7 Days Mara River Crossing

Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha. Meet your professional safari guide and begin your journey to Tarangire National Park.
After entering the park, enjoy your first game drive through a landscape famous for enormous baobab trees, open grasslands and seasonal wetlands.
Tarangire is particularly famous for its large elephant population. During your game drive, look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas and numerous bird species. Lions and other predators may also be encountered.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated scenic location before continuing your afternoon game drive.
Later, leave the park and continue to your comfortable mid-range lodge or tented camp for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Tarangire
Meals: Lunch & Dinner


Day 2: Tarangire → Central Serengeti
After breakfast, depart Tarangire and begin your journey towards the legendary Serengeti National Park.
Travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enjoy spectacular highland scenery along the way.
After entering Serengeti, begin an en-route game drive across the vast plains. Watch for wildebeest, zebra, giraffes, gazelles, elephants and predators such as lions and cheetahs.
Your guide will also monitor the location of the migration herds and prepare for the journey north.
Arrive at your mid-range accommodation in Central Serengeti in the evening.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, begin your journey towards Northern Serengeti, following the direction of the Great Migration.
The journey itself becomes a game drive as you travel through different parts of the Serengeti ecosystem. Your guide will look for wildlife along the route and monitor the latest location of the wildebeest and zebra herds.
As you move north, the landscape becomes more rugged and scenic. This region is particularly important during the migration season because the herds may gather around the Mara River before attempting to cross.
Arrive at your mid-range lodge or tented camp in Northern Serengeti and relax.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 4: Full-Day Northern Serengeti – Mara River
Today is dedicated entirely to the Great Migration.
After an early breakfast, head into Northern Serengeti with your private guide. Your guide will monitor the movements of the herds and take you towards the most promising areas around the Mara River.
You may encounter thousands of wildebeest and zebra gathering near the riverbanks. The animals can remain in one area for hours or days before deciding to cross.
While waiting, enjoy excellent wildlife viewing. Northern Serengeti is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and many other species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your exploration.
If a crossing occurs while you are in the area, you may witness one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles.
Important: Mara River crossings are completely natural and unpredictable. A crossing cannot be guaranteed, but spending multiple days in Northern Serengeti significantly improves the opportunity.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 5: Full-Day Northern Serengeti – Migration & Wildlife
Wake early and continue your exploration of Northern Serengeti.
Your guide will check the latest information about herd movements and select the best areas for the day.
If the wildebeest are approaching the river, position yourself at a suitable viewing area and patiently observe their behaviour. You may see herds gathering, crossing, dispersing and continuing their journey.
If the migration is not at the river, your safari will focus on tracking the herds across Northern Serengeti and enjoying the region’s excellent resident wildlife.
This flexible approach ensures that the day remains rewarding even when the animals do not cross the river.
Return to your camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 6: Northern Serengeti → Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti before beginning your journey south.
Continue through the Serengeti with an en-route game drive, giving you additional opportunities to spot wildlife.
As you leave the Serengeti plains behind, the landscape gradually changes as you approach the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Depending on your schedule, you may stop at a scenic viewpoint or enjoy an optional cultural experience with a Maasai community.
Continue to your mid-range lodge in the Ngorongoro area, where you can relax and enjoy the cool highland atmosphere.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge/tented camp – Ngorongoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
After an early breakfast, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for your final game drive.
Explore the crater floor, one of Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife habitats. Search for lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas.
With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhino.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before ascending the crater walls.
Continue towards Arusha, arriving in the afternoon or early evening.
Your 7 Days Mara River Crossing Migration Safari ends with unforgettable memories of the Great Migration.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

1. When is the best time for the Mara River Crossing?
The main season is generally July to October, with August and September being particularly popular. The exact timing depends on rainfall and the movement of the herds.

2. Is the Mara River crossing guaranteed?
No. River crossings are completely natural and unpredictable. We spend multiple days in Northern Serengeti and monitor the herds closely to maximize your opportunity.

3. Is this a private safari?
Yes. You will have a private 4×4 safari vehicle and professional safari guide, allowing the itinerary to remain flexible.

4. What type of accommodation is included?
The package includes mid-range lodges and comfortable tented camps, with accommodation selected according to availability and the location of the migration.

5. Can I customize this safari?
Yes. We can customize the accommodation, number of nights, travel dates and route. You can also upgrade to luxury accommodation or add a Zanzibar extension.