Tanzania · 8 days · Luxury
8 Days Northern Serengeti Migration Luxury Safari
A luxury fly-in safari for the river-crossing season: three nights on the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, then the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Duration
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Countries
- Tanzania
- Starts
- Arusha
- Ends
- Arusha
- Tier
- Luxury
- Format
- Private safari
01 / Overview
The journey in brief.
A luxury fly-in safari for the river-crossing season: three nights on the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, then the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
This 8-day luxury itinerary starts in Arusha and ends in Arusha. Accommodation: Overnight at the lodge.
- Ideal for
- Migration season · Photographers · Luxury travellers
- Safari style
- Luxury · Private · Photography
Destination guides: Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Route
Arusha
Start
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Stop 1
Central Serengeti
Stop 2
Ngorongoro Crater
Stop 3
Arusha
Finish
02 / Highlights
What stays with you.
- 01
Three nights on the Mara River
- 02
Light-aircraft flight to Kogatende
- 03
Central Serengeti predators
- 04
Ngorongoro Crater
03 / Day by day
Travel it day by day.
8 days · driving times are approximate
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Airport pick-up and transfer to your Arusha lodge.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Overnight
- Arusha — Overnight at the lodge
Day 2 · Approx. 2 hours by air
Fly to the northern Serengeti
Scheduled light-aircraft flight to Kogatende airstrip, met by your guide for an afternoon game drive along the Mara River.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 3
Mara River
A full day watching the herds along the river. Crossings can happen at any time of day — or not at all — so patience is part of the experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 4
Mara River
Another day in the north, balancing time at the crossing points with the region's lions, cheetahs and elephants.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 5 · Full day with game viewing
To the central Serengeti
Game drive south to the central Serengeti (or a short flight, depending on logistics).
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 6
Central Serengeti
A full day on the Serengeti plains with a picnic lunch. The central Seronera valley is known for its resident lions, leopards in the sausage trees along the rivers, and cheetahs hunting on the open grassland; the position of the migration herds depends on the month.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 7 · Approx. 3–4 hours
Serengeti to the Ngorongoro rim
Morning game drive, then drive to the Ngorongoro crater rim.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Ngorongoro — Overnight at the lodge
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Descend about 600 metres to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, an enclosed caldera with its own resident wildlife: lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, large herds of zebra and wildebeest and one of Tanzania's few populations of black rhino. Lunch is taken at a picnic site on the crater floor. Return to Arusha or the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch
- Overnight
- End of safari
04 / Where you stay
Premium lodges and camps.
Where the itinerary says “overnight at the lodge”, we propose specific lodges with your quotation, based on your dates, preferences and availability.
- Arusha1 night
Overnight at the lodge
- Serengeti5 nights
Overnight at the lodge
- Ngorongoro1 night
Overnight at the lodge
Quick planning facts
- Duration
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Countries
- Tanzania
- Starts
- Arusha
- Ends
- Arusha
- Tier
- Luxury
- Format
- Private safari
- Accommodation
- Overnight at the lodge
- Best for
- Migration season · Photographers
05 / What’s included
Clear from the start.
Included
- Arrival and departure transfers in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Luxury lodge and camp accommodation as described
- All meals while on safari
- Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees, including the crater service fee where the crater is visited
- Game drives as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Scheduled flight Arusha–Kogatende
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls
- Optional activities not listed as included
06 / Pricing
Honest, complete pricing.
This safari is priced on request. Your quotation covers the complete 8-day package, with the inclusions and exclusions shown on this page.
Price on request
Pricing depends on your dates, group size and accommodation. We will send a clear quote for the complete package.
Optional extras (not included)
- Olduvai Gorge museum visitEntrance paid on the day; price confirmed when you book.
- Maasai village visitQuoted on request
- Serengeti hot-air balloon safariQuoted on request, subject to availability.
07 / Good to know
Questions, answered.
Important notes
- Best from about July to October, when the herds are usually in the northern Serengeti. River crossings are never guaranteed.
- Lodges are proposed with your quotation, based on your dates, budget and availability.
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will adapt the day to recent sightings, weather and road conditions.
- Driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions, stops and wildlife encountered along the way.
- Park and conservancy fees are set by the authorities and may change; any change is passed on at cost.
How much does this safari cost?
This 8-day safari is priced on request because rates depend on your dates, group size and accommodation. Send us your details and we will reply with a full quotation for the complete package.
Where does the safari start and finish?
It starts in Arusha and finishes in Arusha.
Is this a private or group-joining safari?
This itinerary is quoted as a private safari with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
What accommodation is used?
The itinerary shows where you stay each night. Lodges are proposed with your quotation, based on your dates, preferences and availability.
Can this itinerary be changed?
Yes. Dates, pace, accommodation level and the order of stops can usually be adjusted. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.
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Ready to make this journey yours?
Tell us your dates, group size and travel style and our Nairobi team will tailor the safari.