11 Days – Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire & Amboseli

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 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 Central Serengeti(2N), a haven for big cats and varied wildlife; Ngorongoro Crater(1N), renowned for its breathtaking views and high wildlife density; Tarangire National Park(1N), known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees; and transfer to Arusha(1N), before ending the safari at Namanga.

This itinerary includes Namanga to Amboseli National Park(2N), iconic for its large elephant herds and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, before ending the safari in Nairobi.

Short Itinerary

• Day 1  – Nairobi to Masai Mara. Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara
• Day 2  – Full day game drives in Masai Mara
• Day 3  – Full day game drives in Masai Mara
• Day 4  – Transfer to Isebania Border to start Tanzania leg of the tour. Isebania Border to Central Serengeti
• Day 5  – Central Serengeti full day game drives
• Day 6  – Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
• Day 7  – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) and transfer to Karatu/Tarangire
• Day 8  – Tarangire full day game drives and afternoon transfer to Arusha
• Day 9 – Arusha to Namanga. Pick up from Namanga and transfer to Amboseli for afternoon game drives in Amboseli
• Day 10  – Full day game drives in Amboseli
• Day 11  – Morning game drives in Amboseli and transfer to Nairobi

Itinerary in Details

Day 1 – Nairobi to Masai Mara

Your tour starts with pick up at 7:30 AM from your Nairobi hotel or Airport and drive to Masai Mara. This drive will take about 5 to 6.5 hours with a scenic stopover at Great Rift Valley. Arrive in Masai Mara shortly after noon and check into your lodge/camp, have hot lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive.

After the game drive, we head back to lodge/camp to reach by around 5:30 or 6:00 PM, freshen up and enjoy a freshly prepared Dinner. Overnight at your lodge.

Note: The last 1-hour drive to Masai Mara is on the corrugated and bumpy road and may not be comfortable for clients with back problems. Clients with back problems can consider flying directly to (and out of) Masai Mara.

Day 2 & 3 – Masai Mara

Today’s itinerary is flexible and you can discuss with your guide on the previous evening and plan for today’s schedule.

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive (This is the best time to see the animals and a good chance to witness hunt/kill). Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. you will stop at a picnic spot for having packed lunch and later depart on a game drive till the park is closed. Around 6:00 PM return to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 – Masai Mara to Isebania

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

Note 1. Effective from 1st November 2023, our prices have been updated to reflect the revised park fees for Masai Mara (USD 100 from Jan to Jun and USD 200 from July to Dec).

Note 2. Morning game drives in Masai Mara can be added on the last morning at the park by paying additional park fees

Day 1 – Isebania to Central Serengeti

Upon completing your immigration formalities at the Isebania border, our guide/driver will meet you around 11:00-11:30 AM. The journey from the Isebania border to Central Serengeti takes approximately 4.5 hours.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to view picturesque villages and lush farmlands before entering the Serengeti National Park. You will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at Ikoma Gate while your guide finalizes the park entry formalities. As you traverse the park, you’ll enjoy en-route game drives, with your arrival at the accommodation expected between 5:00-5:30 PM. The day concludes with a hearty dinner and a restful night at your accommodation.

Day 2 – 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 3 – 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 4 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 Hours) to Karatu/Tarangire

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.

Following the ascent, we will transfer you to the accommodation of your choice, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5 – Transfer to Tarangire for game drives till afternoon. Transfer to Arusha in late afternoon

On the final day of your safari, after breakfast, you will embark on a 2 to 2.5 hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a half-day game drive in this renowned park, known for its iconic baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which attracts some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. In addition to elephants, you may encounter lions, leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudus, buffalo, oryx, eland, giraffes, and zebras.

By mid-afternoon, you will depart for Arusha which is about 2 to 2.5 hour drive, where you will be dropped off at your preferred accommodation 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.

Day 6 – Arusha to Namanga

After breakfast, you will depart from Arusha at 8:00 AM for the Namanga border, a drive of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours covering around 100 kilometers (62 miles). The route offers a scenic journey through Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, beginning with the bustling streets of Arusha and transitioning to well-maintained highways.

As you travel, you will pass through rolling farmlands and charming rural communities. The terrain shifts from flat plains to varied landscapes as you near the border.

The road is generally well-kept, though it may experience local traffic and occasional roadwork. Upon arrival at the Namanga border, you will complete the necessary immigration and customs procedures before continuing with your travels.

Day 1 – Namanga to Amboseli

Your tour starts with pick up at 7:30 AM and from Namanga border depart to Amboseli which is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive . Arrive in Amboseli around noon, check into your lodge/camp, have hot lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive.

After the game drive, we head back to lodge/camp to reach by around 5:30 or 6:00 PM, freshen up and enjoy a freshly prepared Dinner. Overnight at your lodge.

Day 2 – Amboseli

Today’s itinerary is flexible and you can discuss with your guide on the previous evening and plan for today’s schedule. You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive (This is the best time to see the animals and a good chance to witness hunt/kill). Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. you will stop at a picnic spot for having packed lunch and later depart on a game drive till the park is closed. Around 6:00 PM return to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 – Amboseli to Nairobi

Wake up early in the morning and proceed for game drives around 6:15 AM. Continue with game drives till around 9:00 AM and then head back to camp for breakfast. After breakfast, check out from camp and proceed to Nairobi to reach by around 3:00 PM.