7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing

Before your journey

Highlighted Tour Overview

A quick look at the tour style, experiences, travel months and accommodation for this package.

Tour stylePrivate Safari

7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing is listed as a Private Safari. See the itinerary for the arrangements for this package.

ExperiencesSerengeti Migration

The experiences selected for 7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing are Serengeti Migration. The itinerary describes when they take place.

Travel monthsJuly, August, September, October

7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing is listed for July, August, September, October. Confirm availability for your preferred dates.

AccommodationBudget Lodges, Mid-Range Lodges, Luxury Lodges, Premium Lodges

The accommodation category selected for this package is Budget Lodges, Mid-Range Lodges, Luxury Lodges, Premium Lodges. Confirm the specific properties and availability when booking.

7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing

Experience the Intense Serengeti Migration Mara River Crossing

This 7-day Serengeti Migration Mara River Crossing safari is designed for those who want to witness the most dramatic phase of the Great Migration. You will travel to the remote northern Serengeti where millions of wildebeest face crocodile-infested waters. The route includes Tarangire, the central plains, and the Ngorongoro Crater. This 7-day Mara River Crossing safari in Serengeti Migration provides the best chance to see nature’s raw struggle for survival at the famous crossing points.

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park Manyara/Karatu

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park Manyara/Karatu The tour begins with a 120-kilometer drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, taking about 2.5 hours. Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. You will spend the afternoon exploring the riverbanks where predators often wait for thirsty prey. A positive moment many guests enjoy is seeing a leopard resting in a baobab tree while elephants graze below. You will stay overnight in Manyara or Karatu.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Marera Valley Lodge

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Manyara/Karatu to Serengeti (Half-Day Game Drive)

After breakfast, you head toward the Serengeti National Park, a journey of 200 kilometers taking 4 to 6 hours. You will pass through the Ngorongoro highlands before descending into the endless plains. This part of the 7-day Mara River Crossing safari focuses on the central Seronera region, known for its high concentration of lions and leopards. An unexpected highlight is often seeing a pride of lions socialising on a large granite kopje. You will overnight in the central Serengeti.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Central to Northern Serengeti (Full Day Tour)

Today you travel north to reach the Mara River area. The 5-hour drive takes you through changing landscapes as you follow the path of the Great Migration. You will see the herds becoming denser as you move further north. A surprising moment is seeing thousands of zebras and wildebeest stretching as far as the eye can see. You will arrive at your northern camp in time for a sunset game drive.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti (Full Day Migration River Crossing)

This entire day is dedicated to witnessing the river crossings. You will spend time at the banks of the Mara River, waiting for the herds to gather enough courage to jump. This is the core of your 7-day Mara River Crossing safari in Serengeti Migration. Watching the chaos of the crossing and the crocodiles in action is a powerful experience. A positive moment is seeing a young wildebeest successfully navigate the current and reach the other side. You return to your camp for dinner.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti

After a final morning game drive near the river, you begin the return journey to the central Serengeti. This 150-kilometer drive takes about 4 hours. The return trip offers more chances to see predators you might have missed. You might encounter a cheetah hunting in the open plains or a leopard with a kill in a tree. A positive surprise is often spotting a rare serval cat in the tall grass. You will spend the night in the central Serengeti area.

Destination:

Northern Serengeti

Overnight:

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Serengeti (Morning Game Drive) to Ngorongoro

You start the day with a morning game drive in the Serengeti to capture the wildlife in the early light. After breakfast, you drive for 3 hours toward the Ngorongoro Crater rim. As you reach the rim, the forest becomes lush and the air cools down. A positive and unexpected moment is the first view of the crater floor from the lookout point at sunset. You will stay at a lodge on the rim or in Karatu.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Angata Ngorongoro Camp

mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day Tour) to Arusha

The final day takes you into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a full-day tour. This is the best place to find the rare black rhino and complete your Big Five list. After a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you drive 4 hours back to Arusha. Your 7-day Serengeti Migration Mara River Crossing safari ends with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Overnight:

Mount Meru Hotel

luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

TOUR PRICE/COST

We offer two pricing options:

Private Tour (Sharing Price)

The cost is shared within your private group. More people means a lower price per person.

Group Joining Tour

Join others on a fixed-date tour at a set per-person rate—ideal for solo travelers or small groups.

Tour Cost

No of pax	Adult Price	Child Price
1 Pax	From $3,288 pp	From $2,466 pp
2 Pax	From $2,258 pp	From $1,694 pp
3 Pax	From $1,915 pp	From $1,436 pp
4 Pax	From $1,743 pp	From $1,307 pp
5 Pax	From $1,640 pp	From $1,230 pp
6 Pax	From $1,571 pp	From $1,179 pp
7+ Pax	From $1,522 pp	From $1,142 pp

PRICE INCLUSIONS & PRICE EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions

✓ All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)

✓ All Taxes/VAT

✓ All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)

✓ Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)

✓ Rescue fee

Exclusions

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

International flights to/from the start/end of the tour

Personal items

Tips: tipping guideline

The Booking Form

7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing

Book this 7-day Serengeti Migration Mara River Crossing safari to witness wildebeest leaping into the Mara River and explore the Big Five in Tanzania.

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Before you book

FAQs about 7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari Mara River Crossing

What is the best month for a 7-day Serengeti Migration Mara River Crossing safari?

The best time is from July to October. During these months, the herds are concentrated in the north and perform the dramatic crossings multiple times as they move between Tanzania and Kenya.

Is it guaranteed that we will see a crossing during the 7-day Mara River Crossing safari?

Wildlife behavior is unpredictable, but spending a full day at the river significantly increases your chances. Our guides use their experience to identify when a herd is preparing to jump into the water.

How many river crossing points are there in the northern Serengeti?

There are several main crossing points along the Mara River. Your guide will monitor radio calls and animal movements to position the vehicle at the most active site during your 7-day Mara River Crossing safari in Serengeti Migration.

Are the northern camps far from the river?

We select camps that are strategically located within a short driving distance of the river. This allows you to reach the crossing points early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

What happens if the wildebeest do not cross on our scheduled day?

If a crossing does not occur, you will still enjoy incredible game viewing of the massive herds on the plains. The northern Serengeti is also home to many resident predators that stay active year-round.

Is the Mara River dangerous for the animals?

Yes, the river has steep banks, strong currents, and large Nile crocodiles. It is the most dangerous part of their journey, which makes witnessing the 7-day Mara River Crossing safari so intense.

Can we do a walking safari near the Mara River?

Some specialized camps offer guided walks with armed rangers in safe areas nearby. This provides a different perspective on the ecosystem, though it is usually separate from the vehicle-based crossing viewing.

What kind of cameras are best for capturing the river crossing?

A camera with a fast burst rate and a telephoto lens of at least 300mm is ideal. This allows you to capture the action and the splashes from a safe distance on the riverbank.

Do we need to pack special gear for the north?

We recommend bringing a dust scarf and sunglasses as the northern trails can be dry. Binoculars are also essential for spotting the herds gathering on the opposite side of the river.

Are there many crocodiles in the river during the 7-day Mara River Crossing safari in Serengeti Migration?

The Mara River is home to some of the largest Nile crocodiles in Africa. They gather in high numbers during the migration season, waiting specifically for the wildebeest to enter the water.

incredible safari

5/5

Watching the first wildebeest jump into the Mara River was the most intense thing I have ever seen.

By: Thomas Wright

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