The migration is very dependent on rain, where and how much rain. Professional/serious photographers spend 6 weeks (Feb-Mar) in the Ndutu area to be sure of seeing the migration.

I don't know how available camping is in the Ndutu area. May be very little and especially so Feb-Mar. Suggest you contact Roy Safaris in Arusha - http://www.roysafaris.com/

regards - tom

Rather late for Feb, but as a solo traveler and camping might be able to pull it off.

From the back first... why bother with Tarangire at the end and renting vehicle, driving on own and back to Arusha. Just as easy at start with guide/vehicle/cook and head to Tarangire. You almost have to pass this way on way to Manyara and Crater. It's only about a 45/min drive south of the turn-off towards Manyara/Ngo.

Spend the day here and next via Manyara (yes, just the $35/park fee), onto the Crater for overnight. Crater tour next morning and onto Seronera for o/n; then south to Ndutu and camping.

At Ndutu you might have to consider 'special' campsite (not that much more expensive, if available), where it's private, with guide/cook setting up private loo/shower and dining area. Then drive back to Arusha and home.

Your tour outfitter - Roy's is excellent - can provide guide/driver, cook and vehicle; also handle all park fees/permits, though it does take a few minutes for check-in any of the areas - Tarangire, Manyara, Ngo and Serengeti/Ndutu.

Day 1 - Drive to Tarangire - o/n campsite
Day 2 - Tarangire morning; then via Manyara w/game drive; late afternoon to arrive before 6pm when gates close, continue to Ngorongoro - o/n campsite
Day 3 - Ngo - morning crater tour; afternoon (about 3-3.5/hrs) game drive to Seronera - o/n campsite
Day 4 - Seronera - o/n campsite
Day 5 - Seronera till end Day 5, for game drive south to Ndutu - o/n special campsite (if available)
Day 6 - Ndutu - special campsite (if available)
Day 7 - Ndutu morning; drive 7/hrs to Arusha/JRO - home

There is, of course, no guarantee whether the herds will be at Ndutu or Southern Serengeti or split between the two... if you have to pass from one to the other on any given day, you'd have to pay direct the park entry fees.

Good luck!

Thank you both! Very good suggestions and points. My idea of going to Tarangire later on my own was to save the cost of the guide and the cook but perhaps there isn't much difference?
I'm very excited about making this happen now!!

Well sandi, your suggested itinerary was good enough to help attract one other adventurer, a 30 year old woman from half-way around the globe!
Dates are Feb 11-17. Someone could do 6 days too starting Feb 12.
So now we're looking for 1 or 2 more adventurers on that 7 day safari above. (Only difference is that we will be in a more luxurious mobile camp with real beds in Ndutu for the last 2 nights instead of the 'special' campsite.)

Glad to read that you've got it worked out and lucky to have found others to share with you. Which camp at Ndutu?