Northern Serengeti · Mara River · 6 days

the serengetiUnder Canvas

Three nights in a mobile tented camp near the Mara River, in the months when the herds are in the far north. You drive in through the highlands and the central plains, wait at the crossing points with a picnic, and fly back to Arusha at the end.

6days
5nights
3nights by the Mara
Private4×4 & guide

01 · Overview

Drive in slowly, fly out quickly

The northern Serengeti is a long way from Arusha, and the drive is part of the safari. This trip spends two days getting there with game drives all the way, gives you two full days on the Mara River, and saves the long road back with a light-aircraft flight.

From Arusha you cross the Ngorongoro Highlands to Seronera for a night, then drive north through the quiet Lobo hills to a mobile camp near Kogatende. From July to October the herds are on the Mara River, crossing back and forth, and the camps are set up close to them. Crossings happen on the animals’ timetable, not ours, so days 4 and 5 are left open for your guide to read the herds and wait in the right place.

Starts

Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport

We meet you at Kilimanjaro International (JRO) or your Arusha hotel.

Ends

Arusha or JRO, day 6

A light-aircraft flight from Kogatende brings you back to Arusha in the early afternoon.

Style

Private, mobile camps

Your own 4×4 and guide, a tented camp at Seronera, then a seasonal mobile camp in the north.

Pace

Two road days, then stay put

Days 2 and 3 are long drives with game viewing. Days 4 and 5 are all about the river.

Arrival · Dinner

Karibu to Arusha

Your guide meets you in arrivals at Kilimanjaro International and drives you the hour west to Arusha, past coffee farms on the lower slopes of Mount Meru. Land early and there is time for lunch in town; land late, and it is dinner and bed.

Over dinner your guide runs through the week: what the mobile camp is like, how a crossing day works, and why a soft bag matters for the flight home. Then an early night, because day 2 starts before sunrise.

Meals: Dinner
Highlight: Meeting your guide
Sleep: Garden lodge, Arusha named when you book

Road day · game drive · B L D

Over the highlands to the central plains

An early start and a long, scenic day. You drop into the Rift Valley at Mto wa Mbu, climb to Karatu, cross the forested Ngorongoro Highlands with a stop at the crater viewpoint, and come down onto the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti.

Lunch is a picnic at Naabi Hill gate, and the afternoon is a game drive north to Seronera. The rivers here are lined with leopard trees, and the lions on the kopjes stay all year, whatever the herds are doing.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Highlight: First view of the plains
Sleep: Tented camp, central Serengeti named when you book

Road day · game drive · B L D

North through the Lobo hills

A last early drive around Seronera, then north on a road the herds use in both directions. The land changes as you go: rocky hills and quiet valleys around Lobo, with resident elephant and lion, then greener, hillier country towards the Kenyan border.

It is a full day, broken by a picnic and whatever you find on the way. You reach the mobile camp near Kogatende in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before the fire and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Highlight: Elephants in the Lobo hills
Sleep: Mobile camp, northern Serengeti named when you book

River-crossing day · B L D

A day at the Mara River

Out at first light to the crossing points, with sightings on the way. Wildebeest gather on the bank, hesitate, turn back and gather again; your guide reads the herd, picks a point and waits with you, engine off.

Sometimes the crossing comes within the hour, sometimes not at all. Lunch is a picnic close to the river in case of a second attempt, and even on a quiet day the north is some of the most beautiful country in the park.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Highlight: Waiting at a crossing point
Sleep: Mobile camp, northern Serengeti named when you book

Full game drive day · B L D

The river again, or the plains beyond

A second full day in the north, planned around yesterday. If the herds are massing on the bank, you go back to the river; if they have crossed and moved on, your guide follows them onto the open plains and the kopjes where the lions wait.

The last evening is spent in camp: a sundowner as the lanterns are lit, dinner, then the fire and the night sounds. Camps are unfenced but staffed, and someone walks you to your tent after dark.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Highlight: A night under canvas
Add-on: Walking safari

Game drive · flight · departure · B L

A last morning drive, then the flight back

One more early drive along the river, then breakfast and the short run to Kogatende airstrip. The light aircraft may stop at another airstrip on the way, and the flight gives you a last look at how far you drove.

We meet you at Arusha airport and take you to your hotel or on to Kilimanjaro International for an evening flight. Light aircraft allow 15 kg per person in a soft bag; we keep any extra luggage for you in Arusha.

Meals: Breakfast, light lunch
Ends: Arusha hotel or JRO
Next: Zanzibar is a short flight away

When to go

Where are the herds?

Two million wildebeest and zebra walk a year-long loop through the Serengeti, following the rain. Choose a season to see where they will be, and what that means for your week.

CalvingDec – Mar

Good

calving season

December to March

The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu in the south, and around half a million calves are born in a few weeks. The predators are never far away.

On this tripThe mobile camps follow the herds south to Ndutu, and the north is quiet; for these months our Calving Season Safari is the trip.

Green seasonApr – May

Green season

the long rains

April and May

Afternoon rain, emerald plains and very few vehicles. The herds start drifting north-west through the centre of the park.

On this tripThe northern camps have packed up and the herds are in the centre of the park; we would base this trip around Seronera instead.

The great trekJun – Jul

Best for this trip

the great trek

June and July

Columns of wildebeest move through the central Serengeti and the Western corridor on their way north. The dry season begins.

On this tripFrom July the first camps open by the Mara and the herds start to arrive; in June they are usually still in the centre and west.

River crossingsAug – Oct

Good

the far north

August to October

The herds are on the Mara River in the far north, crossing back and forth. The rest of the country is dry, golden and full of game.

On this tripThe months this trip is built for: the herds are on the Mara River and crossings are possible on any day, though never on a timetable.

Short rainsNov

Green season

the return

November

The short rains bring the plains back to life, and the herds stream south again through the east of the park.

On this tripThe herds and the camps move south again through the east of the park; we would plan this trip around Lobo and Seronera instead.

Best for this trip
Good
Green season, fewer vehicles

Herd positions follow the rains and shift a little from year to year. We tell you where they are likely to be before you book.

What it costs

Fill the vehicle, pay less each

Game drives, park fees, five nights of accommodation, your private guide and vehicle, and the light-aircraft flight back from the north, priced per person. The more of you share the vehicle, the less each of you pays. No booking fees.

Mid-range fromUS$2,450per person sharing

Important information

All prices are per person and exclude international flights. Final rates depend on your travel dates, seasonal park fees and availability; we confirm them in writing with your quote.

Mid-range

Luxury

Mid-range

Mobile tented camps, en-suite

Mid-range prices, Serengeti Under Canvas

Single supplement to confirm

Group size	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 personsbest value
Per person, 2026	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm
Rooms	1 single	1 double	1 double, 1 single	2 doubles	2 doubles, 1 single	3 doubles

Luxury

Premium mobile camps

Luxury prices, Serengeti Under Canvas

Single supplement to confirm

Group size	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 personsbest value
Per person, 2026	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm
Rooms	1 single	1 double	1 double, 1 single	2 doubles	2 doubles, 1 single	3 doubles

Your selection · click a group size2 guests · Mid-range1 double

Travelling with children

Children are welcome from about six, and the private vehicle lets you set the pace. Some mobile camps set their own minimum ages, so tell us ages when you enquire and we choose camps that accept them.

in the price

Private 4×4 with pop-up roof, your group only
Professional English-speaking guide, days 1 to 6
Five nights as described, full board on safari
Park and camp concession fees
Light-aircraft flight from Kogatende to Arusha
Bottled water in the vehicle
Kilimanjaro airport transfers

not in the price

International flights and visa
Travel and medical insurance
Tips for your guide and camp staff
Drinks at the camps
Fly-in option and optional activities

Make it yours

Add to the week

Tick anything you like the sound of. It goes straight into your enquiry, and we will price it with the trip.

Day 3 · SeroneraBalloon flight at sunriseAn hour over the plains, then breakfast in the bush.Add

Day 5 · Northern SerengetiWalking safariTwo to three hours on foot with an armed ranger.Add

Day 5 · Northern SerengetiBush lunchA table under a tree, set by our crew while you drive.Add

After day 6Zanzibar beach daysFly on to the coast instead of home.Add

Send my enquiry →

Before you go

The practical part

Flights

Other costs

Why Simba Pride

Flights

Other costs

Why Simba Pride

Questions

Will we see a river crossing?

No one can promise one. In season, with two full days at the river and patience at the right points, most guests see at least one, but the herds decide.

Why only July to October?

That is when the herds are in the far north and the mobile camps are set up near the Mara. Outside those months the camps follow the herds elsewhere, and we plan the trip around the central or southern Serengeti instead.

Can we fly in as well?

Yes. A light-aircraft flight from Arusha to Kogatende replaces the two road days, so you can spend longer by the river. We price it as an option.

What is a mobile camp like?

Walk-in tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, set up for the season and taken down when the herds move on. They are unfenced, and staff walk you to your tent after dark.

Is this a private safari?

Yes. The vehicle and guide are yours alone for all six days, on any dates you choose between July and October.

ready when you are

Six days, three nights by the river

Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming. We reply with a day-by-day plan and an exact price, with the camps closest to the herds for your dates.

Admit

guests

SPS · 06

Other journeys like this one

7 days · from US$1,890The Great Migration Classic

7 days · from US$1,890Calving Season Safari

6 days · from US$4,200Luxury Fly-in Safari

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