Quick Facts
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — dedicated vehicle and guide, no shared vehicle |
| Vehicle | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Focus | Wildebeest river crossings and Big Five |
| Destinations | Masai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti ecosystem (Tanzania) |
| Price From | USD 2,350–4,650 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best Time | Year-round, with the itinerary adjusted for seasonal herd tracking |
This 7-day private safari puts you on the ground floor of the Great Migration across two of Africa's best wildlife ecosystems: the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. You travel in your own customised 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, guided by a local expert who reads the herd movements in real time.
No fixed group schedule. No shared vehicle. Every stop, every extra hour at a river crossing, every detour for a lion sighting is on your terms. This itinerary is built specifically for travellers who want unrestricted access to the migration, not a seat on someone else's timetable.
Safari Highlights
- 7 days / 6 nights tracking the Great Migration across two countries
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, unlimited mileage
- Two full tracking days in the Mara, two in the Serengeti
- Seasonal Mara River crossings, patrolled by crocodiles
- Olduvai Gorge visit, one of the world's most significant paleoanthropological sites
- Full crater-floor morning at Ngorongoro, strong black rhino odds
- Kenya–Tanzania border crossing within one continuous ecosystem, no flights required
- Itinerary flexes daily around real-time herd movement
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Depart Nairobi by road, or take an optional light aircraft transfer to the Mara.
Afternoon game drive en route to camp. First contact with the Mara's resident wildlife, lion prides, elephant herds, and grazing plains game.
Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara — Tracking the Great Migration
Full-day private game drives across the Mara Triangle and Mara River corridor. Dedicated migration tracking with your guide, timed around herd movement toward the river.
Highlight: the Mara River crossing (seasonal), wildebeest and zebra fording waters patrolled by crocodiles.
Day 3: Masai Mara to Serengeti — Border Crossing & Transit Drive
Private road transfer via the Isebania/Sirari border crossing into Tanzania, with game viewing en route.
Transit drive through the northern Serengeti with stops for wildlife along the way. Crossing from Kenya into Tanzania within a single continuous ecosystem, no flights required.
Day 4: Full Day Serengeti — Tracking Herd Movements & Big Cats
Full-day private game drives across the Serengeti plains, adjusted to current herd location. Focused tracking of the migration alongside dedicated big cat viewing, the Serengeti holds some of East Africa's highest lion and cheetah densities.
Central Serengeti's resident predator populations and, seasonally, additional river crossing points.
Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Private drive south to Ngorongoro, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world, followed by scenic Ngorongoro rim views.
Standing at the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater as the sun sets over the caldera floor.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour to Manyara/Karatu
Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a private game drive, then transfer to Manyara or Karatu.
Crater floor game drive, one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including a strong chance of black rhino.
Day 7: Return to Arusha/Nairobi for Departure
Private road transfer to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha airport, or connecting transfer back to Nairobi.
Final morning at leisure or an optional short game drive, depending on flight timing. Departure with flexible timing built around your outbound flight.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Pricing is per person, based on a private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser and full-board accommodation. Rates vary by group size and season.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May
- High/Shoulder SeasonJanuary–March, June, November–mid-December
- Peak Migration SeasonJuly–October, late December
Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $3,150 | $2,650 | $2,350 |
| High/Shoulder | $3,850 | $3,250 | $2,900 |
| Peak Migration | $4,650 | $3,950 | $3,550 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and unlimited mileage |
| ✓ | Dedicated expert local guide for the full 7 days |
| ✓ | All park entry and conservation fees |
| ✓ | Full-board accommodation (private tented camps or lodges) |
| ✓ | Bottled water during game drives |
| ✓ | Airport/airstrip transfers |
| ✗ | International flights |
| ✗ | Visas (Kenya and Tanzania) |
| ✗ | Tipping and gratuities |
| ✗ | Optional hot air balloon safari |
| ✗ | Travel insurance |
| ✗ | Personal items and incidental expenses |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
Guests typically arrive via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) works as an alternative arrival or departure point for the Tanzania leg. Private airport pick-up is included.
Border Crossing Protocol
The Kenya-Tanzania leg of this itinerary crosses at Isebania/Namanga. Your guide handles the crossing process, and all necessary permits and paperwork are arranged in advance. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months, and East Africa visa requirements apply.
Vehicle Specifications
Every safari runs in a customised 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser fitted with a pop-up roof for unobstructed game viewing, a cooler/fridge for drinks, an HF radio for guide network communication, and charging sockets for cameras and phones.