BLOOMINGTON WILDLIFE FIELD GUIDE
Across the Mara and Into the Crater: A 12‑Day Tanzanian Safari Adventure
A small‑group, 12‑day safari that tracks the Great Migration and visits Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Eyasi and Arusha—this guide explains what to expect on the trip.
Across the Mara and Into the Crater: A 12‑Day Tanzanian Safari Adventure.
This is a classic East African circuit: open‑roof game drives through the Serengeti to witness the Great Migration and Mara River crossings, a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater to hunt for black rhino and resident lions, walks to waterfalls and elephant caves, and intimate cultural encounters with Hadzabe, Datoga and Iraqw communities—an immersive blend of wildlife, landscape and human history led by local guides.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Mara River Crossings in the Serengeti
Perched on the banks of the Mara River, you’ll experience thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing as part of the Great Migration, with ample opportunities for repeated game drives and photography from open‑roof vehicles.
Ngorongoro: The 'Fish Bowl' of East Africa
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater—described as the eighth wonder of the world—to search for resident lion prides and the rare black rhino in a unique, enclosed ecosystem.
Living Traditions at Lake Eyasi and Beyond
Share a day of traditional hunting and gathering with the Hadzabe, visit Datoga and Iraqw villages, and learn local plant and animal names and subsistence practices that have endured for millennia.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
This itinerary moves between vast plains, forested highlands and Rift Valley lakes, with game drives in open‑roof Toyota 4x4s, short domestic flights between regions, and on‑foot hikes that range from easy walks to moderate elevation changes; expect dusty, bumpy roads, long viewing days, and cool nights after hot midday sun.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Expect dusty, uneven terrain and changing temperatures; bring layers for cool nights, sun protection for hot middays, sturdy walking shoes for moderate hikes, and camera gear for open‑roof game drives.
Temperatures can range roughly from 45º to 90º F depending on elevation; rainy seasons are roughly mid‑March to May and October to December though rain is possible year‑round.
Travel between regions uses Toyota four‑wheel‑drive vehicles (with open roofs for viewing) and small domestic planes to cover longer distances; expect some long drives on bumpy roads outside major towns.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
This is a 12‑day itinerary.
Where do we meet at the start?
Guides meet arriving participants at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer the group to a hotel in Arusha for the first night.
What is the typical group size?
Groups range from five to 12 participants, with several local guides accompanying the trip.
What level of fitness is required?
A moderate level of physical fitness is required for hiking sections and for tolerating bumpy travel and uneven terrain.
What wildlife will we likely see?
Expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, hyenas, cape buffalo and a range of bird species; the itinerary also targets Mara River crossings of the Great Migration and the chance to spot black rhino in Ngorongoro.
What kind of vehicles and travel conditions should I expect?
Travel is by Toyota four‑wheel‑drive vehicles with open roofs for safari viewing and by small domestic planes between regions; outside major towns roads may be dusty and bumpy.