Mara River Crossing Safari is primarily focusing on “Great Wildebeest Migration” when crossing the Mara River to the Masai Mara game reserve in southern Kenya from Northern Serengeti, the Kogatende area. The best time to see the crossing is from the end of August to the end of October. Over 2.5 million wildebeest accompanied by zebras and gazelles cross backwards and forth Mara River during these times of the year. However, seeing the crossings not guaranteed because of climate change that we have no control of it. But once you confirm your booking our experts will advise you the best dates to witness this significant event of the Serengeti national park. This safari also includes the visit to Center Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater tour, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park.
Highlight
- North Serengeti Kogatende area.Game drive
- Center Serengeti Seronera river, Game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater – Game drive
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- One way Flight from Arusha to Kogatende Airstrip
Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Lake Duluti Lodge is made up of 18 spacious contemporary African styled romantic chalets ideally positioned for maximum privacy and view inside a thirty-acre active coffee farm located in a safe and exclusive area on the outskirts of Arusha. All chalets are positioned to face the coffee farm and each has a private deck with an amazing view of the ancient indigenous trees found in big number within the farm. The lodge has been designed in a way that you will feel like you are staying at home rather than at a top-end hotel. Lake Duluti Lodge prides itself on its finest cuisine, first-class exclusivity, five-star personalized excellent service, top-class amenities and the Eco-friendly architecture and operations. The lodge also boasts a coffee shop, patisserie and a swimming pool.
Breakfast, Lunch and, Dinner will be provided here: Lake Duluti Lodge
Day 2: Arusha- Northern Serengeti Kogatende airstrip.Northern Serengeti Game drive
After breakfast today Open Africa representative will meet you at your lodge and drive you to Arusha Airstrip for your charter flight to Kogatende Airstrip where you will find our professional driver guide who will meet you at this place. You will arrive at Kogatende around noon, then your driver will drive you to your Luxury Tented camp for hot lunch. It will only take 20 min driving from Kogatende Airstrip to Lemala Mara Tented Camp or Mara under canvas Luxury Tented camp. You can choose one of the tented camps for your accommodation in North Serengeti. After Lunch today you will continue to explore the park see what Kogatende has to offer. You will have time to drive along the Mara River, you might see Hippopotamus and Crocodile on the river bank. Other animals that you may see are at this area are giraffes, buffalo, elephants, Lions, Cheetahs and more other predators.
Overnight will be at Mara Under Canvas Tented Camp (FB)
Day 3 & Day 4: Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart with picnic lunch for full day game drive to northern Serengeti Kogatende area following the great migration at Mara River. The game drive will be along the Mara River and other interesting places in the North where the big groups of wildebeests will be at that particular period. After the full day of a game drive, we will drive to the camp for evening leisure and hot dinner. Overnight at Mara Under Canvas Tented camp(FB)
Day 5: Northern Serengeti – Center Serengeti National Park
Today you will set off to the centre Serengeti National Park. After passing the Lobo Valley hills, you will soon see the plains of the centre and Southern Serengeti, start to understand the meaning of the word “Serengeti” which stands for endless plain. Animals such as elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, topi, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles and many more can be seen. You will overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (FB)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, depart with picnic lunch for the final game drive in the Serengeti NP. Drive in the direction of the Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you have reached the edge of the crater rim, the crater appears half a mile below you inviting you to gaze at this jaw-dropping natural wonder. The Ngorongoro Crater opens up a half-mile below you from its rim. When you reach its edge and view its 100 square mile expanse, it is a sight to behold.
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest volcano caldera formed three million years ago and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and one of Africa’s most remarkable geological sites. A caldera is a volcano in which water has leached through the soil and rocks below the volcanic cone causing it to drop to the bottom of the former mountain.
We will be getting out of the safari jeep to enjoy the Ngorongoro crater view. Afterwards, you will proceed to the lodge for evening leisure and hot dinner.
Dinner and Overnight will be at Gibb’s Farm Sanctuary Lodge (FB)
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, your driver-guide will drive you to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend into it for game viewing. Formed over 3 million years ago, it is inhabited by a unique ecosystem inhabited by more than 25,000 animals. In the grass steppes and Acacia forest, you will find almost every type of animal from the East African savanna. The Big Five (rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard) and most of the animal species found in the Serengeti, including zebra, hippos, wildebeest, and cheetahs, can be viewed close up. The Ngorongoro Crater ecosystem maintains the historic balance between people and nature in a way that is not possible.
Later in the afternoon, you will drive to your accommodation in Lake Manyara National Park. Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 8: From Serena Safari Lodge – Lake Manyara National Park full day game drive.
Breakfast is at daybreak before you drive into Lake Manyara National Park. You cannot fail to be captivated by the rich and diverse wildlife. In the grass steppes and Acacia forest, you will find almost every type of animal from the East African Savannah except for topi, Masai giraffe and impala. It is also possible in a few hours to see the big five – lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards. After extensive wildlife watching and a hot lunch at the Lodge, your driver-guide will drive you to Tarangire National Park for Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge inside the Park (FB)
Day 9: Tarangire National Park full day game drive, late in the afternoon you will drive back to Arusha town for dinner and overnight at Lake Duluti Lodge.
After breakfast, you will have a full day game drive in Tarangire National Park, the third-largest national park in Tanzania. This delightful park, covering an area of 2,600 sq km was established in 1970, and it is the numerous baobab trees that will initially catch your eye. The Tarangire National Park derives its name from the Tarangire River that rises in the highlands of central Tanzania and winds its way through the game sanctuary. The river irresistibly lures the herds of plains migrants from the parched surrounding area to its shrunken – but permanent – brackish waters during the dry season. Tarangire National park is the first park in Africa which has a big number of African Elephant. Late in the afternoon, your driver-guide will drive you back to
Arusha town depending on your flight itinerary you might be dropped off at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight to the next destination
The price for the above 9-day safari tour package based on 4-5 star Lodges and Luxury Tented Camps. A discount will be offered for a group of 5 people or more.
Inclusions.
- 4-night accommodation in hotels and other lodgings, as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as specified for each day of the itinerary
- Transportation by private FWD vehicle, equipped with roof hatches, VHF radio, and GSM contact with our base in Arusha
- The services of a professional safari guide
- Park and Crater entry fees
- One way flight ticket from Arusha to Kogatende airstrip in Northern Serengeti
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- One (1) bottle of pure drinking water per day throughout the safari
Exclusions.
- International airfare and other travel costs such as visas and vaccination fees, and additional travel insurance.
- Optional Serengeti balloon safari (USD 590per person)
- Any increase in government taxes before the start of your trip
- All items of a personal nature (e.g. beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Gratitude for the safari guides (at your discretion) Olduvai Gorge ($20 per person (Option) One Night accommodation in Arusha Town.