Northern Serengeti Crossing Safari
Positioning for Mara River crossings in Tanzania
Your Route
Arusha → Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) → Arusha
Route Details
Central Serengeti
Seronera Area
Big cat territory before positioning north for crossings.
Highlights
- Excellent lion and cheetah territory
- Iconic kopje formations
- Year-round resident wildlife
Northern Serengeti / Kogatende
Kogatende / Mara River
The famous Mara River crossing zone with dramatic wildebeest drama.
Highlights
- Mara River crossing positioning
- Crocodile ambush zones
- Lower density than Kenya side
A Typical Day
Sample from Central Serengeti
5:30–6:30
Pre-dawn departure for predators
7:00–12:00
Extended game drive
12:00–15:00
Lunch at camp
15:00–18:00
Afternoon game drive
18:00–21:00
Sundowner on a kopje
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Travelers willing to wait and position for probability, those with 9+ days and budget for northern camps, photographers prioritizing crossing imagery.
Not ideal for
Those with fixed short dates expecting crossings, travelers who find vehicle crowds unacceptable, first-timers wanting diverse Tanzania experience.
Trade-offs
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Best Time to Go
Crossing Season
Mara River crossings, herds in northern Serengeti
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
10 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Travelers willing to wait and position for probability, those with 9+ days and budget for northern camps, photographers prioritizing crossing imagery.
Why each segment was chosen:
Central Serengeti
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Northern Serengeti / Kogatende
Conservancy positioning allows off-road driving and night drives not permitted in the national reserve.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Ngorongoro Addition
Add crater on return journey
Cost Context
$9,000–$18k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking