Overview Itinerary includes & Excludes Related Safaris
The Mara River Crossing

The Mara River Crossing

Enjoy a private Migration safari from Arusha to Tarangire, the Central Serengeti and the Mara River, with two dedicated days at the river and a final Ngorongoro Crater game drive.

8
DAYS
1
DESTINATIONS
GUESTS

Overview

Enjoy a private Tanzania Migration safari from Arusha through four remarkable destinations: Tarangire’s elephants and baobabs, the Central Serengeti’s endless plains, the Mara River’s Northern Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. This 8-day itinerary includes an arrival night in Arusha, a night in Tarangire, a night in the Central Serengeti, two nights near the Mara River, a night back in the Central Serengeti, and a night in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Game drives at the river are shaped by timing and patience: positioning the vehicle at a respectful distance, watching herds gather along the riverbanks, and waiting for the moment a crossing begins. The journey concludes with a crater game drive and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Travel in a private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with a professional English-speaking guide and choose accommodation across midrange or luxury levels. This safari suits couples, honeymooners, families, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to combine Tarangire’s elephants, the Serengeti’s plains, the Mara River and the Ngorongoro Crater in one well-paced journey.

Tarangire: An afternoon among elephants, baobabs and open landscapes, with a packed lunch inside the park.

Central Serengeti: Explore the kopjes, hippo pools and open plains, with chances of lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Mara River: Two nights in the Northern Serengeti, where herds gather along the riverbanks and crossings may unfold.

Ngorongoro Crater: A final private game drive and picnic lunch in one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife arenas.

Private safari experience: Flexible game drives shaped around your interests and the day’s wildlife activity.

Midrange or luxury stays: Accommodation selected around your preferences and agreed package.

Migration season: Best travelled between July and October, subject to herd movements and local conditions.

Itinerary

Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arusha
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania — Welcome to Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your Pita Safaris representative, and transfer to your hotel or coffee estate lodge in Arusha. Optional Arusha experiences may be arranged.

Hotel or coffee estate lodge, Arusha
Dinner
Tarangire National Park
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire — Baobabs and Elephants

Drive to Tarangire National Park, about 2 hours. Enjoy a packed lunch inside the park, then spend the afternoon exploring before returning to camp.

Lodge or tented camp, Tarangire
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Serengeti National Park (Central)
Day 3: Tarangire to Central Serengeti — Into the Endless Plains

Travel to the Central Serengeti, a drive of about 6 hours. Enjoy a packed lunch, then set out on your first Serengeti game drive before returning to camp.

Lodge or tented camp, Central Serengeti
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Northern Serengeti – Mara River
Day 4: Central Serengeti to Mara River — North to the Crossing

Travel north to the Mara River area, a drive of about 5 hours. Arrive near the river and spend the afternoon watching for wildlife and possible crossings.

Lodge or tented camp, Mara River area
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 5: Full-Day Mara River — Patience, Drama and Golden Light

Spend a full day around the Mara River, with a packed lunch in the area. Watch herds gather along the riverbanks and look for crossings, crocodiles and predators.

Lodge or tented camp, Mara River area
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Serengeti National Park (Central)
Day 6: Mara River to Central Serengeti — The Journey South

Travel back to the Central Serengeti, a drive of about 5 hours. Enjoy a packed lunch en route and continue exploring as the landscape changes.

Lodge or tented camp, Central Serengeti
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro — The Crater Opens Below

Enjoy a final morning game drive, then travel towards Ngorongoro with a packed lunch. Arrive at the crater rim by late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Lodge or tented camp, Ngorongoro Highlands
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Ngorongoro Crater
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater to Kilimanjaro — A Final Morning Among the Wildlife

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive and picnic lunch, then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.

No overnight stay included
Breakfast and packed lunch
Wildlife

Wildlife Experience


Key reserves, habitats, and wildlife encounters on this safari route

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit


The ideal months for wildlife viewing and safari experiences in East Africa

Inclusions

One night at a hotel or coffee estate lodge in Arusha.

One night at a lodge or tented camp in Tarangire.

One night at a lodge or tented camp in the Central Serengeti.

Two nights at a lodge or tented camp in the Mara River area.

One night at a lodge or tented camp in the Central Serengeti.

One night at a lodge or tented camp in the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Meals as listed in the itinerary.

Private 4×4 Toyota Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.

Professional English-speaking driver-guide.

Private game drives in Tarangire, the Serengeti, the Mara River area and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Scheduled picnic lunches on Days 2–8 as listed.

Applicable Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees for confirmed activities.

Agreed airport, hotel and lodge transfers.

Bottled drinking water during scheduled safari travel and game drives.

Applicable government taxes and statutory levies.

Exclude

International flights.

Visas and other travel documentation costs.

Travel insurance and personal medical expenses.

Drinks outside the included meal plan.

Laundry, shopping, souvenirs and personal expenses.

Tips and gratuities.

Optional balloon safari, Olduvai Gorge visit, Maasai cultural experience, bush breakfast, sundowner or bush dinner.

Accommodation upgrades, extra nights or services outside the confirmed itinerary.

  • Contact us for pricing