10 DAYS - RIVER CROSSINGS & BIG CATS SAFARI

Serengeti Mara River Crossings, Big Cats in Seronera, Elephants in Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater

HIGHLIGHTS: RIVER CROSSINGS – BIG CATS – ELEPHANTS IN TARANGIRE

This is the best safari to see Great Migration River Crossings in Kogatende, Big Cats in Seronera, Black Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater and Giant Elephant herds in Tarangire. 7 Nights inside National Parks, 1 Night in Wildlife Management Area, First and Last night in Arusha for international flights.

SAFARI OVERVIEW:
– Client: Safari Client
– Date: 27th August 2026 to 06th September 2026
– Route: Arusha – Flight to Kogatende (North Serengeti) – Seronera (Central Serengeti) – Ngorongoro – Lake Manyara – Tarangire – Arusha
– Focus: River Crossings, Big Cats, Elephants
– Accommodation Level: Standard Mid-Range Comfort – Mara Camp, Seronera Camp, Crater Tented Lodge, Manyara Lodge, Tarangire River Camp.

DETAILED ITINERARY – DAY BY DAY WITH FULL PARK DETAILS

Day 1: 27/08/2026 – Arrival JRO to Arusha Lodge
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative will meet you and transfer you to your lodge in Arusha (1 hour drive). Briefing about your 10-day River Crossing Safari tomorrow. Rest and prepare for your flight to Serengeti.

Arusha: The gateway to Tanzania safari circuit. Cool climate, coffee plantations, view of Mt. Meru.

Overnight: Arusha Lodge – Arusha Planet Lodge / Tulia Boutique Hotel – Bed & Breakfast – Nice lodge with swimming pool, garden, near airport – Good for resting after international flight

Day 2: 28/08/2026 – FLIGHT Arusha to Kogatende + Serengeti North – RIVER CROSSINGS
Early morning transfer to Arusha Airport for your flight Arusha to Kogatende – North Serengeti (2 hours scenic flight). This is the best way to avoid 12 hours drive!

Park Details – North Serengeti – Kogatende: This area is famous for Great Migration River Crossings from July to October. Herds of 1 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebras cross Mara River – most dramatic wildlife show on earth! Crocodiles wait in river, lions wait on banks. Best place for river crossing.

Afternoon game drive in North Serengeti following migration herds near Mara River – Looking for river crossing.

Overnight: CAMP MARA – Standard – Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp / Mara River Camp / Acacia Migration Camp – Full Board – Comfortable tented camp with private bathroom, hot shower, inside migration area, close to Mara River

Day 3: 29/08/2026 – Full Day SERENGETI NORTH – RIVER CROSSINGS
Full day game drive in North Serengeti – Kogatende area – Focus on RIVER CROSSINGS. We spend whole day near Mara River and Bologonja area tracking migration. Our guide knows best crossing points.

What to see: Wildebeest river crossings, crocodiles, hippos, lions, elephants, giraffes, large herds of wildebeest.

Overnight: CAMP MARA – Standard – Same camp – Full Board

Day 4: 30/08/2026 – SERENGETI NORTH to CENTRAL SERENGETI – BIG CATS
Morning game drive in North Serengeti then drive to Central Serengeti – Seronera (5 hours game drive en-route). Serengeti is endless plains – home of Big Five.

Park Details – Central Serengeti – Seronera: This is the best area for Big Cats in Africa! Seronera Valley has highest concentration of lions, leopards and cheetahs in Serengeti. Permanent river attracts all animals year-round. Best for leopard in trees and lion prides.

Afternoon game drive in Seronera Valley.

Overnight: CAMP SERONERA – Standard – Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp / Seronera Sametu Camp / Heritage Serengeti Camp – Full Board – Best mid-range camp in central Serengeti, Seronera area, close to big cats area, private bathroom, hot shower, swimming pool

Full day game drive in Central Serengeti National Park – Full day dedicated to BIG CATS.

What to see: Seronera is famous for: Large lion prides (20 lions together), leopards in sausage trees, cheetahs hunting on plains, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas. We track big cats whole day.

Overnight: CAMP SERONERA – Standard – Same camp – Full Board

Day 6: 01/09/2026 – SERENGETI to NGORONGORO – CRATER RIM
Morning game drive in Serengeti then drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy beautiful scenery – Masai villages, Ngorongoro highlands.

Park Details – Ngorongoro Conservation Area: This is Wildlife Management Area where Masai people live with wildlife. Not National Park but protected area. Highlands with crater views, Masai bomas.

Overnight: CRATER TENTED LODGE – Standard – Ngorongoro Kuhama Camp / Ngorongoro Embalakai Camp / Rhino Lodge – Full Board – Mid-range lodge on crater rim – 10 min from crater gate, private bathroom, fireplace, best location for early crater descent, garden view

Day 7: 02/09/2026 – NGORONGORO CRATER TOUR – 8th Wonder to LAKE MANYARA
Early morning 5:30 AM descend into the Ngorongoro Crater – UNESCO World Heritage Site & 8th Wonder of the World for 6-hour crater game drive.

Park Details – Ngorongoro Crater: The largest unbroken caldera in world, 600m deep, 20km wide. Home to 30,000 animals. Best place in Tanzania to see Black Rhino and all Big Five in one day. 100% Big Five guarantee. Lake Magadi with flamingos, Lerai forest with elephants and leopards, hippo pool.

After crater tour, drive to Lake Manyara area (1.5 hrs).

Overnight: MANYARA LODGE – Standard – Manyara Secret Lodge / Manyara Safari Lodge / Manyara Wildlife Lodge – Full Board – Nice lodge with view of Lake Manyara and Great Rift Valley, swimming pool, private bathroom

Day 8: 03/09/2026 – LAKE MANYARA to TARANGIRE – ELEPHANTS
Morning optional game drive in Lake Manyara National Park or drive direct to Tarangire.

Park Details – Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for tree-climbing lions, elephants, flamingos, 400 bird species, underground forest with monkeys and baboons.

Drive to Tarangire National Park (2 hrs) – Afternoon game drive.

Park Details – Tarangire National Park: Famous for giant elephant herds – up to 300 elephants in one herd – best elephant park in Tanzania! Giant Baobab trees, lions, leopards, 550 bird species. Tarangire River is permanent water.

Overnight: TARANGIRE RIVER CAMP – Standard – Sangaiwe Tented Lodge / Tarangire Simba Lodge / Tarangire River Camp – Full Board – Comfortable tented lodge inside park area, private bathroom, hot shower, elephants come close to camp at night

Day 9: 04/09/2026 – Full Day TARANGIRE – ELEPHANTS IN TARANGIRE
Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park – Focus on ELEPHANTS IN TARANGIRE.

What to see: Huge elephant families with babies, Baobab trees, lions climbing trees, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, pythons. Tarangire is best for close elephant photos.

Overnight: TARANGIRE RIVER CAMP – Standard – Same camp – Full Board

Day 10: 05/09/2026 – Tarangire to Arusha Lodge
Morning game drive in Tarangire then drive back to Arusha (2.5 hrs). Afternoon at leisure, shopping in Arusha, swimming pool.

Overnight: Arusha Lodge – Arusha Planet Lodge / Tulia Boutique – Bed & Breakfast – Last night near airport for international flight tomorrow

Day 11: 06/09/2026 – Transfer to JRO – End of Safari
Breakfast at lodge then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home. End of Safari.

You can book international flight from 10:00 AM onwards.

ACCOMMODATION – STANDARD MID-RANGE COMFORT:

1. Arusha (2 Nights – 27/08 & 05/09): Arusha Planet Lodge / Tulia Boutique Hotel – Bed & Breakfast
2. Serengeti North – Kogatende (2 Nights – 28/08 & 29/08): CAMP MARA – Standard – Mara Kati Kati / Mara River Camp – Full Board – Close to Mara River crossing
3. Serengeti Central – Seronera (2 Nights – 30/08 & 31/08): CAMP SERONERA – Standard – Serengeti Kati Kati Central / Seronera Sametu Camp – Full Board – Best for Big Cats
4. Ngorongoro Rim (1 Night – 01/09): CRATER TENTED LODGE – Standard – Ngorongoro Kuhama / Embalakai / Rhino Lodge – Full Board – On crater rim
5. Manyara (1 Night – 02/09): MANYARA LODGE – Standard – Manyara Secret / Manyara Safari Lodge – Full Board
6. Tarangire (2 Nights – 03/09 & 04/09): TARANGIRE RIVER CAMP – Standard – Sangaiwe Tented Lodge / Simba Lodge – Full Board – Elephants close to camp

*All camps have private bathroom, hot shower, good food – Mid-range comfort, not luxury, not budget.

ATTRACTIVE PRICE – 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

This is peak season River Crossing – August / September – Most expensive but you get best migration!

SELLING PRICE: $4,850 per person sharing – 2 people private vehicle + Flight included

For 4-6 people private vehicle + Flight: $4,150 per person sharing
Solo Traveler: $6,200

Most companies charge $6,500+ for same in August River Crossing season! Your $4,850 is super attractive for peak season.

WHY THIS 10-DAY ITINERARY IS BEST:
1. River Crossings in Kogatende – August/September is peak for Mara River crossing – Best time!
2. Flight to Kogatende – Avoids 12 hrs drive, saves 2 days
3. Big Cats in Seronera – Central Serengeti is best for lions, leopards, cheetahs
4. Elephants in Tarangire – Best elephant park – 300 elephants herd
5. Black Rhino in Crater – Ngorongoro is best for rhino
6. 7 Nights in Parks + 1 WMA – Maximum game drives
7. Arusha First & Last Night – Perfect for international flights