9-Day Mara River Crossing & Serengeti Migration Safari
Timed for peak crossing season, this private safari puts you on the Mara River from both the Kenyan and Tanzanian banks for the best odds of seeing it live.
Explore safari →Tanzania Big 5 & Great Migration Safari
Safari Overview
This high-selling 7-day itinerary covers the “crown jewels” of Tanzania’s wildlife destinations. From the massive elephant herds of Tarangire to the tree-climbing lions of Manyara and the endless predator-rich plains of the Serengeti, this is the most comprehensive wildlife journey available in East Africa.
Safari Highlights
Complete Big 5 Coverage
High-probability sightings of all five iconic species
Migration Tracking
Expertly timed game drives to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Geographical Marvels
Experience the baobab-dotted savannah, Rift Valley groundwater forests, and the world’s largest intact caldera.
Night in the Serengeti
Stay deep within the park to hear the sounds of the African night.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your Journey, Day by Day
Your safari begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, home to the largest concentration of elephants in North Tanzania. The landscape is dominated by thousand-year-old Baobab trees, creating a prehistoric feel. We spend the afternoon tracking elephant families as they congregate at the Tarangire River, along with towers of giraffes and dry-country antelope like the fringe-eared oryx.
After breakfast, we head to Lake Manyara, a birdwatcher’s paradise and home to the famous tree-climbing lions. This park offers a dramatic change in scenery: a lush groundwater forest gives way to alkaline lake flats where thousands of flamingos create a pink haze. Look for hippos in the “Simba River” and watch for leopards in the dense mahogany trees.
Leaving the highlands, we pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at a viewpoint for a breathtaking look at the Crater. We then descend onto the endless plains of the Serengeti. Game viewing begins as soon as we cross the Naabi Hill Gate. You will witness the scale of Africa as you head toward the Central Serengeti (Seronera), the park’s predator capital.
A full day dedicated to the Serengeti. Depending on the time of year, your guide will position you near the Great Migration herds. We explore the Seronera River valley, where leopards are frequently spotted in the yellow-fever trees, and lions patrol the granite kopjes. The sheer volume of wildlife here—zebras, gazelles, and buffalo—is staggering.
Enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti, catching the predators at their most active. After a picnic lunch, we begin a slow game drive toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. The transition from the flat, golden plains to the lush, green highland forests is one of the most scenic drives in Tanzania.
Today, we descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is your best chance to spot the rare Black Rhino and complete your Big 5 list. The crater floor is a self-contained ecosystem where animals are remarkably habituated to vehicles, allowing for incredible close-up photography of lions, hyenas, and massive bull elephants.
After a relaxed breakfast, we stop at the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu for a cultural walk or a visit to the local markets. It’s a great chance to pick up authentic Tanzanian crafts. We then drive back to Arusha, arriving in time for your evening flight from JRO or your hotel drop-off.
What to Expect
The Details That Matter
Everything that makes this itinerary distinct, at a glance.
I
The Great Migration
Wildebeest and zebra crossing the Serengeti's plains, seasonally including the dramatic river crossings (July–October).
II
The Ngorongoro Crater
A self-contained caldera holding one of Africa's densest concentrations of Big Five wildlife.
III
Private Guiding Throughout
One guide for your whole safari, reading terrain and animal behaviour at a pace suited to your group.
IV
Optional Balloon Safari
A dawn hot air balloon flight over the plains, followed by a champagne bush breakfast, available as an add-on.
V
Sundowners & Bush Meals
Evening drinks and occasional meals served in the open bush, timed around the best light of the day.
VI
Handpicked Camps & Lodges
Tented camps and lodges chosen for location, service, and access to wildlife — never for size alone.
What's Included
- Private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- All National Park and Crater entry fees
What's Excluded
- Tips (approx. $20 per day per guide)
- Driver Service Fee
- International flights.
- Tanzania Visa ($50–$100).
Safari Gallery
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15-Day Grand Kenya & Tanzania Safari
Six wildlife areas across Kenya and Tanzania, from Amboseli to the Serengeti's Mara River, finishing on Zanzibar. The complete private safari, done properly.
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Let's Build Your Tanzania Big 5 & Great Migration Safari
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