Mara River crossings in brief
The Mara River crossings take place in the northern Serengeti, typically between July and October. Some camps name mid-July as a common start. In September and October the herds also move between the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
The Kenyan side of the river, with its own fees and camps, is covered in our separate Maasai Mara guide.
A crossing is not an event on a timetable. The herds gather at the bank, wait and sometimes turn back. Nobody can guarantee a daily crossing, a time of day or a particular crossing point, and these months depend on the weather. If you are traveling for a crossing, plan several days in the north and treat any sighting as a bonus.
Mara and Grumeti are not the same river
Not every crossing happens at the Mara.
A crossing in the west is not a Mara River crossing. The Grumeti river lies in the Western Corridor and plays its role earlier in the year. The Mara lies in the far north. The table shows the typical difference.
| River | Area | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Grumeti | West, Western Corridor and Grumeti Reserve | About June and July |
| Mara | Northern Serengeti, near Kogatende and Lamai | About July to October, often from mid-July |
In some years the herds are still in the Grumeti area in July. In others the first northern crossings start around the middle of that month. Both can be a normal year. For the full cycle of the herds, see the Great Migration page.
Our picks: northern Serengeti safaris
Longer trips to the Mara River area. Crossings depend on the season and cannot be guaranteed.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
6-day Serengeti safari to the Mara River
Three nights in a mobile tented camp and two in lodges, park entry, airport transfers and a Land Cruiser are included. The balloon flight is optional and not in the from price.
Check availability →
7-day northern Serengeti safari in a private 4x4
Park entry, Ngorongoro, concession and camping fees as applicable, fuel and a driver-guide are included. Flights, visa, tips and insurance are extra, and river crossings cannot be promised.
Check availability →Safaris to the northern Serengeti
Serengeti safaris and tours with live prices and availability.
Getting to the north
The north is far from Seronera. Choose your base with care.
The northern Serengeti around Kogatende and Lamai has its own airstrip and its own camps. Sayari Camp, for example, names Kogatende as its nearest airstrip and about 20 minutes as the camp transfer. That time refers to one camp, not to every lodge near the Mara. Scheduled flights serve Kogatende, including from Zanzibar via Arusha and Manyara. Check the airstrip name against your camp before you book.
On the road, the north is a long way from the center of the park, and nobody can give you a fixed driving time. Ask your operator for the route and the time it assumes. The getting there page covers airports and airstrips.
Camps and balloon flights in the north
Opening months matter more here than anywhere else.
Sayari Camp
In the northern Serengeti. Open from June to March and closed in April and May. Children from 5 years.
Ubuntu Migration Camp
A mobile camp that is in the north (Lamai Wedge) from June to mid-November. List price in 2026: $1,080 per person per night from 1 July to 31 October, $780 from 1 to 14 November. Fees and occupancy are to be confirmed with the camp.
Lodges and camps →Balloon flights
Flights in the west and the north run from June to October. A shared flight is listed at $599 per person in 2026, park entry not included.
Balloon safari →A closed camp is not a closed park. The park stays open all year, but a camp with a short season may be shut in the month you want.
Rules at the river
Crossings are wild events. The basic rules apply there too.
Stay in the vehicle unless your guide allows you to get out. Do not feed or disturb the animals, keep quiet, and leave the tracks only with explicit permission. Drones are restricted and need special permits. Patience and your guide's judgment matter more than the choice of viewpoint.
Before you book a northern trip
A short checklist.
Confirm the opening months
Ask the camp for its exact opening dates. Some northern camps shut for part of the year.
Match airstrip and camp
The airstrip name, the camp and the booked transfer have to fit together.
Ask what the price covers
Park and conservation fees are not included in every offer. Ask in writing.
Park fees →Keep your plan flexible
Crossings follow the herds and the weather. Several days in the north work better than a fixed morning.
Safari options →Mara River crossings: frequently asked questions
When do the Mara River crossings happen?
Typically between July and October in the northern Serengeti. Some camps name mid-July as a common start. These months shift with the weather.
Can I be sure to see a crossing?
No. Crossings are not daily, and no one can promise a time, a place or a success rate. Plan several days in the north.
Is a Grumeti crossing the same as a Mara crossing?
No. The Grumeti river lies in the west and is linked to about June and July. The Mara lies in the far north and is linked to July to October.
How do I reach the northern Serengeti?
By road or by a scheduled flight to an airstrip such as Kogatende. At one northern camp the transfer from Kogatende takes about 20 minutes. Check that the airstrip and your camp match.
Are all camps in the north open all year?
No. For example, Sayari Camp is closed in April and May. The park itself is open all year.