8 Days Tanzania Tour: Migration Crossing River Safari

After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up for the journey to Tarangire National Park, which is approximately a two-hour scenic drive from Arusha. Tarangire is famous for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal swamps. As you drive through the park, you’ll witness a variety of wildlife including giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, and possibly even leopards. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the park’s scenic sites before continuing your game drive into the late afternoon. As the sun sets, you’ll head to your selected lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, you will depart Tarangire and begin the drive towards Serengeti National Park, passing through the beautiful landscapes of the Ngorongoro Highlands. The drive itself is a game viewing experience, with wildlife sightings possible along the way. Upon entering Serengeti, the vast savannahs and endless plains come into view. You’ll arrive in the Seronera region in Central Serengeti, known for its abundant wildlife and predator sightings. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive before heading to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti.

Today you begin the journey northward toward the Kogatende area of the Serengeti, where the famous Mara River crossings occur. Along the way, you’ll have game drives with opportunities to see herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other migrating animals. The northern region is less crowded and offers a more exclusive safari experience. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a game drive in the area, hoping to spot the action along the Mara River. Dinner and overnight will be at a tented camp close to the river, where you can hear the sounds of nature all around you.

This is a day dedicated to witnessing one of nature’s most incredible spectacles — the Mara River crossing. You will spend the entire day exploring the Kogatende area, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras attempt the dangerous river crossing as crocodiles lie in wait. The timing is unpredictable, so patience is key, but the reward is unforgettable. Apart from the crossing, the region is also rich in predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. You’ll enjoy a packed lunch in the bush and continue exploring until late afternoon before returning to your camp for dinner and overnight.

Today offers another full day in the Northern Serengeti to increase your chances of seeing more river crossings and following the great herds. Your guide will take you to different crossing points along the Mara River, watching for signs of movement and predator activity. You’ll also have the chance to experience the raw beauty of the Serengeti with fewer vehicles and untouched landscapes. Optional activities such as a visit to a local Maasai village or a sunrise balloon safari can be arranged upon request. In the evening, return to your tented camp for a warm dinner and storytelling around the campfire.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey back south, leaving behind the Mara River but continuing the adventure through Serengeti’s rich wildlife zones. The drive offers more game viewing opportunities along the way as you cross into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll stop for lunch en route and continue toward the highlands, where cooler air and lush scenery await. You will arrive at your lodge near the crater rim or in the Karatu area for a relaxing evening, delicious dinner, and overnight rest.

On the final day of your safari, you’ll descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s largest intact volcanic calderas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater floor is rich in biodiversity, home to the Big Five, including the rare black rhino. Enjoy a half-day game drive across the grassy plains, forests, and soda lake, with a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater. In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Arusha, arriving in time for your onward flight or overnight stay, marking the end of a remarkable safari adventure.