4-Day Serengeti Migration Safari with Mara River Crossing

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Witness the Great Migration crossing the Mara River
• 02 Spot the 'big 5' and over 500 bird species
• 03 Full-day game drives in Northern Serengeti's Kogatende/Wagakuria area
• 04 Experience the Serengeti from above with a hot air balloon safari
• 05 Visit Olduvai Gorge Museum and a traditional Maasai boma (optional)

Embark on a 4-day Serengeti Migration Safari from mid-July to October, flying into Northern Serengeti and driving back via Ngorongoro to Arusha or Moshi. Track the Great Migration in the Kogatende/Wagakuria area, where wildebeest herds may attempt the dramatic Mara River crossing, and look out for the 'big 5' alongside over 500 bird species. Enjoy full-day game drives through Northern and Central Serengeti, with the option to experience the plains from above on a hot air balloon safari. Optional stops at Olduvai Gorge Museum and a traditional Maasai boma can also be added on the return journey.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

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

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arusha – Fly to Northern Serengeti

• After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning, buy Kitano Tours and Safaris guide and drive to Arusha airport for a flight to North Serengeti. After you arrive, proceed to a game drive in the wilderness, tracking the Great Migration trails. We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, and after lunch, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the area. The wildebeest migration can usually be found in the Wagakuria area from Mid-July to October, depending on rainfall patterns. A long stretch of the Mara River runs through the northern Serengeti National Park, and the Mara River provides the migration with its most challenging obstacle. Witnessing the frantic herds of wildebeest crossing the Mara River is fantastic. In the evening, drive to the lodge for evening leisure and overnight.

2

Day 02

Northern Serengeti (Kogatende/Wagakuria Area) Full Day Game Drive

• After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in the kogatende/Wagakuria area. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high in this park area, with a pride of lions up to 30 substantial; however, from Mid-July to October, the area turns into a wildlife paradise. The key feature is the Mara River, and it is not uncommon to see the herds cross the Mara River north on one day and then back south a few days later. Finding a crossing is complicated and sometimes a matter of luck. A herd can be seen next to the river and only decide to cross or not cross until a couple of days later. This is a stunning region with kopjes, woodland, riverine vegetation and open plains, similar to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.
• (An option of doing a Hot Air Balloon is also in this area)
• Serengeti Balloon Safaris: No words can do the experience of floating over the Serengeti justice.” Get a birds-eye view of the park as you rise alongside the sun. The balloon tour lasts about an hour, after which passengers gather around a table, surrounded by the park’s lush plains, for an “Out of Africa” English-style breakfast.

3

Day 03

Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) - Central Serengeti

• After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in the Wagakuria area. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high in this park area, with a pride of lions up to 30 substantial; however, from Mid-July to October, the area turns into a wildlife paradise. The key feature is the Mara River, and it is not uncommon to see the herds cross the Mara River north on one day and then back south a few days later. Finding a crossing is complicated and sometimes a matter of luck. A herd can be seen next to the river and only decide to cross or not cross until a couple of days later. This is a stunning region with kopjes, woodland, riverine vegetation and open plains, similar to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.

4

Day 04

Serengeti (Central) – Back to Arusha

• Proceed with morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti with a lunch and leisure break at the lodge in the midafternoon. The term Serengeti means endless plains in the Masai language. Central plains have leopards, lions, hyenas and cheetahs. This park is usually the scene of the annual wildebeest and zebra migration between the Kenyan Mara and the Serengeti. Varied bird species include eagles, ducks, geese, egrets, vultures, secretary birds, ibis, storks, herons, kites, pelicans, cranes and cranes and guinea fowl.
• The Serengeti National Park is arguably the world's best-known wildlife sanctuary, with over 3 million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals can be seen there, including the "big 5" - Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. Other common species found here include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkeys and a profusion of over 500 species of birds. In May or early June, huge herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra begin their annual spectacular migration northwards. In their wake, follow predators, lions, cheetahs and wild dogs with vultures circling overhead!
• After lunch, you will continue with a game view in Serengeti, heading to the gate of Serengeti to check out of Serengeti National Park. Afterwards, you will proceed with the game via Ngorongoro to Arusha/Moshi. Dinner and overnight at your hotel at Arusha/Moshi.
• NOTE THAT:
• You can break up the drive with some or both of the below activities:
• Olduvai Gorge Museum: Sometimes known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Olduvai Gorge Museum commemorates some of the oldest evidence of human habitation ever found. Here you will see some of the oldest fossil evidence in the world of human habitation, visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum to learn more about the human journey, and take in the stunning views of this stark gorge country.
• Maasai boma visit: You will visit one of the famous Maasai bomas, where you'll have the opportunity to witness (and participate in) traditional Maasai dance, tour an authentic Maasai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the local market.
• Both activities above are excluded from your Tour (additional cost is Needed).

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees
• All activities
• All accommodations, as stated in the itinerary
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation
• All taxes/VAT
• All meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
• Drinking water throughout the day

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Tips for the guide
• Visas
• Alcoholic drinks

Know before you go

• Hot air balloon safari is optional and available in the Kogatende/Wagakuria area.

• Olduvai Gorge Museum and a Maasai boma visit can be added on the return drive at an additional cost.

• The wildebeest migration is usually found in the Wagakuria area from mid-July to October, depending on rainfall patterns.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.