Overview
The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti are two halves of the same ecosystem, and this safari lets you experience both. Begin with three nights in the Maasai Mara, then fly across the border to the Serengeti for three more nights following the herds.
Continue by road to the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire before a final night in Arusha. Between July and October you have excellent chances of seeing river crossings on both sides of the border.
Route
Highlights
- Three nights in the Maasai Mara
- Cross-border flight to the Serengeti
- Great Migration in both countries
- Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
- Kenya and Tanzania in one trip
Activities
- Morning, afternoon and full-day game drives
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Picnic lunch at the Mara River
- Game drives
- Walking safaris in concession areas
- Crater floor game drive
- Crater rim walk
- Olduvai Gorge museum
- Walking safaris (outside the park)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Into the Maasai Mara
Maasai MaraYour guide collects you from your hotel in Nairobi in the morning for the drive to Maasai Mara (5–6 hours via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint). Arrive in the Maasai Mara in time for lunch at camp. After a rest, set out on your first afternoon game drive across the open plains, looking for lion prides, grazing herds of topi and zebra, and elephant families moving towards the river as the light turns golden.
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Day 2:
Full Day in the Maasai Mara
Maasai MaraLeave early, when the predators are most active, with a packed breakfast in the vehicle. Your guide will follow the latest news on the radio — perhaps a cheetah hunting on the short-grass plains or a leopard in the riverine forest. Return to camp for lunch and a rest before an afternoon drive into a different area of the reserve.
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Day 3:
Mara River Day
Maasai MaraSpend a full day exploring towards the Mara River with a picnic lunch. In migration season you may wait near a crossing point as herds of wildebeest gather on the banks; at other times of year the river is a reliable place for hippos, huge Nile crocodiles and big herds of buffalo.
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Day 4:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, begin your journey from Maasai Mara to Serengeti — a cross-border day of scheduled flights connecting through Nairobi and Arusha, with our team meeting you at every stage. Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
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Day 5:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
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Day 6:
Following the Migration
SerengetiHead out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.
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Day 7:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
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Day 8:
Tarangire National Park
TarangireAfter breakfast, continue by road from Ngorongoro to Tarangire (about 2.5 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.
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Day 9:
Return to Arusha
ArushaAfter breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Arusha (about 2 hours). Return to Arusha for a final evening at a garden lodge, with time to relax and repack before your onward journey.
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Day 10:
Departure
ArushaEnjoy a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your flight time, a last stroll or some souvenir shopping. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels — kwaheri until next time!
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Maasai MaraPermanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River3 nights
- SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti3 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
- TarangireTented lodge on the park boundary1 night
- ArushaGarden lodge on the outskirts of Arusha1 night
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
Travel information
Best time to travel
July to October for the Great Migration and river crossings; January to March for dry, quieter game viewing with good predator action. April and May are wetter but green, peaceful and good value. Kenya: Kenya is a year-round destination. Tanzania: June to October is the classic dry season, with excellent game viewing across all parks and migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti from July.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 5,200 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
When can I see a river crossing?
Crossings most often happen between late July and early October, but the herds move with the rain, so no date can be guaranteed. Spending at least three nights in the Mara gives you the best chance.
Gallery
Open image: Open savanna of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Open image: Lion pride resting in the Maasai Mara
Open image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Open image: Acacia-dotted grassland in the Serengeti
Open image: Zebra and wildebeest during the Serengeti migration
Open image: The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National ParkEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
