Quick Facts
| Duration | 9 days / 8 nights |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania — Mara River / Kogatende ecosystem |
| Vehicle | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof — exclusive use, no shared tours |
| Best Time to Go | July–October (peak Mara River crossing season) |
| Highlights | Mara River crossings at Kogatende, Big Five tracking, Grumeti River game viewing, Ngorongoro Crater |
| Price From | USD 2,100–3,950 pp depending on season and group size |
The Mara River is the single most dramatic wildlife event on Earth. Every July, over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra push north through Tanzania's Northern Serengeti, funnelling through crocodile-infested crossing points near Kogatende before pushing on into Kenya's Masai Mara. This 9-day itinerary puts you at the front of that migration in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser — not a van, not a shared group tour. You get full control over where you go, how long you stay at a crossing point, and when you move.
We run this itinerary across the core Serengeti-Mara border ecosystem, giving you access to the Northern Serengeti, the Grumeti River corridor, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Safari Highlights
- 9 days / 8 nights, with two full dedicated days at the Mara River crossing points
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, fridge, charging ports, unlimited mileage
- Grumeti River game viewing on the way north — a secondary crossing point with strong crocodile activity
- Big cat tracking in the low-density Northern Serengeti woodlands
- A guided bush walk with an armed ranger for ecology and tracking on foot
- A full day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with strong odds of the Big Five in a single basin
- Itinerary flexes daily around real-time herd movement reports
- Private throughout — never shared with other travellers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha / Kilimanjaro
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Private transfer to your Arusha accommodation. An evening safari briefing covers your route, migration tracking strategy, and a gear check ahead of the days to come.
Day 2: Arusha to Central Serengeti
Depart by private 4x4 Land Cruiser, or take a scenic flight option to a Serengeti airstrip. An afternoon private game drive on arrival gives you your first look at resident wildlife and herd positioning in the Seronera area.
Day 3: Central Serengeti — Tracking the Herds
A full day tracking across the Central Serengeti plains. Your driver-guide reads real-time herd movement reports to position you ahead of the migration front. Big Five sightings are likely, including strong lion and leopard density around Seronera.
Day 4: Transfer to Northern Serengeti — Grumeti River
Drive north to the Northern Serengeti, stopping en route at the Grumeti River — a secondary crossing point with strong crocodile predation activity outside peak Kogatende season. Afternoon game drive on arrival.
Day 5: Mara River Crossing Focus — Kogatende & Crocodile Alley
A dedicated day at the Mara River crossing points near Kogatende, on the Tanzania side of the Serengeti-Mara border. Extended waiting time at known crossing zones — this is the day built around live crossing action and crocodile predation.
Day 6: Full-Day Tracking — Northern Serengeti River System
A second full day on the river system, covering alternate crossing points along the Serengeti-Mara border and the Sand River border area. Your Land Cruiser's pop-up roof gives unobstructed sightlines for photography.
Day 7: Northern Serengeti — Big Cats & Bush Walk Experience
A morning focused on lion, leopard and cheetah tracking in the low-density Northern Serengeti woodlands. In the afternoon, a guided bush walk with an armed ranger covers ecology, tracking skills, and smaller wildlife on foot.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater — Big Five in a Single Basin
Transfer south to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a full-day crater floor game drive — one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa, with strong odds of completing the Big Five in a single day, including black rhino.
Day 9: Return to Arusha
A morning drive back to Arusha via the Rift Valley escarpment, with a stop for cultural shopping at Maasai markets and curio stalls. Private transfer to JRO for your international departure.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Pricing is per person, based on a private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari (exclusive use, not shared), and varies by season and group size.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June, November–December 15
- Peak SeasonJuly–October, December 16–January 1
Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $2,650 | $2,350 | $2,100 |
| High Season | $3,200 | $2,850 | $2,550 |
| Peak Season | $3,950 | $3,500 | $3,150 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Exclusive-use customized 4x4 Land Cruiser (pop-up roof, fridge, charging ports, unlimited mileage) |
| ✓ | Expert English-speaking driver-guide for the full 9 days |
| ✓ | All national park and conservation area entry fees (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) |
| ✓ | Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) |
| ✓ | Airport transfers (arrival and departure) |
| ✓ | Bottled water in the vehicle throughout |
| ✗ | International flights |
| ✗ | Tanzania visa fees |
| ✗ | Travel insurance |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and camp staff |
| ✗ | Alcoholic drinks |
| ✗ | Hot air balloon safaris (optional add-on, bookable separately) |
| ✗ | Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone/internet) |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
All international flights land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), roughly 45 minutes from Arusha. We handle your private transfer on arrival — no shared shuttle.
Why a Private 4x4 Land Cruiser, Not a Van
Northern Serengeti riverbed terrain, seasonal mud, and off-road tracking near Kogatende require real 4x4 ground clearance and low-range gearing. Vans and minibuses can't handle riverbank access roads or off-track pursuit of a moving herd. A Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof also gives every passenger a full standing view for photography — something a van's sliding windows can't match.
Optional Fly-In Extension
For guests short on time, you can skip the road transfer on Day 2. Fly from Arusha directly into a Serengeti airstrip — Seronera, Kogatende, or Lobo — and pick up your private Land Cruiser and driver-guide on landing.
