9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 142 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari worth booking?
9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari is a 216-hour experience in Arusha, Tanzania, from $4071 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 142 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (142)
- Duration
- 216 hours
- From
- $4071 per person
This 9 day itinerary, specially designed to follow the great migration, takes us to the heart of this majestical Earthly event. With four nights on The Serengeti we are afforded the opportunity to take in the vast Sereng
What you get
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Parking fees
About this experience
This 9 day itinerary, specially designed to follow the great migration, takes us to the heart of this majestical Earthly event. With four nights on The Serengeti we are afforded the opportunity to take in the vast Serengeti plains and also to spend some days witnessing the great migration, found in the region of Ndutu from December to March, and in the remote Northern tip of the Serengeti from July to November.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Parking fees
Not included
- International flights
- Gratitude
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Arusha
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lion King Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 142 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
142 verified traveler reviews for 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lion King were great - yes we saw the big five and our guides were very knowledgeable
I initially engaged another safari broker but I tried lion king based on the reviews and seeking a price comparison. Lion King were very professional and thorough and came in considerably cheaper for similar or same accommodation. Our guides (Geoffrey and Jafari) were great. They were open to what we wanted to see and do and their in-depth knowledge of the flora and fauna was extensive. We spent 10 days with them in total and would highly recommend them
Response from the operator: Thank you for choosing to give Lion King Adventures a try after comparing your options. We’re especially pleased that you found our team professional and thorough, and that we were able to put together an itinerary that offered good value while still meeting your expectations for accommodation. Geofrey and Jafary will be delighted to hear your kind words. Ten days together gives plenty of time to get to know your guides, and their willingness to shape the days around what you wanted to see and do sounds like it made a real difference. Their knowledge of Tanzania’s flora and fauna is something they take great pride in. It’s wonderful to hear that you saw the Big Five and enjoyed your time in Tanzania so much. Thank you for recommending Lion King Adventures — it means a great deal to our team. Warmest wishes, The Lion King Adventures Team
via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip
Sorry this is a lengthy review! The conclusion first, the Lion King Adventures is a great tour company. You will be in good hands if you choose to book with them. The booking process was very smooth. They usually responded within a day or two (which was quite reasonable considering the time difference). We booked early in the year but delayed paying the deposit because we were concerned about Ebola. We eventually made up our minds and decided move forward in May. Despite the late payment, they still managed to secure some great lodgings for us. The success of a safari trip depends greatly on the guide. Although the safari trucks look pretty much the same and most of the guides are Tanzanian, but a good guide can make all the difference. Our guide was Haruni. He is experienced, hardworking and responsible. As my husband joked, Haruni seemed more eager to see the migration crossing than we were. We would see dozens of trucks waiting for hours at the same spot while Haruni was constantly communicating with other guides by radio and driving to different crossing points and hoping to find the best opportunity to see the wildebeests cross. One time we spent more than nine hours waiting and driving back and forth between different crossing points. At Crossing Point 4, Haruni kept saying, "They will cross, they will cross!" But we were really exhausted and asked to leave for the lodge. About 10 minutes after we left the wildebeests finally crossed. Oh, bummer! Another memorable moment was when we spotted two rhinos. Instead of driving closer, Haruni parked a little farther away. Guess what? The rhinos ended up walking directly toward our truck and passed us at a very close distance. It was an incredible experience! He was also wonderful to our kids. Very friendly and taught them about the animals and their habitats. That’s been said, I would not recommend the guide we had for the Hadzabe and Datoga tribe visit. I don't remember his name, but he provided very little translation or explanation. The Hadzabe people successfully hunted three times during our visit and each time they explained many things about what they were doing in their language, but the guide simply stood there without translating or explaining much. He also did not stay close to us. At one point, we actually got separated from the guide and Hadzabe people. We were lost in the mountains for a short period of time, I guess it would not be more than 10 minutes. Luckily we were a family of four and stayed together without wandering around. Eventually, he came back and found us, but it was a little scary. However I must say the Hadzabe experience itself was a very authentic and interesting experience.. You actually get to go into the mountains and experience their traditional hunting practices. Compared with the Maasai village experience, the Hadzabe culture felt much less commercialized. Regarding the lodges, I think Nyota Rift was the best lodge of our entire trip. Their welcome dance felt especially sincere and the staff greeted us by name. We stayed for two nights (one on the way to Serengeti and one when we return). On one evening, dinner was set up on the back porch. It was romantic and memorable. The hot air balloon ride was one of the highlights. It truly completes the safari experience. We booked with Miracle Experience. The views were breathtaking, the pilot was very knowledgeable and the ride was incredibly smooth. We chose them because of their excellent safety record and we felt very comfortable throughout the experience. You don't actually fly as high as you might expect because you need to stay relatively close to the ground to see the animals. I was a little nervous before the ride but it turned out amazing. Honestly, you'll probably be too busy taking pictures and videos to even think about being scared! We really enjoyed our trip and the Lion King planned it well. This once in a lifetime experience we will never forget!
Response from the operator: There’s a lot to take from this review, particularly the detail about Haruni’s determination to find the river crossing — even if, on this occasion, the wildebeest decided to wait until you had left! We’re pleased that his patience, experience and communication with other guides gave you so many opportunities to experience the migration, as well as that wonderful close encounter with the rhinos. We’re also glad that your children enjoyed having Haruni as their guide and that he took the time to share his knowledge with them. Your comments about the Hadzabe and Datoga visit are important to us too. We’re sorry that the guiding and communication during that experience did not meet the standard we expect, particularly that you became separated from the guide. We will make sure this feedback is shared with the relevant team. It’s lovely to hear that the Hadzabe experience itself felt authentic, and that Nyota Rift Valley Lodge and the balloon safari were also highlights. Most of all, we’re pleased that the trip as a whole gave your family such lasting memories. Warmest wishes, The Lion King Team
via Tripadvisor
The Best Honeymoon Ever
We had the time of our lives on our honeymoon safari with Lion King Adventures. Our expectations were sky high going into the trip - and it somehow exceeded them. The entire Lion King team was incredibly professional and easy to work with from the original booking experience through getting dropped back off at Kilimanjaro Airport for our flight home. A few highlights: 1) Our guide Hamadi made the experience. He treated us like royalty, was incredibly knowledgeable about all of the parks and animals, and is someone we feel lucky to have met and to get to maintain a relationship with going forward. Over the 9 days we spent well over 100 hours in close quarters with Hamadi and the pleasure was ours. We'd highly recommend anyone booking with Lion King to request Hamadi as their guide. 2) All of the parks, lodges, food, and more that Lion King booked over our 9 days were world class - we got to see all of the Big 5 during the day and enjoy huge fresh meals under the stars poolside in the Serengeti at night. 3) Florida - our booking agent - did a great job securing us incredible accommodations and experiences, including going above and beyond working with Hamadi to secure us a balloon ride last minute. 4) Simon and Sharoni provided us safe, secure, and entertaining transportation to and from the airport. We cannot recommend Lion King highly enough and encourage any Americans considering doing a safari in Tanzania to go with them.
Response from the operator: Starting married life with a nine-day safari in Tanzania sounds pretty special, and we’re so pleased that the experience exceeded even your high expectations. It’s lovely to hear that the care from the Lion King team continued from your first booking conversations right through to your journey back to Kilimanjaro Airport. Spending more than 100 hours together gives you plenty of time to get to know your guide (!), and it sounds as though Hamadi became much more than just the person behind the wheel. His knowledge, care and company clearly made a lasting impression, and we’ll make sure he knows how much you appreciated having him with you. Florida will also be pleased to hear that her planning helped create such a memorable honeymoon, especially managing to arrange your balloon flight at short notice. We’ll pass your kind words on to Simon and Shahran too. We’re very glad you chose Lion King Adventures for such an important journey and that you’re heading home with so many wonderful memories of Tanzania. Warmest wishes, The Lion King Team
via Tripadvisor
Phenomenal Guiding by Mkwanda, but Mixed Admin & Vehicle Experience
Mkwanda is a fabulous guide! He found almost all the animals we wanted to see, with the exception of the rare African Wild Dog and elusive Kudu. He positioned our vehicle perfectly—getting us incredibly close without ever blocking the animals' paths. It was clear that he truly loves and respects these animals. Thanks to his deep knowledge of wildlife behaviour and years of experience, he could accurately predict their movements, which made for an amazing experience. The uploaded photos were taken with a mobile phone, proving just how close he got us. If you bring a 100-400mm camera lens, you will get spectacular shots! Beyond his guiding skills, Mkwanda was incredibly hardworking, even cleaning the vehicle after we unfortunately drove through hippo dung. Asante sana, Mkwanda! Administration & Booking: · Sales & Planning: Florida handled our initial booking and provided several quotes. She was always friendly, prompt, and a pleasure to interact with. · Pre-Trip Preparation: Jovitha took over after confirmation and sent a comprehensive final checklist covering medical clearances, insurance, visas, and clothing. It was incredibly useful. · Payment Confusion: We felt anxious being asked to pay "King Kidaisho Company Ltd" instead of "Lion King Adventures." It felt like a scam, but online reviews confirmed it is legitimate. Mentioning it here to reassure future travelers! · Communication Gaps: We repeatedly requested fans to manage skin conditions for two travelers, but one camp did not have a fan. Also, despite noting dietary restrictions, one camp served fish as the only main course to a traveler who does not eat seafood. The Vehicle: The rough terrain of the Serengeti is hard on vehicles, and a few mechanical faults surfaced during our 9-day safari. The AC failed on Day 1 (though Mkwanda graciously fixed it after hours), a side window jammed, the right passenger door stopped opening after Day 3, a seatbelt began getting stuck, and the fridge stopped working from Day 4. Furthermore, the third row is not suitable for passengers; even as shorter Asians, we repeatedly bumped our heads. Good thing we were only 3 pax and could move around. On the positive side, the thick seat cushions were a lifesaver, the interior metal frames were padded, the seat organizers were wonderfully designed (see photo), and having charging ports for every seat was great. Final Verdict: Despite the vehicle issues and minor camp oversights, the three of us had an excellent, deeply enjoyable, and memorable safari. We highly recommend Lion King Adventures, especially if you travel with Mkwanda!
Response from the operator: It’s clear that Mkwanda made a real difference to your safari. His knowledge of wildlife behaviour, patience and ability to position the vehicle thoughtfully gave you some wonderful encounters, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with him — including his unexpected encounter with the hippo dung! Asante sana. It’s also lovely to hear that Florida and Jovitha made the planning and preparation straightforward, and that you found the information provided before your trip useful. We understand that seeing King Kidaisho Company Limited rather than Lion King Adventures on the payment details can initially cause some confusion. King Kidaisho Company Limited is our registered company name, while Lion King Adventures is our trading name. We’re truly sorry that the arrangements for the fans and dietary requirements weren’t followed consistently at all your accommodations. Our office team makes sure these details are shared with the relevant accommodations before each safari. Unfortunately, there can occasionally be a breakdown in communication at the accommodation itself, and we regret that this happened during your trip. We understand how important it is for specific requirements to be properly understood and followed, particularly when they have been highlighted in advance. As for the vehicle, the Serengeti certainly puts them through their paces! We service and maintain our vehicles to a high standard, but the rough terrain can sometimes result in issues developing along the way. We’re glad that Mkwanda was able to keep things moving and, most importantly, make sure these setbacks didn’t stop you enjoying your time in the Serengeti. Most of all, we’re delighted that despite these few frustrations, the safari itself was such a positive and memorable experience. Your recommendation of Mkwanda means a great deal to us, and we’re very pleased that he helped make your time in Tanzania so enjoyable. Warmest wishes, The Lion King Adventures Team
via Tripadvisor
Amazing adventure
Amazing time with my parents. The guide Yusuph did an amazing job showing us all the animals and game. Was very flexible as well. We felt very safe.
Response from the operator: Sharing a safari with your parents is a lovely way to experience Tanzania, and we’re glad you had such a memorable time together. Yusuph will be very happy to know that his knowledge and flexibility helped make your safari so enjoyable. It’s important to us that our guides can adapt to each group and make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe along the way. We hope the wonderful memories you made together will stay with you for many years, and that perhaps you’ll return to Tanzania one day. Warmest wishes, The Lion King Adventures Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 216 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 18+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $4071 to $4539
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 50
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lion King Adventures, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 75.6.
See everything Lion King Adventures runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Arusha.
How much does 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari cost?
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Prices start at $4071 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Arusha usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari take?
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Plan for about 216 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Arusha is not rushed.
Is 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 142 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Arusha, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 18. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 216-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari?
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Around 50 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Arusha can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Arusha and add a light layer if any part of the 216-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 9-Day Serengeti Migration Footsteps Tanzania Safari start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Arusha within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Arusha?
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On Outty we rank every Arusha experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Materuni Waterfalls, coffee tour & Kikuletwa Hot Springs, 4 Days Group Camping Safari, 3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Group Camping Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Arusha?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Arusha?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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