Combo Safaris

9 Days in Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Tanzania & Kenya Safari - Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Take a memorable 9-day vacation through Kenya and Tanzania, including some of East Africa’s most renowned safari sites. This fascinating adventure takes you from the busy city of Nairobi to the huge plains of the Maasai Mara, via the infinite Serengeti, and into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Witness the Big Five, take part in the Great Migration, and learn about the Maasai people’s unique culture. Every day is full of excitement, including exhilarating game drives, beautiful vistas, and amazing cultural experiences. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or visiting Africa for the first time, this safari will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime.

This trip is ideal for individuals who wish to explore the finest of East Africa, with plenty of time for wildlife viewing and exploration. Every day brings a new adventure, from seeing the dawn over the Mara River to witnessing the dramatic wildebeest crossings in the Serengeti. The voyage will take you through a variety of environments, from open savannahs to volcanic peaks, guaranteeing that no two days are the same. In their natural habitat, visitors can expect to encounter lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, and other animals.

With skilled guides guiding the way, you will be able to go on both morning and afternoon game drives, enhancing your chances of encountering rare wildlife. The route includes luxury tented camps and lodges that have been carefully selected to ensure comfort and authenticity while remaining close to nature. At the end of each day, you can unwind under the stars while listening to the sounds of the African bush. Prepare for an unforgettable safari experience as we travel across Kenya and Tanzania’s most magnificent landscapes.

Trip Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi & City Tour

    Airport Pickup

    When you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, our representative will greet you and bring you to your Nairobi hotel. The city, often known as Africa's safari capital, is a colorful mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial-era buildings, and bustling streets. Your first stop will be the Nairobi National Museum, where you will discover intriguing displays about Kenya's history, culture, and wildlife. The museum exhibits prehistoric fossils, traditional artefacts, and artwork that shed light on the country's rich heritage.

    You will then go to the Giraffe Centre, which is a sanctuary for endangered Rothschild giraffes. You can feed these gentle giants and learn about the conservation initiatives underway to safeguard them. Standing face-to-face with a giraffe and feeding it with your hands is both thrilling and educational. Later, visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where you may see rescued, newborn elephants eating and playing in the mud. These orphaned elephants are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild, making this visit both heartwarming and inspiring.

    In the evening, have a welcome supper at a renowned Nairobi restaurant where you may try traditional Kenyan food. The lively setting, delectable food, and welcoming hospitality will set the tone for the fantastic voyage ahead. After dinner, return to your accommodation for a good night's sleep in preparation for the safari adventure ahead. You'll leave tomorrow for the Maasai Mara, Kenya's crown jewel of animal parks.

  • Day 2: Journey to Maasai Mara National Reserve

    Maasai Mara

    Following an early breakfast, your experience will begin with a drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa's most recognized animal sites. The journey takes you across the Great Rift Valley, a natural wonder with spectacular escarpments and beautiful views. Along the journey, you'll stop at a stunning vantage point to take panoramic shots of the expansive valley below. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours and offers views of rural Kenyan settlements, rolling hills, and vast plains.

    When you arrive at Ol Moran Tented Camp, you will be greeted warmly and directed to your tented accommodation. These luxury tents offer modern comforts while keeping you close to nature, allowing you to really immerse yourself in the wilderness experience. After lunch, you'll have some free time before leaving for an afternoon game drive. This introductory safari provides a first view of the Maasai Mara's rich species, including zebras grazing in the distance and elephants meandering through the grasslands.

    As the sun sets, the terrain transforms into a golden paradise, providing the ideal backdrop for animal photography. Your expert guide will lead you to the greatest areas for sightings, ensuring that you get the most out of your game viewing experience. Expect to witness lions reclining under acacia trees, hyenas prowling in the shadows, and giraffes flowing gracefully across the plains. As night falls, return to camp for dinner and relax around the campfire, listening to distant lion roars ringing through the night.

  • Accommodation

    Ol Moran Tented Camp

  • Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara

    Maasai Mara

    The day begins with a game drive at sunrise, which is the finest time to see predators in action. As the early light of day shines on the savannah, you may see lions hunting, cheetahs racing, or leopards returning from a successful night of hunting. The cool morning air and golden hues create a wonderful environment, making this one of the most unforgettable experiences of your safari.

    After an adventurous morning, you will have a bush brunch in the center of the reserve. There's nothing quite like drinking coffee in the wilderness while watching herds of wildebeest graze nearby. After breakfast, continue your game drive along the Mara River, which is home to vast populations of hippos and crocodiles. If you travel during the Great Migration, you may see millions of wildebeest trying the treacherous river crossing, a sight of survival and tenacity.

    In the afternoon, return to camp for lunch and recuperation before continuing on to another game drive. This time, explore different parts of the reserve, such as woods, meadows, and open plains. Each terrain provides a distinct wildlife experience, from elephants soaking in mud puddles to secretary birds pursuing prey in the tall grass. Before returning to camp, you will visit a traditional Maasai hamlet, where you may engage with the Maasai people, learn about their culture, and even perform their famous leaping dance. The day concludes with a breathtaking sunset over the Savannah, followed by dinner beneath the stars.

  • Accommodation

    Ol Moran Tented Camp

  • Day 4: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park

    Wildebeest Migration (2)

    On this day, we leave Maasai Mara early and head to Serengeti National Park, one of the world's most famous wildlife reserves. The drive to the Isebania border, which separates Kenya and Tanzania, offers a glimpse into rural life, travelling through breathtaking scenery, little communities, and large open plains. Before continuing your travel into Tanzania, you will need to go through the necessary immigration procedures at the border. The drive can take 6 to 7 hours, but the stunning scenery and occasional wildlife sightings make it a thrilling aspect of the journey.

    When you enter Serengeti National Park, the terrain changes to the famed boundless plains, which are filled with species. The Serengeti is home to nearly two million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and innumerable predators, making it one of the best sites in the world to see animals. Your first game drive will begin as soon as you arrive, providing an opportunity to see lions relaxing in the shade, cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey, and elephants meandering through the golden grasslands. As the sun sets, you will arrive at Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp, where you can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch under the African night sky.

    After a long but exciting travel, you will have time to unwind and prepare for the next few days of intensive wildlife exploration. The Serengeti offers some of the most memorable safari memories, and tonight, as you fall asleep to the distant sounds of hyenas and the rustle of acacia trees, you will be fully immersed in the nature.

  • Accommodation

    Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp

  • Day 5: Western Serengeti – Following the Great Migration

    Wildebeest Migration (2)

    Today is dedicated to seeing the Western Serengeti, particularly the legendary Grumeti River, where the Great Migration herds frequently cross perilously. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras assemble on the riverbanks, waiting for the right moment to cross. This is one of nature's most dramatic events, with crocodiles hiding below the surface and hungry animals on the lookout. Witnessing a river crossing is an intense event because the animals are risking everything to continue their journey to greener pastures.

    Aside from the migration, the Serengeti's Western Corridor supports a varied diversity of animals. Large elephant herds, elusive leopards lounging in the trees, and graceful giraffes browsing the treetops are all possible sights. The area is particularly famous for its quantity of hippos and Nile crocodiles, which may be seen along the riverbanks. Your professional guide will show you the best pathways, ensuring that you receive ideal viewing opportunities for some of nature's most dramatic sights.

    After a full day of adventure, return to Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp for a great dinner and a peaceful evening. As you sit around the fire, sharing experiences with other travelers, you will realize how unique it is to be in the center of one of Africa's most spectacular wilderness locations.

  • Accommodation

    Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp

  • Day 6: Central Serengeti – The Predator’s Playground

    Serengeti National Park (1)

    After breakfast, you will go to the Central Serengeti, an area known for its high predator density. The Seronera Valley is one of the best spots in Africa to watch lions, cheetahs, and leopards in action. The region's diverse landscape, which ranges from broad savannahs to rocky outcrops known as kopjes, provides ideal habitat for these large cats. Leopards are frequently seen lazing in forests, whilst cheetahs exploit the broad plains to chase down their food at remarkable speeds.

    The day will be spent spotting wildlife and photographing magnificent scenes. Aside from predators, the region is home to thousands of herbivores, including buffalo, zebras, impalas, and gazelles. The Seronera River serves as a permanent water source, attracting a wide range of creatures, from elephants quenching their thirst to crocodiles waiting for an opportunity to strike. Your skilled guide will share insights into animal behavior, ensuring a fulfilling and educational safari experience.

    As the sun sets, check into Serengeti Embalakai Camp, where you can reflect on an action-packed day. Enjoy a delicious dinner before resting for another exciting day ahead.

  • Accommodation

    Serengeti Embalakai Camp

  • Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – A Natural Wonder

    ngorongoro crater

    Today, you'll leave the Serengeti and head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is home to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. The journey takes you through breathtaking scenery, with rolling hills and wide plains stretching as far as the eye can see. Along the route, you may come across Maasai herders caring to their cattle, a reminder of how humans and wildlife have coexisted in this region for millennia.

    Upon arrival at the crater, you will descend 600 meters to the crater floor, where a flourishing ecology sustains over 25,000 huge creatures. This is an excellent location to see the endangered black rhino, as well as big elephant bulls, lions, and hundreds of wildebeest and zebras. The crater also has a significant hippo population, with several of them wallowing in Lake Magadi.

    After a full day of game viewing, ascend the crater and check in at Pamoja Farm Lodge, where you can relax in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Pamoja Farm Lodge

  • Day 8: Cultural Tour in Mto wa Mbu & Transfer to Arusha

    Mto wa Mbu

    Visit the lively town of Mto wa Mbu, which is renowned for its cultural richness, after breakfast. Discover traditional crafts, engage with local artisans, and peruse the local marketplaces. Snacking on real Tanzanian food made with regional, fresh ingredients is a highlight of the day.

    Before you travel, you can relax at the Airport Planet Lodge, which is close to Kilimanjaro.

  • Accommodation

    Airport Planet Lodge

  • Day 9: Departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport

    After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey, marking the end of an unforgettable safari adventure in Kenya and Tanzania.

Safari Cost Include

Transfers

All transfers as outlined in the program.

Accommodation & Meals

  • Accommodation in hotels and lodges as described in the program.
  • Meals as specified in the program.
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, hot coffee, and tea provided while on safari in the jeep.


Guiding & Game-Driving

  • Services of a certified and experienced English-speaking safari guide.
  • Comfortable 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, equipped with fridges, Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
  • All national park fees, including park entry and concession fees.
  • Free Wi-Fi availability in 60-75% of the traveled areas, depending on cell coverage in the wilderness.
  • 24/7 phone support service for any assistance during the safari.
  • Emergency air ambulance services provided by AMREF Flying Doctors.
  • Binoculars (1 per vehicle) for enhanced wildlife viewing.
  • Onboard medical kit for added safety and convenience.

Safari Cost Excludes

  • Air tickets;
  • Visa fee;
  • Travel insurance;
  • Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).

Please Note

  • By default, our tours include shared accommodation in twin/double rooms unless requested and agreed otherwise. Single supplements are available upon request. Please refer to the program for specific accommodation arrangements.
  • Accommodations in Moshi and Arusha typically include breakfast only, unless otherwise requested and agreed upon. Refer to the program for detailed meal plans for each night.
  • Most safari lodges do not include tea, coffee, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages in their standard packages, allowing you to order and pay for only what you need directly at the hotel restaurants.
  • Tented lodges, the most common type of accommodation in the savannah, often operate on solar energy. This may result in features such as bucket showers, limited Wi-Fi, and the absence of hair dryers, as part of their efforts to minimize environmental impact. We encourage you to research the accommodations in your program to ensure the safari aligns with your travel preferences.

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9 Days Safari
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