7-Day Mara River Crossing Season Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

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

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Arusha

   Meet the Tanzania team for a briefing and overnight before the northern Serengeti transfer. Arusha is 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. Transport and game drives are shared with other travellers on this joining departure. Dinner and overnight are at your hotel in Arusha.

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

   Full-Day Northern Serengeti Safari

   Explore the broader Mara River region using current herd information while following all park viewing rules. Much of the day is spent among vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Sightings may include lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, depending on season and conditions. The scale of the plains rewards a full day, with time to work several areas rather than rushing between them. 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 returns you to your Northern Serengeti accommodation for dinner and overnight.

4. Day 4

   Full-Day Northern Serengeti Safari

   Allow a patient full day for plains, riverine habitat and resident wildlife, without crowding animals or promising a crossing. The drives cover vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses, moving between habitats as conditions change. Keep watch for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra as you move between the different habitats. The scale of the plains rewards a full day, with time to work several areas rather than rushing between them. 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. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a third night at Northern Serengeti.

5. Day 5

   Full-Day Northern Serengeti Safari

   Return to productive areas or range farther across the northern sector according to current road and wildlife conditions. Much of the day is spent among vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Keep watch for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra as you move between the different habitats. The scale of the plains rewards a full day, with time to work several areas rather than rushing between them. 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 again at your Northern Serengeti camp or lodge.

6. Day 6

   Northern to Central Serengeti

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart the Northern Serengeti bound for Central Serengeti. 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. The drive brings you back into Arusha in the afternoon, where the safari comes to a close. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. You are dropped at your Arusha hotel or the airport in the late afternoon.