9-Day Mara River Crossing Safari
Experience the thrill of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife spectacle on this 9-day Mara River Crossing Safari. Beginning in Arusha, the journey takes you through Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephants and iconic baobab trees, and the Serengeti National Park, the heart of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Spend multiple days in the Northern Serengeti, following the herds and witnessing the breathtaking Mara River crossings, where wildebeest and zebras face crocodile-infested waters in one of nature’s most intense predator-prey events. The safari concludes at the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, offering close encounters with the Big Five in a UNESCO World Heritage setting. Traveling in a private 4×4 vehicle with a professional guide and staying in carefully selected lodges or tented camps, this safari combines adventure, wildlife, and unforgettable photographic opportunities for an authentic African safari experience.
Tour Highlights
- Witness the spectacular Mara River crossings during the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Explore Tarangire National Park, home to large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees
- Enjoy classic game drives in the Central and Northern Serengeti
- Spend multiple days following the Great Migration and dramatic predator–prey action
- Experience a Ngorongoro Crater safari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Big Five haven
- Travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional guide
- Stay in handpicked lodges and tented camps for an authentic safari experience
- Excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities throughout the journey
Included/Excluded
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- All park entrance fees.
- Accommodation as per itinerary.
- Professional Guide
- Meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water
- International and domestic flights
- Visa and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, drinks)
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities (e.g. hot air balloon safari )
Tour Plan
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by
your safari guide. Transfer to your lodge in Arusha for relaxation and a brief orientation. Overnight in
Arusha, preparing for your safari adventure.
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds, baobab trees,
and rich birdlife. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Dinner
and overnight at a lodge or tented camp near the park.
Travel through scenic landscapes en route to the Central Serengeti, the heart of the park. Arrive in time
for an afternoon game drive, exploring vast plains teeming with predators, herbivores, and iconic African
scenery. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or tented camp in the Serengeti.
After an early breakfast, depart for the Northern Serengeti, following wildlife herds and experiencing
more remote safari landscapes. Enjoy game drives along the way, spotting lions, leopards, cheetahs,
elephants, and giraffes. Arrive at your northern Serengeti lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Spend a full day exploring the Northern Serengeti, dedicated to tracking the Great Wildebeest Migration
(seasonal). Witness river crossings, predator-prey interactions, and large herds across the plains. Enjoy
picnic lunches in the bush and multiple game drives for optimal photographic and wildlife viewing
opportunities. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Spend a full day in the Northern Serengeti tracking the Great Wildebeest Migration. Enjoy multiple game
drives to follow the herds across the plains, culminating in the dramatic river crossings where wildebeest
and zebras brave crocodile-infested waters. This day offers incredible wildlife encounters, predator-prey
action, and prime opportunities for photography, with picnic lunches served in the bush before
returning to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before heading to the Ngorongoro
Highlands. The scenic drive offers dramatic views as you ascend into lush highlands overlooking the
crater. Dinner and overnight at a lodge near the crater rim.
Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive, witnessing a dense concentration of
wildlife including elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and rhinos. After a picnic lunch, ascend the
crater and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. Overnight at a lodge in Arusha.
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your onward flight,
concluding your unforgettable 8 Day Tanzania Safari and Photography Tour.
