Tanzania · Safari

5-Day Serengeti Safari with Mara River Crossing and Ngorongoro

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Watch the migratory herds of Serengeti National Park
02 See the vast plains, volcanic grasslands, rocky outcrops, rivers, and forests
03 Get a chance for a close experience with the Big Five
04 Witness the magnificent Mara River crossing in North Serengeti

Embark on this safari to Serengeti, where incredible views of the plains are dotted with huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Some of the best safari opportunities in the world unfold in a landscape of volcanic grasslands and vast plains broken up by rocky outcrops, rivers, and forests. Learn about the migratory herds, which attract some of the continent's most famous predators, ensuring that travellers following the migration will never be far from big cats, crocodiles, and hyenas.

Embark on this safari to Serengeti, where incredible views of the plains are dotted with huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Languages English, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha/Moshi to Central Serengeti and Naabai Kopje

Accommodation: Client's selection of public campsite, tented campsite, or lodges.
We leave Arusha/Moshi early in the morning and drive to Central Serengeti National Park. We enter the Serengeti on the road near the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and may spot wildlife along the way. The golden savannah and endless plains teeming with zebra, wildebeest, and giraffes make it easy to see why the Serengeti is one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. On this day, we enjoy a picnic lunch at Naabai Kopje, a small rocky hill in a generally flat area, where you can see Serengeti's famous pink lizards. After lunch, we continue to the plains to enjoy a stroll. Spend the night in the Serengeti, falling asleep to the playful calls of zebras and hyenas.

Day 02

Central Serengeti to the Northern Circuit

Accommodation: Client's selection of public campsite, tented campsite, or lodges.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to the Serengeti Northern Circuit. Upon arrival, meet your driver-guide for a full-day game drive to see the great migration in this part of the park. The park is known for its healthy population of other native wildlife, particularly the BIG FIVE: lion, African leopard, African elephant, rhino, and leopard.

Day 03

Full-Day Mara River Safari in North Serengeti

Accommodation: Client's selection of public campsite, tented campsite, or lodges.
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day safari on the Mara River, see the magnificent Migration River Crossing, and have a game drive. In the afternoon, return to the accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay. River crossings in Kogatende begin every day in August when the mega herd settles in the area. From August to October, wildlife viewing is excellent here, with river crossings guaranteed virtually every day. There is no definite movement, as the herds cross the river back and forth following the rain and subsequent cool grasses. It is not uncommon for different flocks to cross in different directions on the same day.

Day 04

North Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Accommodation: Client's selection of public campsite, tented campsite, or lodges.
After exciting game drives with wildlife viewing and a picnic lunch in the afternoon, we drive to Ngorongoro Crater. Tonight, we stay here overlooking the uninterrupted caldera of Ngorongoro Crater. The view of the sunset over the savannah is stunning. After a long day of adventures, guests enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our friendly chef at their accommodation.

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha/Moshi

After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater for a scenic drive. Ngorongoro Crater is considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world, and the Eden of Africa is home to a significant number of animal species. Supported by the annual water supply from the crater rim, vegetation thrives here. It attracts animals large and small, including buffalo, hippo, zebra, rhino, elephant, and cats such as lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, and hyena. On this day safari in Ngorongoro Crater, there is a chance to see the BIG FIVE, and a packed lunch will be served on the crater floor. Later, return to Arusha/Moshi.