7-Day Mara River Crossing Serengeti Migration

Upon arrival at either Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), our representative will be on hand to welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation in Arusha. You’ll spend the night at the Under the Shade Safari Lodge, a stunning property nestled at the base of Mount Meru in the heart of Arusha city.

• Accommodation: Under the Shade Safari Lodge

• Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park.

The park is named after the Tarangire River, the main water source for wildlife during the dry season. Known as the “river of warthogs,” it attracts large numbers of animals throughout the year.

The landscape includes dense elephant grass, acacia woodlands, and open savannah. Tarangire is especially famous for its large elephant herds, often seen gathering along the river. You may also spot giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests, while predators such as lions and leopards follow closely behind.

The park is also a haven for birdlife, with one of the highest numbers of breeding bird species in the world. It is one of the best places to see elephants in their natural habitat, from young calves to impressive bulls.

After lunch and an extensive game drive, you will continue to the Ngorongoro Highlands, arriving in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay at Farm of Dreams Lodge.

Travel Time: Approx. 2–3 hours (Tarangire → Ngorongoro Highlands)

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we depart for Serengeti National Park. We enter the park around midday at Naabi Hill Gate and begin our first game drive en route through the Seronera area, continuing north in search of the Great Migration.

While the Serengeti is rich in wildlife year-round, it is most famous for the Great Migration. Large herds of wildebeest, along with zebras and antelopes, move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. From late July to September, the migration is typically found in the northern Serengeti, where animals face the dramatic challenge of crossing the Mara River on their way toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

This is one of nature’s most intense spectacles, with predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas following closely, while crocodiles wait in the river. The exact timing of the migration depends on rainfall patterns each year.

After lunch and an extensive game drive, we continue to our camp for dinner and an overnight stay at Intimate Camp Zebra, a luxury tented camp offering an authentic safari experience.

Travel Time: Approx. 6–7 hours (including game drive en route)

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Intimate Camp Zebra

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you will continue with a full-day game drive in the northern region of Serengeti National Park.

The Mara River crossing is one of the most dramatic highlights of the Great Migration and one of the most spectacular wildlife events in Africa. As the herds move forward, they face many challenges—predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas follow closely behind, while large Nile crocodiles wait in the river. Many wildebeests attempt the crossing in search of the greener, mineral-rich grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where they remain for a short period before continuing their migration back towards the southern plains.

Beyond the action, the northern Serengeti offers breathtaking scenery, with endless landscapes stretching beneath wide open skies—an experience that truly connects you with the natural world.

After a full day of game viewing, and hopefully witnessing a river crossing, you will return to your camp for dinner and an overnight stay at Intimate Camp Zebra.

Travel Time: Full-day game drive (no long-distance transfer)

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Intimate Camp Zebra

Meal Plan: All meals included (non-alcoholic drinks)

After an early breakfast, you will set off on an en-route game drive through the northern part of Serengeti National Park, heading toward the central region, also known as the Seronera Valley.

The Seronera Valley is one of the best areas in the Serengeti for year-round wildlife viewing. It is especially known for its high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. These animals are often seen around the rocky outcrops, known as kopjes, which provide excellent vantage points for spotting prey.

You will also encounter a wide range of herbivores such as buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, impalas, topi, warthogs, and zebras, making this area rich in both predator and prey activity.

After a rewarding game drive, you will head to your camp for dinner and an overnight stay at Embalakai Serengeti Camp.

Travel Time: Approx. 4–6 hours (game drive en route)

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Embalakai Serengeti Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we continue with a game drive through Serengeti National Park before heading towards Ngorongoro Crater.

At first sight, the crater feels like a hidden world. Surrounded by steep volcanic walls, it contains a beautiful mix of open savannah, acacia woodlands, lakes, and swamps. Formed two to three million years ago after a massive volcanic collapse, it is now one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife areas.

The descent into the crater is an adventure in itself. Once on the crater floor, you will encounter large numbers of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and an impressive variety of birdlife, with over 500 species recorded. It is also one of the best places to spot the endangered black rhino in its natural habitat.

After the game drive, we ascend and continue to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Farm of Dreams Lodge, located about 1–2 hours from the crater.

Travel Time: Approx. 4–6 hours (game drive + transfer)

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast at your accommodation, we begin our drive back to Arusha. You will arrive in time for your onward flight from either Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport, marking the end of your safari adventure.

Travel Time: Approx. 3–4 hours

Main Destination: Arusha

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included)

Drinks: All drinks included (except spirits/liquor)