1.5 million
Wildebeests, 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson’s Gazelles undertake this grueling annual journey.
River Crossings
River Crossings
River crossing season is the most iconic and dramatic stage of the Great Migration. In the northern Serengeti, thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather near the Mara River, waiting for the right moment to cross through powerful currents, steep banks, and crocodile filled waters.
Plan this journeyA cycle of survival and renewal
1,600
Kilometers traveled over the course of a year.
8,000
Births take place daily during calving season — around half a million in total.
200,000
Wildebeests die each migration cycle, whether from exhaustion, drowning or predation.
This is the migration at its most cinematic, but it is also one of the most unpredictable safari experiences. Herds can gather for hours or days before crossing, and timing depends on pressure from behind, water levels, weather, predators, and the confidence of the lead animals.
The best river crossing safaris are built around patience. Rather than chasing a fixed show, your guide reads movement, tracks herd pressure, and positions you where the moment is most likely to unfold without disturbing the animals.
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Safaris built for this chapter
These itineraries were selected for river crossings
Follow the migration
9 Days Great Migration Safari
Experience a 9 day Great Migration safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Witness Serengeti river crossings and incredible wildlife.
- 9 Days
- 4 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
From USD 4,150 per person sharing
Follow the migration
6 Days Great Migration Safari
Experience a 6 day Great Migration safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Witness wildebeest crossings and Serengeti wildlife.
- 6 days
- 3 stays
Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
From USD 3,250 per person sharing
Follow the migration
8 Days River Crossing & Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Experience an 8 day Northern Tanzania safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire wildlife.
- 8 Day
- 4 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
From USD 3,899 per person sharing
Safari & beach
17 Day Tanzania Safari Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Private Island
Seventeen days that begin at two thousand metres in the Ngorongoro highlands and end on a one kilometre island in the Indian Ocean with a nineteenth century lighthouse on it and nobody else on the...
- 17 Days
- 6 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 10,500 per person sharing
Into the wild
20 Day Tanzania Safari Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Katavi & Mahale
This is the fullest journey we build. Twenty days, six bases, and a route that crosses Tanzania from the volcanic highlands of the Rift Valley to the forested shore of Lake Tanganyika the deepest lake...
- 20 Days
- 6 stays
Katavi National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
From USD 12,900 per person sharing
Follow the migration
Serengeti River Crossing Safari & Zanzibar Beach Escape
An 11 day Tanzania safari combining the Serengeti river crossings and the Ngorongoro Crater with three nights on the Zanzibar coast. Luxury and semi luxury options.
- 11 Days / 10 Nights
- 5 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 5,290 per person sharing
Follow the migration
Serengeti River Crossing Safari: Great Migration Special
An 8 day Serengeti river crossing safari with three nights on the Mara River, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Luxury and semi luxury lodge options.
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- 4 stays
Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
From USD 4,199 per person sharing
Perfect for families
Great Migration Family Safari & Zanzibar Beach Retreat
A 12 day Tanzania family safari combining the Great Migration river crossings, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with 3 nights on the Zanzibar coast.
- 12 Days / 11 Nights
- 6 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 8,350 per family
Perfect for couples
Great Migration Honeymoon Safari & Zanzibar Beach Retreat
A 14 day Tanzania honeymoon safari combining the Great Migration river crossings, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with 5 nights on the Zanzibar coast.
- 14 Days / 13 Nights
- 7 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 5,999 per person sharing
Perfect for families
Great Migration Family Safari: Serengeti River Crossing & Ngorongoro
A 9 day Great Migration family safari in Tanzania: two nights on the Mara River for the crossings, the central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- 5 stays
Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
From USD 7,500 per family
Perfect for couples
Great Migration Honeymoon Safari: Serengeti River Crossing & Ngorongoro
A 9 day Great Migration honeymoon safari in Tanzania: two nights on the Mara River for the crossings, the central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- 6 stays
Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
From USD 10,499 per person sharing
Into the wild
10 Days in Kenya & Tanzania
Explore a 10 day Kenya and Tanzania safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Discover Maasai Mara, Serengeti and iconic wildlife experiences.
- 10 days
- 5 stays
Amboseli National Park, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
From USD 5,400 per person sharing
Safari & beach
5 Day Zanzibar to Serengeti Fly In Safari
Experience a 5 day Serengeti fly in safari from Zanzibar with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Discover Big Five wildlife and stunning landscapes.
- 5 days
- 2 stays
Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 3,350 per person sharing
Safari & beach
4 Day Zanzibar to Northern Serengeti Fly In Safari
Experience a 4 day Serengeti fly in safari from Zanzibar with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Northern Serengeti and wildlife.
- 4 Days
- 1 stay
Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 2,350 per person sharing
Safari & beach
3 Day Zanzibar to Serengeti Fly In Safari
Experience a 3 day Serengeti fly in safari from Zanzibar with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Northern Serengeti and wildlife.
- 3 Days
- 2 stays
Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 2,250 per person sharing
Safari & beach
3 Day Zanzibar to Northern Serengeti Fly In Safari
Experience a 3 day Serengeti fly in safari from Zanzibar with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Northern Serengeti and wildlife.
- 3 Days
- 1 stay
Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 2,350 per person sharing
Safari & beach
10 Days Between Two Worlds
Experience 10 days between safari and beach with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Serengeti wildlife and relax on Zanzibar beaches.
- 10 days
- 5 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 4,500 per person sharing
Safari & beach
9 Days at the Edge of Forever
Experience a 9 day Tanzania safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Explore Serengeti, Ngorongoro and unforgettable wildlife landscapes.
- 9 days
- 5 stays
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar
From USD 4,200 per person sharing
Into the wild
7 Days in the Heart of the Wild
Experience 7 days in the heart of Tanzania’s wild with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Discover Serengeti, Ngorongoro and incredible wildlife.
- 7 Days
- 4 stays
Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
From USD 3,200 per person sharing
Follow the migration
5 Days at the Mara River
Experience a 5 day Mara River safari with Inspire Tanzania Safaris. Witness the Great Migration and dramatic river crossings in Serengeti.
- 5 Days
- 2 stays
Serengeti National Park
From USD 3,500 per person sharing
Continue exploring
Other chapters of the Great Migration
Migration overview
