Mara River crossing & More fly safari – 8 days
$14,433
This luxury plus safari offers the unforgettable opportunity to witness the iconic Great Migration up close. You’ll have several chances to see dramatic Mara River crossings, where crocodiles lie in wait for the migrating herds. These crossings occur multiple times throughout the dry season, with groups ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving in both directions. The unpredictable rhythm of the crossings makes this one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles on Earth.
Following your time in the northern Serengeti, the journey continues into Central Serengeti, known for its vast open plains and thriving lion population. Your adventure concludes in the pristine Ngorongoro Crater, home to more than 25,000 animals, including all members of the famed Big Five.
Detailed Itinerary
Travel to Arusha, Tanzania
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be greeted by our representative or safari guide, who will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. As a team of local Tanzanians, we know the country inside out—so from the moment you land to the day you depart, you’re in for a treat. Welcome aboard!
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge sits on the outskirts of Arusha town, nestled within a lush coffee plantation just five minutes from Arusha Airport. The lodge features 30 wooden chalets—18 Plantation Rooms and 12 Plantation Suites—each offering spacious, airy, and modern interiors. Surrounded by the rich aroma of coffee, it provides the perfect retreat for relaxation.
Fly to Northern Serengeti
A fantastic way to start this ultra-luxury safari is by flying directly to where the Great Migration is taking place. Upon arrival in the Northern Serengeti, your safari guide will meet you and take you on an exhilarating game drive to track the Wildebeest Migration. The Northern Serengeti is known for its stunning landscapes, with green rolling hills, granite outcrops, and acacia-dotted savannas, as well as remarkable wildlife and, most importantly, front-row access to the Great Migration.
One Nature Mara River
One Nature Mara River is a luxury safari lodge set amidst the sweeping plains of the Mara region, just a minute from Kogatende Airstrip. Featuring six one-bedroom villas and a two-bedroom presidential villa, the lodge offers an exclusive combination of refined comfort, generous space, and uninterrupted views of one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes—delivering an experience as extraordinary as its surroundings.
Northern Serengeti & Great Migration
The Northern Serengeti showcases breathtaking landscapes of rolling green hills, granite outcrops, and acacia woodlands spread across the open savanna. From late June to October, it becomes the stage for one of nature’s greatest spectacles—the Great Migration. More than 2.5 million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, move in a clockwise route covering roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) each year, driven by ancient instincts and the search for fresh water and grazing grounds.
One Nature Mara River
One Nature Mara River is a luxury safari lodge set amidst the sweeping plains of the Mara region, just a minute from Kogatende Airstrip. Featuring six one-bedroom villas and a two-bedroom presidential villa, the lodge offers an exclusive combination of refined comfort, generous space, and uninterrupted views of one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes—delivering an experience as extraordinary as its surroundings.
Central Serengeti
Let yourself be inspired by the beauty and wonder of the Serengeti, where acacia trees and granite kopjes rise from endless waves of golden grass. Your time will be devoted to exploring the heart of Central Serengeti, where each day brings new chances to encounter Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife—including large prides of lions, sleek cheetahs, towering elephants, elusive leopards, elegant giraffes, pods of hippos, and an abundance of birdlife.
Namiri Plains Camp
Namiri Plains is an exclusive safari camp nestled in the eastern Serengeti along the Ngare Nanyuki River. The camp features 11 elegant tented suites, including options for families, each offering a seamless blend of modern comfort and natural harmony. Thoughtfully designed with materials and details that reflect the surrounding landscape, every suite immerses guests in the beauty of the wild without compromising on luxury.
Fly to Manyara and travel to Ngorongoro
Your safari guide will drop you off at Seronera airstrip in time for your flight to Manyara. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to Ngorongoro, where you will first glimpse the glistening streams, vast grasslands, and countless animals that await you in the crater the next day. Spend the evening leisurely having dinner, and retire for the night.
Your safari guide will escort you to Seronera Airstrip for your flight to Manyara. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to Ngorongoro, where your journey continues through lush highlands and rolling landscapes. As you approach the crater rim, catch your first breathtaking glimpse of the shimmering streams, open grasslands, and abundant wildlife that await in the caldera below. Enjoy a relaxed evening with dinner and settle in for a restful night in anticipation of tomorrow’s crater adventure.
Melia Ngorongoro Lodge
Melia Ngorongoro Lodge, part of the Melia Collections portfolio, is nestled in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and offers an exceptional stay surrounded by nature. The lodge features 52 luxurious accommodations, including 28 elegantly appointed rooms and 24 spacious suites with stunning views over the crater. Each room is thoughtfully elevated, tastefully decorated, and comfortably furnished, blending modern luxury with the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Ngorongoro Crater Tour
The Ngorongoro Crater, spanning just 10 miles (16 km) across, was formed around three million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed in on itself. Today, it remains the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is home to more than 25,000 resident animals. Within its grassy plains and acacia woodlands, you can spot nearly every species native to the East African savannah — including all members of the iconic Big Five.
Melia Ngorongoro Lodge
Melia Ngorongoro Lodge, part of the Melia Collections portfolio, is nestled in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and offers an exceptional stay surrounded by nature. The lodge features 52 luxurious accommodations, including 28 elegantly appointed rooms and 24 spacious suites with stunning views over the crater. Each room is thoughtfully elevated, tastefully decorated, and comfortably furnished, blending modern luxury with the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
Today, enjoy a relaxed morning and a leisurely brunch at your beautiful lodge before heading to Manyara Airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you’ll connect to your international flight to Zanzibar. It’s an emotional farewell for us, but one filled with the hope of welcoming you back someday!
If you’d like to make your final morning a bit more active, you may choose from the following optional experiences before your departure:
- Lake Manyara biking adventure combined with a visit to the local community
- Maasai cultural experience with a hot lunch