8-Day Private Mid-Range Serengeti Mara River Crossing

Overview

About this itinerary

Gallery

Moments on this route

Itinerary

8 Days / 7 Nights · day to day

Each day is paced for game drives, transfers, and a proper night in camp or lodge.

1. 

   Day 1

   Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania

   Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be warmly welcomed by our Glad of Africa Safari & Tours team and transferred to your comfortable accommodation. This is a relaxed day to recover from your journey and prepare for the safari ahead. You will have the opportunity to meet your safari consultant and professional guide for a detailed briefing about the itinerary, wildlife expectations and the exciting experiences ahead.

   Enjoy a peaceful evening in Arusha before beginning your journey into Tanzania’s spectacular wilderness.

   Overnight: Arusha Planet Lodge

2. 

   Day 2

   Arusha to Tarangire National Park

   After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic wildlife destinations. Begin your safari with a game drive through landscapes characterized by ancient baobab trees, seasonal rivers and open grasslands.

   Tarangire is particularly famous for its impressive elephant population. During the game drive, keep your eyes open for lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas and a variety of colorful bird species. Your professional guide will choose the best areas based on wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.

   After an exciting day in the park, continue to your comfortable mid-range accommodation for dinner and relaxation.

   Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge

3. 

   Day 3

   Karatu to Central Serengeti

   After breakfast, depart Karatu and continue toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through changing landscapes before opening into the vast grasslands of the Serengeti.

   Once inside the park, your safari continues with game viewing as you make your way toward Central Serengeti. This area is well known for its rich concentration of wildlife and is particularly rewarding for big-cat encounters. Search for lions resting on rocky outcrops, cheetahs scanning the plains and leopards hiding around trees and riverine areas.

   As you explore, you may also encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and buffalo. Arrive at your lodge or camp in the evening and enjoy the sounds of the African wilderness.

   Overnight: Safari Haven Camp

4. 

   Day 4

   Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti – Following the Migration

   After breakfast, begin your journey toward the Northern Serengeti, following the seasonal movement of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Rather than simply travelling between camps, the route becomes part of your game drive, giving you opportunities to stop whenever wildlife activity appears.

   As you approach the northern plains, look for increasing concentrations of wildebeest and zebra. Your guide will monitor the location and behavior of the herds and choose suitable areas for wildlife viewing.

   Overnight: Safari Haven Migration Camp

5. 

   Day 5

   Full Day Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossing Experience

   Today is the main highlight of your safari. Spend a full day exploring Northern Serengeti with the Great Wildebeest Migration as your primary focus.

   Head out early with your experienced guide to search for large herds gathering around the Mara River. Thousands of wildebeest and zebra may gather along the riverbanks, waiting for the right moment to cross. The scene can change quickly, creating one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife experiences.

   If a crossing takes place, you may witness herds entering the water while crocodiles wait below and predators patrol the surrounding plains. Because the migration is completely natural, crossings cannot be guaranteed or scheduled, but spending multiple days in the area gives you a better opportunity to experience this remarkable event.

   Between migration sightings, enjoy excellent opportunities to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife.

   Overnight: Safari Haven Migration Camp

6. 

   Day 6

   Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti

   After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti before beginning your journey back toward Central Serengeti.

   The drive provides another opportunity to follow wildlife and enjoy the changing landscapes of the Serengeti. Keep watching for wildebeest herds, zebras and predators that may be active along the route.

   As you return toward Central Serengeti, the landscape becomes familiar again, with excellent opportunities to search for the region’s famous big cats. Arrive at your accommodation in the evening and enjoy a well-deserved dinner and peaceful night in the wilderness.

   Overnight: Safari Haven Camp

7. 

   Day 7

   Ngorongoro Crater

   After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor offers an incredible concentration of wildlife within a breathtaking natural setting.

   Today’s special focus is searching for the black and white rhino, one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Tanzania. You will also have opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and numerous bird species.

   Enjoy approximately 6–7 hours of crater exploration with your professional guide before ascending the crater walls. Continue to Arusha in the afternoon, where you will spend your final night and reflect on your migration adventure.

   Overnight: Under the Shade Safari Lodge

8. 

   Day 8

   Arusha – Kilimanjaro International Airport – Departure

   After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Arusha before your scheduled transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

   Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity to enjoy a short city experience, local shopping or simply relax at your hotel before departure.

   As your journey comes to an end, take home unforgettable memories of Tarangire’s elephants, the endless Serengeti plains, the Great Wildebeest Migration, the dramatic Mara River and the magnificent wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater.

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