Kenya, Tanzania · Safari

8-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari with Maasai Mara and Ngorongoro

8 Days Round trip from Kenya Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Maasai Mara National Reserve and its rich wildlife
02 Experience full-day game drives across the vast Serengeti plains
03 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing in one of East Africa's most stunning landscapes
04 Enjoy a stop at the Great Rift Valley escarpment on the journey from Nairobi
05 Choose between a hot air balloon safari or a visit to a traditional Maasai village in Maasai Mara

Embark on an extraordinary 8-day safari from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Witness diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the chance to see the Great Migration in Maasai Mara, before continuing to the iconic Serengeti plains and the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, immerse yourself in East Africa's remarkable natural beauty and rich Maasai culture for an unforgettable adventure.

Embark on an extraordinary 8-day safari from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Cities Arusha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Journey to Maasai Mara and Afternoon Game Drive

Set out early for Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Enjoy a breathtaking stop at the Great Rift Valley escarpment before continuing to your accommodation for check-in.
Relish a delectable lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive.
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the Mara.
Witness nature's spectacle against a canvas of endless plains.
Encounter wildlife.
Experience a kaleidoscope of landscapes.
Enjoy a symphony of unforgettable moments in the heart of Africa.

Day 02

Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara

Spend the full day on safari in Maasai Mara.
Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch surrounded by breathtaking landscapes as you immerse yourself in the rhythm of the Mara's unique ecosystem.
Capture the essence of the savannah and its vibrant flora and fauna.
Feel the thrill of spotting iconic species.
Relish the memories of an unforgettable adventure as the sun sets.
Head back to your hotel, savoring the magic of Maasai Mara.

Day 03

Optional Balloon Safari or Maasai Village Visit

After breakfast, marvel at the majestic Big Five and diverse fauna.
Opt for an enchanting hot air balloon safari, soaring above the savannah for a panoramic view of the majestic terrain (extra cost applies).
Alternatively, delve into Maasai culture with a visit to a traditional village, where vibrant traditions come to life.
This optional experience provides a unique insight into the Maasai way of life (extra cost applies).
Customize your safari adventure, balancing the thrill of wildlife encounters with cultural exploration.
Ensure an unforgettable day in the heart of Kenya's natural wonders.

Day 04

From Maasai Mara to Serengeti via the Border

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara as you drive out of the national reserve.
After border formalities, continue to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
On the way, you will have the option to stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge, where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery of the first man who walked the earth.
After attending a short lecture describing the archaeological digs and geology of the gorge, you will have time to visit the small museum.
It will be a long day of driving, but the game drives in and out of the parks can be surprisingly incredible.

Day 05

Full-Day Exploration of the Serengeti

Spend a full day in the Serengeti with a flexible schedule and unlimited mileage.
As you crest the hillside, the vast Serengeti spreads out before you as far as the eye can see.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to the campsite.

Day 06

Another Day Among the Vast Serengeti Plains

As you crest the hillside, the vast Serengeti spreads out before you as far as the eye can see.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to the campsite.

Day 07

Sunrise Safari and Transfer to Ngorongoro

Wake up very early for a morning safari before breakfast, when the animals are more active, and enjoy a fantastic sunrise in front of you.
After the game drive, return to the camp for brunch.
In the afternoon, transfer to Ngorongoro, the 8th natural wonder of the world.

Day 08

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha

Start the day very early and descend to the crater floor for an incredible morning of wildlife viewing in one of the most stunning places on Earth.
After the game drive, there will be time for a picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo lake. After lunch, there will be time for a short game drive.
Ascend the crater and exit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Arusha.
Expect to be back in Arusha around 5 pm, although we are flexible in case there is a flight to catch or another situation.

Where this trip takes you

Masai Mara plains, Great Rift Valley escarpment, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kenya 5 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All transport in a 4WD safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing, using a minivan (standard) or Land Cruiser (for an extra cost)
Accommodation as detailed (full board while on safari, except for drinks)
Unlimited water
High-end binoculars that will greatly enhance your safari experience
Services of various local guides
All national park entrance and campsite fees
All food - breakfasts, packed lunches, and evening meals
Donations and payments to local community projects
3 to 5-star accommodations

What's Not Included

International flights
Travel and personal accident insurance
Visa, passport, vaccinations, and medicines
Tips
Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and personal items
Optional excursions and activities not detailed in the itinerary
Any additional services requested

Know before you go

Maasai Mara covers an area of about 1,510 square kilometers (583 square miles).
It is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Kenya.
It is also one of the most popular wildlife reserves.
It has rich biodiversity, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Serengeti means "endless plains" in Kiswahili, and this 6,900 sq. mile (18,000 sq. km) park is inhabited by more than 2 million large animals, including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson's gazelles.
Large predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, are drawn to the area by this abundance of prey, which migrates throughout the park.
Many smaller animals, such as rock hyrax, bat-eared foxes, mongoose, honey badger, jackals, monkeys, baboons, and African hares, also inhabit the area, along with nearly 500 species of birds.
The sunrise in the African savannah is one of the most beautiful experiences one can have.
With walls 2,000 ft high and a crater floor that spreads for 102 sq. miles, the crater is a virtual Noah's Ark, inhabited by almost every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa, including the rare black rhino.
The crater has the greatest concentration of wildlife on the planet.
It contains a river, several swamps, a soda lake that, from the top, looks like steam, full of flamingos, a forest, and open plains.
The large bull elephants that reside here have extremely large tusks due to the rich mineral content of the volcanic soil and its grasses.