9-Days River Crossing Migration Safari

Customizable River Crossing Migration Safari Itinerary

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9-Days River Crossing Migration Safari: At a Glance

  • Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Perfect for: Travelers focused on witnessing the iconic Great Migration Mara River crossings, big cat enthusiasts who appreciate time in the Central Serengeti, and those seeking a comprehensive, deep immersion into Tanzania's northern parks.
  • Key Destinations: Arusha (Gateway), Tarangire National Park (Baobabs & Elephants), Central Serengeti (Big Cat Territory), and Northern Serengeti (Mara River / Crossing Zone).
  • Ekuseni Difference: We understand the distance required for this spectacular Safari. Our itinerary is designed to maximize your time in the action while offering unparalleled travel flexibility.

Trip Highlights

  • River Crossing Immersion: Dedicate two full days to the Mara River area, offering the maximum opportunity to patiently witness the unpredictable, dramatic river crossings by millions of wildebeest and zebra.

  • The Big Cat Triangle: Spend ample time in the Central Serengeti (Seronera), renowned as the best place in the world for sighting resident leopards, cheetahs, and large lion prides around the rocky kopjes.

  • Tarangire’s Giants: Start the adventure with a visit to Tarangire National Park, famous for its magnificent baobab trees and largest concentration of elephants in the world.

  • Ultimate Flexibility: We provide the option to fly in or fly out of the Serengeti via the Northern and Central airstrips, allowing you to customize your pace and prioritize comfort over road travel.

River Crossing Migration
Safari in Images

9-Days River Crossing Migration Safari Gallery

Why We Love this Migration River Crossing Itinerary

This 9-day itinerary is the definitive way to experience the Great Migration river crossings. We love it because it’s not just a dash to the river and back; it’s a journey of immersion.

The first few days build incredible value, moving you gently from the iconic elephants of Tarangire to the resident big cats of the Central Serengeti. This preparation makes the grand finale: the Mara River. You get two full, patient days in the remote North, greatly increasing your chances of witnessing a crossing (which, being nature, is never guaranteed!).

9-Day River Crossing Migration Safari, Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome to Arusha

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), an Ekuseni host will be there to greet you with a warm, friend-like welcome. We’ll handle your transfer to your chosen accommodation in Arusha. The rest of the day is yours for relaxation and final preparation.

Our Safari begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park. This visit is strategically planned to break up the long journey south, positioning us perfectly for the Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow while offering superb game viewing.

In the late afternoon, we’ll transition out of the park and drive to the picturesque Karatu town area, nestled near the Ngorongoro highlands, for your overnight stay.

Today is a majestic travel day. We drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend onto the iconic short-grass plains of the Serengeti. The entire journey is a Safari drive! We settle into the Central Serengeti (Seronera area), the ecological heart of the park and famous for its concentration of big cats and wildlife.

This is a key day of movement as we head north, following the migratory route. We dedicate the day to Safari tracking along the way, eventually arriving at the remote Northern Serengeti (Kogatende/Mara River area), your base for the next two nights, perfectly positioned for the river crossings.

We dedicate a full day to extensive Safari drives along the banks of the Mara River. Your expert guide will patiently position the vehicle to capture the dramatic, often chaotic, spectacle of wildebeest and zebra attempting the river crossings. This patient immersion is key to maximizing your chances of witnessing the action.

We begin the day with a focused half-day game drive in the Northern Serengeti, exploring riverine wildlife or capturing any final crossing action. After lunch, we begin our scenic return drive south, heading back to the Central Serengeti for your overnight stay.

With a full day dedicated to the Central Serengeti, we focus on its diverse resident population. We’ll hunt for cheetahs and leopards, and observe the huge prides of lions this region is famous for. This unhurried exploration ensures a well-rounded and complete Safari experience.

We leave the Serengeti and begin the scenic drive back toward Arusha.

Optional Flexibility:  We can arrange an optional half-day game drive descent into the Ngorongoro Crater on our way back (note: this option requires an early start and may incur an extra park fee).

Alternatively, we simply enjoy the drive, arriving in Arusha in the late afternoon for a relaxing evening before departure.

Your Ekuseni host will provide a smooth and timely private transfer from your accommodation back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departing international flight.

Common Questions,
Expert Answers

When is the best time of year for this River Crossing Safari?

The river crossings at the Mara River typically take place between July and October. This is when the herds move between the Northern Serengeti (Tanzania) and the Masai Mara (Kenya). We focus on the July to September period when action in the Northern Serengeti is highest.

While the goal is to see them all, wildlife viewing is never guaranteed. However, by visiting Tarangire, the Central Serengeti, and having the option to visit the Ngorongoro Crater, your chances of spotting the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) are extremely hig

The Northern Serengeti is highly remote. The total drive is approximately 8 to 10 hours from Arusha, which is why the itinerary splits the travel days and why we highly recommend considering the flight upgrade for maximum comfort.

If you choose the optional flight upgrade, be aware that light aircraft have strict baggage limitations, typically allowing only 15 kg (33 lbs) per person in soft-sided bags. Your Ekuseni friend will brief you thoroughly on this when you book the upgrade.

The lodging in the remote Northern Serengeti (Kogatende/Mara River area) is primarily made up of mobile tented camps or permanent luxury tented camps. These camps are strategically located to minimize travel time to the crossing points.

Are the river crossings guaranteed?

Nature is unpredictable, so no one can guarantee a river crossing. However, by dedicating two full days and traveling during the peak months, this itinerary maximizes your chances. Our skilled guides track the herds constantly and position you strategically.

The drive from Central Serengeti to the North (Day 4) and the drive back to Arusha (Day 8) are substantial. The optional flight upgrades reduce driving time from 6-8 hours to about 1 hour, significantly increasing your comfort and reducing travel fatigue, allowing you more energy for game viewing.

We use comfortable, customized 4×4 Safari vehicles (typically Toyota Land Cruisers) equipped with pop-up roofs for optimal game viewing and photography, power outlets for charging, and a small refrigerator for cold drinks.

We always recommend consulting your personal physician or a travel health clinic well in advance. Tanzania has specific requirements, and general precautions often include Yellow Fever certification (if arriving from certain countries).

The River Crossing period (July to October) is the busiest and most popular time in the Serengeti, making it a high-season experience. To secure your preferred accommodation and ensure we can perfectly coordinate the optional flight logistics, we highly recommend booking this Safari 9 to 12 months in advance.

What's Included and Excluded?

Understanding your total trip cost is important, and as your friends, we want to be transparent about what your Ekuseni Safari package will cover:

Price Includes

  • Accommodation: Eight nights in comfortable, pre-selected accommodations (mid-range to high-end, based on your preference).

  • Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) throughout the Safari portion of the trip (Days 2-8).

  • Safari Transportation: Private 4×4 customized Safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing.

  • Expert Guiding: The services of a professional, English-speaking Ekuseni driver-guide throughout the Safari.

  • Park Fees: All required national park and conservation area entrance fees for Tarangire, Central/Northern Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area transit.

  • Water: Complimentary supply of bottled drinking water in the Safari vehicle.

  • Transfers: All airport transfers (JRO to Arusha and Arusha to JRO).

Price Excludes

  • International Airfare: Flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

  • Visas and Insurance: Tanzania visa fees and comprehensive travel/medical insurance (mandatory).

  • Optional Flight Upgrades: The domestic flight from Arusha to Kogatende (Day 4) or Seronera to Arusha (Day 8).

  • Optional Ngorongoro Descent Fee: The extra park fee required if you choose the optional half-day descent into the Ngorongoro Crater on Day 8.

  • Gratuities: Tips for your driver-guide, lodge/camp staff, and porters.

  • Personal Items: Laundry, telephone calls, premium alcoholic beverages, and souvenir purchases.

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