Day 1
Day 1
Arusha to Central Serengeti
Arusha to Central Serengeti, afternoon game drive and overnight in Central Serengeti.
Overnight in lodge / campD
6 Day Private Migration Safari
6-Day Great Migration: Mara River Crossing Season
Witness one of the world's greatest natural spectacles as over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Your safari follows the migration's seasonal movements, maximizing your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters while exploring some of Northern Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.
6 daysCentral Serengeti · Northern Serengeti · NgorongoroPrivate departureBest: August - October
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Regions
Central Serengeti · Northern Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Group
Private, max 6 guests
Best time
August - October
Style
Seasonal · Luxury
Vehicle
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser
Overview
Mara River Crossing Season | Northern Serengeti.
Witness one of the world's greatest natural spectacles as over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Your safari follows the migration's seasonal movements, maximizing your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters while exploring some of Northern Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.
Dramatic Mara River crossings
Massive herds of wildebeest and zebra
Crocodile encounters
Big cats following the migration
Spectacular landscapes and photography
SeasonalLuxury
Why this journey
Why we built this itinerary the way we did
Combines Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti and Ngorongoro in a single, well-paced itinerary.
Timed to intercept the herds at the right latitude for your dates, with mobile camps that move with the migration rather than fixed lodges hours away.
6 days is enough to see the core Northern Circuit without rushing between camps. We favour longer stays in fewer camps over a checklist mentality.
Who it's for
Is this the right journey for you?
Discerning travellers
Guests who value owner-run camps, senior guides, superb food and a light footprint over hotel-brand safaris.
Migration chasers
Photographers and repeat safari-goers who want to be in the right patch of Serengeti at the right week of the year.
Day by Day
The itinerary
Day 2
Day 2
North through the Serengeti
Morning game drive, then continue north through the Serengeti. Overnight in Northern Serengeti.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 3
Day 3
Mara River crossing points
Full-day game drive along the Mara River, waiting patiently at crossing points for wildebeest herds to make the crossing. Overnight in Northern Serengeti.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 4
Day 4
Northern Serengeti
Another full day in Northern Serengeti exploring different sections of the Mara River, with the opportunity to witness multiple crossings if conditions are favorable. Overnight in Northern Serengeti.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 5
Day 5
Return to the Highlands
Morning game drive, then return to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Overnight near the crater.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 6
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater and return
Ngorongoro Crater game drive, then return to Arusha.
Overnight in lodge / campB
In the field
Wildlife you can realistically expect
Central Serengeti
Resident prides of lion on the kopjes, coalitions of cheetah on the short-grass plains, elephant families in the woodlands, and, in season, columns of wildebeest and zebra moving through in the hundreds of thousands.
Northern Serengeti
Resident prides of lion on the kopjes, coalitions of cheetah on the short-grass plains, elephant families in the woodlands, and, in season, columns of wildebeest and zebra moving through in the hundreds of thousands.
Ngorongoro
Africa's densest concentration of large mammals inside the crater floor - all Big Five bar giraffe, plus black rhino, flamingo on Lake Magadi, and consistent lion and hyena sightings within a two-hour drive.
When to travel
Best time for this route
Late January - March
Ndutu calving. Half a million wildebeest calves on the ground in about three weeks. Highest predator density of the year.
April - May
The herds regroup and start the slow northward push through the central Serengeti. Green, quiet, dramatic skies.
June
Grumeti River crossings and rutting in the Western Corridor. Fewer vehicles than the Mara crossings later in the year.
July - October
Mara River crossings in Kogatende. Book 8-12 months out. Northern Serengeti camps run at full capacity.
November - early December
Herds move back south through Lobo and central Serengeti. A quieter, transitional window still worth chasing.
Included
What's covered
- All park & conservation fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals on safari (B, L, D)
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
- Government taxes & VAT
Not Included
Extras & optionals
- International flights
- Tanzania visa (US$50 pp)
- Travel & medical insurance
- Personal expenses & drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural add-ons)
- Tips & gratuities
Where you stay
Handpicked lodges & camps
We tier accommodation to match your travel style - from atmospheric tented camps to unfussy comfortable lodges to owner-run luxury retreats. Below are typical properties on this itinerary; alternatives are always available on request.
Central Serengeti
Tented camp with plunge pool
Northern Serengeti
Rim lodge with valley views
Ngorongoro
Riverside luxury tent
Extend your journey
Optional add-ons
Hot air balloon safari
Sunrise flight over the Serengeti or Tarangire (approx. US$650-750 pp) ending with a champagne bush breakfast. Book at time of confirmation - allocations fill 6+ months out.
Walking safari with an armed ranger
Available in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Highlands and select Serengeti concessions. 2-4 hours; different scale of engagement with tracks, plants and small game.
Cultural visits (Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga)
We route through community-owned programmes only - fees go directly to the households you meet. Half-day to full-day.
Zanzibar beach extension
3-7 nights on the north coast (Kendwa, Nungwi, Matemwe) or the quieter east (Michamvi, Pongwe). Direct flights from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Ideal decompression after safari.
Kilimanjaro trek add-on
6, 7 or 8-day routes (Machame, Lemosho, Rongai). We recommend a minimum 7-day itinerary for summit success and proper acclimatisation.
Practical
Packing essentials
- Neutral safari clothing (khaki, olive, stone) - 3-4 layers, one warm fleece for early morning drives
- Wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, polarised sunglasses
- Sturdy closed shoes for walks + one comfortable pair for camp
- Small daypack, refillable water bottle, headlamp with red-light mode
- Camera body + one telephoto (200-400mm for wildlife), spare batteries, dust blower
- Binoculars per person (8x42 is the sweet spot)
- Basic medical kit: anti-malarial (consult your GP), rehydration sachets, plasters, personal medication
- Soft duffel bag (max 15kg for internal flights) rather than a hard-shell suitcase
Guide's notes
Travel tips from our team
- Yellow fever certificate is required only if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - not for direct arrivals from Europe or the Americas. Bring the card if you have it.
- Cash matters. Small US dollar bills (2018 series or newer, undamaged) cover tips and curio purchases. ATMs work in Arusha and Moshi; the parks have none.
- Sunrise game drives are non-negotiable. First light between 06:15 and 09:00 is when predators are still active and light is at its softest. We wake you with coffee at the tent.
- Bring binoculars per person - a good 8x42 pair transforms your safari. Sharing one pair is the single most common regret.
- Charge in the vehicle. Every Karis Land Cruiser has inverters and 12V outlets, so cameras and phones stay topped up between camps.
- Neutral colours only for walking safaris and cultural visits - no bright blue (attracts tsetse), no camouflage (reserved for military).
Questions, answered
FAQ
Is the 6-Day Great Migration: Mara River Crossing Season itinerary private?+
Yes. Every Karis journey is a private departure - your own guide, your own Land Cruiser, your own pace. You do not share the vehicle with strangers.
When is the best time to book?+
Migration itineraries in Kogatende (July-October) and Ndutu (late January-March) should be booked 8-12 months in advance. Mobile camps sell out first.
How much of the price is fixed vs flexible?+
Park fees, vehicles and guides are fixed. The main lever is the accommodation tier - swapping a luxury camp for its midrange sister camp can change the price by 25-35% without losing park time.
What wildlife will we realistically see on the 6-day route?+
Across Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro we expect the Big Four (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard) as a strong likelihood, with cheetah and rhino depending on the parks visited. Your guide radios sightings with a trusted network of colleagues; nothing is chased or crowded.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?+
Every camp handles vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and children's diets given advance notice at booking. We double-confirm 14 days before travel.
What is your cancellation policy?+
30% deposit at confirmation, balance 60 days before travel. Free date changes up to 45 days out subject to camp availability. Beyond that we work with each camp's individual policy.
How safe is safari travel in Tanzania?+
Tanzania is politically stable and one of the safer safari destinations in Africa. Our vehicles carry satellite communications; every itinerary has a 24/7 duty phone; guides are STCW/first-aid certified.
