10 Day Great Migration Safari Mara River Crossing

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrival in Arusha⌄

   Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your Gosheni Safaris representative. After a short safari briefing, you’ll be transferred to your charming lodge in Arusha for dinner and overnight rest amid tranquil gardens and mountain air.

   Optional Arusha City Tour: US$45 per person, paid on-site in addition to the safari package price. This optional extra includes the city tour and Natural History Museum admission. Travelers may choose not to participate. Explore local markets, Maasai craft centers and cultural landmarks with your guide, visit the Natural History Museum, and browse handmade jewelry, carvings and fabrics at the Maasai Market. Duration: approximately 3 hours.

   Meals: Dinner

   Overnight: Acacia Retreat

2. 2Tarangire National Park⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic wildlife areas, famous for its large herds of elephants and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a full-day game drive along the Tarangire River, the park’s lifeline, where lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests gather to drink. Your guide will prepare a hot picnic lunch under the shade of acacias before continuing the adventure. In the evening, head to your tented camp for sundowners, dinner, and overnight.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Serian Tarangire Camp

3. 3Tarangire Wilderness & Walking Safari⌄

   After an early breakfast, enjoy a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger. Experience the park from a completely new perspective—feel the wild pulse of Africa as you follow animal tracks and listen to the morning songs of the bush. Return for lunch and relaxation, followed by an evening game drive to spot predators preparing for their nightly hunt. Dinner and overnight at your camp.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Serian Tarangire Camp

4. 4Lake Eyasi & the Hadzabe Bushmen⌄

   After breakfast, drive toward Lake Eyasi, a region inhabited by the indigenous Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. You’ll spend the day learning about their ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle, join the Hadzabe for an early morning hunting walk, visit the Datoga blacksmiths, and witness traditional arrow-making and beadwork. Enjoy lunch overlooking Lake Eyasi, then head to your lodge for a quiet evening and dinner.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Ziwani Lodge

5. 5Ngorngoro Crater⌄

   Depart after breakfast for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters to the crater floor for a full-day game drive inside this natural wonder, home to over 25,000 animals including black rhinos, lions, elephants, flamingos, and hippos. Enjoy a hot lunch picnic beside a scenic hippo pool before continuing your afternoon safari. Return to your lodge on the crater rim for dinner and overnight.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Naserian Safari Camp

6. 6Serengeti National Park (Central Seronera)⌄

   After breakfast, drive through the rolling highlands of Ngorongoro into the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. Enjoy game viewing en route to your camp in the Central Serengeti, known for abundant wildlife and frequent predator sightings. Spend the afternoon on a game drive searching for lions, cheetahs, and elephants before settling in for a night under the starlit Serengeti sky.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Enkirari Wilderness Camp

7. 7Serengeti Plains Game Drive⌄

   Spend your day exploring the heart of the Serengeti, following the rhythm of the great migration and the predators that follow them. Witness dramatic chases, herds grazing across golden grasslands, and perhaps a leopard lounging in an acacia tree. Enjoy a freshly prepared bush lunch before returning to camp in the evening for sundowners and dinner around the campfire.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Enkirari Wilderness Camp

8. 8Journey to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)⌄

   After breakfast, journey north to Kogatende, following the path of the migrating wildebeest as they approach the Mara River. Enjoy game viewing along the way and arrive at your migration camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, venture out for your first look at the riverbanks, where thousands of animals gather in anticipation of crossing. Evening at leisure with dinner and overnight at your camp.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Enkutoto Migration Camp

9. 9The Great Mara River Crossing⌄

   This is the highlight of your journey — a full day witnessing the Great Migration. Watch thousands of wildebeests and zebra make their perilous crossing through crocodile-infested waters as predators stalk nearby. Your guide will position you for the best views while ensuring minimal disturbance to the wildlife. Later, enjoy a sundowner with panoramic views over the Serengeti plains before heading back to camp for a celebratory dinner.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Enkutoto Migration Camp

10. 10Serengeti North – Departure⌄

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before your final morning game drive. Then transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your scenic flight to Arusha. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and taken for lunch before your onward transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.

    Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

    Overnight: Optional: day room or overnight stay in Arusha available at extra cost from 385$