Great Migration Family Safari: Serengeti River Crossing & Ngorongoro
The Overview
Why it stands out
Journey Highlights
- Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Parks & Destinations: Northern & Central Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater · Tarangire National Park
- Flights: Arusha to the Northern Serengeti
- Accommodation: Luxury river front camps and five star lodges
- Safari Style: Fly in to the north, drive south, private throughout
- Ideal For: Families travelling in the crossing season
- Travel Pace: Active four regions in nine days, with two nights on the river
- Best Time to Travel: July to October, peak crossing season
- Wildlife Highlights: Mara River crossings, big cats, black rhino, great elephant herds
The Route
Day by Day
-
Kilimanjaro International Airport → Arusha
Road
Morning: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet your private guide. Afternoon: Transfer to Arusha and check in. The afternoon is free to rest after the flight. Evening: Dinner at the lodge and an early night before flying north.
Where you'll stay
-
Arusha → Northern Serengeti
Flight
-
Northern Serengeti Airstrip → Karibu Mara River Camp
Road
Game drive en route
Morning: Breakfast, then the scheduled flight to the northern Serengeti, landing close to the Mara. Afternoon: Your guide meets you at the airstrip and the safari begins there: the drive to camp is your first game drive. Evening: By late afternoon you are on the river, where the herds mass on the banks.
Where you'll stay
Morning: Out early to work the crossing points while the herds gather and hesitate on the banks. Afternoon: Lunch travels with you. A crossing can take minutes or hours, and waiting is part of it. Evening: Return to camp with the light behind you.
Where you'll stay
-
Northern Serengeti → Central Serengeti
Road
Morning: An optional balloon flight over the northern plains before breakfast in the grass. Afternoon: Turn south and cross the length of the park, game viewing the whole way as woodland gives way to open grass and kopjes. Evening: Arrive at the lodge in time for the light to soften. Optional Sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti from USD 599 per person.
Where you'll stay
Morning: First light among the kopjes, where lion rest up through the day. Afternoon: Leopard in the sausage trees along the river lines, cheetah out on the open grass. Evening: Sundowners, then dinner under the stars.
Where you'll stay
-
Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater
Road
Morning: A final morning game drive on the plains. Afternoon: Climb east into the Ngorongoro highlands, with the landscape changing as you go. Evening: Arrive at the rim with the afternoon free and the caldera below you.
Where you'll stay
-
Ngorongoro Crater → Tarangire National Park
Road
Morning: An early descent to be among the first vehicles on the crater floor. Afternoon: A private bush lunch within the crater, then the climb out and the drive south to Tarangire, viewing game en route. Evening: Check in among the baobabs. An optional night drive runs from the concession. Optional Night game drive in the Tarangire concession USD 150 per person.
Where you'll stay
-
Tarangire National Park → Arusha
Road
Morning: A morning game drive in Tarangire, the best hours for its elephant herds. Afternoon: Drive back towards Arusha, with time to stop for carvings and Tinga Tinga along the way. Evening: Check in at Gran Meliá Arusha, and a proper dinner after a week in the field.
Where you'll stay
-
Arusha → Kilimanjaro International Airport
Road
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon: Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, timed around your flight. Evening: Onward international departure.
Investment
Included
- All scheduled internal flights as listed in the itinerary
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- Park, conservation area and crater fees
- Meals as listed each day
- A private, English speaking driver guide throughout the safari
- A private four wheel drive safari vehicle with fridge, bottled water, charging points and binoculars
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- All government taxes
Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Any increase in park fees where applicable
- Optional experiences as listed
- Personal items such as cameras
- Premium and alcoholic beverages where not included
- Gratuities for your driver guide and lodge staff
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Great Migration Family Safari: Serengeti River Crossing & Ngorongoro
9 Days / 8 Nights
