Tarangire National Park · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti
Eight Days at the Mara River Crossings
Tarangire and Ngorongoro to warm up, then two full days at the river waiting for a million hooves to decide.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Destinations
- Tarangire National Park · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti
- Best months
- Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Group size
- 1 to 8 guests
- From
- $4,093 per person
Overview
Tarangire and Ngorongoro to warm up, then two full days at the river waiting for a million hooves to decide.
Over the course of most years, a million-plus wildebeest and zebra sweep around the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in a restless, continuous loop. Between July and October that flow squeezes through the Mara River, where crocodiles lie in wait and a crossing becomes one of the most dramatic sights in the natural world. This eight-day route is designed to give you the best possible chance of seeing one.
The route winds through northern Tanzania. It begins among Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, pauses beside Lake Manyara and in the lively village of Mto wa Mbu, and drops into the enclosed bowl of Ngorongoro Crater for a day. Three days in the Serengeti follow: the central plains and their resident predators first, then two full days camped beside the river, ready for the moment the herds choose to cross.
- Two full days beside the Mara River, long enough to be there when a crossing happens rather than rushing past for a morning
- Tarangire's elephants and baobab country, an opening that shorter itineraries tend to skip
- A full day on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, known for dependable black rhino sightings
- Lake Manyara and the village of Mto wa Mbu, a change of pace between the parks
- A light-aircraft flight out of the Kogatende airstrip, looking down on the plains you covered by road
- A choice of three accommodation levels, with the route itself unchanged
Best forCouplesSolo travellersWildlife enthusiasts
Wildlife radar
What you can expect to see
July to October, when the herds most reliably reach the Mara River. Timing shifts from year to year with the rains, so no specific date can be promised.
- WildebeestSeasonal
River crossings, July to October
- Nile crocodileSeasonal
- ZebraHigh
- LionHigh
- African elephantHigh
- Black rhinoRare
The difference
Positioned, not promised
No honest operator can guarantee a crossing on a given day, and we do not. What this route offers instead is position: two full days at the river with guides watching for signs of activity, rather than a single passing visit.
The three accommodation levels share the same parks, the same time at the river and the same flight out. Only the camps and lodges differ.
Along the way
Route highlights
Tarangire
Elephant herds gather along the river in the dry season, beneath ancient baobabs.
Ngorongoro Crater
A walled-in ecosystem covering roughly 260 km² (100 sq mi), and a dependable place in the region to find black rhino.
Northern Serengeti
Home to the Mara River crossings and a dense resident predator population.
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Arusha
Arusha
Your flight touches down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and a private car takes you on to Arusha to recover and hear the safari plan.
- Trail
- Kahawa House
- Ridge
- Gran Melia, Arusha
- Summit
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Drive to Tarangire for a full guided game drive among elephant herds and ancient baobabs.
Outside the wet season Tarangire has one of the highest elephant densities in Africa, as herds crowd along the river.
- Ridge
- Kitela Lodge
- Summit
- Gibb's Farm
- Meals
- All meals
Day 3
Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu
Lake Manyara and Karatu
Continue to Lake Manyara National Park and the cultural village of Mto wa Mbu. It is a gentler stretch between the parks and a chance to see Tanzanian life from outside the safari vehicle.
- Ridge
- Kitela Lodge
- Summit
- Gibb's Farm
- Meals
- All meals
Day 4
Ngorongoro Crater, then Central Serengeti
Ngorongoro Crater and Central Serengeti
A full guided game drive on the crater floor, Africa's most dependable stage for the Big Five, followed by the drive on to Central Serengeti for the night.
The crater is a closed ecosystem of about 260 km² (100 sq mi); most animals never leave, including reliably seen black rhino.
- Summit
- Lemala Nanyukie
- Meals
- All meals
Day 5
North to the Mara River
Northern Serengeti
Drive north through the Serengeti towards the Mara River, setting you up for the crossings in the days ahead.
- Summit
- Lemala Kuria Hills
- Meals
- All meals
Day 6
A Full Day at the River
Northern Serengeti
A day of crossings, predators and patience. This is the unpredictable heart of the trip.
Crossings can start at any hour and last only minutes. Guides park at known crossing points and sometimes wait for hours while the herds make up their minds.
- Summit
- Lemala Kuria Hills
- Meals
- All meals
Day 7
Final Drives in the North
Northern Serengeti
More game drives in the north, with another chance at a crossing and with the dense predator population the area is known for.
- Summit
- Lemala Kuria Hills
- Meals
- All meals
Day 8
Fly from Kogatende to Arusha
Kogatende
Board a light aircraft at the Kogatende airstrip and fly to Arusha for your journey home, looking down on the plains you crossed by road over the past days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Gallery
Along the route
Where you stay
Choose your style of stay
Trail
Comfortable and great value
From$4,093per person
- Kahawa House
- Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge
- Ngorongoro Farm House
- Serengeti Katikati Camp
- Mara Katikati Tented Camp
Ridge
Character, comfort and standout settings
From$5,823per person
- Gran Melia, Arusha
- Kitela Lodge
- Kubukubu Tented Lodge
- Mara Mara Tented Lodge
Summit
Exclusive, refined and luxurious
From$8,608per person
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Gibb's Farm
- Lemala Nanyukie
- Lemala Kuria Hills
Price per person
Choose a level of stay and see what each person pays for your group size.
| Travelling together | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | $5,077 |
| 3 travellers | $4,380 |
| 4 travellers | $4,340 |
| 5 travellers | $4,093 |
| 6 travellers | $4,095 |
- Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room. Vehicle and guide costs are shared, so the price per person changes with group size and does not always fall in a straight line.
- These rates are indicative. We confirm the exact price for your dates and group in your personal quote.
- Park fees are set by the authorities and can change, so the quote you accept is the price that applies.
What's included
- Park and conservation entrance fees
- Game drives in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser
- A professional guide throughout
- Meals as listed
- Accommodation as set out in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
- The flight from Kogatende to Arusha
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Single supplements are available on request.
- River crossings are most dependable between July and October, but cannot be guaranteed for any date.
- Lodge availability and costs can vary with the exact dates of travel.
- Park and conservation fees are set by the Tanzanian authorities and can change without notice.
Questions
Good to know
The route and daily plan are the same at all three: same parks, same days at the river, same flight out. The first is comfortable and straightforward, the second adds space and more attentive service, and the third offers the most exclusive properties on this route.
July to October gives the best odds, though the exact timing moves with the rains each year. That is why the plan allows two full days at the river.
No one can promise a particular wildlife event on a particular day. What we can promise is position: two full days beside the river with guides tracking activity.
Vehicle, guide and some transfer costs are shared, so each person usually pays less in a bigger group. The change is not perfectly linear, because room availability at each camp can nudge the total. We will confirm the figure when we quote.
Park and conservation fees, game drives in a private Land Cruiser, a professional guide, listed meals, accommodation, airport transfers and the Kogatende to Arusha flight. It does not cover international flights, visas, insurance or gratuities.
Yes, a beach extension is a common addition. Ask us and we will build it in.
Eight Days at the Mara River Crossings
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a personal quote.