6-Day Great Serengeti Migration Safari – Wildebeest River Crossings

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

6-Day Great Serengeti Migration Safari – Wildebeest River Crossings

The Great Migration is one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on Earth, a continuous cycle of movement and survival involving over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and countless predators . This 6-Day Great Serengeti Migration Safari is timed to place you at the heart of the action, where the herds gather on the riverbanks, preparing for the most dangerous crossing of their journey. The Mara River is a wall of crocodiles- huge reptiles waiting for the moment when hooves hit the water . As the first wildebeest plunges in, chaos erupts: crocodiles strike, zebras panic, and the river turns into a battlefield of survival . This is wildlife photography at its most dramatic.

This Great Serengeti Migration Safari is designed to maximize your chances of witnessing the iconic Mara River crossings. You’ll travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, accompanied by expert guides who know the migration’s patterns intimately . The itinerary covers both the Serengeti’s northern corridors and the Masai Mara, ensuring you’re positioned at the right place and time . Cross-border logistics are handled seamlessly, with comfortable lodges and camps providing rest after each day’s drama.

Highlights

Day 1: Arrival – Arusha to Serengeti
Day 2: Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossings
Day 3: Northern Serengeti – Mara River & Scenic Game Drives
Day 4: Northern Serengeti – Masai Mara Crossing
Day 5: Masai Mara – Full Day Migration Viewing
Day 6: Masai Mara – Return to Arusha – Departure

Day 01 :

Arrival – Arusha to Serengeti

Your Great Serengeti Migration Safari begins with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Your driver-guide transfers you to Arusha for a brief safari briefing. From Arusha, take a short domestic flight to the Serengeti's northern airstrip, the heart of the migration zone during the river crossing season (July-October) . Upon arrival, your guide meets you and begins game drives through the northern Serengeti, tracking the migration herds that have gathered near the Mara River . The riverbanks are crowded with wildebeest and zebras, their tension palpable as they prepare for the dangerous crossings . Arrive at your camp or lodge in the late afternoon, with dinner and overnight at your northern Serengeti camp. Meals: Lunch & Dinner.

Day 02 :

Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossings

Rise before dawn for a packed breakfast and an early departure to the Mara River, the stage for one of nature's most dramatic spectacles. Position yourself along the riverbanks with your guide, watching the herds gather in their thousands . The atmosphere is electric as wildebeest and zebras nervously approach the water's edge. Then, the crossing begins: a chaotic rush of hooves, splashing water, and crocodile attacks . Spend the entire day along the river, moving between crossing points to capture the best views and photography angles . Some days witness multiple crossings, while others require patience, but each moment is unforgettable . Return to your camp for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 03 :

Northern Serengeti – Mara River & Scenic Game Drives

Continue your Great Serengeti Migration Safari with another full day in the northern Serengeti. If river crossings continue, your guide will position you at strategic points for optimal viewing . On days when the herds are less active on the riverbanks, enjoy scenic game drives across the northern plains, spotting resident wildlife: elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas . The northern Serengeti offers a unique landscape of rolling hills, kopjes, and riverine forests . Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. Return to your camp for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 04 :

Northern Serengeti – Masai Mara Crossing

After breakfast, cross the border into Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, the northern continuation of the Serengeti ecosystem. The Masai Mara offers a different perspective on the migration, with its iconic savannahs and dramatic landscapes . Continue tracking the herds along the Mara River's Kenyan banks, where the crossing drama often rivals that of the Tanzanian side . The Masai Mara's open plains provide excellent visibility for spotting predators that follow the migration: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas . Arrive at your camp in the Masai Mara for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 05 :

Masai Mara – Full Day Migration Viewing

Your Great Serengeti Migration Safari continues with a full day of migration viewing in the Masai Mara. Your guide will position you for the best possible views of river crossings and predator-prey interactions . Beyond the wildebeest and zebras, the Masai Mara offers exceptional wildlife sightings: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles . Visit the Mara River's various crossing points, each offering a unique perspective on the migration's drama . Enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve, surrounded by the endless plains . In the late afternoon, return to your camp for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 06 :

Masai Mara – Return to Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in the Masai Mara, one last chance to capture the migration's magic. Check out from your camp and transfer to the nearby airstrip for your domestic flight back to Arusha . Upon arrival, continue by road to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. As you leave, you'll carry with you the unforgettable images of wildebeest plunging into the Mara River, one of Africa's most dramatic wildlife spectacles. Meal Plan: Breakfast.