8-Day Mara River Crossing Safari
This unforgettable 8-day safari offers the opportunity to witness the spectacular Great Migration. From late July through early October, the herds gather in the northern Serengeti, where you may have the chance to observe one of nature’s most dramatic events—the perilous Mara River crossing. As thousands of wildebeest and zebra surge through crocodile-infested waters in search of fresh grazing, the experience is both thrilling and deeply moving.
Beyond the migration, this journey provides countless opportunities to explore and learn about Tanzania’s extraordinary wildlife and diverse ecosystems. From the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire to the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, and the vast plains of the Serengeti, each destination offers its own unique beauty and abundance of game.
An exceptional adventure showcasing the very best of Tanzania’s iconic parks and wildlife.
Price includes
- 18% VAT to our entrance fees
- 2 nights accommodation in Arusha town before and after safari
- Accommodation at basic camping during the safari full board
- Camping fees at all national parks
- Entrance fees to all national parks
- Extended 4 x 4 luxury safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
- Ngorongoro Crater fees
- Professional safari cook
- Professional safari English Speaking guide
Price does not include
- Both International and local flights
- Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 560 per person), should be booked in
advance - Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities to your safari guide and cook
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by a Bush Windows Tours representative and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Bustling Arusha is the gateway to northern Tanzania’s safari circuit, and most travelers pass through this vibrant town before heading into the wilderness.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Arusha Planet Lodge
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, your Bush Windows Safari guide will collect you from your accommodation. You will then drive approximately two and a half hours on well-maintained tarmac roads to Tarangire National Park.
The park is named after the Tarangire River—often referred to as the “River of Warthogs”—which serves as the primary water source for wildlife during the dry season. Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant families, frequently seen gathering along the riverbanks. You may also encounter giraffe, bushbuck, hartebeest, and a variety of other plains game, closely followed by predators such as lions and leopards.
Tarangire boasts an extraordinary diversity of birdlife and is said to host more breeding bird species than any other park in the world. The landscape is dotted with ancient baobab trees, some believed to be over a thousand years old.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your game drive. Later in the afternoon, you will transfer to your accommodation in Karatu.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Eileen’s Tree Inn
Day 3: Karatu to Serengeti National Park (Seronera)
After breakfast, you will ascend into the cooler highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the opportunity to stop and admire the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. You will then continue onward, entering the Serengeti from the southern region.
The Serengeti is truly iconic, famous for its vast open grasslands that allow for exceptional wildlife viewing. The park is home to impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, among countless other species. In addition to its abundant plains game, you stand an excellent chance of encountering predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Following your afternoon game drive, you will proceed to your luxury camp in time for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Tukaone Weavers Serengeti Camp
Day 4: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti—In Search of the Great Migration
After breakfast, you will journey north through the Serengeti, enjoying wildlife sightings along the way.
While the Serengeti is rich in wildlife year-round, it is best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope move in a continuous cycle in search of fresh grazing. The migration can be seen throughout the year—if you know where to look. At this time of year, it is typically found in the Northern Serengeti.
You will arrive at your camp in the north in time for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Sero Tented Camp
Day 5: Northern Serengeti
The Northern Serengeti offers a distinct and varied landscape of rolling hills, riverine forests, open plains, and rocky outcrops. The mighty Mara River flows through this region, creating the dramatic setting for the famous river crossings.
During the migration season, over two million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and antelope, attempt the perilous crossing of the Mara River in search of fresh grazing and water. Powerful Nile crocodiles lie in wait, while predators such as lions, hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs patrol the riverbanks.
Witnessing this extraordinary natural spectacle is a truly unforgettable experience.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Sero Tented Camp
Day 6: Northern to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to the Central Serengeti with an en-route game drive. You may choose to continue searching for the migration before departing this remarkable region.
No two days in the Serengeti are ever the same, and there is always something new and exciting to discover.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Tukaone Weavers Serengeti Camp
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
This morning, you will travel back through the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying wildlife sightings along the way. It is common to see journeys of giraffe grazing on the lush slopes. You should arrive at the crater around lunchtime.
At first glance, the Ngorongoro Crater appears like a lost world. Enclosed by steep volcanic walls lies a pristine wilderness of sweeping savannah, acacia woodlands, lakes, and swamps. Formed two to three million years ago when a massive volcano erupted and collapsed, the crater is now home to an incredible concentration of wildlife.
The descent into the crater is an adventure in itself. On the crater floor, you will encounter large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and over 500 bird species. This is also one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the endangered black rhino.
After your afternoon game drive, you will transfer to your accommodation in Karatu.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Eileen’s Tree Inn
Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
This morning, you will travel to Lake Manyara National Park—your final destination on this epic safari.
Although relatively small, Manyara is remarkably diverse. Located 120 km west of Arusha, it is one of the narrowest parks in Africa, yet its dramatic setting beneath the towering Great Rift Escarpment makes it feel grand in scale. The shallow soda lake that gives the park its name floods and recedes seasonally and attracts thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, as well as over 500 recorded bird species.
Within the park’s lush evergreen forests, you may encounter baboons and elephants, and you will have the chance to look for the famous tree-climbing lions.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before concluding your game drive.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to your chosen drop-off point—Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or Arusha Airport.