Signature
Northern Circuit — Mara River Crossing
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Mara River
From $5,301 per person
View the Northern Circuit — Mara River Crossing7 Days · Signature · Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
7 Days Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Beyond
Two of Africa's greatest wildlife areas, then wherever the migration is. Drive in, fly out.
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Your investment
- From $4,600 pp (Non-Resident)
Overview
A 7 day Ngorongoro Serengeti safari that follows the herds
Most safaris fix the route and hope the herds turn up. This one fixes Ngorongoro and Central Serengeti, then moves your last two nights to wherever the migration is that month. You drive in through the highlands and fly out, so no day is lost to the road back. You can mix Classic, Signature and Bespoke accommodation within the same safari.
At a glance
- Arusha 1 night
- Ngorongoro Highlands 1 night
- Central Serengeti 2 nights
- Migration zone 2 nights
Day by day
Your Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti safari, day by day
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Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Land, rest, and let the journey start slowly. We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and drive you to your hotel. In the evening your guide walks you through the days ahead.
≈ 50 km ≈ 1 hr driveWhere you stay
Greenside Hotel, Arusha
- Meals: Dinner
-
Day 2
Arusha to the Ngorongoro Highlands
An easy first day that puts you at the crater's edge. Drive west past Maasai country and up the Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu, arriving for lunch with the afternoon free.
Optional: Coffee farm walk, Mto wa Mbu village visit, or a short walk in the highland forest
≈ 140 km ≈ 3 hrs driveWhere you stay
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, Karatu
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater, then Central Serengeti
Be on the crater floor before the crowds. Descend at first light for black rhino, lion, elephant and flamingo, with a picnic lunch by the hippo pool. Then cross the conservation area and enter the Serengeti with a game drive on the way to camp.
Optional: Olduvai Gorge museum stop
≈ 20 km ≈ 30 min driveWhere you stay
Serengeti Serena Lodge, Central Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
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Day 4
Central Serengeti
A full day in big cat country. The Seronera valley has year-round water, which keeps lion, leopard and cheetah here in every season. Go out at dawn, come back for lunch, and head out again for the evening light.
Optional: Hot air balloon safari at sunrise
Distance: Game drives from the lodge
Where you stay
Serengeti Serena Lodge, Central Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 5
Beyond, to the migration
This is the day the route follows the herds. Your guide takes you to where the wildebeest are, with a game drive the whole way.
December to March: Ndutu, for the calving season. About 90 km (2.5 hrs)
May to June: Western Corridor and the Grumeti River. About 100 km (3 hrs)
July to October: Northern Serengeti and the Mara River. About 170 km (5 hrs)
April and November: Eastern Serengeti plains, quiet and rich in cheetah. About 60 km (2 hrs)
Where you stay
Seasonal tented camp in the migration zone
Karibu Tented Camp in the north
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
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Day 6
A full day with the herds
No transfer, no rush. Spend the whole day where the action is: river crossings in the north, newborn calves and hunting cats in the south, or crocodile-lined pools in the west.
Optional: Walking safari or bush sundowner where the area allows
Distance: Game drives from camp
Where you stay
Same seasonal tented camp
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Day 7
Fly back to Arusha
One last morning in the bush, then a short flight instead of a long road. Enjoy an early game drive on the way to the airstrip, fly to Arusha, and connect to your flight home or on to Zanzibar.
Meals: Breakfast
Flight: 1 to 2 hours, depending on the airstrip
Departure day, no overnight stay
Included
What your Serengeti fly-out safari includes
Your investment
From $4,600 pp (Non-Resident)
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and professional guide
- All accommodation and meals as listed
- All park, crater and conservation fees
- Scheduled flight from the Serengeti to Arusha
- Airport transfers and drinking water on game drives
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal items
- Optional activities (balloon safari, Olduvai, village visits)
- Drinks not listed by the lodge
Options
Shape your private Tanzania safari, 7 days or more
- Add 3 to 4 nights in Zanzibar after Day 7
- Add Tarangire as an extra day between Days 1 and 2
- Upgrade any night to Bespoke or bring it down to Classic
Best time
Best time for a Tanzania migration safari 2027
This itinerary runs all year, because the last two nights move with the migration. July to October is best for river crossings, January to March for calving, and April, May and November for lower rates and fewer vehicles.
Planning
How it works
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01
Describe your dream
Tell us your dates, your group and what you most want to see. We reply within 24 hours with a first itinerary and price.
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02
Confirm
We adjust the camps, pace and budget until it fits you. A deposit then secures your dates and rooms.
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03
Start packing
You receive your final itinerary, packing list and travel documents. Your guide is waiting when you land.
Plan your safari
Let's plan your 7-day Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari.
We reply within 24 hours.
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