11-Day Tanzania Great Migration Safari with Mara River Crossings

11 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit across Tarangire, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
02 Spend several days in the Northern Serengeti during the Great Migration season
03 Search for dramatic Mara River crossings as wildebeest and zebras gather nearby
04 Enjoy full-day game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara
05 Look for black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater alongside lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos

Embark on an unforgettable 11-day safari through Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit, featuring Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. With several days in the Northern Serengeti, this itinerary offers an excellent opportunity to witness the spectacular Great Migration and the dramatic Mara River crossings.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Premium

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

Arrival: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your transfer driver and driven to your hotel in Arusha.
Leisure: The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and prepare for your safari adventure.
Dinner & Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel Arusha (BB)

Day 02

Tarangire National Park Game Drive

Breakfast: After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park.
Game drive: Enjoy a full-day game drive through one of Tanzania's most scenic parks, famous for its large elephant herds, giant baobab trees, and abundant wildlife.
Drive: In the evening, drive to Karatu.
Dinner & Overnight: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge (BLD)

Day 03

Karatu to Central Serengeti

Travel: Travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and continue into Serengeti National Park.
Game viewing: Enjoy game viewing en route as you make your way to Central Serengeti.
Dinner & Overnight: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 04

Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti

Breakfast: After breakfast, check out and depart for an en route game drive, continuing north toward the Mara River region.
Wildlife: Wildlife sightings increase as you follow the migration route into the Northern Serengeti.
Dinner & Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 05

Northern Serengeti River Crossing Safari

Exploration: Spend the day exploring the Mara River area, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather during the migration season.
River crossings: With patience and a bit of luck, you may witness the dramatic river crossings while predators wait nearby.
Dinner & Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 06

Full-Day Northern Serengeti Game Drives

Game drives: Enjoy another full day of game drives around the Mara River and the surrounding plains.
Guide: Your guide will track wildlife movements to maximize your chances of witnessing migration activity and predator interactions.
Dinner & Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 07

Northern Serengeti Exploration

Exploration: Continue exploring different sections of the Northern Serengeti.
Wildlife: Besides the migration, the region offers excellent resident wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and hyenas.
Dinner & Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 08

Return to Central Serengeti

Drive: Drive back toward Central Serengeti with game drives along the way.
Wildlife: This region is renowned for its year-round abundance of wildlife, particularly large cats and resident herbivores.
Dinner & Overnight: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (BLD)

Day 09

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Breakfast: After breakfast, travel to Ngorongoro Crater and descend to the crater floor for a full-day game drive.
Wildlife: Home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, the crater offers an excellent chance to spot the endangered black rhino alongside lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos.
Dinner & Overnight: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge (BLD)

Day 10

Lake Manyara National Park

Visit: Visit Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive.
Park highlights: The park is known for its groundwater forests, flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and diverse birdlife.
Drive: Afterward, drive back to Arusha in the afternoon.
Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel Arusha (BB)

Day 11

Departure from Arusha

Breakfast: After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your unforgettable Great Migration safari to a close.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 6 cities · 11 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation throughout the safari as specified in the itinerary.
All meals during the safari (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Transportation in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography.
Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
All scheduled game drives as outlined in the itinerary.
Park entrance and conservation fees for all national parks and conservation areas visited.
Ngorongoro Crater descent fee.
Unlimited bottled drinking water during game drives.
Government taxes and VAT applicable at the time of booking.

What's Not Included

International flights.
Tanzania visa fees.
Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide and lodge staff.
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and premium beverages unless included by the accommodation.
Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, and items of a personal nature.
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
Any increase in park fees, taxes, or government levies imposed after the booking has been confirmed.