10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari
trip overview
Two countries, one great safari: Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
This 10-day safari takes you across the Kenya-Tanzania border in your own private 4x4, from the big-cat country of the Maasai Mara to the endless plains of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the elephants and baobabs of Tarangire. You'll sleep in hotels, lodges and tented camps along the way, with a professional driver-guide for every game drive.
Trip Highlights
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go each day, what you'll see, and where you sleep each night.
You'll stay in Nairobi on Night 1, the Maasai Mara on Nights 2 and 3, the Serengeti on Nights 4 to 6, Karatu on Night 7, the Tarangire area on Night 8 and Arusha on Night 9. Drive times are approximate and depend on road, border and park conditions.
Arrival in Nairobi
You'll be met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. The rest of the day is yours to rest after your journey.
Your guide will meet you for a short safari briefing, so you're ready for an early start to the Maasai Mara tomorrow.
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
After an early breakfast, you'll drive west from Nairobi, with a stop to take in the views over the Great Rift Valley, before descending to the open plains of the Maasai Mara. You'll arrive in time for lunch at your camp.
In the afternoon you'll set out on your first game drive across the reserve, famous for its lions, elephants and big herds of plains game.
Full Day in the Maasai Mara
Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara with your driver-guide, with a picnic lunch out on the plains. The Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and giraffes, and the Mara River is the setting for the famous wildebeest crossings in season.
Return to camp in the evening for dinner and the sounds of the African night.
Maasai Mara to the Serengeti
After breakfast and a final morning game drive, you'll drive to the Kenya-Tanzania border to complete exit and entry formalities. Your Tanzanian driver-guide will meet you on the other side and take you into the northern Serengeti.
You'll have game viewing along the way and arrive at your camp for dinner and your first night in the Serengeti.
Full Day in the Serengeti
Today is a full day of game drives across the Serengeti's endless plains, with a packed lunch in the bush. Your guide will follow the wildlife, from lion prides and cheetahs on the open grass to elephants, giraffes and huge herds of zebra and wildebeest.
Return to camp for dinner under the stars.
Central Serengeti Game Drives
You'll spend another full day exploring the central Serengeti, known for its rocky kopjes, rivers and year-round wildlife. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for seeing predators on the move.
You'll return to camp for the evening.
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, you'll enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before driving up through the Ngorongoro highlands towards Karatu, with views over the Conservation Area along the way.
You'll arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and a relaxed night.
Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
After an early breakfast, you'll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive, one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife in a single day. The crater floor is home to lions, elephants, hippos and many other animals.
After a picnic lunch in the crater, you'll drive on to the Tarangire area for the night.
Tarangire National Park to Arusha
Spend the day in Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, with lunch during the day. In the afternoon you'll drive to Arusha.
You'll check in at your hotel in Arusha for a farewell dinner after your safari.
Departure from Arusha
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha for your onward journey, marking the end of your Kenya and Tanzania safari.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 9 nights' accommodation in hotels, lodges and tented camps
- All meals during the safari, as listed above
- Park, conservation and crater fees for Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire
- Drinking water during game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Cross-border transfer between Kenya and Tanzania
- International flights
- Travel & medical insurance
- Kenya and Tanzania visa / eTA fees
- Tips for your driver-guide and camp staff
- Drinks not listed above and personal expenses
- Hotel nights before or after the safari
- Optional activities and souvenirs
Important to know before booking
- Additional hotel accommodation before and after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost — ask us when booking.
- This safari crosses the Kenya-Tanzania border by road. Border formalities can take time, so allow for a full day of travel on Day 4.
- Wildlife sightings depend on the season and conditions, and cannot be guaranteed. The wildebeest river crossings in the Mara typically happen between July and October.
- Some days involve long drives on unpaved roads between parks, so allow for a full day of travel on Days 2, 4 and 7.
- Mornings and evenings are cool, especially in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro highlands — a warm layer is essential.
- You'll need entry permission for both countries: a Kenya eTA (etakenya.go.ke) and a Tanzania e-Visa (immigration.go.tz). Apply at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about malaria prevention before you travel.
what to bring
Your packing list for the safari.
Mornings are cool and the days warm up, so layers are the key. Here's what to pack for the 10 days.
- Light, neutral-coloured shirts and trousers
- Warm fleece or jacket for early mornings
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable clothes for travel days
- Smart-casual outfit for evenings
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap
- UV sunglasses
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Sandals for the lodges and camps
- Warm socks for early mornings
- Binoculars
- Camera with a zoom lens and spare memory cards
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Small daypack for game drives
- Soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit and any prescription medication
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toiletries
- Passport (with blank pages for both borders)
- Kenya eTA and Tanzania e-Visa
- Travel insurance details
- Yellow fever certificate, if required
- Small US dollar notes for tips
- Swimwear for the lodge pools
- Light jacket for cool evenings
- Earplugs for the tented camps
- A book or journal for downtime
- Zip-lock bags to keep dust off electronics
Packing tips
- Pack in a soft bag, as space in safari vehicles is limited. We'll confirm any luggage limits when you book.
- Dress in layers: early mornings are cool and the days warm up, so being able to add and remove layers matters more than any one item.
- Stick to neutral colours such as khaki, green and beige, which are better for game drives than bright colours.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari 9 nights in hotels, lodges and tented camps, all meals and park fees included | $5,200 | Per person |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional hotel accommodation before or after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready to plan your Kenya and Tanzania safari?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
Your safari starts in Nairobi, Kenya on Day 1 and ends in Arusha, Tanzania on Day 10 with a transfer to the airport.
You'll stay in Nairobi on Night 1, a tented camp in the Maasai Mara on Nights 2 and 3, a tented camp in the Serengeti on Nights 4 to 6, a lodge in Karatu on Night 7, a lodge near Tarangire on Night 8 and a hotel in Arusha on Night 9.
On Day 4 you'll drive from the Maasai Mara to the Kenya-Tanzania border, complete exit and entry formalities, and meet your Tanzanian driver-guide on the other side. Please carry your passport, Kenya eTA and Tanzania e-Visa.
Yes. Additional hotel accommodation before and after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost — just let us know when booking.
You'll need a Kenya eTA at etakenya.go.ke and a Tanzania e-Visa at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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