2-Day Express Crater & Giants Safari

Your adventure begins with a flight to the Kogatende airstrip, located in the northern Serengeti. Flights are not included in the tour price - please let us know the port of your departure for safari, and we will assist with the flight booking. Most flights arrive in the first half of the day, and your driver-guide will be waiting for you right on the airstrip.

After a short transfer to your tented lodge, you’ll settle in, enjoy a delicious lunch, and take a moment to soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Then it’s time to head out on your very first game drive – get your camera ready and safari spirit on! The action starts right away.

From July through September, this region becomes the stage for one of nature’s most dramatic shows: the Great Migration. Wildebeest and zebra herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing – and with them come predators.

You’ll be exploring in open-sided safari vehicles, which allow for the immersive experience – especially during exciting moments like river crossings or predator sightings. If you'd like to have a closed-type vehicle, let us know in advance!

Kogatende is rich in resident wildlife, apart from the migrating herds. You may spot elegant antelope species like the spiral-horned kudu, massive eland, and tiny dik-diks, along with giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras gathering near the river. Your guide will help you spot and understand the behavior of each species – making this more than just sightseeing, but a true learning journey.

Your second day in Kogatende takes you to the Mara River, which forms a natural border between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. Here, you can witness one of the most iconic events in the animal kingdom: the river crossing, when wildebeests, zebras, and other grazers navigate the waters during the Great Migration. This dramatic spectacle has drawn National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and other renowned wildlife programs to document it, and is part of what makes the Serengeti a World Heritage Site.

Your Africa Rise Up guide will bring the story to life with local insight, sharing their knowledge as a Tanzanian who deeply understands the connection between the wildlife and the land of Tanzania. They’ll make sure you appreciate not just the spectacle itself, but the rhythm of life behind this incredible natural phenomenon.

This morning is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Have a peaceful breakfast at the lodge and take some time to soak in the surroundings before your departure.

Most flights usually depart around 10-11 AM, so you will leave the lodge at a comfortable time, typically around 9 AM, to reach the airstrip. Please note that you need to be at the airstrip about one hour before departure for check-in and boarding procedures.

From there, you will continue your journey to your next destination.

If you would like to extend your safari activities and depart on a later flight in the afternoon, this can be arranged for an additional cost. If this is something you would like to consider, please contact your travel expert in advance to check availability.

Flights are not included in the tour price - please let us know the port of your departure for safari, and we will assist with the flight booking.