Who it suits
Travellers whose main priority is Serengeti and the northern migration landscape, rather than fitting in several different parks. Choose this trip for its time allocation, with realistic expectations about river crossings.
Pinnacle Tanzania · Privately planned
6-Day Serengeti Migration Safari
Give the Serengeti your full attention. Combine central wildlife country with two nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River, where a full northern day gives your guide time to work with the movement of the herds.
- Safari length
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Northern stay
- 2 nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River
- Central stay
- 3 nights in central Serengeti
- Start / finish
- Arusha
Know the route.
Choose with confidence.
- 01Arusha
- 02Central Serengeti · two nights
- 03Northern Serengeti - Mara River · two nights
- 04Central Serengeti · one night
- 05Arusha
How the pace works
The outbound and return road days are long. Two nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River provide one full day in the north plus any wildlife time that fits around the transfer days. A crossing can happen quickly or not happen during your stay.
A glimpse of Tanzania
A closer look at the journey.
The plains, the herds and the river: a glimpse of the migration landscape.
Your journey,
day by day.
This is the proposed itinerary. Your written proposal confirms accommodation, inclusions and any changes for your dates. Conditions and safe operating decisions can change the daily plan.
- Day 01
Arusha → central Serengeti
Depart early for the substantial road journey through the highlands and conservation area. Continue to your central Serengeti camp, with wildlife viewing along the final approach as timing allows.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 1
Transit through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area does not include a crater descent. - Day 02
Full day in central Serengeti
Explore the central region with your private guide, looking for wildlife across the habitats accessible from your camp. Discuss the latest northern conditions before tomorrow's move.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 2
- Day 03
Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti - Mara River
Travel north with game viewing en route where it fits the day's distance. Reach the Northern Serengeti - Mara River area and settle into your migration-season camp, positioned for the next day's exploration.
Overnight: Northern Serengeti - Mara River · night 3 · first northern night
A transfer day within the Serengeti; the exact camp depends on season and availability. - Day 04
Full day in Northern Serengeti - Mara River
Spend the day exploring the northern landscape and suitable Mara River viewing areas. Your guide responds to the herds, river conditions and vehicle activity. Waiting can be part of the day; no crossing is promised.
Overnight: Northern Serengeti - Mara River · night 4 · second northern night
- Day 05
Northern Serengeti - Mara River → central Serengeti
Use the available morning for wildlife viewing, then begin the return toward your central camp. Leave sufficient time for the transfer rather than waiting indefinitely for a crossing.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 5
- Day 06
Central Serengeti → Arusha
Depart for the road return to Arusha, with sightings along the exit route. If you prefer to fly, a Seronera departure to Arusha or Zanzibar can replace the drive once flight, baggage and transfer arrangements are confirmed.
Overnight: Programme ends in Arusha; fly-out alternative as quoted
The road return is a travel day, not a full day of game drives.
What’s included
in your journey.
Included in your proposal
- Private safari vehicle and driver-guide for the six-day road itinerary
- Five nights: three central Serengeti and exactly two in Northern Serengeti - Mara River
- Serengeti park charges and necessary conservation-area transit fees for the confirmed route
- Safari meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on the final day, with drinking water during game drives
- Pickup and return at the agreed Arusha hotels
Budget separately
- International flights, visas and personal travel insurance
- Accommodation and airport transfers before and after the stated programme unless added
- Voluntary tips, alcoholic drinks, laundry and personal purchases
- Balloon flights, cultural visits and other activities not listed in the confirmed quote
- Ngorongoro Crater descent and Tarangire visits, which are not on this route
- Optional Seronera fly-out and its onward transfers
The final written quote is the agreement on services and costs. Please check room sharing, transfers, meals, fees and any optional upgrades before confirming.
Getting ready
for your trip.
Timing
This northern version is usually considered around July–October, adjusted to rainfall and actual herd movement. It is not a year-round river-crossing itinerary. For other months we propose a different Serengeti base rather than promise migration at Northern Serengeti - Mara River.
Arrival and departure
Arrive in Arusha before Day 1. The six-day count begins with the drive into Serengeti. Keep the day after your return available for onward travel, or ask for a separately quoted Day 6 Seronera flight.
Choose your accommodation
Ask for a mid-range or luxury lodge and tented-camp proposal. The exact properties, room arrangements and meal plan are named before you book; a tented camp can have a proper bed and private bathroom.
Plan for the road
Safari tracks can be dusty and uneven. Tell us about mobility needs, back problems and children's ages so we can assess the route, vehicle and accommodation.
Pack for changing temperatures
Bring light layers, a warmer layer for early starts and the highlands, sun protection and your camera or binoculars.
Keep sightings in perspective
Your guide follows wildlife activity and park rules. Animal sightings and encounters cannot be guaranteed.
Book around the season
Give us your actual travel dates before committing to a northern camp. The aim is to put you in a suitable area, not to sell a crossing guarantee.
The details
worth asking.
Are there two nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River?
Yes: Nights 3 and 4. Day 4 is a full northern Serengeti day. The other three nights are in central Serengeti.
Will we definitely see a river crossing?
No. River crossings depend on the animals and conditions. Two nights create an opportunity, not a guarantee; add northern nights if this is your main priority.
Does the trip include Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater?
No. This six-day itinerary concentrates on Serengeti. Our seven-day river-crossing safari includes Tarangire and an early crater visit.
Can I book this in February?
Ask us for a seasonal migration itinerary. A Northern Serengeti - Mara River crossing plan is not the right default for every month.
Safari tipping
with clear expectations.
Tips are customary and appreciated, but voluntary. These are Pinnacle’s suggested planning ranges for good service, not compulsory fees. Tips are additional to your package price unless your written quote expressly includes them, and never replace wages or determine the care you receive.
| Role | Suggested amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Private safari driver-guide | US$20–30 | Per vehicle, per safari day, shared by your party |
| Dedicated camping-safari cook | US$10–15 | Per cook, per safari day, shared by your party |
| Lodge or camp staff | US$5–10 | Per guest, per night, through the shared staff tip box |
Example: a four-person party choosing US$25 per vehicle per day for a seven-day safari would give its driver-guide US$175 in total, or US$43.75 per guest. Lodge tips are budgeted separately for the nights actually stayed.
Give your driver-guide and dedicated cook their tips directly at the end of their service. Use each lodge’s shared staff tip box and check whether a gratuity is already included. Separate walking guides, rangers and activity teams have their own arrangements; ask before budgeting for them.
Cash in Tanzanian shillings or accepted US-dollar notes is practical; agree the currency and conversion beforehand. Prepare smaller denominations. EUR and GBP amounts depend on the exchange rate, so agree any equivalent rather than assuming the website’s package conversion applies to tips.
Membership, reviews & official resources
Industry membership
Independent reviews & booking technology
Official tourism resources · links are not endorsements
© 2026 Pinnacle Tanzania Operators Limited · Trading as Pinnacle Tanzania