha, where dinner is included. If the long flights have tired the children, we can add a full rest day here before the safari, as we did for the family this trip was first planned for.
Stay: Parachichi House (budget), Njiro Luxury Resort (mid-range) or Arusha Coffee Lodge (luxury), or similar.
Airport pickupArushaDinner -
Day 2: Tarangire's elephants, then Karatu
About 2 hours from Arusha, Tarangire is at its best in the dry months, when elephant families crowd along the river among ancient baobab trees. Children usually love this first park: the elephants are close, the drives are short, and there are giraffes, zebras and often lions too. In the late afternoon you drive up to Karatu, a cool farming town below the crater highlands.
Stay: Karatu Villas (budget), Karatu Tented Lodge (mid-range) or Gibbs' Farm (luxury), or similar.
Elephants and baobabsTarangire, KaratuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Over the highlands to the central Serengeti
The road climbs past the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and drops onto the Serengeti plains, about 7 hours with stops and game viewing on the way. You arrive in the central Serengeti, where the Seronera valley's resident lions, leopards and cheetahs are the focus of the afternoon.
Stay: Maboresho Tented Camp (budget), Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge (mid-range) or Naisula Serengeti Camp, which takes only couples and families (luxury), or similar.
Into the SerengetiNgorongoro highlands, central SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: North to the migration at Kogatende
A long but varied day: 5 to 7 hours north through changing country, with game viewing all the way, until you reach the migration herds near the Mara River. Pack snacks, books and games for the children; your guide stops whenever a break is needed.
Stay: Serengeti Classic View Kogatende (budget), Olmorijo Camp (mid-range) or Malaika Mara River Luxury Camp (luxury), or similar, for two nights.
Following the herdsNorthern SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: A full day at the Mara River
For adults and children old enough, the day can begin with an optional sunrise balloon flight over the plains (US$490 per person). Then your guide follows the herds along the river, choosing a crossing point where the animals are gathering and waiting with you, with a picnic, for as long as the family wants.
River crossings possibleKogatendeBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Serengeti to the crater rim, with a Maasai village
The longest day of the trip, 6 to 8 hours south with a morning game drive on the way out of the park. In the afternoon you can stop at a Maasai village in the Ngorongoro highlands to see how Maasai families live, dance and build their homes. You end at a camp on the crater rim, cool at night.
Stay: Ngorongoro Wild Camp (budget), Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp (mid-range) or Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (luxury), or similar.
Maasai villageSerengeti, crater rimBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: The Ngorongoro Crater, back to Arusha
An early descent to the crater floor for a morning among buffaloes, zebras, lions and hippos, with flamingos on the soda lake and the chance of a black rhino. After lunch you drive back to Arusha, about 4 to 5 hours.
Stay: the same Arusha hotel as Day 1.
Crater game driveNgorongoro, ArushaBreakfast, lunch -
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast, then the transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, about an hour to an hour and a half, timed for your flight. If your family's flights leave at different times, we arrange separate transfers.
Airport transferArusha, Kilimanjaro airportBreakfast
How Much Does the 8-Day Family Migration Safari Cost?
From US$3,915 per adult for two adults at mid-range lodges, US$2,910 at budget level and US$6,650 at luxury level, airport to airport. Per adult, the price falls as more people share the vehicle:
| Adults | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$4,200 | US$5,340 | US$9,190 |
| 2 | US$2,910 | US$3,915 | US$6,650 |
| 3 | US$2,485 | US$3,465 | US$6,030 |
| 4 | US$2,435 | US$3,440 | US$6,175 |
| 5 | US$2,275 | US$3,265 | US$5,895 |
| 6 | US$2,275 | US$3,280 | US$6,015 |
The northern Serengeti camps charge peak rates in the migration months, and the three Serengeti nights carry a concession fee on top of the park fees; both are in these prices. The 2027 and 2028 rates are confirmed in your quotation.
Park fees on this route
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per adult per 24 hours |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
What Children Pay on This Safari
| Traveler | Price at mid-range, 2 adults |
|---|---|
| Child 5 and under | Free |
| Child 6 to 15 | About US$2,740 (30% off the adult price) |
| Family discount | 8% off the whole booking |
As an example, two adults with a 12-year-old and a 4-year-old pay US$7,830 for the adults and about US$2,740 for the 12-year-old, around US$10,570 in all, or about US$9,725 after the 8% family discount; the 4-year-old travels free. Your quotation shows the exact figure for your family and dates. Our family rules are explained on the family safaris page.
What the Family Migration Safari Includes
- Airport pickup on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 8 at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- A private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and your own driver-guide from Day 2 to Day 7
- Seven nights in family-friendly lodges and camps at the level you choose
- Meals as listed for each day, prepared for your family's diets
- Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro fees, the crater service fee and concession fees
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult) and your own travel insurance
- The optional Serengeti balloon flight (US$490 per person), the Maasai village visit and the extra Arusha rest day, quoted with your trip if you want them
- Lunch on Day 1, dinner on Day 7, drinks, tips and personal items
Making the Long Drive Days Easy for Children
- Two long days, both full of animals: Day 4 north to Kogatende and Day 6 back to the crater rim are long, but they are game drives, not motorway drives, so there is always something to look for.
- Stops when you need them: because the vehicle is yours alone, your guide stops for toilets, snacks and leg stretches whenever a child asks.
- Two nights at Kogatende: one full day at the river with no packing, and time back at camp in the middle of the day.
- Prefer to fly? A light aircraft from Kogatende to Arusha replaces the two long days back, but you miss the crater and the Maasai village; we can quote both versions.
Pack warm layers for the early mornings and the crater rim, which is cold at night in July and August, plus sun hats, sunscreen and binoculars for each child. More tips are in our guide to a safari with kids.
Which Migration Safari Suits Your Family?
This 8-day trip and our 10-day family calving safari, from US$4,900 per adult, both follow the migration but in different seasons: calving at Ndutu from January to March, with gentler days that suit toddlers and grandparents, or the river in the north from July to October, with more driving and more drama. For adults who want three nights at the river and photography time, there is the 8-day migration photography safari. All our family trips are on the family safaris page.
How to Book the 2027 or 2028 Family Migration Safari
River camps at Kogatende are in demand in July and August, so book as early as you can. Send your travel dates, the number of adults, each child's age, the lodge level you prefer and any diets through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and tell us if you want the balloon, the Maasai village or a rest day. Our Moshi team sends back an itinerary and quotation with each adult and child price and the family discount. A 30% deposit confirms it, the balance is due on arrival, and refunds are set out in our booking terms.
Common Questions About the 8-Day Family Migration Safari
Will we see a Mara River crossing?
It is likely but never guaranteed: the herds cross when they choose. Two nights at Kogatende in July to October, and especially in August and September, give you a good chance.
What age should children be for this safari?
About six and older is best, because of two long drive days. Younger children can come, and those aged 5 and under travel free, but a shorter trip or the calving safari is usually easier for them.
How much do children pay?
Children aged 5 and under are free, and children from 6 to 15 pay 30% less than an adult, about US$2,740 at mid-range for two adults. Every family also gets 8% off the whole booking.
Can children go on the balloon flight?
The balloon companies set their own minimum age, so we check it for your children. The flight is optional, at US$490 per person.
Can we add a rest day in Arusha?
Yes. Many families like a day to recover from the flights before the safari; we add it to your quotation, at the hotel you choose.
Can we fly instead of driving back from the north?
Yes, a light aircraft from Kogatende to Arusha replaces Days 6 and 7, though you then miss the Maasai village and the crater. We quote the flight separately.
Can we add Zanzibar afterwards?
Yes. Fly from Arusha to Zanzibar after the crater for a few beach days, or take our 9-day family safari and Zanzibar holiday, which flies straight from the northern Serengeti to the beach.
The Bottom Line
For families traveling in the summer vacation with children of about six and older, this is the migration at its most exciting: Tarangire's elephants, two nights by the Mara River, a Maasai village and the crater, in eight days. Children aged 5 and under travel free, older children up to 15 get 30% off, and every family saves 8%. Reserve the river camps early for July and August.