9-Day Migration Safari

The Mara River crossings in the Northern Serengeti typically peak between July and October, with August and September often providing the most consistent and dramatic action. However, the migration is driven by rainfall and grass availability, so exact timing varies year to year. Porcupine Tours tracks migration movements in real time to position guests at the best vantage points, and our local guides have deep on-the-ground knowledge of where herds are moving on any given day.

Lake Natron is one of Tanzania's most remote destinations, located in the far north near the Kenyan border. The drive from Arusha takes approximately 4–5 hours on roads that require a capable 4WD vehicle with high ground clearance — standard cars cannot make the journey. The remoteness is a large part of what makes it special: you'll have vast landscapes almost entirely to yourself. Our purpose-built safari vehicles handle these conditions with ease, and our guides know the routes thoroughly.

The Ngorongoro Crater contains approximately 25,000–30,000 large mammals within its 260 km² floor — the highest wildlife density of any single area in Africa. On a full-day descent you can expect to see lion, elephant, hippopotamus, buffalo, spotted hyena, cheetah, jackal, and hundreds of flamingos on the soda lake. Most notably, the crater hosts one of the last viable populations of black rhino in East Africa: with patient searching and a good guide, rhino sightings are more reliable here than almost anywhere else on the continent.

The Olmoti Crater walk is moderate in difficulty. Exploring the crater floor and hiking to Munge Waterfall involves some uneven terrain and gentle elevation change, but requires no special fitness. Most guests of average health and mobility find it very manageable at the relaxed pace set by your Maasai guide. The walk typically takes 2–3 hours. We recommend closed-toe walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Your armed ranger ensures safety throughout.

Lake Natron is the primary breeding site for Lesser Flamingos in the world — up to 2.5 million birds breed here in good years. There are always flamingos present at the lake, though population numbers fluctuate seasonally. Breeding activity and the highest concentrations peak from September to March. Even outside peak periods, the combination of flamingo flocks, the lake's striking red and pink mineral crust, and the silhouette of Ol Doinyo Lengai creates one of Africa's most surreal and memorable landscapes.