6-Day Safari · 4 comfort levels
From
$2,730
per person
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle. Your written quote confirms the final price.
Four of Tanzania's great safari experiences in one trip: Tarangire's elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti and two nights near the Mara River.
Discover four remarkable safari experiences in one carefully planned journey: the elephants and baobab trees of Tarangire, the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, the wide plains of Central Serengeti and the Northern Serengeti, where the Great Wildebeest Migration gathers around the Mara River.
This six-day itinerary is for travellers who want more than a quick wildlife tour. You have time to explore varied landscapes, search for Africa's iconic predators, photograph large herds and spend a dedicated day looking for the dramatic Mara River crossings.
The main crossing season generally runs from July to October, with late July to September often especially popular. Some herds may stay in the north or move back and forth during November and December, depending on rainfall and grazing.
Because the herds are unpredictable, a river crossing can never be guaranteed on a particular day. What we can do is put you in the right place, at the right time of year, with a guide who knows how to read the herds.
Best months to travel: Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.
From $2,730per person
$455–$555 per day · $2,730–$3,330 for 6 days
A comfortable, well-organised safari with excellent wildlife viewing and good value, without paying for extensive luxury services.
From $4,530per person
$755–$1,200 per day · $4,530–$7,200 for 6 days
Upgraded lodges and premium tented camps with stylish interiors, excellent dining and attentive hospitality, while the safari stays focused on wildlife.
From $7,800per person
$1,300–$2,200 per day · $7,800–$13,200 for 6 days
Exceptional camps and lodges with premium suites, refined cuisine and personal service, chosen for location and exclusivity.
From $13,800per person
$2,300–$5,000 per day · $13,800–$30,000 for 6 days
Created for special celebrations and discerning travellers. Inclusions are tailored to the property and flights you choose, because not every camp offers every service.
These are indicative private-safari planning ranges per person, based on 2 adults sharing one private safari vehicle and a room. They are not confirmed quotations.
Your final cost depends on your travel dates, the number of guests, camp availability, flight fares and the exact services you choose. Camps near the Mara River can sell out early in the crossing season, so we confirm your price and accommodation in writing before you pay a deposit.
To request a price for one traveller or a group of three to six, select your group size in the booking box and Ombeni will quote you directly.
Your private vehicle and guide are shared only by your own party, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.
Day 1
Your professional safari guide welcomes you at Kilimanjaro International Airport or your hotel in Arusha. After a safari briefing, you travel to Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobab trees, seasonal swamps, open savannah and impressive elephant populations.
Inside the park, your guide looks for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs and predators such as lions and leopards. Wildlife in Tarangire changes with the season, and the dry months often bring animals towards the Tarangire River and other water sources.
You stop for a picnic lunch at an authorised site and continue exploring in the afternoon, with time for photography and birdwatching before leaving for your lodge.
Elephants beneath the baobabs on your first game drive.
Day 2
After breakfast, you leave for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a game drive on the floor of the famous crater. We can plan an early descent, aiming for about 6am, subject to the access arrangements and rules confirmed for your date. An early start lets you explore before the day gets busier.
Your guide looks for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, hippos and an extraordinary variety of birds. With luck, you may also see the endangered black rhino. The crater is a remarkable place to see wildlife in a compact area, although sightings depend on the animals and the day.
After a picnic lunch at an authorised site and more exploring, you climb to the highlands and transfer to your lodge to relax before the journey into the Serengeti.
Early light on the crater floor, before the day gets busy.
Day 3
After breakfast, you leave the highlands and travel into Serengeti National Park. The scenery changes from highland farms to the vast grasslands and rocky outcrops that have made the Serengeti famous. You enjoy game viewing as you go, with the exact route depending on the roads, park rules, recent sightings and your camp's location.
Central Serengeti, particularly around Seronera, is known for wildlife all year. Your guide searches for lions resting on the rocky kopjes, leopards in the woodland, cheetahs on the open plains, elephants and herds of zebra and wildebeest. You may also see hyenas, giraffes, gazelles and a rich variety of birds.
You enjoy a picnic lunch during the day and keep exploring before checking in to your camp or lodge.
Lions, kopjes and your first Serengeti sunset.
Day 4
After breakfast, you leave for the Northern Serengeti. Your guide looks for wildlife throughout the journey, and may stop in areas where herds or resident animals have recently been seen. The drive is long, so this day combines travel with game viewing rather than giving you a full day at the river.
On the way, you may see large groups of wildebeest and zebra, giraffes, elephants, antelopes and predators. You enjoy a picnic lunch at an authorised place before continuing north.
On arrival, you check in to your camp or lodge, ideally placed for the next day's search. After dinner, your guide talks through suitable viewing areas and why patience matters so much at the river.
Across the Serengeti to the land of the crossings.
Day 5
This is the main migration day of your safari. After an early breakfast, you head out to search for wildebeest and zebra near the Mara River and the plains around it. The day is planned around recent herd movements and conditions, not a fixed timetable.
You may find herds grazing near the river, moving along its banks, gathering at a crossing point or changing direction as they assess the water. If they begin to cross, you may see wildebeest and zebra enter the river in groups and make for the far bank. Crocodiles live here too, and lions, leopards and hyenas may be nearby.
Your guide takes you to permitted viewing areas and follows the park's crossing rules, which include staying in designated places, keeping vehicles still when required and giving the animals room. Lunch is a picnic during the drive, or back at camp if that works better, and you continue across the northern plains in the afternoon.
A day of watching, waiting and following the herds.
Day 6
You enjoy breakfast at camp and, if your schedule allows, one last game drive in the Northern Serengeti. How long you have depends on your flight or the road journey.
If you are flying back, you transfer to the airstrip, often Kogatende for a northern trip, and board your pre-booked flight to Arusha or another agreed destination. This is the quickest option and avoids a long drive across the Serengeti.
If you are returning by road, you travel towards Arusha by safari vehicle. It is a long journey, and any extra wildlife viewing depends on the route, the roads and when you leave.
One last game drive in the migration country.
Pick your comfort level, then choose a stay for each part of the route. Your choices go with your booking request. Ombeni confirms availability and your final price, and suggests a similar stay if one is full.
Your nights on this trip
Night 1
Tented lodge
Just outside Tarangire's western boundary, near Sangaiwe Gate
A tented lodge in a wildlife management area on Tarangire's western edge, about ten minutes from Sangaiwe Gate. A waterhole near the lodge draws passing animals, and there are views towards Lake Burunge.
What you can do here
Tented lodge
Between Tarangire and Lake Manyara
A tented lodge on open grassland between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, around 20 minutes from the Tarangire gate. Raised tents look out towards the lake and the Rift Valley escarpment.
What you can do here
Treehouse lodge
Randilen Wildlife Management Area, next to Tarangire
Twenty treehouse rooms set among marula and baobab trees, in a wildlife management area outside the national park. That location allows night drives and bush walks, which aren't possible inside Tarangire.
What you can do here
Luxury tented camp
South-western Tarangire National Park
A small camp of canvas tents inside the national park, in Tarangire's south-west at the edge of the Gurusi wetlands. The tents overlook a waterhole, so wildlife can come to you between game drives.
What you can do here
Luxury tented lodge
Burunge Wildlife Management Area, between Tarangire and Lake Manyara
An intimate lodge of eight tented suites on a private concession between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, including a two-bedroom family suite. Being outside the national parks means you can walk and drive at night as well as take game drives.
What you can do here
Night 2
Garden lodge
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A relaxed lodge set in about eleven acres of gardens in Karatu, the highland farming town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It is a short drive from the Ngorongoro gate, so it works well before or after a day in the crater.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee farm
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A lodge on a coffee farm in the Karatu highlands, close to the Ngorongoro Crater. The farm also grows vegetables and keeps livestock, which gives the place a warm, rural feel after a day in the park.
What you can do here
Lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
Built into the rim of the crater, with traditional decor and sweeping views over the crater floor. Sleeping on the rim puts you close to the descent road for your morning game drive.
What you can do here
Large lodge on the crater rim
Eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
A large lodge on the quieter eastern rim of the crater, with its rooms set around a central swimming pool. Your Ngorongoro stay here comes with views over the crater floor.
What you can do here
Simple lodge near the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A simple, good-value lodge in the forest close to the crater rim, with 24 en-suite rooms. It puts you close to the crater for much less than the bigger rim lodges.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Ngorongoro Highlands
A mid-range tented camp in the highlands, close to the descent road into the crater, which suits an early start.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee farm
About 20 minutes from Karatu
A lodge on a large coffee farm, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate of the conservation area, with a pool and evening campfires.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee farm
Edge of Karatu town
A lodge on an active coffee farm at the edge of Karatu, with rooms in private cabins, a pool and a spa.
What you can do here
Mid-range lodge
Karatu
A mid-range lodge of cottages and spacious tents in landscaped gardens, with a pool, a bar and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Mid-range hilltop lodge
Hilltop near Karatu
A comfortable mid-range lodge on a scenic hilltop near Karatu, with a pool, a lounge and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Good-value cottage lodge
Eastern edge of Karatu town
Affordable cottage-style rooms at the edge of Karatu, about 30 minutes from both the crater and Lake Manyara.
What you can do here
Good-value lodge
Karatu
A comfortable and affordable lodge in Karatu, offering a good base for exploring the crater.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge
Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater
A lodge of private cottages at the edge of Karatu, close to the village of Rhotia and about 30 minutes from the Ngorongoro gate. Each cottage has its own veranda, making it a restful stop between Tarangire and the crater.
What you can do here
Colonial-style manor on a coffee estate
Karatu Highlands
An elegant manor house on a large Arabica coffee estate in the Karatu highlands, just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private suites set in cottages around the grounds.
What you can do here
All-inclusive luxury lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands
An all-inclusive lodge of spacious cottages set in lush gardens, a calm base in the highlands for your crater day.
What you can do here
Historic working coffee farm
Near Karatu, on the slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands
A working farm with roots going back to 1929, set among gardens and coffee on the forested slopes below the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private cottages, and much of the food comes from the farm.
What you can do here
Luxury forest lodge
About 15 minutes from Karatu town
A luxury lodge on forested land near Karatu, with secluded cottages that have fireplaces and private decks overlooking the trees.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee plantation
Karatu
A stylish lodge on a working farm and coffee plantation, with rooms and suites spread through park-like gardens around a large pool.
What you can do here
Farmhouse-style lodge
Karatu, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate
A farmhouse-style lodge of suites on about 40 acres, with views of the Oldeani Mountains and a pool.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge among coffee plantations
Between Rhotia and Karatu
A lodge of cottages surrounded by coffee plantations and forest, each with a private veranda and a fireplace.
What you can do here
Colonial-style lodge on a coffee plantation
Karatu highlands
An upper mid-range lodge on a working coffee plantation above Karatu, built in the style of old colonial farms, about 30 minutes from the Lodoare gate.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A rebuilt lodge on the rim of the crater, reopened in 2023 on the site of one of the first lodges at Ngorongoro.
What you can do here
Boutique camp of dome tents
Slopes of Olmoti volcano, north of the crater
A small Asilia camp of eight dome-shaped tents, inspired by Maasai homes, on the slopes of Olmoti volcano. Each has a wood-burning stove against the cool highland nights.
What you can do here
Ultra-luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
One of Africa's most celebrated lodges, with opulent suites on the crater rim and breathtaking views over the crater floor. It is closed for a major rebuild and due to reopen in 2027, so we confirm availability for your dates.
What you can do here
Night 3
Small tented camp
Seronera, Central Serengeti
A small tented camp in the Seronera area, in the heart of the Serengeti and close to the airstrip. That makes it a practical base for a final game drive before you fly back to Arusha.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Central Serengeti
A comfortable tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti, well placed for game drives in the central park.
What you can do here
Hillside tented lodge
Central Serengeti
Spacious tents raised on wooden platforms on a ridge overlooking the central plains, about half an hour from Seronera. It is a comfortable base for the Seronera Valley, with big views from the camp.
What you can do here
Hilltop lodge
Central Serengeti
A lodge perched on a hill above the plains, blending African architecture with modern comfort, with a swimming pool and wide views.
What you can do here
Classic park lodge
Heart of the Serengeti
A classic lodge in the heart of the park, built around a rocky outcrop.
What you can do here
Tented lodge
Central Serengeti, about 24 km from Seronera Airstrip
A safari-tented lodge in Central Serengeti, a comfortable base for game drives around Seronera.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Makoma Hill, Central Serengeti
A tented camp at the foot of Makoma Hill, south-west of Seronera, about 45 minutes from the airstrip.
What you can do here
Luxury tented suites
Eastern Serengeti
A boutique camp of canvas suites in the eastern Serengeti, each with a private deck and plunge pool. The area is known for excellent predator viewing, particularly cheetah.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti
A tented camp in a secluded part of the Seronera Valley, one of the Serengeti's best areas for big cats.
What you can do here
Upscale safari lodge
Nyaburo Hills, Serengeti
A large new lodge on the Nyaburo Hills, built on the site of the former Serengeti Sopa Lodge, with rooms and suites overlooking the plains.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge
Nyamuma Hills, above the Mbalageti valley
A luxury lodge of 50 rooms overlooking the Mbalageti River valley, with a pool facing the park, under an hour from Seronera Airstrip.
What you can do here
Small semi-permanent camp by Asilia
Just north of the Moru Kopjes
A small camp of eight luxury en-suite tents in a lesser-visited part of the Serengeti, with easy access to Seronera and the southern plains.
What you can do here
Classic 1930s-style camp
Moru Kopjes, south-central Serengeti
A camp of 12 tents on a kopje overlooking the Moru Kopjes and Lake Magadi, inspired by the mobile safari camps of the 1930s.
What you can do here
High-end safari lodge
Central Serengeti
A high-end lodge in the central Serengeti with luxurious suites, an infinity pool, a spa and excellent service, close to prime wildlife areas.
What you can do here
Nights 4 and 5
Seasonal mobile tented camp
Northern Serengeti, near Kogatende
A simple, wild mobile camp of about 11 tents, around 20 minutes from Kogatende airstrip. It is set up in the north for the migration months, and wildlife can pass through the camp itself.
What you can do here
Seasonal mobile tented camp
Northern Serengeti, about 25 minutes from Kogatende airstrip
A mobile camp of comfortable en-suite safari tents, which spends the crossing months near the Mara River and moves south to Ndutu for the calving season.
What you can do here
Luxury tented suites
Wogakuria Hills, Northern Serengeti
A lodge of 15 glass-fronted tented suites set among boulders in the Wogakuria Hills, each with a plunge pool. It is about 45 minutes from Kogatende airstrip and closes in April and May.
What you can do here
Permanent luxury tented camp
Wogakuria, Northern Serengeti
A permanent camp on a hillside overlooking plains and acacia woodland, not far from the Mara River. Every tent has a deck with sunken seating and its own hot tub.
What you can do here
Ultra-luxury tented camp
Lamai Wedge, on the Mara River
A small camp of six tented suites on the northern bank of the Mara River, in the Lamai Wedge at the northern tip of the Serengeti. It is close to the crossing points and closes for part of the rainy season.
What you can do here
High-end mobile camp by Asilia
Ndutu from December to March, the Mara River from June to November
An intimate camp of nine tents that moves between the far north and Ndutu to follow the herds. Stargazing tents give wide views from your bed, so the plains stay with you through the night.
What you can do here
Small high-end mobile camp
Ndutu from December to March, Kogatende from July to October
A small mobile camp of just a few canvas tents that moves through the year with the migration, settling at Ndutu for the calving season and at Kogatende for the river crossings.
What you can do here
High-end mobile tented camp
Moves with the migration
A high-end mobile camp that moves through the year to follow the Great Migration. We confirm its position for your dates, so that it suits your route.
What you can do here
No responsible safari operator can guarantee that a crossing will happen on a particular day, at a particular time or in front of a particular vehicle. The migration is a natural event, not a scheduled show. Herds may gather for hours, turn back or cross at another point.
The best approach is to stay in the north during the season, travel with an experienced guide and allow time for patient watching. At designated crossing points, vehicles must follow park rules, stay in permitted viewing areas and avoid blocking the animals.
If no crossing happens, the Northern Serengeti still offers huge herds, predators and beautiful scenery.
The main crossing season generally runs from July to October. Here is what normally happens each month, although the herds follow the rain and the grazing rather than a calendar.
| Month | What to expect |
|---|---|
| July | The season begins. The first large herds may reach the north, although crossings can be irregular early in the month. |
| August | A peak month. Large herds may gather around the river, making it a favourite for migration photography. |
| September | Excellent potential. Herds continue moving across the north and into Kenya, so crossing points can change. |
| October | Late-season opportunities. Crossings can continue as some herds move between Tanzania and Kenya, while others begin heading south. |
| November | The end of the season. Most of the migration gradually moves towards the southern Serengeti. |
July to October is a popular season, and well-placed camps and flights in the north can sell out, so we recommend booking 6 to 15 months ahead. To receive an accurate quotation, tell us your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred comfort level, room-sharing arrangements and whether you will arrive at JRO, ARK or an Arusha hotel.
Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.
Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.
Where to go, when to travel, what a day looks like and what it costs — everything you need to plan a northern Tanzania safari.
Read guide →Safari · 8 min readA month-by-month guide to the wildebeest migration — calving in the south, the Mara River crossings in the north, and everything in between.
Read guide →Safari · 8 min readTanzania's flagship park — endless plains, the Great Migration and the finest big-cat viewing in Africa.
Read guide →Ready to go?
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$2,730
per person
