10-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara, Amboseli & Serengeti
The great East African journey: Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in Kenya, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania — ten days on both sides of the border.
About this safari
The great East African journey: Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in Kenya, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania — ten days on both sides of the border.
This 10 days private safari starts in Nairobi and takes you to Masai Mara and the Serengeti on one trip, Amboseli's elephants under Kilimanjaro, Boat ride on Lake Naivasha, Ngorongoro Crater game drive. Your own vehicle and guide set the pace, and every stay and transfer is confirmed around your dates.
Safari snapshot
A quick look at the route, day by day.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi to the Masai Mara | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara |
| Day 2 | Full day in the Masai Mara | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara |
| Day 3 | Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Lodge on Lake Naivasha |
| Day 4 | Lake Naivasha to Amboseli | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Lodge in or near Amboseli |
| Day 5 | Full day in Amboseli | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Lodge in or near Amboseli |
| Day 6 | Namanga border to Arusha | Arrival · guide briefing · rest in Arusha | Arusha Farm House or similar |
| Day 7 | Tarangire National Park | Elephant herds · baobabs · Tarangire River game drive | Country Lodge Karatu or similar |
| Day 8 | Into the Serengeti | Full-day game drives · lions and leopards · migration in season | Tamba Tented Lodge or similar |
| Day 9 | Full day in the Serengeti | Full-day game drives · lions and leopards · migration in season | Tamba Tented Lodge or similar |
| Day 10 | Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha | Crater floor game drive · black rhino · Lerai forest | Departure |
Ways to customise this trip
- Add a night in the bush, a cultural visit or a balloon flight
- Upgrade your stays or finish with beach time in Zanzibar
Route
- Day 1Masai Mara
- Day 2Masai Mara
- Day 3Masai Mara
- Day 4Amboseli
- Day 5Amboseli
- Day 6Arusha
- Day 7Tarangire
- Day 8Serengeti
- Day 9Serengeti
- Day 10Ngorongoro Crater
Day by day
Here is how the days run. We can adjust the route around your dates and the pace you want.
1Day 1Nairobi to the Masai MaraMid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara / Lunch, Dinner
Early pick-up in Nairobi and a scenic drive down into the Rift Valley and on to the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch. Afternoon game drive on the open plains, where lions, elephants and large herds of grazers are commonly seen. Dinner at camp. Kenya's parks share the same ecosystem as northern Tanzania. Your guide focuses on the wildlife the area is known for and adjusts the day to what is moving. Your guide picks a shady spot for a picnic lunch in the field, keeping the whole middle of the day for wildlife. The evening is spent at your mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara: a hot shower, sundowners as the light fades, and dinner while you compare the day's sightings. Lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
2Day 2Full day in the Masai MaraMid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day of game drives with a picnic lunch, heading to the Mara River in search of hippos, crocodiles and — from July to October — migration herds crossing. The Mara's open grassland makes it one of the best places in Africa to watch cheetahs hunt. With another day in the same area, your guide can explore sections you haven't seen yet, return at first light to a promising sighting, or wait patiently where the animals are gathering. A packed lunch is eaten out in the park, often within sight of grazing herds. You return to your mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3Day 3Masai Mara to Lake NaivashaLodge on Lake Naivasha / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning drive back towards the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon take a boat ride for hippos and fish eagles, and walk on Crescent Island among giraffe and zebra with a local guide. Lunch is a picnic in the park, usually at a viewpoint or under a big tree, so no time is lost driving back to camp. In the late afternoon you check in at your lodge on Lake Naivasha, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Lodge on Lake Naivasha
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4Day 4Lake Naivasha to AmboseliLodge in or near Amboseli / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long but varied travel day south via the outskirts of Nairobi to Amboseli National Park, about six hours with a lunch stop. If time allows, a short late-afternoon game drive, with Kilimanjaro often clearing at sunset. The evening is spent at your lodge in or near Amboseli: a hot shower, sundowners as the light fades, and dinner while you compare the day's sightings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Amboseli
- Accommodation
- Lodge in or near Amboseli
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5Day 5Full day in AmboseliLodge in or near Amboseli / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, famous for its large, relaxed elephant families and views of Kilimanjaro. Visit the swamps where elephants bathe and climb Observation Hill for a panorama of the park. You return to your lodge in or near Amboseli as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Amboseli
- Accommodation
- Lodge in or near Amboseli
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6Day 6Namanga border to ArushaArusha Farm House or similar / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the Namanga border, where we help you through the formalities and your Tanzanian guide meets you. Continue to Arusha for a relaxed afternoon — a coffee farm visit or a walk in town — and an evening briefing for the Tanzanian part of the trip. Your guide or driver meets you and handles the transfer to your hotel in Arusha, where the rest of the day is yours to recover from the journey, change money or walk to a local café. In the late afternoon you check in at Arusha Farm House or similar, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Arusha
- Accommodation
- Arusha Farm House or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7Day 7Tarangire National ParkCountry Lodge Karatu or similar / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A two-hour drive to Tarangire for a full day among baobabs and big elephant herds along the Tarangire River, with picnic lunch in the park. In the late afternoon continue to the highlands around Karatu. Tarangire is elephant country: families of twenty or more move between the baobabs and the Tarangire River, especially from June to October when the river is the only reliable water for miles. Your guide follows the riverbanks for lions resting in the shade, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, and stops for the birdlife — more than 500 species, including the yellow-collared lovebird found almost nowhere else. The evening is spent at Country Lodge Karatu or similar: a hot shower, sundowners as the light fades, and dinner while you compare the day's sightings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Tarangire
- Accommodation
- Country Lodge Karatu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8Day 8Into the SerengetiTamba Tented Lodge or similar / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands, with a stop at the crater rim viewpoint, and descend to the endless plains of the Serengeti. Game drive en route through Naabi Hill to the central Seronera area, known for its lions and leopards, arriving at camp in time for sunset. Game drives in the Serengeti have an easy rhythm: out at first light when predators are most active, back to the vehicle's shade for a picnic, and a long afternoon drive as the light turns golden. Your guide is in radio contact with other guides and knows where the herds have moved. An optional sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti can be booked for this morning (extra cost). You return to Tamba Tented Lodge or similar as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Serengeti
- Accommodation
- Tamba Tented Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9Day 9Full day in the SerengetiTamba Tented Lodge or similar / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day of game drives in the central Serengeti, following the Seronera River for big cats and, depending on the month, the herds of the Great Migration. Picnic lunch under an acacia, and back to camp at dusk. The Serengeti covers almost 15,000 km² of grassland, woodland and kopjes. Over the day your guide follows the wildlife rather than a fixed route — where the migration herds are depends on the month, but lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and giraffe live here all year. In the late afternoon you check in at Tamba Tented Lodge or similar, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Serengeti
- Accommodation
- Tamba Tented Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10Day 10Ngorongoro Crater and return to ArushaBreakfast, Lunch
Leave the Serengeti early and descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor — lions, buffalo, hippos and a chance of black rhino. Picnic lunch by the water, then climb out and drive back to Arusha in the evening, or to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight. You descend 600 metres down the crater wall to the floor of Ngorongoro, a 260 km² caldera that holds one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Over the morning you look for lions, spotted hyenas, buffalo, zebra, elephant bulls and the rare black rhino, with flamingos on Lake Magadi and hippos at the Ngoitoktok spring. In the afternoon your guide drives you back for your drop-off — your hotel, the airport for your onward flight, or a connection to Zanzibar. We can add an extra night or a beach stay if you would like more time.
- Main stop
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
Where you stay on this trip. We can move the comfort level up or down when we plan your dates.
Days 1, 2Mid-range tented camp near the Masai Mara
Day 3Lodge on Lake Naivasha
Days 4, 5Lodge in or near AmboseliDay 6Arusha Farm HouseMid-range / Arusha CityView accommodation Day 7Country Lodge KaratuMid-range / KaratuView accommodation Days 8, 9Tamba Tented CampMid-range / Central SerengetiView accommodation Tour rates
Your price depends on your dates, group size and the stays you choose. We confirm it in writing once we have checked availability.
Prices are per person and assume shared rooms. Season, park fees, group size, flights and lodge availability all affect the final quote.
Get my exact quoteWhat’s included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance and conservation fees for the itinerary
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed and bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport or hotel transfers at the start and end
- Assistance at the Namanga border
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Visas for Kenya and Tanzania
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Read guideFrequently asked questions
Can this 10 days itinerary be changed?
Yes. We can review your dates, daily pace, room preferences and interests, then build a specific proposal. Changes to flights, activities or park nights may affect cost and availability.
Which accommodation will I stay in?
Your proposal will name the properties and room categories for each night. Any stays shown here are planning options and remain subject to availability; alternative properties are agreed before confirmation.
What wildlife will we see?
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and the animals themselves. Your guide plans around local conditions, but particular species, migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the route and accommodation?
Yes. The published routes are starting points. Tell us your dates, interests and preferred comfort level so we can adjust nights, transfers and activities before quoting.
What determines the final price?
The travel season, number of travellers sharing a vehicle, park fees, room arrangements, lodge availability and domestic flights all affect cost. Your written proposal will identify inclusions and optional extras.
Can the safari finish in Zanzibar?
A mainland safari can connect with Zanzibar by a separately arranged domestic flight. Leave enough time for the transfer and confirm baggage allowances before booking flights.
When is the best time for a Tanzania safari?
Wildlife can be seen all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathering near water. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains: greener, quieter and often better value. We match the parks and camps to the month you travel.
How many days do I need?
Two or three days suit Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Four to six days let you add the Serengeti without rushing, and seven or more give time for extra parks, a cultural visit or the coast. Fewer long drives usually means a better trip.
Is the safari private?
Our tailor-made safaris are private: your own vehicle and guide, and a daily pace set around your group. Shared departures can sometimes be arranged for solo travellers — ask us and we’ll explain the options.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Game drives are in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography. Your proposal confirms the vehicle and seating for your group size.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right planning. We keep drives shorter, choose family-friendly rooms and build in rest time. Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so please share each child’s age when you enquire.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Most lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other meals with notice. Tell us about allergies or requirements when you enquire and we’ll pass them to every property on your route.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Requirements depend on your nationality and recent travel, and a yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from certain countries. Malaria precautions are generally advised. Please check with a travel health clinic before you go.
What should I budget for tips?
Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and lodge staff. We include current guidance with your proposal so you can plan for it in advance.
Will there be Wi-Fi and charging?
Many lodges and camps offer charging points and some Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow or limited to main areas in remote parks. A spare power bank is useful on game drives.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to October and the holiday season, three to nine months ahead gives the best choice of camps. Shorter notice is often possible — send us your dates and we’ll check availability.
A few details.
A good beginning.
Tell us who is coming and what you would love to find here. We’ll send back a route you can read, question and make your own.
- Planned around your dates and interests
- Midrange or luxury, at your pace
- A personal conversation with our local team