Overview

A 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari is one of the best Tanzania safari experiences for travelers who want to witness the spectacular Great Migration Mara River crossings. Operating mainly between July and October this itinerary follows the migration route from the wildlife-rich plains of Central Serengeti to the remote Northern Serengeti, where thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles brave the crocodile-filled Mara River in search of fresh grazing. Every crossing is unpredictable, making each game drive a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Your journey begins in Arusha before traveling through Tanzania's famous safari circuit to the Serengeti. After exploring Central Serengeti's abundant wildlife you continue to the Kogatende region, where you spend several days tracking the migration and searching for the best river crossing opportunities. Besides the migration, the area is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and countless bird species ensuring exceptional wildlife viewing throughout your safari. The adventure concludes with a game drive inside the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater one of Africa's finest places to spot the Big Five in a single day.

With Serengeti Travels this safari is carefully planned using experienced professional guides, comfortable safari vehicles, handpicked accommodations and flexible game drives that maximize your chances of witnessing the migration at the right place and time. It is an ideal choice for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, couples, families and anyone seeking an authentic expertly guided Tanzania safari during the most exciting wildlife season.

Highlights

• Witness the Great Migration Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti (July–October).
• Spend 2–3 days exploring the wildlife-rich Kogatende region.
• Enjoy thrilling game drives in both Central and Northern Serengeti.
• Search for the Big Five alongside thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles.
• Experience incredible predator action, including lions, leopards, cheetahs and crocodiles.
• Visit the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking guide.
• Stay in carefully selected tented camps or safari lodges close to prime wildlife areas.
• Capture stunning sunrise and sunset photography across the Serengeti plains.
• Experience one of Africa's most iconic wildlife adventures with Serengeti Travels.

• Reserve now & pay later. Secure your spot while staying flexible.
• Bes price guarantee Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!

Where You Will Experience 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari

Your 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari takes you through Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife destinations, each offering a unique safari experience. The journey begins in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit, before continuing to Central Serengeti (Seronera), where year-round wildlife and abundant predators provide exceptional game viewing.

From there you travel to the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) the highlight of the safari. Between July and October this region hosts the famous Great Migration Mara River crossings where thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave strong currents and crocodile-filled waters while predators wait nearby. The remote wilderness, rolling hills and permanent Mara River create one of Africa's most dramatic wildlife spectacles.

The adventure concludes at the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife. The crater floor offers outstanding opportunities to spot the Big Five, including the endangered black rhino, before returning to Arusha to end your unforgettable journey with Serengeti Travels.

6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Central Serengeti National Park

Your safari begins with an early morning departure from Arusha. Drive through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area before entering Serengeti National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch followed by an afternoon game drive in the wildlife-rich Central Serengeti (Seronera), famous for its resident predators, elephants, giraffes, zebras and large herds of plains game. Arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation. Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or similar
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive as you travel north through the Serengeti ecosystem toward Kogatende. This scenic drive offers excellent opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants and other wildlife while following the route of the Great Migration. Arrive in Northern Serengeti in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the Mara River area where migration herds may already be gathering for dramatic river crossings. Accommodation: Mara Mara Tented Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Northern Serengeti

Spend the entire day exploring Northern Serengeti one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations during the migration season. Your professional guide will track the movement of the herds and position you at the best locations to witness the spectacular Mara River crossings. Alongside thousands of wildebeest and zebras, you may also encounter crocodiles, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and many other iconic African animals. Accommodation: Mara Mara Tented Lodge or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti

Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Kogatende region before driving back through the northern and central plains of Serengeti. This journey offers another full day of wildlife viewing, with chances to see predators, large herbivores and beautiful landscapes. Arrive in Central Serengeti in the evening for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Farm House

After breakfast enjoy a leisurely morning game drive in Central Serengeti before exiting the park. Continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Karatu, where you will spend the night at Ngorongoro Farm House, a beautiful lodge surrounded by coffee plantations and lush gardens. Relax and prepare for your final safari experience inside the Ngorongoro Crater. Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

After an early breakfast descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five, hippos, hyenas, flamingos and the endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, ascend the crater walls and drive back to Arusha, marking the end of your unforgettable 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari with Serengeti Travels. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Best Time to Experience the 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari

The best time for a 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari is July to October when the Great Migration reaches the Northern Serengeti and thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River. This is the most exciting period to witness dramatic river crossings, crocodile encounters and intense predator action involving lions, leopards and cheetahs.

July: The first migration herds begin arriving in Northern Serengeti and the initial Mara River crossings often take place.

August – September: These are the peak months for the Great Migration, offering the highest chances of witnessing spectacular river crossings and exceptional wildlife viewing.

October: Large herds remain in the region, with continued river crossings before many animals begin moving south as the rainy season approaches.

While July through October is ideal for the migration the Northern Serengeti offers excellent game viewing throughout the year thanks to its resident wildlife, beautiful landscapes and lower visitor numbers compared to other parts of the park.

Safari Inclusions

• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal wildlife viewing and photography.
• Professional English-speaking safari guide with extensive knowledge of Tanzania's wildlife.
• 5 nights' accommodation in carefully selected safari lodges or tented camps.
• All meals as per the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
• Drinking water provided throughout the safari.
• All Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees.
• Ngorongoro Crater service fee.
• Unlimited game drives according to the itinerary.
• Government taxes and VAT.
• Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha.
• AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover during the safari.
• Binoculars available in the safari vehicle.
• Picnic lunches during full-day game drives and on transfer days.

Excluded: International and domestic flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, personal expenses, alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated), optional activities, laundry services and gratuities for your guide and lodge staff.

Accommodation Options

Budget accommodation is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic safari experience at an affordable price. You will stay in comfortable tented camps that offer cozy rooms, good meals and easy access to the wildlife-rich areas of the Serengeti. Recommended options include Baobab Serengeti Camp or a similar property in the Serengeti, and Rhino Lodge or a similar lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater.

Mid-Range accommodation provides an excellent balance of comfort, quality and value. During your safari, you may stay at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or a similar lodge in Central Serengeti, Mara Mara Tented Lodge or a similar property in Northern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Farm House or a similar lodge in Karatu before your crater tour.

Luxury accommodation offers spacious suites or elegant tented camps, outstanding dining, personalized service and spectacular locations close to prime wildlife areas. Recommended options include Serengeti Migration Camp or a similar luxury camp in Northern Serengeti, Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge or a similar property overlooking the Mara ecosystem and The Manor at Ngorongoro or a similar luxury lodge.

With Serengeti Travels every accommodation is carefully selected to provide comfort, exceptional hospitality and convenient access to the best game-viewing locations, ensuring a memorable safari experience from start to finish.

Fly-In Options

For travelers who want to maximize their time in the wilderness a fly-in option is available by replacing the long drive from Arusha with a scheduled bush flight directly into the Serengeti. This option allows you to reach the migration areas faster, spend more time on game drives and enjoy a more comfortable safari experience.

You can fly from Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Seronera Airstrip in Central Serengeti or Kogatende Airstrip in Northern Serengeti depending on the location of the Great Migration herds. The flight usually takes around 1–2 hours, giving you the opportunity to begin your safari adventure on arrival.

For the return journey, you can fly from Kogatende, Seronera or nearby airstrips back to Arusha, Kilimanjaro or connect onward to Zanzibar for a beach extension.

Common domestic airlines operating these routes include Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, Regional Air and Flightlink. With Serengeti Travels the fly-in option is carefully arranged to match the migration location, accommodation choice and travel schedule creating a seamless and time-efficient Northern Serengeti safari experience.

Tour Cost

The cost of a 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari depends on the travel season, number of travelers, accommodation category and whether you choose a road safari or fly-in option. A private road safari typically ranges from $1,800 to $3,500 per person while luxury options can reach $4,500+ per person depending on the selected lodges and services.

During the peak Great Migration season (July to October), prices are generally higher due to high demand for camps and lodges in the Northern Serengeti, especially around the Mara River crossing areas. The fly-in option is also available for travelers who want to save time and enjoy more hours of wildlife viewing with additional costs depending on the flight schedule and availability.

At Serengeti Travels we customize each safari package according to your budget and travel style, offering budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation choices while maintaining excellent guiding services, comfortable vehicles and the best possible migration experience. Contact us for a personalized quotation based on your preferred dates, group size and accommodation level.

Why Book This 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari

A 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari offers one of the greatest wildlife experiences in Africa combining the excitement of the Great Migration Mara River crossings with the incredible landscapes and wildlife diversity of Tanzania’s most famous parks.

With Serengeti Travels you benefit from expert planning, experienced safari guides and carefully designed routes that maximize your chances of finding the migration herds at the right location and time. Spending multiple days in Northern Serengeti gives you a better opportunity to witness dramatic river crossings, predator action and unforgettable wildlife moments that cannot be guaranteed on shorter safaris.

This safari also combines the remote beauty of Northern Serengeti with Central Serengeti’s year-round wildlife and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater where you can search for the Big Five in a unique natural environment.

You will enjoy a private safari experience with a comfortable 4×4 vehicle, flexible game drives, quality accommodations and personalized service from start to finish. Whether you are a wildlife photographer, couple, family or first-time safari traveler, this journey delivers an authentic Tanzania adventure designed around nature, comfort and unforgettable memories.

How to Book 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari

Booking your 6 Days Northern Serengeti Safari with Serengeti Travels is simple and flexible. Start by contacting us with your preferred travel dates, number of travelers, accommodation preference and whether you would like a road safari or fly-in option. Our safari specialists will prepare a personalized itinerary and quotation based on your travel needs.

After confirming your safari details, you will receive the final booking information, including the accommodation plan, transport arrangements, payment details and safari schedule. Once the required deposit is paid, we will secure your accommodations, safari vehicle, guide and any requested flights.

Before your arrival in Tanzania Serengeti Travels will provide all important travel information and assist with airport transfers safari preparations and any additional arrangements such as Zanzibar extensions or cultural experiences.

Contact Serengeti Travels today to reserve your Northern Serengeti adventure and begin planning your journey to witness one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events the Great Migration Mara River crossings.