6 Days August Private Serengeti Safari | Mara River Crossing Season 2027

Breakfast & Departure
After breakfast, we leave Karatu and travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward Serengeti. The drive to Central Serengeti takes approximately 4–5 hours, excluding wildlife, photography, comfort and meal stops.

Ngorongoro Highlands
We cross the highlands and descend toward the open Serengeti plains. The landscape changes from highland forest and crater surroundings to expansive grasslands as we approach the national park.

Central Serengeti Game Drive
Once inside Serengeti, we begin game viewing around the Seronera area. We look for resident lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and wildebeest while our guide also checks current migration information.

Breakfast & Morning Game Drive
After breakfast, we begin a morning game drive through Central Serengeti before continuing north. The route to Northern Serengeti generally takes around 4–5 hours of driving, but the journey is treated as a game-viewing route rather than continuous driving.

Following the Migration
We watch for concentrations of wildebeest and zebra as we move north. Our guide uses recent sightings and current field conditions to determine whether to continue directly toward Kogatende or spend additional time in areas where wildlife activity is stronger.

Northern Serengeti Arrival
We arrive in the Northern Serengeti and begin monitoring the Mara River region. If the herds are nearby, we identify suitable viewing areas without assuming that a crossing will take place.

Breakfast & Early Game Drive
After breakfast, we leave early for a full-day Northern Serengeti Great Migration safari. Our guide checks current herd locations and recent reports before selecting the most suitable direction for the day.

Mara River Monitoring
If wildebeest are gathered near the Mara River, we position the private vehicle at an appropriate viewing point and wait patiently. Herds can spend considerable time along the riverbank before making a decision, so we avoid rushing from one crossing point to another.

Responsible Crossing Viewing
If a crossing begins, we observe from a responsible distance and avoid blocking the animals' route. If the herds move away or remain inactive, we continue exploring surrounding areas rather than waiting at an unproductive location.

Breakfast & Migration Tracking
After breakfast, we head out again with the day's route based on the latest observations from our guide. August is an important period for migration activity in Northern Serengeti, but rainfall and grazing conditions can still influence where the herds are concentrated.

Mara River Safari
We spend extended time around promising sections of the Mara River if the herds are present. A crossing may develop suddenly after hours of waiting, or the animals may decide not to cross, so patience is an important part of this safari.

Northern Serengeti Wildlife
When the river is quiet, we explore the surrounding plains for resident wildlife and predators. Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebra and antelope may be encountered depending on natural conditions.

Breakfast & Departure
After breakfast, we leave Northern Serengeti and begin the return journey south. The drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can take approximately 5–6 hours depending on road conditions and wildlife stops, so the journey includes realistic time for comfort and viewing breaks.

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
We descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive, exploring the crater floor for wildlife such as lions, buffalo, elephants, zebra, wildebeest and hippos. The crater experience is separate from the Northern Serengeti migration experience and provides a final opportunity for diverse wildlife viewing.

Crater to Arusha
After ascending from the crater, we continue toward Arusha, with the drive generally taking around 3–4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Meal and comfort stops are not included in the stated driving time.

Safari Ends in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or evening, depending on the day's wildlife activity and road conditions. Your 6 Days August Private Serengeti Safari – Mara River Crossing Season ends after the transfer, following several days focused on the Northern Serengeti and the August migration period.