The Serengeti migration circuit is the world’s most celebrated wildlife spectacle on a self-drive — 1.5 million wildebeest moving across 14,763 km² of open savannah in an annual clockwise loop that produces river crossings (July–October at the Mara River) and calving (January–March in the Ndutu plains) as the two peak events. Self-drive access to the Serengeti rewards visitors who arrive early at the crossing points and hold position without the guided-safari departure constraints.
Circuit Overview
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Distance: Arusha – Serengeti – Arusha, approx 900 km total
- Vehicle: Land Cruiser V8 (required for Kogatende far-north sector tracks)
- Park fee: USD 70/person/day + USD 40/vehicle/day (2027/2028 TANAPA rates)
- Best timing: July–October (Mara River crossings); January–March (Ndutu calving)
Day-by-Day Route
Day 1: Arusha depart 5 am. Drive via Makuyuni, Karatu, Ngorongoro (NCA gate), Naabi Hill Serengeti gate. Arrive Seronera by 2 pm. Afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Full Seronera circuit — central Serengeti kopjes (lion, leopard), Seronera River (hippo). Dawn to dusk.
Day 3: Drive north to Kogatende sector (80 km, 3 hours on rough track). Afternoon Mara River crossing viewpoint positioning.
Day 4: Full Kogatende day — Mara River crossing position from 6 am. Return south to Lobo area overnight.
Day 5: Lobo to Naabi Hill gate, exit Serengeti, return Arusha (7.5 hours).
Vehicle hire from USD 130/day. Book this circuit or contact us.