7 Days Tanzania Great Migration Safari & Mara River CrossingPrivate Migration Safari
Private Great Migration Safari
Arusha • Tarangire • Central Serengeti • Northern Serengeti • Ngorongoro
Description
Experience Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations on this 7 Days / 6 Nights Great Migration Safari. Beginning in Tarangire National Park before travelling through the endless plains of Central Serengeti to the famous Mara River in Northern Serengeti, this itinerary is carefully designed to maximize your chances of witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration while also exploring the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater.
Perfect during the Great Migration season (July to October), this safari includes three nights in Northern Serengeti, giving you ample time to follow the migration herds and witness the dramatic Mara River crossings. Along the way, discover Tarangire's giant elephant herds, Central Serengeti's famous predator territory, and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five. Travel in your own private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a professional safari guide while staying at carefully selected mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps for the ultimate Tanzania safari experience.
Safari Highlights
Explore four of Tanzania's most iconic safari destinations in one unforgettable journey.
Discover Tarangire National Park, famous for its giant baobab trees and impressive elephant herds.
Game drive through the wildlife-rich Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti.
Three nights in Northern Serengeti for the best opportunity to witness the Great Migration and Mara River crossings.
Two full-day game drives dedicated to tracking the Great Migration and resident predators.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's finest Big Five safari destinations.
Excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and the endangered black rhino.
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and an experienced professional English-speaking safari guide.
Choice of carefully selected mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps throughout the safari.
Day-by-Day 7-Day Great Migration Safari & Mara River Crossing Itinerary
Day 1 – Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Karatu
After an early breakfast, your professional safari guide will meet you in Arusha and begin the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. Famous for its giant baobab trees and one of Africa's largest elephant populations, Tarangire offers exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year. Spend the day exploring the park while searching for elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, and more than 550 bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing to the beautiful farming town of Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge, Karatu Area | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 – Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart Karatu and drive through the spectacular Ngorongoro Conservation Area before entering Serengeti National Park via Naabi Hill Gate. Enjoy game viewing throughout the journey as you cross the endless plains toward the famous Seronera Valley, home to abundant wildlife including lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and countless antelope species. Arrive in Central Serengeti for an afternoon game drive before checking into your lodge or tented camp.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge/Tented Camp, Central Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 – Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, continue north through the Serengeti with an exciting game drive en route. As you travel through changing landscapes, keep watch for resident lion prides, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and large herds of plains game. During the migration season, the number of wildebeest and zebras increases dramatically as you approach the Mara River ecosystem. Arrive in Northern Serengeti in the afternoon and enjoy your first game drive in one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife regions.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge/Tented Camp, Northern Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 – Full-Day Northern Serengeti & Mara River Safari
Spend the entire day exploring Northern Serengeti and the famous Mara River. During the Great Migration season, thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather at the riverbanks and, if conditions are right, may attempt the dramatic river crossings while giant Nile crocodiles wait below. Your experienced guide will follow current wildlife movements to maximize your chances of witnessing this unforgettable natural spectacle. The region also supports resident lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge/Tented Camp, Northern Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 – Full-Day Great Migration Safari in Northern Serengeti
Enjoy another full day in Northern Serengeti, giving you maximum flexibility to explore different sections of the Mara River and surrounding plains. With two full days in the region, your guide can adapt the itinerary according to wildlife movements, greatly increasing your chances of witnessing river crossings and predator action. Besides the migration, Northern Serengeti offers excellent year-round wildlife viewing with lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, and numerous bird species.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge/Tented Camp, Northern Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 – Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti
After an early breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti before beginning your journey south through the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. The drive itself is an exciting game drive, offering opportunities to encounter lion prides, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, topis, elands, and large herds of plains game. Depending on the season, you may continue following the Great Migration as the herds move across the Serengeti ecosystem. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to the wildlife-rich Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxing evening in the heart of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Mid-Range or Luxury Lodge/Tented Camp, Central Serengeti | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 – Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Depart Central Serengeti early in the morning and enjoy a final game drive as you travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend approximately 600 metres into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuaries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend several hours exploring the crater floor, home to the Big Five including the rare black rhino, as well as lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, flamingos, and numerous bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the famous hippo pool before ascending the crater in the afternoon. Continue your drive back to Arusha or transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Great Migration safari.
Meals: Breakfast & Picnic Lunch
Includes & Excludes
All national park entry and conservation fees
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking guide
Full board accommodation
All meals during safari
Bottled water during game drives
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Alcoholic beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to witness Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti is July to October. July and August are typically peak months when large herds gather along the riverbanks. The exact timing varies each year depending on rainfall and grass conditions. This itinerary is designed specifically for this season, with two nights in Northern Serengeti to maximize your chances.
No wildlife event can ever be fully guaranteed — the Great Migration is a natural phenomenon driven by rain and grass availability. However, this itinerary is specifically structured to maximize your chances. Spending two full nights in Northern Serengeti during July–October, combined with an expert guide using real-time wildlife movement information, gives you the best possible opportunity to witness a crossing.
This safari includes your choice of mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps. Night 1 is in Arusha, Night 2 in the Karatu area near Ngorongoro, Nights 3 and 6 in Central Serengeti, and Nights 4 and 5 in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River. All accommodation is on a full board basis except Night 1 which is bed and breakfast.
Yes. All Safaris Mate itineraries are fully customizable. We can extend or shorten the safari, add a Zanzibar beach extension, include a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti, adjust the accommodation category, or combine this itinerary with Kilimanjaro trekking. Contact us to design your perfect Tanzania Great Migration safari.
Safari Details
Safari Type
Private Great Migration Safari
Safari Circuit
Northern Circuit + Great Migration
Key Destinations
Arusha • Tarangire • Central Serengeti • Northern Serengeti • Ngorongoro
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Safari Vehicle
Private 4×4 Safari Vehicle with Pop-Up Roof
Accommodation
Mid-Range or Luxury Lodges & Tented Camps
Departure Point
Arusha • JRO Airport
Best Season
July – October (Mara River Crossings)
Best For
Couples • Families • Wildlife Enthusiasts • Photographers
Safari Price
$Upon Request
Price depends on accommodation category (mid-range or luxury), travel season & group size.
Why Book With Us
Expertise and Experience
Tailored Services
Comprehensive Planning
Client Satisfaction
24/7 Support
Contact Details
Mr. Yamat
Tour Operator
Call Us : +255 686 241 980
Email : info@safarismate.com
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