7 Day Mara River Crossing Safari from July to October

Begin your journey with a drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, a scenic wildlife haven known for its towering baobabs, huge elephant populations, and rich game viewing during the dry season. From July onwards, wildlife gathers near the Tarangire River, offering fantastic sightings of elephants, lions, giraffes, and more.

After your afternoon game drive, head to your lodge or tented camp for a relaxing evening. This first stop eases you into Tanzania’s dry-season magic before you head north toward the migration action.

After breakfast, travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enter Central Serengeti, home to the Seronera Valley — one of Africa’s best places to see leopards and lions year-round. You’ll arrive in time for a late lunch or picnic followed by a classic Serengeti game drive.

While the main herds are further north, Central Serengeti still delivers incredible sightings, including buffalo, cheetahs, hyenas, and elephants. Overnight in a well-positioned lodge or tented camp to prepare for your move north.

Today you ascend deeper into the migration corridor. Drive through the rolling plains and woodlands, heading north toward the Mara River region. Along the way, you’ll pass scattered wildebeest and zebra herds, and likely encounter lion prides or cheetahs following them.

Arrive in North Serengeti by afternoon — the best place in Tanzania to witness the Mara River crossings between July and October. Check in at a camp near the river, ideally placed to maximize your chances over the next two days.

Today is dedicated to chasing the Mara River crossings — one of nature’s most spectacular shows. With packed breakfasts or lunches in hand, your guide will scout known crossing points, tracking herd movement and waiting patiently for the moment the wildebeest decide to leap into the river.

Crocodiles lie in ambush, dust rises in clouds, and chaos unfolds as the wildebeest thunder across. Even if a crossing doesn’t happen today, the sheer number of animals, predator interactions, and anticipation makes this a thrilling safari day.

With another full day in the Kogatende and Lamai Wedge areas, you double your chances of seeing a dramatic crossing. Your guide may take you to less crowded crossing points depending on herd movement, maximizing your viewing and photography potential.

Outside the river, the plains are alive with lion kills, cheetah sprints, and hyena patrols. This is peak predator-prey season, and every moment feels electric.

Return to camp for your final night in North Serengeti, knowing you’ve been at the center of one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.

After breakfast, begin your drive southward through the Serengeti, following the trail of migrating herds and catching any wildlife you may have missed. The journey itself is full of game viewing opportunities.

Arrive back in Central Serengeti by mid-afternoon, where you’ll overnight at a tented camp or lodge and enjoy your final Serengeti sunset.

Depart early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to all members of the Big Five — including the rare black rhino. Enjoy a half-day game drive on the crater floor, which is rich with wildlife and picture-perfect landscapes.

After lunch by a hippo pool, begin your journey back to Arusha, arriving in the evening — the end of an unforgettable, migration-focused Tanzania safari.