9 Days – Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari

Itinerary Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey across the legendary Masai Mara in Kenya and the vast Serengeti plains of Tanzania — two of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. This extraordinary adventure takes you through diverse landscapes teeming with wildlife, from the golden savannas to the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater. Witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move in search of fresh grazing, closely followed by lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Whether you’re exploring the endless Serengeti plains or the wildlife-rich Mara River, every day brings new excitement and breathtaking encounters. Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike, this Mara & Serengeti Safari promises the ultimate African experience filled with adventure, culture, and natural wonder.

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 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 North Serengeti
• Day 5 – North Serengeti – full day game drives
• Day 6  – Morning game drives in North Serengeti and transfer to Central Serengeti
• Day 7  – Central Serengeti full day game drives
• Day 8  – Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
• Day 9  – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) and transfer to Arusha

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 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 2 – 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.