How to Combine the Great Migration with Ngorongoro Crater

How to Combine the Great Migration with Ngorongoro Crater

The easiest way to combine the Great Migration with Ngorongoro Crater is to include Ngorongoro before or after your Serengeti migration safari. A 5–7 day itinerary gives enough time for the crater and several days in the Serengeti, while the exact Serengeti route should be planned according to the migration season.

Can You Combine the Great Migration with Ngorongoro Crater?

Yes, and the two destinations work very well together. The Serengeti provides the main Great Migration experience across its open plains, while Ngorongoro Crater adds a concentrated wildlife experience within a volcanic caldera.

A typical route is:

Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti → Great Migration Safari → Arusha

The order can also be reversed depending on your flight schedule and the migration area you want to visit.

How Many Days Do You Need?

A 5–7 day safari is a practical duration for combining Ngorongoro with the Great Migration.

For a shorter trip, a 5-day itinerary can include one day at Ngorongoro and three days around the migration area.

For a more relaxed experience, 6–7 days allows more time in the Serengeti and reduces the pressure of moving between destinations.

What Is the Best Route for the Great Migration and Ngorongoro?

The best route depends on the month you travel.

January–March: Calving Season

For the calving season, the most practical route is:

Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater → Ndutu → Southern Serengeti

Ndutu lies on the Ngorongoro–Serengeti ecosystem edge, making it particularly convenient to combine with Ngorongoro during the calving season.

April–June: Western Serengeti

A suitable route is:

Arusha → Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti → Western Serengeti

This route allows you to explore the central Serengeti before continuing towards the Western Corridor, where the migration moves during part of this period.

July–October: Northern Serengeti

For the Mara River crossing period, the route can be:

Arusha → Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti

For a shorter trip, you can also fly directly into Northern Serengeti and combine the migration with a Ngorongoro visit by driving between the two areas.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Ngorongoro?

One full day is usually enough for the Ngorongoro Crater. A typical safari includes an early descent into the crater, a game drive on the crater floor and a later departure towards the next destination.

This allows you to give more nights to the Serengeti, where additional days are useful for following the migration and exploring different wildlife areas.

How Many Days Should You Spend in the Serengeti?

For a migration-focused safari, 3–4 nights in the Serengeti is a practical choice.

Three nights work well for a shorter itinerary, while four or more nights provide more flexibility to follow the migration and spend more time on game drives.

For river crossings, additional nights can be particularly useful because the herds may remain in an area before moving or crossing.

Sample 5-Day Great Migration and Ngorongoro Safari

Day 1: Arusha – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
Drive from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enjoy the scenic highlands before an overnight stay in Karatu.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater – Full-Day Crater Game Drive – Serengeti
Descend into the crater for a full-day wildlife experience before continuing towards the Serengeti.

Day 3: Serengeti – Full-Day Great Migration Safari
Spend the day exploring the migration area with game drives focused on the location of the herds during your travel season.

Day 4: Serengeti – Full-Day Great Migration Safari
Enjoy another full day in the Serengeti, following the migration and exploring the surrounding wildlife areas.

Day 5: Serengeti – Morning Game Drive – Arusha
Enjoy a final morning game drive before driving or flying back to Arusha.

Sample 6-Day Great Migration and Ngorongoro Safari

Day 1: Arusha → Ngorongoro Highlands
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Full-Day Game Drive
Day 3: Ngorongoro → Serengeti Migration Area
Day 4: Full-Day Great Migration Safari
Day 5: Full-Day Great Migration Safari
Day 6: Serengeti → Arusha

This option gives you one full day at Ngorongoro and three full days focused on the Serengeti, making it a good balance between crater wildlife and migration viewing.

Should You Visit Ngorongoro Before or After the Great Migration?

Ngorongoro can be visited either before or after the Great Migration safari. For a road safari from Arusha, visiting Ngorongoro before Serengeti is a natural route because the destinations connect directly through the Northern Circuit.

For example:

Arusha → Ngorongoro → Serengeti

This route works particularly well when continuing from Ngorongoro towards Central or Southern Serengeti.

If you fly into the Serengeti first, you can instead finish the safari with:

Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha

Can You Combine Ngorongoro with the Ndutu Calving Season?

Yes. This is one of the easiest Great Migration combinations. Ndutu is close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so travellers can combine the crater with several nights around the southern Serengeti during the calving season.

A practical route is:

Arusha → Ngorongoro → Ndutu → Southern Serengeti → Arusha

This itinerary combines the crater's concentrated wildlife with the wildebeest calving experience.

Can You Combine Ngorongoro with the Mara River Migration?

Yes. For July–October travel, you can combine Ngorongoro with Northern Serengeti.

A typical route is:

Arusha → Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti

For travellers with limited time, flying into Northern Serengeti and driving towards Ngorongoro can reduce the amount of time spent on long road transfers.

What We Recommend at Kilipori Safaris

At Kilipori Safaris, we recommend giving one full day to Ngorongoro Crater and at least three nights to the Serengeti when the main purpose of the trip is the Great Migration.

For January–March, we recommend combining Ngorongoro with Ndutu and Southern Serengeti.

For July–October, we recommend combining Ngorongoro with Northern Serengeti, especially when the main goal is the Mara River crossing area.

We customize the route according to your travel dates, migration season, safari duration and preferred accommodation.

Plan your Great Migration and Ngorongoro safari with Kilipori Safaris. WhatsApp: +255 755 287 311.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine the Great Migration and Ngorongoro Crater in one safari?

Yes. A 5–7 day safari is a practical duration for combining both destinations.

How many days should I spend in Ngorongoro?

One full day is usually enough for a crater game drive.

How many days should I spend in Serengeti for the Great Migration?

Three to four nights gives a good amount of time for migration-focused game drives.

Can I visit Ngorongoro and Ndutu on the same safari?

Yes. Ndutu is particularly convenient to combine with Ngorongoro during the January–March calving season.

Can I combine Ngorongoro with the Mara River crossings?

Yes. Ngorongoro can be combined with Northern Serengeti during the July–October migration period.

What is the ideal itinerary?

A 6-day itinerary is a strong format: one day for Ngorongoro, three days focused on the Serengeti migration and additional days for transfers and game drives.