Who it suits
For travellers who want a northern Tanzania safari with dedicated time around Northern Serengeti - Mara River. Expect long road sections as well as full wildlife days; tell us if you would prefer extra nights or a slower variation.
Pinnacle Tanzania · Privately planned
7-Day Tanzania River Crossing Safari
Begin in Tarangire, explore Ngorongoro Crater and spend time in both central and northern Serengeti. Two nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River put the Mara River migration landscape at the heart of this private seven-day journey.
- Safari length
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Migration base
- 2 nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River
- Parks
- Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti
- Start / finish
- Arusha · Zanzibar flight alternative
Know the route.
Choose with confidence.
- 01Arusha
- 02Tarangire
- 03Ngorongoro Crater
- 04Central Serengeti
- 05Northern Serengeti - Mara River
- 06Central Serengeti
- 07Arusha or fly to Zanzibar
How the pace works
Spend the first night in Karatu, two nights in central Serengeti, two nights in Northern Serengeti - Mara River and a final night back in central Serengeti. Days 3 and 5 are full days based in one wildlife area; Days 2, 4, 6 and 7 include substantial transfers.
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 → Tarangire
Leave Arusha for a game drive in Tarangire. Explore with your private driver-guide, then continue to your agreed accommodation around Karatu, positioned for an early Ngorongoro start the following morning.
Overnight: Karatu · night 1
Safari begins today; arrive in Arusha beforehand - Day 02
Early Ngorongoro Crater → central Serengeti
Set out early for the Ngorongoro Crater experience. After the crater game drive, travel onward to central Serengeti. This is a long day combining wildlife viewing and the transfer; your guide balances stops with the distance ahead.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 2
- Day 03
Full day in central Serengeti
Spend the day exploring central Serengeti from the same base. Your guide shapes the game drives around local wildlife activity and your interests, with time to stay with worthwhile sightings.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 3
- Day 04
Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti - Mara River
Travel north toward Northern Serengeti - Mara River, watching for wildlife along the way. Settle into your northern Serengeti camp and prepare for the next day's exploration of the migration landscape.
Overnight: Northern Serengeti - Mara River · night 4
Game viewing en route; a substantial transfer day - Day 05
Full day in Northern Serengeti - Mara River
Explore northern Serengeti and the Mara River area with your guide, following current herd movements and suitable viewing opportunities. Allow time for patient observation, while respecting park viewing rules and keeping the animals' routes clear. A river crossing may or may not occur during your visit.
Overnight: Northern Serengeti - Mara River · night 5
- Day 06
Northern Serengeti - Mara River → central Serengeti
Return south through the Serengeti, with wildlife stops as conditions and the journey allow. Spend the final safari night in central Serengeti, ready for the road return or flight alternative the next day.
Overnight: Central Serengeti · night 6
- Day 07
Central Serengeti → Arusha, or fly to Zanzibar
Return by road from central Serengeti to Arusha, allowing for the long drive and park exit. Alternatively, transfer to the confirmed Serengeti airstrip—normally Seronera for this central stay—and fly to Zanzibar instead of returning by road. The flight, island transfer and beach stay are quoted separately and depend on schedules, seats and baggage conditions.
Overnight: Arusha or Zanzibar accommodation by separate arrangement
Choose the road return or Zanzibar flight when requesting your quote
What’s included
in your journey.
Included in your proposal
- Private safari vehicle and professional driver-guide for the agreed seven-day programme
- Six nights: one around Karatu, three in central Serengeti and two around Northern Serengeti - Mara River, at the accommodation confirmed in your proposal
- Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, central Serengeti and northern Serengeti visits as set out in the itinerary
- Meals, drinking water and applicable park charges itemised in your quote
- Road return to Arusha on Day 7 for the standard road itinerary
Budget separately
- International flights, visas and personal travel insurance
- Tips, drinks, laundry and personal purchases unless specifically included
- Balloon flights, cultural visits and other optional activities
- Any extra nights or route changes outside the confirmed itinerary
- Pre- and post-safari hotel nights and airport transfers unless specifically added
- The optional Serengeti-to-Zanzibar flight, island transfers and beach accommodation unless separately included
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
We plan this route for dates when the migration is expected in northern Serengeti, checking current herd movements and access before confirming. River crossings are natural, unpredictable events: being near the Mara River does not guarantee a crossing sighting.
Arrival and departure
Be in Arusha before Day 1 for the safari briefing and an early start to Tarangire. Arrival flights, airport pickup and pre-safari accommodation are arranged separately unless included in your quote. Day 7 returns by road to Arusha, or you can choose a separately quoted flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar. Allow suitable time before any onward flight.
Match your dates to the migration
Discuss your travel window before reserving camps. Herd locations and river activity change, and this northern itinerary is not a year-round promise of crossings.
Choose accommodation by what matters
Tell us your preferred comfort level, room sharing, food needs and party details. We confirm properties in both central Serengeti and the Northern Serengeti - Mara River area against availability.
Plan for the road sections
The early crater visit followed by central Serengeti, the north–south transfers and the return to Arusha are substantial travel days. Add time if a gentler pace matters to you.
Choose your final connection
For the Zanzibar alternative, share your preferred beach stay and luggage needs. We confirm the flight, airstrip transfer, baggage allowance and island arrangements together before booking.
The details
worth asking.
Are river crossings guaranteed?
No. The itinerary includes time in Northern Serengeti - Mara River when the migration is expected nearby, but animals decide when and where to cross. We plan around current conditions without promising a sighting.
Are arrival and departure days included?
The seven-day safari starts in Arusha with Tarangire on Day 1 and ends with the road return or optional Zanzibar flight on Day 7. Arrive before the start. Pre-safari and post-safari accommodation and airport transfers are added as needed.
Can I fly to Zanzibar on Day 7?
Yes, request the Serengeti-to-Zanzibar alternative when enquiring. We arrange the confirmed airstrip connection and quote the flight, island transfer and beach stay separately. Availability, routing and baggage limits are checked for your dates.
Can I choose mid-range or luxury lodges?
Yes. We build the proposal around your dates, party and accommodation preference, including suitable stays near Northern Serengeti - Mara River. Prices and properties are confirmed before booking.
How much time is spent in Northern Serengeti - Mara River?
You arrive on Day 4, spend Day 5 exploring the area and return to central Serengeti on Day 6: two nights and one dedicated full day, with viewing on transfer days as time allows.
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