Perfect Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Quick Facts
| Duration | 12 days / 11 nights |
|---|---|
| Price from | $10,345 per person |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Group size | 2–12 guests |
| Destinations | Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro |
Tour Overview
12-day Kenya and Tanzania safari: overview
This is a classic East African safari, in one trip. You see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, the forest and soda lake of Lake Manyara, the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, the plains of the Serengeti and the grasslands of the Masai Mara. The Serengeti and the Mara are one ecosystem, split by the border, so you see both sides.
Explore Jambo Maasai runs it with our own guides on the Tanzanian side and trusted partners in Kenya. You stay in comfortable standard lodges, and a superior upgrade is available if you want it. You cross the border twice, and we arrange the formalities each time.
The safari is private. It's your group, your vehicle, and your guide, so we can stay longer at a sighting and adjust the day to what you want to see. For each place you stay, there is an alternative of the same standard if your first choice is full.
Highlights
Two countries, five parks
Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
Kilimanjaro views
Two nights in Amboseli, with the mountain above the elephants.
Three nights each in the Serengeti and the Mara
Time to go beyond the first sighting in the two best-known parks.
The crater floor
A morning among lions, hippos and black rhino.
Border crossings handled
We arrange the formalities and the change of vehicle and guide.
Same-standard alternatives
If your first lodge is full, we offer one of the same standard.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your 12-day journey through Tanzania, crafted for unforgettable moments at every stop.
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) → Nairobi
Your driver-guide meets you at Nairobi airport and takes you to your hotel in the city. You have the rest of the day to rest, and a briefing on the safari ahead. Dinner on this first day is on your own, so you can choose where to eat.
Private airport meeting and transfer
Safari briefing
Overnight in Nairobi
Day 2
Nairobi to Amboseli
Nairobi to Amboseli
You leave Nairobi after breakfast and drive south to Amboseli National Park, about four to five hours. The park sits at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, and in the clear early morning and late afternoon the mountain rises above the plains. You reach your lodge for lunch and have an afternoon game drive.
Breakfast, then drive to Amboseli (about 4 to 5 hours)
Lunch at the lodge
Afternoon game drive
Dinner and overnight
Day 3
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
A full day in Amboseli. The park is known for its large elephant herds, and for the swamps that draw hippos, buffalo and many birds. You go out early for the best light on Kilimanjaro, rest at the lodge in the middle of the day, and go out again in the afternoon.
Early game drive
Midday rest at the lodge
Afternoon game drive
Dinner and overnight
Day 4
Amboseli → Namanga border → Arusha → Lake Manyara National Park
Amboseli → Namanga border → Arusha → Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast you drive to the Namanga border post and cross from Kenya into Tanzania. We handle the formalities with you, and you change to a Tanzanian vehicle and guide. You continue past Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park, where you have a game drive in the forest and along the lake. The park is known for tree-climbing lions, baboon troops, hippo pools and flamingos.
It is a long day, so we make rest and lunch stops on the way. You reach your lodge in the evening.
Breakfast, then drive to the Namanga border
Border crossing and change of vehicle and guide
Drive via Arusha to Lake Manyara
Game drive in the park, then dinner and overnight
Day 5
Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater → Ngorongoro area
Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater → Ngorongoro area
You climb the Rift Valley wall and drive to Ngorongoro Crater. You go down about 600 metres to the floor for a game drive, with a picnic lunch by the hippo pool. The crater holds lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and black rhino in one contained caldera.
In the afternoon you climb out and check in to your lodge in the highlands.
Breakfast, then drive to the crater
Descent and game drive on the crater floor
Picnic lunch by the hippo pool
Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 6
Ngorongoro → Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro → Serengeti National Park
After breakfast you drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and down to the plains of the Serengeti. We game drive as soon as we enter the park. The Serengeti covers about 14,700 square kilometres and is home to around three million animals. You reach your lodge in the evening.
Breakfast, then drive to the Serengeti
Game drive on the way in
Dinner and overnight
Day 7
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
You have two full days in the Serengeti, with morning and afternoon game drives, and a rest at the lodge in the middle of the day. Your guide plans each day around where the animals are. You look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and the large herds of wildebeest and zebra, which move with the seasons.
On Day 8 you have a last morning game drive before you spend the night in the park again. An optional dawn balloon safari is available, priced separately.
Full-day game drives on both days
Midday rest at the lodge
Optional dawn balloon safari (extra cost)
Dinner and overnight at the lodge on both nights
Day 8
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
You have two full days in the Serengeti, with morning and afternoon game drives, and a rest at the lodge in the middle of the day. Your guide plans each day around where the animals are. You look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and the large herds of wildebeest and zebra, which move with the seasons.
On Day 8 you have a last morning game drive before you spend the night in the park again. An optional dawn balloon safari is available, priced separately.
Full-day game drives on both days
Midday rest at the lodge
Optional dawn balloon safari (extra cost)
Dinner and overnight at the lodge on both nights
Day 9
Serengeti → Tanzania–Kenya border → Masai Mara
Serengeti → Tanzania–Kenya border → Masai Mara
After breakfast, you leave the Serengeti and cross the border into Kenya, either by road or by scheduled flight, depending on your quote. We arrange the border formalities, and you change to a Kenyan vehicle and guide. You reach your lodge in the Masai Mara in the afternoon, and have a game drive in the reserve.
The Masai Mara is the northern part of the same ecosystem as the Serengeti. It is known for its big cats and for the Mara River, where the herds cross from July to October.
Breakfast, then travel to the Kenya border
Border formalities and change of vehicle and guide
Afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara
Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 10
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
You have two full days in the Mara. You go out at first light for game drives across the plains, looking for lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants, with a picnic lunch in the bush on one of the days. From July to October, your guide can take you to the Mara River to wait for the herds. In the afternoon you can visit a Maasai village, if you would like.
Full-day game drives on both days
Picnic lunch in the bush
Optional visit to a Maasai village
Dinner and overnight at the lodge on both nights
Day 11
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
You have two full days in the Mara. You go out at first light for game drives across the plains, looking for lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants, with a picnic lunch in the bush on one of the days. From July to October your guide can take you to the Mara River to wait for the herds. In the afternoon you can visit a Maasai village, if you would like.
Full-day game drives on both days
Picnic lunch in the bush
Optional visit to a Maasai village
Dinner and overnight at the lodge on both nights
Day 12
Masai Mara to Nairobi and Departure
Masai Mara to Nairobi and Departure
After breakfast you drive back to Nairobi, about five to six hours, with a rest stop on the way. We take you to the airport for your flight home, or to your hotel if you are staying on in Nairobi. Please book a departure flight that leaves in the evening.
Breakfast, then drive to Nairobi (about 5 to 6 hours)
Transfer to the airport or your hotel
What's Included
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in Nairobi
- Private safari vehicles with pop-up roof, with a driver-guide in each country
- All park and reserve entry fees, concession taxes and the Ngorongoro Crater fee
- 11 nights accommodation as listed
- Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners
- Border formalities and the change of vehicle and guide
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle during game drives
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya and Tanzania entry visas
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals on Day 1 and drinks at the lodges
- Optional balloon safaris and Maasai village visits
- Tips for your guides and the lodge staff (recommended)
- Personal items and optional extras
Pricing & Availability
Dec-Jan
$12,345
per person
2
Dec-Jan
$10,345
per person
2-4
October
$11,938
per person
2-4
Destinations on This Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Perfect Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari?
This itinerary runs 12 days and 11 nights. Arrival and departure days are included in that count, and the pace can be adjusted — tell us your dates and we will fit the route around them.
How much does the Perfect Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari cost?
Prices start from $10,345 per person. The final cost depends on the season you travel, the size of your group and the lodges or camps you choose, so we quote every trip individually.
Which parks and areas does the Perfect Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari visit?
This route covers Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. Each stop is chosen for what it offers at that point in the itinerary rather than to tick off a list.
What is included in the price?
Included: Airport arrival and departure transfers in Nairobi, Private safari vehicles with pop-up roof, with a driver-guide in each country, All park and reserve entry fees, concession taxes and the Ngorongoro Crater fee, 11 nights accommodation as listed, Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners, Border formalities and the change of vehicle and guide and Bottled drinking water in the vehicle during game drives.
What is not included?
Not included: International flights, Kenya and Tanzania entry visas, Travel insurance (strongly recommended), Meals on Day 1 and drinks at the lodges, Optional balloon safaris and Maasai village visits, Tips for your guides and the lodge staff (recommended) and Personal items and optional extras. We will flag anything likely to catch you out before you book.
How many people travel together?
Group size runs from 2 to 12 guests. Private departures are available for any size within that range.
How physically demanding is this trip?
We rate this trip as easy. If you are unsure whether it suits your fitness or mobility, tell us and we will give you an honest answer rather than sell you the wrong trip.
When is the best time to do this trip?
June to October (dry season), November to December (flamingo season). That said, Tanzania rewards travel year-round — tell us when you can travel and we will tell you honestly what you will and will not see.
How do I book or ask a question?
Send an enquiry through the form on this page or email info@jambomaasaitours.com. Enquiries are answered by the guiding team, usually within six hours on business days, and there is no obligation to book.
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