The Great Migration and Grumeti and Mara River Crossings

Storybook Africa

Visit two remote and un-spoilt regions, and experience the wonders of Africa's Great Migration—the longest migration of ungulates, followed by their big cat predators, in the world. Each year 1.5 million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, embark on a round-trip journey of over 1000 miles in an incessant search for food and water, followed by Africa’s greatest big cat predators that relentlessly track the traveling hordes.

The Grumeti River in the northwest Serengeti is the first major obstacle facing the herds. While attempting to cross the river, the animals are exposed to predator crocodiles that lurk below the murky waters, hoping to take advantage of distressed zebra and wildebeest.  The Grumeti River crossing is one of our favorite experiences, and the stunning natural beauty of the region, as well as the location and high quality of its lodges, make it an outstanding place to witness the crossing in spectacular luxury.

For the long dry season from June to December, the herds move northeast towards the Mara River and Maasai Mara in southern Kenya, and gather in the Lamai Wedge to take advantage of the sustenance offered in that lush flood plain.  The rolling hills and endless landscapes of the region add a beautiful, unforgettable backdrop to the Migration: a remote and utterly picturesque part of the Serengeti that harks back to the Africa of storybooks and documentary films. 

Day 1        

On arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by our representative and driven to your hotel in Arusha. Overnight Legendary Lodge. Set in beautiful gardens under the shade of Mount Meru, Legendary Lodge is a perfect welcome to your luxurious Tanzanian safari.

Day 2-4          

In the morning after an early breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the Arusha Airport for your morning flight to Sasakwa Airstrip in Singita Grumeti Reserves. 

Sabora Tented Camp is a return to the very essence of safari. It's one of three lodges in this enormous private concession, which means that you’ll have this wild stretch of Africa all to yourself. 

Most travelers to Africa harbor a fantasy of the tented safari camp, a la Earnest Hemingway, where zebras canter past billowing tents and dinner is served on the open, golden plains. Sabora is the stuff of fantasy-- this northern Tanzanian explorer’s camp is permeated by a sense of raw adventure and by the palpable pulse of the Serengeti. Guests will delight in the thrill of knowing there isn’t much separating the comforts inside from the wildlife outside. With the tented suites set close to the ground, every sight, sound and smell of the bush is amplified and bespoke glass panelling welcome the Serengeti plains inside. Located on 340,000 private acres of Tanzania’s majestic Serengeti, allowing guests to overnight under canvas in the most outstanding corners of Africa’s premier wilderness area.

Overnight at Sabora Tented Camp  for 3 nights on an all-inclusive basis, including laundry, three meals per day, all drinks, including premium wines, spirits and liqueurs (excluding vintage champagne and vintage wines on the connoisseurs wine list) and open Land Rover safaris accompanied by an experienced guide. The newly updated Singita Sabora Tented Camp is a perfect place to experience the Great Migration. Echoing the earthy color palette of the bush, modern interpretations of campaign furniture evoke the timeless spirit of East African adventures. With every creatures comfort, Singita Sabora Tented Camp surprises guests with refined luxury that is delightfully out-of-place with the rugged terrain of the surrounding savannah plains.

Sip sundowners on the deck and gaze over the waterhole - you never know what you might see.

During your stay at Grumeti Game Reserves you will visit a local community nearby your lodge without electricity and distribute life-changing Luci solar lights. Participating in a Luci Solar Light drop is one of the most unique elements of an Epic Road expedition, and one that also encompasses our core mission of transformative travel. It's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to grow and connect as a couple, and as life-partners, over meaningful work and transformative experiences. Epic Road has partnered with MPOWERD Inc, a B-corp enterprise to abolish energy poverty in Africa.

Depending on your interest level, we would also propose visits to the Masegenya gardens pepper project (the peppers save elephants' lives by keeping them away), a visit to the local market and to the primary school. We also recommend during your stay to schedule a conversation with the conservationists about Singita's black rhino conservation project. The team will integrate the following activities into your stay as you desire according to your preferences that day. 

Day 5-7           

In the morning after a game drive and an early breakfast you will be collected and taken to your late morning flight to Kogatende airstrip in the Lamai Wedge region of the Serengeti. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes.

Snaking across the northern tip of the Serengeti National Park, the Mara River flows between Kenya and Tanzania, and is the site one of the most dramatic events of the annual Great Migration, when millions of zebra, antelope and wildebeest migrate north across the Serengeti in search of food. Each year, countless herds of wildebeest will charge north across the Mara en route to the Lamai Triangle watershed, the last stop before reaching their final destination of the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Arguably one of the most dramatic sites in the Serengeti. Only a few miles from the Mara River, tucked among kopjes (hills) with sweeping views of the plains, the Lamai Serengeti sits in the midst of some of Africa’s most dramatic scenery.  Good chance of Mara River crossings (from July to October) and great all-year round resident game.  At Lamai Serengeti there are just 12 rooms in all.  These are split between two entirely separate lodges, the main lodge of 8 rooms and and a smaller private lodge of 4 rooms. The two lodges were designed with bright lighting and open spaces to emphasize the gorgeous backdrop. All of the rooms face the plains and have a private veranda on which to relax and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings, and observe some of the resident plains game—zebra, antelopes and giraffe—that live in the region year round.

Overnight at Lamai Serengeti for 3 nights on an all-inclusive basis, including laundry, three meals per day, all drinks (excluding premiums) and Land Rover safaris accompanied by an experienced guide. 

Day 8          

After a morning game drive and an early breakfast, say goodbye to the Serengeti and your friends and head to the airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro airport, departing in the late morning. Connect with your evening international flight departing Kilimanjaro Airport.