Serengeti
ENDLESS
The name means ‘the place where the land runs on forever’ in Maa, and it is not an exaggeration. Four days tracking the Great Migration, with river crossings in season and big cats all year round.
- Great Migration
- Big cats year-round
- Balloon flights available
Private 4x4 Fleet
Guaranteed Window Seat
Local Expert Guides
Direct Operator Pricing
What makes it different
SCALE YOU CANNOT
Nothing prepares you for the first morning. The plains run to the horizon with nothing on them but grass, a few acacias and animals in numbers that stop being countable and become weather.
Two million wildebeest move through this ecosystem in a continuous loop. Where they are depends entirely on the month, which is why we build your route after you tell us your dates.
- Route planned around where the herds actually are in your month
- Northern Serengeti for the Mara River crossings, July to October
- Ndutu plains for calving season, January to March
Day by day
YOUR ITINERARY
Price from
On request
per person, private group
4 Days
Duration
Jul-Oct
Crossing season
1
Arusha to the central Serengeti
An early start, climbing through the Ngorongoro highlands and down onto the plains. You game drive your way to camp.
- ~8 hrs driving
- Afternoon game drive
2
Full day following the herds
Out at first light with a packed breakfast. Where you go depends on the month — north to the Mara, or south to Ndutu.
- Full-day game drive
- Radio-coordinated
3
Sunrise drive and optional balloon
The option to lift off before dawn in a balloon. Otherwise a sunrise drive, a rest through the hot hours, and back out as the light softens.
- Balloon add-on
- Sunrise and sunset drives
4
Final drive, then onward
A last morning game drive on the way out, then the road back to Arusha or a short flight from Seronera to Zanzibar.
- Morning game drive
- Arusha or Zanzibar
What you came for
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The Great Migration
Two million wildebeest on a continuous 800km loop. In season the Mara crossings are the most dramatic wildlife event on the continent.
Big Cat Density
The Seronera Valley holds one of the highest lion densities in Africa, plus leopard in the riverine figs and cheetah on the plains.
Sunrise Balloon Flights
Lift off before dawn and drift above the herds, landing to a champagne breakfast on the plains.
Photographic Conditions
Open sky, low horizons and almost no obstruction. The light here is why wildlife photographers keep coming back.
Long Game Drives
Full-day drives with a packed lunch rather than returning at noon, which is how you catch midday hunts.
Camps Inside The Park
Staying inside the boundary puts you on the plains at first light instead of queueing at a gate.
Timing it right
WHEN TO COME
The Serengeti is good all year. What changes is where you should be.
July - October
Mara River crossings
The herds are in the north and crossing. Peak season, peak drama — book six to nine months out.
January - March
Calving on the Ndutu plains
Thousands of calves born daily, with every predator drawn in behind them. The best months for cheetah.
November - December
Short rains, moving south
The herds drift down through the eastern corridor. Fewer vehicles and noticeably lower lodge rates.
A look at it
SERENGETI IN PICTURES
No surprises
WHAT'S IN,
Included
- All national park and conservation area fees
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide and driver
- Full-board lodge or tented camp accommodation
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- All transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport
- Flying doctor emergency evacuation cover
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Balloon safari and other optional activities
- Guide and camp staff tips
- Alcoholic drinks and personal items
- Anything not listed under Included
Before you ask
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Will I get my own window seat?
Always. We cap every Land Cruiser below its seat count so nobody sits in the middle, and the pop-up roof means everyone can stand and shoot at once.
What is the best month for a safari?
June to October is the classic dry season. January to March is calving season on the Ndutu plains with extraordinary predator activity. April and May are green, quiet and much cheaper.
What kind of lodges will we stay in?
Three tiers: budget camps, mid-range lodges with pools, and luxury tented camps inside the parks. We quote all three so you can see the real difference before deciding.
Can children come on safari?
Yes. Ngorongoro and Tarangire involve shorter drives than the Serengeti, which makes them easier with young children.
Serengeti
READY WHEN
Send your dates and group size. We confirm availability and hold your place with a $200 deposit.