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
THE
EDITOR'S
CHOICE.
EDITOR'S
CHOICE.
The Migration Edition.
9 Days
9 Days Great Migration Safari
From US$4,150
per person sharing
Destinations
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
6 days
6 Days Great Migration Safari
From US$3,250
per person sharing
Destinations
Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park
8 Day
8 Days River Crossing & Tanzania Wildlife Safari
From US$3,899
per person sharing
Destinations
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park & Tarangire National Park
Continue exploring
Other chapters of the Great Migration
Migration overview
