This 12-day Kenya and Tanzania safari is one of East Africa's most rewarding cross-border journeys, combining the best of two countries into a single seamless itinerary. Beginning in Nairobi, the route takes you south to Amboseli National Reserve for close-up views of elephants beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, then north to the freshwater shores of Lake Naivasha before reaching the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, home of the Great Migration. Crossing into Tanzania, the safari continues into the Serengeti National Park — first through the wildebeest-rich north, then across the central plains — before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater and the cultural heartland around Lake Eyasi.
The final days are spent exploring Lake Manyara National Park and the Moshi foothills, capped with a day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro's Marangu Route. This combination of world-class wildlife, dramatic scenery, and cultural encounters makes it an ideal choice for travellers seeking a comprehensive East African experience. For a shorter Kenya-only option, see our Maasai Mara safari packages, or explore our full range of Serengeti safari itineraries for Tanzania-only alternatives.
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* 02 Travelers – 4500USD Per Person
* 04 Travelers – 4300 USD Per Person
* 06 Travelers – 4050 USD Per Person
For a more accurate estimate, it's best to contact SafariBando directly and discuss your specific requirements and budget. We can provide you with a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
Get a free custom itinerary within 24 hours.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax after your international flight and prepare for the safari ahead.
Distance: Approximately 30 km from the airport to central Nairobi
Activity: Transfer and orientation
Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi
Meals: Bed and Breakfast
After an early breakfast you depart Nairobi and drive south toward Amboseli National Reserve, situated near the Kenya-Tanzania border. The reserve is famous for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. The ecosystem covers open savannah grassland supporting elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous other species. There are also opportunities to interact with local Maasai communities along the way.
Distance: Approximately 230 km, around 4-5 hours
Activity: Afternoon game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Amboseli
Meals: Full Board
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Reserve when wildlife is most active. Later you depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake set in the Great Rift Valley. Upon arrival you enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake, where hippos and a wide variety of waterbirds are regularly spotted.
Distance: Approximately 260 km from Amboseli to Naivasha, around 3-4 hours
Activity: Morning game drive; boat ride on Lake Naivasha
Accommodation: Lodge or camp at Lake Naivasha
Meals: Full Board
Depart early and travel toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve. You arrive around mid-morning and begin your game drive through this remarkable reserve, renowned for its abundant predators and spectacular open landscapes. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and vast herds of zebra and wildebeest are all regularly encountered here.
Distance: Approximately 220 km, around 4 hours
Activity: Afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara
Meals: Full Board
After an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, you depart the reserve and travel into Tanzania, crossing the border at Isibania. Continue to the northern region of Serengeti National Park, where the Mara River crossings of the Great Migration take place between July and October. This section of the Serengeti offers some of the most dramatic wildlife theatre in Africa, with millions of wildebeest and zebra braving crocodile-filled waters in their annual journey.
Distance: Approximately 120 km from the Mara to northern Serengeti, around 3 hours
Activity: Border crossing; afternoon game drives along the Mara River
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in northern Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
Enjoy a morning game drive in the northern Serengeti. If migration crossings were not witnessed the previous day, there is another opportunity this morning. After the morning safari you travel south on an en route game drive toward the central Serengeti, enjoying wildlife sightings across the open plains until sunset.
Distance: Approximately 150 km south toward central Serengeti
Activity: Morning and en route game drives
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
A final morning game drive across the central Serengeti plains, where lions on kopjes, cheetahs on the grasslands, and leopards in acacia trees are all regularly sighted. After lunch you travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at the crater rim in the evening.
Distance: Approximately 145 km from central Serengeti to Ngorongoro rim
Activity: Morning game drive; afternoon transfer to Ngorongoro
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro crater rim
Meals: Full Board
Today you descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. The crater floor hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including lions, elephants, buffalo, and the rare black rhino. On a good day it is possible to encounter all members of the Big Five within the crater in a single outing.
Distance: Within the crater, approximately 20 km across
Activity: Full-day crater game drive with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
Travel to Lake Eyasi to visit the indigenous Hadzabe, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in East Africa. Accompanied by a local guide, you walk into the bush to observe and participate in traditional hunting practices. You also visit the Datoga community, semi-nomadic pastoralists and skilled blacksmiths who trade tools and arrowheads with the Hadzabe.
Distance: Approximately 60 km from Karatu to Lake Eyasi
Activity: Guided cultural walk with the Hadzabe; visit to a Datoga community
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast you drive toward Lake Manyara National Park at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is known for its lush groundwater forest, large flocks of flamingos, and the famous tree-climbing lions. After your game drive you continue to the town of Moshi, situated at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Distance: Approximately 200 km in total, around 4-5 hours including the game drive
Activity: Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park; transfer to Moshi
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Full Board
Today you experience a day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route. The hike begins at Marangu Gate at an elevation of approximately 1,879 metres and continues through beautiful montane rainforest to Mandara Hut at 2,720 metres. The round trip covers approximately 16 kilometres and takes around three to four hours each way, offering an immersive introduction to Africa's highest peak without requiring a multi-day summit attempt.
Distance: Approximately 16 km round trip on the mountain trail
Activity: Day hike to Mandara Hut on the Marangu Route
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 12-day Kenya and Tanzania safari.
Distance: Approximately 50 km from Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Activity: Transfer to the airport
Accommodation: N/A – departure day
Meals: Breakfast
Consider adding a beach stay in Zanzibar after your safari. Explore our Serengeti safari packages for Tanzania-only options, or browse our Maasai Mara tours for a Kenya-focused extension.
Yes. The itinerary is structured and guided throughout, making it well suited to first-time visitors. Your guide will brief you on what to expect at each destination, and the mix of Kenya and Tanzania parks gives an excellent cross-section of East African wildlife and landscapes.
The safari runs year-round. For the Maasai Mara and northern Serengeti river crossings, the peak period is July to October. The Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara are good at any time of year. The short rains (November) and long rains (March to May) bring greener scenery and fewer visitors, though some tracks may be muddy.
Elephant herds are a highlight in Amboseli, with reliable Kilimanjaro views. The Maasai Mara and Serengeti offer lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe. Ngorongoro Crater provides one of Africa's best chances to see the rare black rhino alongside the full Big Five. Lake Manyara is famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos.
The safari price covers all accommodation, full board meals as specified per day, park entrance fees, game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, English-speaking guide services on both the Kenya and Tanzania sides, all airport transfers, and daily mineral water. International flights and visa fees are not included.
Yes, with some considerations. The day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro (Day 11) covers approximately 16 kilometres and requires reasonable fitness; younger children or those who prefer not to hike can remain at the hotel in Moshi. All game drives are family-friendly. We recommend discussing the ages of children when booking so the team can advise on any adjustments.
Yes. The route and duration can be adjusted to focus on specific parks, add extra nights in key locations, or include a Zanzibar beach extension at the end. Contact us to discuss options tailored to your dates and preferences.
Most nationalities require a visa for both Kenya and Tanzania. Both countries offer e-visas, and a multiple-entry arrangement may be possible given the border crossing. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended and may be required depending on your country of origin. Consult your doctor or a travel health clinic well in advance of your trip.
Your guide carries contacts on both sides of the border and is experienced with the Isibania crossing. In the rare event of an unforeseen delay or access restriction, the team will adjust the schedule accordingly and communicate any changes to you promptly. A flexible itinerary structure means lost time can generally be recovered without materially affecting the experience.
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