11 Days Mara River Fly in Safari

Day 1: Pick up at Kilimanjaro Airport and drive to Moshi.

Overnight at Ameg Lodge https://www.ameglodge.com/

Day 2: Arusha – Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Arusha Airport for your flight to the Kogatende area of the Northern Serengeti. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Tanzania as you make the short trip, where you’ll be met by your Nature Horizon driver upon arrival.

You’ll spend your day driving through this distinct and beautiful region of the park in search of the Wildebeest Migration and the Big Five.

In the afternoon, you have the option to extend your game drive until sunset or participate in one of the optional activities available at your lodge. These often include nature walks, village visits, and night game drives outside of the park.

Overnight at Lemala Mara North Serengeti https://www.lemalacamps.com/stay/mara-ndutu-tented-camp/

Day 3 & 4: Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

After breakfast, we’ll start our game drive around the Kogatende area, searching around the kopjes looking for carnivores and the large migration groups that will be preparing to cross the Mara River into Kenya.

Home to large numbers of hippos and Nile crocodiles, the Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the Wildebeest Migration and the relative safety of the Maasai Mara. If you’re patient and a little lucky, you may even get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeest and zebras brave the river’s currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

Overnight at Lemala Mara North Serengeti https://www.lemalacamps.com/stay/mara-ndutu-tented-camp/

Day 5: Serengeti NP (KOGATENDE) – Serengeti NP (SERONERA)

We’ll start our day immediately after breakfast, driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on our way to cross the Banagi River into the Seronera region of the Central Serengeti. Along the way, you’ll spot everything from the enigmatic dik-diks to towering elephants, and everything in between.

The Seronera is often known as ‘big cat country’, and its kopjes and acacias provide an excellent opportunity to spot prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches.

The region’s hippo pools and wide open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

Overnight at Lemala Ewanjan Seronera Valley https://www.lemalacamps.com/stay/ewanjan-tented-camp/

Day 6: Serengeti NP (SERONERA) – NGORONGORO

After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.

Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Overnight at Lemala Ngorongoro https://www.lemalacamps.com/stay/ngorongoro-tented-camp/

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater 5 hours later drive to Karatu to Mto wa Mbu.

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you’ll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammals including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It’s a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa’s most recognizable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.

After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park’s famous hippo pool. Thereafter, you will drive to Mto wa Mbu for Overnight.

Overnight at Kilimamoja Lodge https://www.wellworthcollection.co.tz/Lake-Manyara-Kilimamoja-Lodge

Day 8: Mto wa Mbu to Tarangire National Park

You’ll depart from Mto wa Mbu after breakfast to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.

Once you’ve entered Tarangire, you’ll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park’s large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes.

A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you’ll have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your lunch!

Driving through the park you’ll also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx.

Overnight at Kilimamoja Lodge https://www.wellworthcollection.co.tz/Lake-Manyara-Kilimamoja-Lodge

Day 9: Mto wa Mbu to Lake Natron

Your day will begin after breakfast by about 8:00 AM. We depart with packed lunch boxes towards Lake Natron. Located about 3.5 hours’ drive away from Mto Wa Mbu/Manyara, Lake Natron is a surreal destination and unique natural spectacle. Its waters are highly alkaline and are unusually shallow, averaging just one meter in depth. After checking into your lodge and a short break, put your walking shoes on as a Maasai tribesman takes you on a walk around the shores of Lake Natron on the lookout for birds, especially the lesser flamingos. Lake Natron is the most important and regular breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa hosting up to 2 million of them during the breeding season. The majority of egg-laying and hatching takes place from September to January. After the hike, you will head back to your lodge for a well-deserved dinner and rest.

Overnight at Lengai Safari Lodge https://www.lengaisafarilodge.com/

Day 10: Lake Natron to Moshi

Your day starts early. Around 6:00 AM, accompanied by a Maasai guide, enjoy some light hiking to the nearby Ngare Sero waterfalls and relax in the cool spray of water cascading down the rocks of this scenic ravine. Make sure to bring your shoes! We return to accommodation by 8:30 AM and finishing up a good breakfast, will head out towards Moshi.

Overnight at Ameg Lodge https://www.ameglodge.com/

Day 11: Departure Day

With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you say goodbye to your team. We are so happy that you made it to the Motherland and experienced an authentic Serengeti safari. We know you will be back. Today your guide will be with you up until we escort you to the airport and say our goodbyes. Thank you for coming on safari with Nature Horizons!

Includes

• Park Fees (for Non-Residents)
• Concession/Camping Fees
• Daily game drives while on safari
• All accommodations (unless listed as upgrade)
• All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
• A professional driver/guide
• 4×4 Land Cruiser
• All Taxes/ VAT
• Meals while on Safari (From lunch on day 1 till lunch on last day)
• Drinking water while on safari (2 Litres per person per day)

Excludes

• International flights (From/ To Home)
• Round Trip Airport Transfer (Unless Paid)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless Paid)
• Tips
• Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.)
• Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Meals while in Arusha
• Maasai Village Visit – 20 USD per person
• Serengeti Balloon Safari – 600 USD per person (Unless Paid)