Day 1 — Arrival JRO → Arusha (HB)
Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). After immigration and baggage claim, meet your private guide at
the arrivals hall for a warm welcome and trip briefing. A comfortable transfer brings you to Summit Safari Lodge
in Arusha, where you can unwind by the gardens or pool depending on arrival time. This half-board stay includes dinner at the
lodge — ideal to reset, charge batteries, and fine-tune any last details for the drive tomorrow. If time allows, your guide can
assist with currency exchange, a short city spin, or a quick stop for any forgotten items before the adventure begins.
Overnight: Summit Safari Lodge (HB), Arusha.
Day 2 — Arusha → Central Serengeti (B, L, D)
After breakfast, depart across the Great Rift and the verdant Ngorongoro highlands toward Naabi Hill Gate. Enter the
Serengeti National Park and begin game-driving immediately, working the central plains and iconic granite kopjes.
This core area holds resident lion prides, often seen draped over kopjes or shading beneath acacias; leopards frequent
riverine trees; cheetahs scan the short-grass for gazelles. We move purposefully but unrushed, favoring patience at
sightings and looping productive habitat rather than chasing radio callouts.
Overnight: Serengeti Safari Haven or Serengeti Tortilis Camp (central, ensuite tents; campfire, starry skies).
Day 3 — Central → Northern Serengeti (B, L, D)
Early roll-out to cover ground while the light is soft and predators are active. Head north via open plains and river systems
toward the Mara River region. This landscape shifts to undulating hills, thicker woodlands, and dramatic viewpoints —
perfect for scanning for mobile herds. Depending on seasonal movements, we’ll pause on ridgelines to glass for dust plumes and
listen for the low thunder of hooves. Afternoon arrival in the north, with time to work river loops for crocodiles, hippos,
and possible zebra/wildebeest crossings when conditions align (unpredictable, but thrilling when it happens).
Overnight: Northern Serengeti Safari Haven or Mara Migration Camp (Northern Serengeti Heritage Camp).
Day 4 — Full Day in Northern Serengeti (B, L, D)
A dedicated day to follow the pulse of the migration in the north. With a pre-dawn start, we position along known crossing
points and vantage hills overlooking the Mara River. Some crossings happen in minutes, others build and fizzle; the key
is patience and being in the right place. Between river watches, we explore surrounding valleys and woodlands for lion, hyena,
and leopard, plus elephant families, topi, eland, and giraffe. Expect a bush breakfast or thermos coffee in the field and a
picnic lunch to maximize time out. Golden-hour circuits along the river round out the day, often with dramatic skies.
Overnight: Remain in the northern Serengeti (same camp as previous night).
Day 5 — Northern → Central Serengeti (B, L, D)
Unhurried morning loop before driving south. En-route game viewing takes in kopje systems favored by lions and sun-basking
leopards. The central sector’s year-round prey base makes it a reliable afternoon for sightings. Arrive at camp in time
for a hot shower and a fireside drink. If you’d like a different perspective tomorrow, talk to us about a pre-dawn
hot-air balloon safari (additional $590 pp) with a champagne bush breakfast — unforgettable over the Serengeti plains.
Overnight: Serengeti Safari Haven or Serengeti Tortilis Camp (central).
Day 6 — Early to Ngorongoro Crater → Departure (B, L)
Early departure toward the highlands and on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After park formalities, descend
~600 m into the Crater — a natural amphitheater with extraordinary densities. We work the Lerai woodlands, soda flats,
and marsh edges looking for lion, buffalo, elephant, hyena, abundant plains game, and — with luck — black rhino.
A picnic is served at a designated site near the hippo pools. After a generous game session (within permit limits), ascend the
rim and continue to Arusha or JRO for your onward flight. Expect drop-off late afternoon/early evening depending on timing.