Tour Overview
The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are not two ecosystems. They are one continuous grassland with an international border drawn across the middle, and the migration herds cross that line twice a year without regard for it. This safari follows them.
You begin in Kenya with two nights in the Masai Mara, which holds the highest density of big cats in the region, then cross overland into Tanzania at Isebania and continue into the northern and central Serengeti for two more. The route finishes in the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the densest concentrations of wildlife anywhere on the continent, before ending in Arusha.
Border formalities, crossing fees and the vehicle handover are all handled as part of the package, so the day you change countries remains a game-viewing day rather than an administrative one. Departures are private and capped at eight guests, with a guaranteed window seat throughout.
Route Overview
| Start | Nairobi (Day 1) |
| Day 1 | Masai Mara National Reserve |
| Day 2 | Masai Mara National Reserve |
| Day 3 | Serengeti National Park |
| Day 4 | Serengeti National Park |
| Day 5 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| Day 6 | Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha |
| Day 7 | Arusha |
| End | Nairobi (Day 7) |
Tour Features
Organised exclusively for your group — not shared with strangers.
Request changes to destinations, accommodation or dates.
Can start on any day, subject to availability.
Solo bookings are accepted for this private safari.
Children of all ages are welcome on this tour.
All safaris led by experienced, certified Kenyan guides.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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1
Day 1: Nairobi to the Masai Mara
Depart Nairobi after breakfast, climbing the escarpment for the sweeping viewpoint over the Great Rift Valley before descending into Maasai country. You reach the reserve in time for lunch and head out on an afternoon game drive across the open plains, where lion, elephant, buffalo and giraffe are all commonly seen within the first few hours.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Mid-range lodge or tented camp, Masai Mara
Lunch, Dinner
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2
Day 2: Full day in the Masai Mara
A full day in the reserve with a picnic lunch. The Mara's big-cat density is the highest in East Africa, and mornings are usually spent tracking lion prides and searching the riverine forest for leopard. Between July and October the migration herds are in the reserve and your guide will position for a river crossing if the herds are massing. An optional visit to a Maasai village can be arranged in the afternoon.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Mid-range lodge or tented camp, Masai Mara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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3
Day 3: Masai Mara to the Serengeti via Isebania
An early game drive, then south to the Isebania border post. Your Tazama team handles immigration and the crossing formalities, and you are met on the Tanzanian side by your Serengeti guide and vehicle. Continue into the Serengeti with a game drive en route, arriving at camp in the late afternoon. Depending on the season and the position of the herds, your nights are spent in the northern or the central sector.
Serengeti National Park
Mid-range lodge or tented camp, Serengeti
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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4
Day 4: Full day in the Serengeti
A full day on the plains with a picnic lunch. In the northern sector between July and October this means time along the Mara River, where the crossings happen and where patience is usually rewarded. Outside that window the day is spent in the Seronera area, whose kopjes and river valley hold resident lion, leopard and cheetah throughout the year.
Serengeti National Park
Mid-range lodge or tented camp, Serengeti
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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5
Day 5: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro highlands
A morning game drive as you work south and east out of the park, passing Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, where an optional museum stop can be arranged. You climb into the Ngorongoro highlands through dense forest to your lodge on the crater rim, arriving in time for the view down into the caldera at the end of the day.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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6
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater descent and on to Arusha
An early descent to the crater floor for a morning game drive before the day fills up. The caldera holds roughly 25,000 large animals, including black rhino, which are more reliably seen here than almost anywhere else, along with lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and flamingo. After a picnic lunch you ascend and drive on to Arusha for the final night, with a hot shower and a proper bed before flying.
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Lodge in Arusha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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7
Day 7: Departure
A relaxed breakfast and time to repack before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for onward flights. Travellers extending to Zanzibar connect from here, and we are happy to arrange the beach leg as part of the same booking.
Arusha
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Breakfast
What's Included
- 6 nights accommodation in mid-range lodges and tented camps
- Isebania border crossing assistance and crossing fees
- Kenyan and Tanzanian safari vehicles with dedicated guides in each country
- All meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Professional English-speaking Tazama driver-guide throughout
- All game drives in a customised 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All park entry fees and conservation levies
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Emergency evacuation cover (AMREF Flying Doctors)
- All government taxes and levies
- International flights
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Tips and gratuities for your guide (suggested USD $10 per person per day)
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and cultural visits
- Kenya and Tanzania tourist visas
- Optional Maasai village visit (approx. USD $25 per person)
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