Mara River Crossing Private Migration Safari, 6 Days
Overview
Ceraa Eyes Safari, a Tanzanian operator based locally, runs this 6 day Mara River crossing. An experienced local guide travels with you, and we build every detail of the plan together with you.
Reasons to choose us for this 6 Days Mara River crossing
Every 6 day mara river crossing we operate is made to measure, so dates, accommodation and pace can all be adjusted. Our local team also looks after you from arrival until departure. Before you travel, you can read about the area on the official Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) website. For further inspiration, browse our other Serengeti National Park tours.
Watch one of the planet's finest natural spectacles on this exclusive mid-range Great Migration fly-in safari, six days long, starting from Zanzibar. The plan is shaped by a Mara River crossing safari over six days; an aircraft carries you from Zanzibar directly into Northern Serengeti at Kogatende, the hub of the Great Wildebeest Migration and the famous Mara River crossings.
Crocodile-infested waters are braved by thousands of wildebeest and zebras here, in one of nature's most dramatic events. Big Five encounters and breathtaking scenery feature in our 6-day Mara River Crossing trip too, as you explore the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, plus Central Serengeti and Northern Serengeti.
Having travelled the vast Serengeti plains looking for Africa's iconic animals, you close with an excellent safari inside Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its exceptional concentration of wildlife.
Fly-in convenience, comfortable accommodation and expert guiding are built into this thoughtfully designed midrange Tanzania safari. Expect superb game viewing, and a spot among Tanzania's finest Great Migration safaris.
Itinerary
A scenic morning flight out of Zanzibar to begin the luxury safari, heading to Kogatende Airstrip in Northern Serengeti. After landing, your professional safari guide greets you and you head straight out on your first game drive, in one of Africa's best-loved wildlife regions.
The Great Migration has made northern Serengeti famous. Vast herds of wildebeest and zebras collect along the Mara River ahead of their dramatic crossings. On your afternoon game drive, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs and big migrating herds may also come into view.
As the sun goes down over the Serengeti, you continue to your luxury camp for dinner and a rest.
Accommodation: Ormolijo Luxury Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Following an early breakfast, you leave for a full-day safari devoted to the Great Wildebeest Migration. Your guide tracks where the herds are moving so you arrive at the best viewing spots near the Mara River.
Plunging into the river, wildebeest in their thousands fight strong currents and dodge huge Nile crocodiles, creating a wildlife spectacle few places on Earth can rival. Away from the migration, Northern Serengeti delivers superb sightings of hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and lions.
Around noon, stop for a picnic lunch in the bush, then carry on exploring this remarkable ecosystem.
Accommodation: Ormolijo Luxury Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin with one more morning game drive around the Mara River region, where migration activity often peaks at this time of year. Keep watching for river crossings and wildlife interactions, then start the scenic journey south towards Central Serengeti.
The scenery slowly gives way to endless golden plains studded with kopjes, which shelter lions and other predators. Central Serengeti, also called Seronera, is known for wildlife gathering there all year, and it offers outstanding predator sightings.
You reach your luxury camp in good time for dinner and the night.
Accommodation: Nakupenda Luxury Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Devote the day to the game-filled plains of Central Serengeti. The migration highlights of your 6 Day Mara River Crossing safari lie in Northern Serengeti, but the Seronera area has outstanding game viewing all year and some of the densest predator populations in Africa.
Year-round water makes the Seronera Valley a fine place to watch wildlife, and your experienced guide takes you to the best places for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and numerous antelope species.
Return to camp in the evening after another rewarding day on safari.
Accommodation: Nakupenda Luxury Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast you say goodbye to the Serengeti and journey towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This stretch of your 6 Day Mara River Crossing safari brings you to yet another of Tanzania's best-loved wildlife destinations.
Next you go down 600 meters into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive you will remember. The crater floor is home to black rhinos, hippos, wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, lions and numerous birds. Because it forms a closed ecosystem, Ngorongoro has among the densest wildlife populations in Africa.
When your safari finishes, you carry on to Arusha for dinner and a night's stay.
Accommodation: Forest Hill Hotel, Arusha
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Breakfast is followed by a transfer to Arusha Airport for your flight back to Zanzibar.
That brings your 6 Day Mara River Crossing safari to a close. You head home with vivid memories of the Great Migration and the thrilling Mara River crossings, as well as remarkable Serengeti wildlife encounters and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Included & Excluded
- Flight from Zanzibar to Kogatende
- Arusha to Zanzibar flight
- All airport transfers
- Luxury stays as specified
- Exclusive 4x4 game vehicle fitted with a raised roof hatch
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- All national park and conservation charges
- Ngorongoro Crater service charges
- All meals during safari
- Bottled drinking water for the whole safari
- Government taxes and VAT
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
Frequent Asked Question
Most visitors find July to October ideal, as the Wildebeest Migration Tours in Tanzania and Kenya herds congregate in the north of the Serengeti. At that point the river crossings happen most often and are at their most dramatic.
This safari is designed to give you the best chance of watching the Great Migration river crossings in Northern Serengeti, while also taking in Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Wildlife movements cannot be predicted, but spending several days in Northern Serengeti greatly improves your odds of seeing at least one river crossing.
Accommodation is in carefully chosen midrange to luxury tented camps and hotels, with comfort, good locations and easy access to the wildlife areas.
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