7-Day Northern Serengeti and Mara River Crossing Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Welcome to the Tanzania - Land of the Classic Safaric

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you are warmly welcomed by your Nandi Adventures safari guide and transferred to Arusha. This vibrant town sits beneath Mount Meru and serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.

The remainder of the day is intentionally relaxed. After a long journey, this is an opportunity to unwind, enjoy the hotel gardens or views, and adjust to the African pace. Your guide will provide a comprehensive safari briefing, outlining the route, daily routines, wildlife expectations, and answering any questions regarding photography, park regulations, or personal interests.

Traveling during the green season means fewer vehicles, quieter parks, and dramatic scenery — an advantage that will become increasingly evident as the safari progresses.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Kibo Palace Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Arusha (City)

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+21 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Off to Tarangire National Park – Karatu

After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, arriving mid-morning for an extended game drive with picnic lunch.

Tarangire is particularly rewarding during the green season. The park’s landscapes are lush, rivers flow freely, and wildlife disperses naturally, creating excellent photographic conditions. Large elephant families remain a highlight, along with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species. Lions are frequently encountered, often resting in the shade of acacia trees or along riverbanks.

Your guide will take time to explore different sections of the park, adapting the route based on animal movement rather than fixed schedules. After the game drive, continue toward the fertile highlands of Karatu, passing small villages and coffee farms.

Karatu’s cooler climate and scenic setting provide a comfortable base before entering the Serengeti ecosystem.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Marera Valley Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Natron

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. Wildlife sightings are concentrated and diverse, offering a rewarding experience within a short timeframe. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, large lion prides, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and numerous bird species. The compact nature of the crater allows for diverse sightings within a relatively short period.

In the afternoon, continue to Lake Natron, a remote and visually striking region at the base of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. The drive offers dramatic scenery and cultural landscapes.

Main Destination:

Lake Natron

Accommodation:

Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located near Lake Natron

+18 Photos

+17 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Natron – Northern Serengeti

After a relaxed morning, depart Lake Natron for the Northern Serengeti, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive near the Mara River. This region is quieter than the central areas and offers a calmer safari atmosphere. Wildlife viewing often involves extended observation of herds gathering near the riverbanks.

Main Destination:

Northern Serengeti National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)

High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Heritage Mara Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Northern Serengeti NP

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Northern Serengeti – Mara River Exploration

Spend a full day exploring the Mara River area, one of the most dynamic and iconic landscapes in the Maasai Mara. River crossings can occur at any time, and witnessing the drama of herds gathering, hesitating, and finally plunging into the river is a truly unforgettable experience. Patience is rewarded with moments of raw wildlife intensity, from splashing wildebeest to lurking crocodiles, all framed by the river’s sweeping vistas.

Your expert guide carefully manages the day, balancing time spent observing wildlife with opportunities to relax and enjoy the scenery in comfort. Even if the crossings don’t happen, the Mara River area is rich with life: elephants roam the riverbanks, giraffes browse among acacia trees, lions lounge in the shade, and hippos wallow in the calm waters. Birdlife is abundant, and the river itself creates striking reflections of the sky and savannah.

Main Destination:

Northern Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Heritage Mara Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Northern Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Northern Serengeti – Lake Natron

After breakfast, travel back to the serene Lake Natron, a striking contrast to the vibrant energy of the Serengeti. In the afternoon, take a gentle guided walk to the nearby waterfalls, where the cascading waters and lush surroundings create a tranquil retreat. Along the lake’s edge, observe the elegant flamingos as they feed and dance across the shallow waters, their pink plumage reflecting in the calm surface.

This day offers a welcome balance of relaxation and gentle exploration, allowing you to recover from the excitement of the Serengeti while still engaging with the region’s remarkable natural beauty. With its combination of dramatic scenery, wildlife, and peaceful moments, Lake Natron provides a reflective and rejuvenating experience, highlighting the diverse landscapes and quiet wonders of Tanzania.

Main Destination:

Northern Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located near Lake Natron

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Lake Natron – Arusha – Departure

Depart Lake Natron early and return to Arusha with a picnic lunch en route. After you’ll be privately transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey. You depart Tanzania not just with photographs, but with lasting memories, quiet moments of wonder, and a deeper sense of connection to the land and its people.

For those wishing to extend the experience, refined luxury upgrades are available.

Also, this journey pairs beautifully with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or a barefoot escape on Zanzibar’s shores. Seamless flights connect the Serengeti to Zanzibar or to Bwindi via Entebbe, with all arrangements handled for you. Extensions are available on request.

Main Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.