7-Day Mara River Crossings & Big Cats Tanzania Safari

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

Arrival at JRO | Welcome to Tanzania

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by your dedicated Nature in Spirit driver-guide and transferred to Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s famous northern safari circuit. The scenic drive takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and offers your first glimpse into the beauty and rhythm of Tanzania. If weather conditions are favorable, you may even catch a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance—an unforgettable introduction to Africa. Along the way, you’ll pass local villages, markets, and everyday scenes that provide an authentic sense of the country and its people. Your guide will gladly stop for photos, questions, or short breaks whenever desired. Upon arrival in Arusha, the remainder of the day is dedicated to relaxation and recovery after your international journey. Enjoy a peaceful evening, dinner, and overnight stay as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

The African Tulip

• Mid-range hotel located in Arusha (City)

+14 Photos

+13 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Fly to Serengeti National Park – Kogatende Airstrip (Northern Serengeti)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha Airport for a scenic flight to the Northern Serengeti, reducing long driving hours and maximizing your safari experience. During the flight, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Ngorongoro Highlands, Mount Oldonyo Lengai, and the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. Upon landing at Kogatende Airstrip, your Nature in Spirit safari guide will warmly welcome you, and your adventure begins immediately and around mid day drive to your camp with a game drive en route to camp for a hot lunch. The Northern Serengeti is famous for the Great Migration and the dramatic Mara River crossings, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras may gather before crossing crocodile-filled waters. Wildlife movements are unpredictable, making every sighting unique and exciting. Besides the migration, the area offers excellent wildlife viewing with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos and many other species commonly sighted in the area.

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:

Kenzan Migration Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Serengeti NP

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Early Morning Game drive & Follow the Great Migration at the Mara River

We highly recommend departing camp at 06:00 AM sharp for one of the most magical experiences in the Serengeti. As the sun rises over the golden plains, wildlife is at its most active, offering exceptional sightings and unforgettable moments in the quiet morning wilderness. After an exciting game drive, enjoy a memorable bush breakfast surrounded by nature before continuing toward the legendary Mara River. The journey takes you through beautiful savannah landscapes filled with wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and predators along the way. At the Mara River, witness the dramatic setting of the Great Migration, where massive herds gather near crocodile-filled waters before deciding whether to cross. While crossings cannot be guaranteed, the experience itself is extraordinary and your guide will position you in the best possible areas. End the day with a scenic sundowner before returning to camp for dinner and overnight inside Serengeti National Park.

Main Destination:

Northern Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Kenzan Migration Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

From the Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti – In the Realm of Africa Big Cats

After breakfast, you will journey from the Northern Serengeti to the wildlife-rich Central Serengeti, a region famous for its exceptional big cat sightings. The approximately three-hour drive is an exciting safari experience itself, offering continuous wildlife viewing through the iconic Serengeti plains dotted with acacia trees and rocky kopjes. Along the way, you may encounter wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and predators roaming freely across the savannah. Arriving before lunch, you will check into camp and enjoy a freshly prepared hot lunch before continuing with afternoon safari continuing up to around 06:00pm in search of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. As the sun sets, enjoy a scenic sundowner experience with wine, soft drinks, snacks, and spectacular views over the plains. Return to camp for dinner and overnight inside Serengeti National Park, surrounded by the authentic sounds of the African wilderness.

Main Destination:

Central Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Matawi Serengeti Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Full day at the Central Serengeti & Follow African Big Cats

Today, we recommend starting your day with an early morning game drive departing camp at 06:00 AM, one of the best times to experience the Serengeti as wildlife is most active in the cool morning hours. Alternatively, you may choose an optional hot air balloon safari for breathtaking aerial views of the plains. Both experiences include a memorable bush breakfast in a scenic setting. After your morning adventure, return to camp around 11:30 AM to relax, refresh, and enjoy a leisurely hot lunch while taking in the peaceful surroundings of the Serengeti. In the afternoon, continue exploring the wildlife-rich Central Serengeti, home to migrating wildebeest, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and many other species. After an exciting day of safari, return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight. Relax by the campfire or enjoy the star-filled Serengeti sky from your private balcony, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Main Destination:

Central Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Matawi Serengeti Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Ngorongoro Crater & Leisure at Your Lodge

After breakfast, depart for the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. Descend more than 600 meters into this UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called Africa’s Garden of Eden. The crater floor is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and if lucky, the rare black rhinoceros. Enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness, creating a truly immersive safari experience. After your crater adventure, continue to The Retreat at Ngorongoro, a peaceful home-away-from-home set in the beautiful Ngorongoro Highlands. Relax and enjoy the lodge’s comfortable atmosphere, scenic surroundings, and beautiful views—the perfect setting to unwind, recharge, and reflect on an unforgettable safari journey.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

The Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge

• Luxury lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

+17 Photos

+16 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Leisurely Morning, Lunch in Arusha & Transfer the Airport

Today offers a relaxed start after an exciting safari adventure. Enjoy a peaceful morning at your lodge, taking in the beautiful surroundings and reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife experiences of the past days. At a comfortable time, depart for Arusha and enjoy a delicious lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge, set among lush coffee plantations and beautiful gardens. After lunch, visit the inspiring Shanga Workshop, a remarkable social enterprise where local artisans create handmade jewelry, glassware, and crafts using recycled materials. This meaningful visit offers a wonderful connection to Tanzanian culture while supporting the local community. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home, marking the end of an unforgettable journey through Tanzania’s spectacular landscapes and wildlife.

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.