Explorers Journal: Following the Great Migration in Tanzania with Destination Expert Stephanie

Join Destination Expert Stephanie on an unforgettable journey through Tanzania, where the Great Migration unfolds across the sweeping plains of the Serengeti. From witnessing dramatic Mara River crossings and spotting lions, leopards, and cheetahs in the wild to floating above the savanna in a sunrise hot air balloon safari, this itinerary captures the raw beauty and rhythm of safari life. Along the way, you’ll experience luxury tented camps, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and the diverse landscapes that make Tanzania one of Africa’s most extraordinary destinations.

Hi everyone, Destination Expert Stephanie here! I’m checking in from Tanzania, where my husband and I have been following the Great Migration across the Serengeti on what has easily been one of the most unforgettable journeys of our lives (and also our honeymoon!). From watching hundreds of wildebeest brave the Mara River to spotting baby cheetahs at sunset and soaring over the plains in a hot air balloon, every day brought something completely different. I’m excited to share what it’s really like to experience safari at this level, from the wildlife moments to the slower, quieter parts of life out in the bush.

First Moments in the Serengeti

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Destination Expert Stephanie and her husband exploring Tanzania (Photo: Stephanie Mifflin).

Most safaris start in Arusha… but we flipped the script. We crossed into Tanzania from Kenya, reversing the classic safari route, and landed straight in the Northern Serengeti, right where the Great Migration was unfolding. 

By midday, we touched down at Laba Laba Migration Camp, greeted by singing, dancing, and the warmest welcome imaginable. (Spoiler: this became a theme)

That afternoon, we met our private guide, Priscus, whose passion for the Serengeti is contagious. With the nearby Mara River, the area was teeming with wildlife. We spotted zebras and wildebeest trekking south toward the Central Serengeti for calving season. Watching them move with such purpose gave me chills! 

As we made our way toward the river, the rain began to fall. What followed was one of the most spectacular sunsets we’ve ever seen: a dramatic sky lit up in gold and pink, crowned by a vibrant rainbow, with silhouettes of zebras and wildebeest moving steadily across the horizon. It was one of those rare, cinematic moments that feels almost too perfect to be real. 

With the weather shifting, we decided to head back to camp, pour a drink, and relive the day through our photos. That evening, we sat down to a delicious French-African-inspired dinner that left us completely satisfied. 

And of course, no safari dinner would be complete without the staff gathering to sing “Jambo Bwana,” congratulating us on our marriage and wishing us a lifetime of happiness. It’s a memory we still cherish deeply. 

Witnessing the Great Migration Crossing

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Spotting a lioness at the Mara River during our day following the Great Migration! (Photo: Stephanie Mifflin)

This morning was all about the Great Migration, heading to where we weren't able to get yesterday because of the rains. We made it down to the Mara River where we saw two lionesses up close, one of which was pregnant! 

This riverbank was chock-full of every species you can hope to see on safari! Elephants drank water with their trunks as a leopard covertly snaked its way along the riverbanks, hiding from the hot sun. Hippos meandered through the river as crocs swam nearby. Off in the distance, we noticed a big herd of wildebeest that was running towards the river, taunted by a pack of hyenas.  

After several attempts to cross the river, the wildebeest turned back. If you’re wondering what’s so special about a river crossing, they are quite rare and truly a visual phenomenon you won’t want to miss - so many other safari vehicles ended up lining the riverbanks as well, waiting for the animals to make their move.  

While we waited for them to muster up the energy - or find a better place to cross, our guide Priscus set up a whole bush breakfast for us, complete with sausage, eggs, coffee, tea, bread, and more. We were having a great time enjoying this delicious breakfast when we came to the realization that the herd of wildebeest was rushing further away from us and down to the banks of the Mara River.  

We packed up the breakfast set-up FAST and sped after the animals to see if we might get the chance to see the elusive crossing.  

And sure enough, the wildebeest, keen to make their way south, were ready to brave the (violent) hippo- and croc-infested waters to get to dry terrain down south for the birthing season.  

Truly a spectacle, hundreds of wildebeest splashed their way across the shallowest part of the river to get to the other side. And in this particular crossing, it seems that they all made it unscathed - though the same couldn’t be said for some other wildebeest, whose bodies we saw laying on the rocks from previous days’ crossing attempts - a reminder that survival of the fittest very much reigns true here.  

Afterward, we took off in search of more leopards and lions before heading to our bush lunch - a beautiful and delicious set up, underneath an acacia tree overlooking the very plains where we spent the morning watching the herds of wildebeest cross the river.

Slow Safari Days & Sunset Skies

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Celebrating our new marriage with a great sunset view and spotting baby cheetahs! (Photo: Stephanie Mifflin)

This morning, after several full days of early wake up calls and long game drives, we decided to slow things down and really enjoy camp. One of the best parts about safari is that it is not have to be go, go, go the entire time. There is a rhythm to it. The quiet mornings. The distant sounds of wildlife. The way the light hits the plains differently every hour. 

We lingered over coffee and took in the views around the lodge, watching animals move in the distance while the world felt completely still. Just open space and fresh air. It felt grounding in a way that is hard to explain unless you have experienced it yourself. 

We were surprised with an amazingly delicious bush lunch set up just for the two of us! Nothing beats a delicious meal and a glass of wine overlooking the Serengeti. 

After lunch, we met up with our guide, Priscus, for an afternoon game drive, and as always, he somehow knew exactly where to go. We saw plenty of the usual favorites, but the real highlight was stumbling upon three baby cheetahs lounging in the grass with their mom. They were playful and curious, occasionally tumbling over one another while she stayed alert and watchful. Not long after, we came across a male lion stretched out under a palm tree, completely unbothered, looking like he had stepped straight out of The Lion King. 

As evening approached, we parked on a small rise and watched lightning storms flicker in the distance while we sipped sundowners. The sky slowly shifted from bright gold to deep amber as the sun disappeared behind the mountains to the west. It was peaceful and dramatic all at once.

Once darkness settled in, we made the short drive back to camp for dinner and turned in early, knowing another unforgettable morning awaited us.

Sunrise Above the Serengeti

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Spending the day doing a hot air balloon safari (Photo: Stephanie Mifflin).

If you had told me years ago that I would be floating over the Serengeti at sunrise on my honeymoon, I would not have believed you! 

We woke up around 4:30 am in the Northern Serengeti, wrapped in blankets and running on pure excitement, heading out into the dark for a hot air balloon safari. Watching the burners ignite as the sky slowly shifted from deep indigo to soft gold felt surreal. Even the drive to the launch site turned into a mini adventure when we spotted not one, but TWO LEOPARDS moving through the night. It felt like the Serengeti was already awake and welcoming us into something special. 

As we lifted off, the landscape below came alive. Wildebeest trails carved patterns into the earth. Zebras moved quietly through the early light. From the ground, the Serengeti feels vast. From above, it feels endless. We floated high for sweeping views, then dipped low enough to see animals grazing below us.  

The landing was part of the fun. Ours was a little bumpy with a gentle drag to a stop, and we could not stop laughing. It felt raw, real, and perfectly unscripted. After landing, we toasted with champagne, learned about the history of ballooning, and sat down to a full bush breakfast with zebras dotting the horizon. We even received certificates as a keepsake from the morning. 

Later, we drove south to Nimali Lodge in the Central Serengeti. The afternoon was slow and peaceful, spent by the pool watching wildlife in the distance. As the sun set, we headed out for sundowners, soaking in that unmistakable African dusk as the sky turned every shade of pink and amber.

Into the Ngorongoro Crater

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Beautiful view of the Ngorongoro Crater and spotting more unique wildlife (Photo: Stephanie Mifflin).

The beauty of safari isn’t just the animals. It’s the rhythm. Early mornings. Long drives. Dust in your hair. Laughter with your guide. The feeling that the day could unfold in any direction. 

Driving from the Serengeti into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area feels like stepping into another world. The landscape shifts, the air cools, and then suddenly you’re descending into a massive crater teeming with life. In a single day we saw flamingos painting the lake pink and even spotted a rhino in the distance, one of those rare moments that makes everything go quiet. Seeing so many species coexist in one contained ecosystem is remarkable. 

By this point in the trip, after several days of game drives, what struck me most was how completely different each region feels. That is the magic of pairing multiple parks together. You don’t just see more wildlife, you experience contrast. The vast, open plains of the Serengeti. The dramatic elevation and dense wildlife of Ngorongoro - each place has its own energy, pace, and personality. 

As the sun shifted from bright white to soft gold, our safari vehicle rolled along a narrow dirt road, surrounded by harvest fields and rolling hills. About ten minutes later, we arrived at Plantation Lodge, a charming 24-suite hotel and former coffee plantation just outside the crater. With welcoming staff, beautiful grounds, and delicious food and wine, we immediately felt at home. 

Somewhere between the early wake-up calls, dusty drives, and quiet moments watching elephants move across the horizon, you realize safari is not just about spotting the Big Five. It is about slowing down, being present, and reconnecting with nature in a way that feels both humbling and exhilarating. 

Tanzania gave us adventure, beauty, and perspective. It reminded us how small we are in the best possible way. If this journey taught me anything, it is that there is no single way to experience Africa. Take the time to explore, sit with the landscape, and embrace the rhythm of safari – now THAT is when the experience becomes unforgettable.