7-Day Mara River Crossing Season Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Arusha → Northern Serengeti → Mara River Region → Central Serengeti → Arusha

1. Day 1

   Arusha to Northern Serengeti

   After breakfast you leave Arusha and travel on toward Northern Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Your guide works the area for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, with sightings varying by season and conditions. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. Transport and game drives are shared with other travellers on this joining departure. The evening is spent at your Northern Serengeti accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

2. Day 2

   Arusha to Northern Serengeti

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Arusha for the drive to Northern Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. The evening is spent at your Northern Serengeti accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

3. Day 3

   Mara River Region to Central Serengeti

   The morning starts in Mara River Region, from where you continue overland to Central Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. There is the possibility of seeing lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, depending on movement and conditions on the day. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. Dinner and overnight are at your camp or lodge in Central Serengeti.

4. Day 4

   Central Serengeti to Arusha

   The morning starts in Central Serengeti, from where you continue overland to Arusha, continuing through the farmland and Maasai country below Mount Meru. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out into northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. Dinner is served at your Arusha camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

5. Day 5

   Full-Day Arusha Safari

   The day is set aside for Arusha, with drives timed around the first and last hours of light. Much of the day is spent among northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. Meals are arranged around the drives rather than the other way round. Dinner and overnight are again at your Arusha camp or lodge.

6. Day 6

   Northern to Central Serengeti

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Northern bound for Central Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out into vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. The evening is spent at your Central Serengeti accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

7. Day 7

   Central Serengeti to Arusha

   You leave Central Serengeti after breakfast and head for Arusha, continuing through the farmland and Maasai country below Mount Meru. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. You are dropped at your Nairobi hotel or the airport in the late afternoon.