10 Days – Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & North Serengeti

Price per person sharing

• Solo – USD $$$
• Group of 2 – USD $$$
• Group of 3 – USD $$$
• Group of 4 – USD $$$
• Group of 5 – USD $$$
• Group of 6 – USD $$$
• Group of 7 – USD $$$

Itinerary Overview

This itinerary includes Nairobi to Lake Nakuru(1N), famous for its pink-hued flamingos and as a sanctuary for black and white rhinos; and Maasai Mara National Reserve(3N), Kenya’s premier safari destination, renowned for big cat sightings and the Great Migration(July-October), before ending the safari at Isebania.

This itinerary includes Isebania to North Serengeti(2N), where you can see the Great Migration (July–Oct); Central Serengeti(2N), a haven for big cats and varied wildlife; and Ngorongoro Crater(1N), renowned for its breathtaking views and high wildlife density, before ending the safari at Arusha.

Short Itinerary

• Day 1 – Nairobi to Lake Nakuru. Afternoon game drives in Lake Nakuru
• Day 2  – Transfer to Masai Mara for afternoon game drives in Masai Mara
• Day 3  – Full day game drives in Masai Mara
• Day 4 – Full day game drives in Masai Mara
• Day 5 – Transfer to Isebania Border to start Tanzania leg of the tour. Isebania Border to North Serengeti
• Day 6  – North Serengeti – full day game drives
• Day 7  – Morning game drives in North Serengeti and transfer to Central Serengeti
• Day 8  – Central Serengeti full day game drives
• Day 9  – Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
• Day 10  – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) and transfer to Arusha

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

Depart from Nairobi in the morning and drive approximately 3.5 to 4 hours (157 km) to Lake Nakuru National Park. After arriving and checking into your lodge, enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is renowned for its rhinos, and diverse birdlife. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

After breakfast, drive 5 to 5.5 hours (250 km) to Masai Mara National Reserve. Arrive around midday, check into your accommodation, and have lunch. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Masai Mara, famous for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five. Return to your lodge for dinner and a restful evening.

Day 3 & 4: Full Day Game Drives in Masai Mara

Itineraries for these days are flexible, you can discuss your plan with your guide one day before. You can leave at 7:30 AM after having breakfast and spend the entire day exploring Masai Mara with full-day game drives. With a packed lunch, traverse the reserve’s diverse terrains and enjoy excellent wildlife sightings, including the Great Migration if you’re visiting during the migration season. After a day filled with wildlife encounters, head back to your lodge for dinner and unwind.

Day 5: Masai Mara to Isebania Border

Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge. Afterward, drive 3.5 to 4 hours (150 km) to the Isebania border with a packed lunch.

Day 1 – Isebania to North Serengeti

After completing your immigration formalities at the Isebania border, our guide/driver will meet you between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. The drive from the Isebania border to North Serengeti takes approximately 4.5 hours. En route, you will have the chance to view charming villages and verdant farmlands before entering Serengeti National Park.

You will enjoy lunch at Tabora B Gate while your guide handles the park entry formalities. As you traverse the park, you will experience en-route game drives. You are expected to arrive at your accommodation between 5:00 and 5:30 PM. The day will conclude with a hearty dinner and a restful night at your lodge.

Day 2 – North Serengeti

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before setting out for a full-day game drive around 8:00 AM. Equipped with a packed lunch, you will explore the North Serengeti and return to the lodge in the late afternoon, around 5:00 PM.

Alternatively, embark on an early morning game drive at 6:00 AM. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, enjoy some relaxation before heading out for an afternoon game drive, with a packed lunch provided.

From July to October, this region is prime for witnessing the Great Migration. Between mid-July and September, the Mara River offers one of the most dramatic spectacles of the migration. The river’s fierce and rain-fed currents challenge the wildebeest, resulting in some crossing the river at great risk, with some even falling prey to crocodiles. If you’re lucky, you may witness this extraordinary natural event.

As part of your game drive, you may also visit the pristine Lobo Valley, known for its diverse landscapes of woodlands, plains, hills, and iconic granite Kopjes. The valley is renowned for its abundant big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. During the dry season, the valley’s permanent water sources attract numerous resident and migratory animals, offering excellent game viewing opportunities.

You can enjoy your meal at a scenic picnic spot at your preferred time and continue exploring the North Serengeti.

The day will conclude around 5:00 PM, followed by a hearty dinner and a restful night at your accommodation.

Day 3 – North Serengeti to Central Serengeti

After a relaxed breakfast, you will embark on a full day of game drives and transfer to Central Serengeti, departing around 8:00 AM with a packed lunch. Alternatively, you may choose an early morning game drive starting at 6:00 AM, returning to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation before heading to Central Serengeti with a packed lunch.

The drive to Central Serengeti takes approximately 4 hours and includes en-route game viewing. This journey takes you through varied landscapes, from the hill country and Lobo area to woodlands, before reaching the Seronera region.

The central Serengeti, or Seronera area, is renowned for its rich wildlife habitat. The Seronera River, a crucial water source, draws a diverse array of species representative of the Serengeti’s wildlife. As you enter Seronera, the terrain transitions from rugged hills to expansive grasslands. This region is notable for its thriving lion prides, offering exceptional game viewing throughout the year. During your full-day excursion, you will enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the spectacular wildlife of the Serengeti.

The day will conclude around 5:00 PM, followed by a hearty dinner and a restful night at your accommodation.

Day 4 – Central Serengeti

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before setting out for a full-day game drive around 8:00 AM. Equipped with a packed lunch, you will explore the Central Serengeti and return to the lodge in the late afternoon, around 5:00 PM.

Alternatively, embark on an early morning game drive at 6:00 AM. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, enjoy some relaxation before heading out for an afternoon game drive, with a packed lunch provided.

Your exploration will take you through the Central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera area, known for its rich wildlife habitat and the Seronera River, which draws a diverse array of species (Three of the big cats: Lions, Cheetahs, and Leopards. Other predators like hyenas, wild dogs, wildcats, caracals, etc. And other animals like elephants, buffalos, and giraffes). This region is famed for its large lion prides and offers exceptional game viewing opportunities year-round.

You can enjoy your meal at a scenic picnic spot at your preferred time and continue exploring the central Serengeti.

The day will conclude around 5:00 PM, followed by a hearty dinner and a restful night at your accommodation.

Day 5 – Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro

After early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, immersing yourself in its vibrant wildlife. Around noon, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a picnic lunch provided for your journey. The transfer to your accommodation in Ngorongoro/Karatu takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

The route begins with a scenic drive through the Serengeti, where you may encounter gazelles and impalas. Before you exit Serengeti and enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you can enjoy a picnic lunch at Naabi Hill Gate and also go for a short hike to the top of the hill for magnificent views of the Serengeti plains. As you progress, the landscape transitions to a drier, somewhat dusty terrain, with occasional Maasai villages along the way. After another 1.5 hours, you will ascend into the Ngorongoro Highlands, where the climate becomes cooler and more pleasant.

The day concludes with a hearty dinner and a restful night at your accommodation, reflecting on the extraordinary experiences of the day.

Day 6 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 Hours) to Arusha

On the final day of your safari, you will start early with a quick breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater around 6:30 AM (you might reach Crater floor by 7:00 AM if you sleep in Karatu the previous night). The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest collapsed volcanic caldera, encompasses approximately 260 square kilometers of pristine natural beauty. Surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes, the crater floor, which is adorned with various watering holes, supports a diverse population of around 25,000 animals. With depths exceeding 2,000 feet, this remarkable caldera offers a unique and breathtaking landscape.

A 5-hour game drive on the crater floor offers a chance to see diverse wildlife, including African elephants, buffalo, black rhinos, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions. Keep your camera ready to capture the action. After a picnic lunch at the scenic Hippo Pool, you will begin your ascent out of the crater. The drive to Arusha showcases varied landscapes, starting from Ngorongoro’s highlands and descending through rugged terrain, farmland, and Maasai villages. The well-maintained road winds through hills and forests before opening up to expansive grassy plains and distant mountains.

You will complete your journey with a 4-hour drive to Arusha, arriving at your preferred location by 5:30 PM. As your safari ends, you’ll leave with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories of Tanzania’s stunning landscapes and rich cultures.