6-Day Safari in Kenya & Tanzania – Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Overview
This 6-day Safari in Kenya and Tanzania combines three of East Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations: Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Ngorongoro Crater. The journey begins in Nairobi and ends in Arusha, making it an excellent option for travelers who want to experience two countries and several outstanding wildlife areas in a short period.
Your adventure starts in the Maasai Mara, one of Kenya’s best-known safari destinations and part of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. You will enjoy game drives across open grasslands in search of lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and other wildlife.
The safari then crosses into Tanzania and continues to Serengeti National Park. Known for its vast plains and abundant wildlife, the Serengeti offers exceptional opportunities for game viewing and is an important part of the annual wildebeest migration ecosystem.
The final stage takes you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. A crater game drive provides an opportunity to see a remarkable concentration of wildlife within a dramatic volcanic landscape before you continue to Arusha.
Because wildlife and migration patterns change throughout the year, the itinerary can be adjusted where practical to improve wildlife viewing opportunities. This Safari in Kenya and Tanzania is ideal for travelers who want a compact East African safari with a mix of Kenya’s Mara ecosystem and Tanzania’s legendary northern safari circuit.
This 6-day Safari in Kenya and Tanzania combines three of East Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations: Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Ngorongoro Crater. The journey begins in Nairobi and ends in Arusha, making it an excellent option for travelers who want to experience two countries and several outstanding wildlife areas in a short period.
Your adventure starts in the Maasai Mara, one of Kenya’s best-known safari destinations and part of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. You will enjoy game drives across open grasslands in search of lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and other wildlife.
The safari then crosses into Tanzania and continues to Serengeti National Park. Known for its vast plains and abundant wildlife, the Serengeti offers exceptional opportunities for game viewing and is an important part of the annual wildebeest migration ecosystem.
The final stage takes you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. A crater game drive provides an opportunity to see a remarkable concentration of wildlife within a dramatic volcanic landscape before you continue to Arusha.
Because wildlife and migration patterns change throughout the year, the itinerary can be adjusted where practical to improve wildlife viewing opportunities. This Safari in Kenya and Tanzania is ideal for travelers who want a compact East African safari with a mix of Kenya’s Mara ecosystem and Tanzania’s legendary northern safari circuit.
Tour Plan
Your Safari in Kenya begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi. Meet your professional driver-guide and begin the journey towards the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The drive takes you through the Kenyan countryside and across the Great Rift Valley. You will see changing scenery as Nairobi's urban environment gives way to farmland, rural settlements, rolling hills, and eventually the open landscapes surrounding the Maasai Mara.
The Maasai Mara forms part of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and is famous for its rich wildlife. The reserve supports large populations of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, and many other animals.
You will arrive in time for lunch at Amani Mara Camp. After lunch and a short rest, head out for your first afternoon game drive.
Your guide will explore the plains and wildlife areas in search of predators and herbivores. Depending on the season and animal movements, you may see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and buffaloes.
As the afternoon comes to an end, return to camp for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Amani Mara Camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the Maasai Mara. After breakfast, leave camp with a packed lunch and spend the day exploring the reserve.
The Mara is famous for its large wildlife populations and open grasslands. Your experienced guide will select suitable routes based on recent wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
Throughout the day, search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and different species of antelope. The reserve is also known for its predators, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards.
The Mara is particularly interesting during the Great Migration period when large herds of wildebeest and zebras move through the wider ecosystem. However, the exact timing and location of the migration changes each year, so specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The area is also excellent for bird watching, with many species found across its grasslands, woodland, rivers, and wetlands.
One of the interesting wildlife experiences in the Mara is watching cheetahs hunt and interact with their surroundings. Some cheetahs can appear remarkably comfortable around safari vehicles, but all wildlife should be observed respectfully and from a safe distance.
Enjoy your picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing with the game drive.
In the evening, return to Amani Mara Camp for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Amani Mara Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Wake early for a final morning game drive in the Maasai Mara. This provides one last opportunity to search for wildlife before leaving Kenya.
After the game drive, return for breakfast and prepare for the journey towards the Kenya-Tanzania border. Complete the required border and immigration formalities before continuing into Tanzania.
The journey towards Serengeti is a long but rewarding travel day. The scenery changes as you cross the border and enter northern Tanzania, with rural landscapes gradually giving way to the vast ecosystems of the Serengeti region.
Depending on the timing and border procedures, you may have opportunities to see wildlife along parts of the route. Your guide will manage the day's schedule to ensure you reach your accommodation comfortably.
By evening, arrive at Melia Serengeti Lodge. Check in, enjoy dinner, and relax after the long journey.
The following day is reserved for a full exploration of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Melia Serengeti Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park. The name Serengeti is derived from a Maasai word associated with endless plains, an appropriate description of this enormous ecosystem.
After breakfast, set out with your safari guide for a full-day game drive. The Serengeti is home to large populations of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and other wildlife.
Predator viewing can be particularly rewarding. Your guide will search for lions resting in the shade, cheetahs scanning the open plains, hyenas moving through the grasslands, and other predators following concentrations of prey.
The Serengeti is also closely associated with the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other grazing animals move through the wider Serengeti-Mara ecosystem during their annual cycle. The exact location of the herds depends on rainfall, food availability, and seasonal conditions.
Birdlife is another attraction, with numerous species found throughout the park. You may see birds of prey, ground birds, waterbirds, and colorful smaller species during the day's drive.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated location before continuing your exploration. Rather than promising unlimited mileage, your game drives will follow the park's regulations and the planned safari schedule.
Return to Melia Serengeti Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Melia Serengeti Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Start the morning with an early game drive in the Serengeti. The cooler morning hours can be excellent for wildlife viewing, as many animals are active before the heat of the day.
Continue your exploration while making your way towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the route, you may encounter wildlife and enjoy views of the changing landscape.
After leaving the Serengeti, continue towards the Ngorongoro Highlands. The landscape becomes greener and more elevated as you approach the crater area.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife landscapes. The crater was formed from the collapse of a large volcanic structure and today supports a rich variety of wildlife within its enclosed ecosystem.
The area is particularly well known for elephants, buffaloes, lions, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, and other species. Rhino sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
The crater's mineral-rich environment supports diverse vegetation and wildlife. Large elephants in the Ngorongoro area are particularly impressive, although their tusk size varies between individual animals.
Arrive at Ngorongoro Lion's Paw Camp near the crater rim, check in, enjoy dinner, and relax while preparing for the following day's crater exploration.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lion's Paw Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Your final day begins early with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. The early start gives you a chance to explore the crater before the day becomes warmer and busier.
Inside the crater, explore the grasslands, woodland areas, wetlands, and lake surroundings while searching for wildlife. You may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, hippos, and numerous bird species.
The crater provides a unique safari environment because many animals live within or regularly use the crater floor. Your guide will select routes according to wildlife movements and the time available.
Enjoy a picnic lunch near the Hippo Lake area in a designated location before continuing with your final game drive.
Later, ascend from the crater and continue towards Arusha. The drive takes you through the beautiful northern Tanzanian countryside.
Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport depending on your onward travel arrangements.
This marks the end of your Safari in Kenya and Tanzania, leaving you with memories of the Maasai Mara, Serengeti plains, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Accommodation: No accommodation – end of safari
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
