7 days · Tanzania · Migration safari
Mara River Crossing Safari
The most dramatic moment of the Great Migration. From August to October the herds gather on the banks of the Mara River in the far north of the Serengeti, then plunge across through crocodile-filled water. We base you in a camp close to the crossing points, with a full day to wait for the action.
Enquire about this safariDuration
7 days / 6 nights
Route
Tarangire · Central & Northern Serengeti
Best time
August – October
Ideal for
Migration fans · Photographers
Front row at the crossings
The northern Serengeti is remote and beautiful, with rolling hills and the Mara River winding through it. In the dry season the migration arrives here, and the herds cross the river again and again, sometimes several times in a day, as they move between Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Crossings are unpredictable, so time is everything: staying close to the river and having a full day with a private vehicle gives you the best chance of seeing one. On the way north you’ll explore Tarangire and the central Serengeti, famous for its resident lions and leopards.
Itinerary
Day by day
A sample route. Your planner will adjust camps and order to match the herds' position in your travel month.
Day 1 · Arrive in Arusha
Met on arrival and transferred to a comfortable lodge in Arusha for a safari briefing.
Day 2 · Tarangire
Game drive among Tarangire’s elephant herds, then overnight in the Karatu highlands.
Day 3 · Central Serengeti
Drive into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro highlands, with game viewing in the big-cat country of Seronera.
Day 4 · North to the Mara River
Travel north through quieter parts of the park to a tented camp near the river.
Day 5 · A full day at the crossings
A full day by the river with a picnic lunch, waiting for the herds to make their move.
Days 6–7 · Return & departure
A last morning in the north, back to the central Serengeti, then return to Arusha by road or a short flight.
Included
— Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
— Professional English-speaking guide
— All park and conservation fees
— Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
— Bottled water on game drives
— Airport transfers
— 24/7 support from our Arusha team
Not included
— International flights and visas
— Travel insurance (required)
— Optional balloon safari
— Tips for guides and camp staff
— Premium drinks and personal items
Join us at the Mara River
Crossing season is our busiest time and the riverside camps book up early. Send us your dates to secure the best location.
Enquire now