10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari: Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Experience the ultimate 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari through Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Enjoy Big Five game drives, the Great Migration and unforgettable East African wildlife.

A 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari offers exactly this experience. Combining the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, this safari takes travelers through the heart of East Africa’s most celebrated wildlife ecosystem.

Kenya’s Maasai Mara is famous for big cats, the Big Five and the spectacular wildebeest migration, while Tanzania’s Serengeti provides vast savannah landscapes and year-round wildlife viewing. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area adds another dimension with its dramatic volcanic scenery, abundant wildlife and fascinating cultural heritage.

For travelers looking for an unforgettable East Africa safari, this 10-day adventure is an ideal combination of wildlife, scenery, culture and photography.

Why Choose a 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari?

Kenya and Tanzania are among Africa’s premier safari destinations, and visiting both countries on one journey allows you to experience different landscapes and wildlife habitats without choosing between them.

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti form part of one interconnected ecosystem. Wildlife moves across this landscape according to seasonal rainfall, grazing conditions and water availability, rather than according to international borders. The wider ecosystem supports one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife migrations.

A 10-day itinerary also gives you enough time to enjoy several game drives without rushing from one destination to another.

Safari highlights include:

• Big Five game viewing
• Maasai Mara game drives
• Serengeti wildlife safari
• Great Wildebeest Migration experiences
• Ngorongoro Crater game drive
• Lion, leopard and cheetah sightings
• Elephant and buffalo encounters
• African sunset photography
• Maasai cultural experiences
• Scenic landscapes and wildlife photography
• Cross-border Kenya and Tanzania safari experience

10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Kenya

Your 10-day Kenya Tanzania safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital city.

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be welcomed by the Mandrill African Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel or enjoy an optional Nairobi city experience.

Accommodation: Nairobi hotel
Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2: Nairobi – Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and travel through Kenya’s beautiful countryside toward the legendary Maasai Mara.

The journey provides an opportunity to see changing landscapes as you move from urban Nairobi toward the Great Rift Valley and eventually into the vast grasslands of the Mara.

After arriving at your lodge or tented camp, enjoy lunch before heading out for your first Maasai Mara game drive.

Expect opportunities to see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, gazelles and numerous bird species.

The Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s most famous wildlife destinations and is particularly renowned for its large predator populations and the annual Great Migration.

Accommodation: Maasai Mara lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari

Today is dedicated to exploring the Maasai Mara.

Wake up early for a morning game drive when wildlife is particularly active. The golden morning light also creates excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.

You may encounter:

• Lions hunting or resting
• Cheetahs on the open plains
• Elephants moving through the grasslands
• Buffalo herds
• Giraffes browsing acacia trees
• Hippos and crocodiles around waterways
• Large herds of wildebeest and zebra during migration season

After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive before returning to your lodge.

For an additional experience, travelers can arrange a Maasai cultural visit or, subject to availability and weather, a hot-air-balloon safari.

Accommodation: Maasai Mara lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Maasai Mara – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

After breakfast, depart the Maasai Mara and proceed toward the Kenya–Tanzania border.

This is one of the most exciting sections of the safari because you transition from Kenya into Tanzania and enter the greater Mara–Serengeti ecosystem.

After completing border formalities, continue toward Serengeti National Park.

Depending on your route and arrival time, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive.

The Serengeti is renowned for its vast savannah plains and annual movement of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles. UNESCO describes the annual migration across the Serengeti as one of the world’s most impressive natural spectacles.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Full-Day Serengeti National Park Safari

Today you explore the magnificent Serengeti on a full-day game drive.

The name Serengeti is closely associated with endless plains, abundant wildlife and spectacular predator-prey interactions.

Depending on the season and location, you may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and large concentrations of wildebeest.

The Serengeti covers approximately 1.5 million hectares of savannah and is internationally recognized for its extraordinary wildlife migration.

A picnic lunch can be enjoyed at a designated location before continuing the afternoon safari.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The drive takes you through spectacular landscapes, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.

Depending on the itinerary and timing, you may visit Olduvai Gorge or another attraction in the Ngorongoro area.

Arrive at your accommodation near the crater rim or in the Karatu area and relax while enjoying views of the surrounding highlands.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is much more than the famous crater. It encompasses wildlife habitats, archaeological attractions, volcanic landscapes and opportunities for cultural experiences.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Today is one of the major highlights of your Kenya and Tanzania safari.

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a spectacular game drive.

The crater is a massive volcanic caldera containing a rich concentration of wildlife. Its grasslands, wetlands, forests and other habitats support a wide range of species.

You may encounter:

• Lions
• Elephants
• Buffaloes
• Hippos
• Zebras
• Wildebeest
• Gazelles
• Hyenas
• Flamingos and other birds
• With luck, black rhino

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority identifies the crater as one of the area’s most popular game-drive destinations, with its crater floor offering opportunities to encounter both grazing herbivores and predators.

After the game drive, ascend from the crater and return to your lodge for relaxation.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Ngorongoro – Lake Manyara or Tarangire

After breakfast, continue your Tanzania safari toward either Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park, depending on your selected safari route.

Tarangire is particularly famous for its elephant populations and dramatic baobab landscapes, while Lake Manyara offers diverse scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.

A game drive can be included before proceeding to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Lodge/tented camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Tanzania Safari – Arusha

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning experience before driving toward Arusha.

Arusha is an important tourism hub in northern Tanzania and a gateway to destinations including Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

This evening provides an opportunity to reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters experienced across Kenya and Tanzania.

Accommodation: Arusha hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 10: Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport or another agreed departure point.

Your 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari comes to an end, carrying memories of African landscapes, wildlife encounters, Maasai culture and some of the world’s most spectacular natural destinations.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Best Time for a Kenya and Tanzania Safari

The best time to visit depends on what you want to experience.

For travelers interested in the Great Wildebeest Migration, timing is particularly important because the animals move through different parts of the Mara–Serengeti ecosystem throughout the year. The migration is a continuous ecological cycle rather than a single event occurring on one fixed date.

The dry seasons are generally popular for wildlife viewing because vegetation is less dense and animals are often easier to locate around water sources.

However, the green seasons can be excellent for photographers because landscapes are lush, skies can be dramatic and many areas have fewer visitors.

At Mandrill African Safaris, we can help you select the best travel period according to your interests, budget and preferred wildlife experiences.

Why Book Your Kenya Tanzania Safari with Mandrill African Safaris?

Choosing the right safari company can make a significant difference to your experience.

Mandrill African Safaris specializes in African wildlife adventures and tailor-made safari experiences. Our goal is to combine excellent wildlife experiences with professional planning, knowledgeable safari guides and carefully selected accommodation.

We can customize your Kenya Tanzania safari package according to:

• Budget
• Travel dates
• Accommodation preference
• Private or group safari
• Wildlife interests
• Photography requirements
• Great Migration timing
• Number of travelers
• Preferred arrival and departure points

Whether you want a budget Kenya Tanzania safari, mid-range adventure or luxury African safari, the itinerary can be adjusted to suit your travel style.

What Is Included in the 10-Day Kenya Tanzania Safari?

Typical inclusions may include:

• Airport transfers
• Accommodation as specified
• Meals according to itinerary
• Private safari vehicle
• Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
• Game drives
• Park and conservation fees
• Border-crossing assistance
• Bottled drinking water during game drives
• Selected cultural experiences where included

Exclusions

Depending on the final package, exclusions may include:

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks
• Laundry services
• Personal shopping
• Optional activities
• Items not specifically mentioned under inclusions

Final inclusions, park fees, accommodation and border arrangements should be confirmed when booking because regulations and tariffs can change.

Why This Is the Ultimate East Africa Safari

A 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari brings together three of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences: the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

From the open plains of Kenya to Tanzania’s endless Serengeti landscapes and the dramatic volcanic environment of Ngorongoro, every destination adds something different.

The Mara provides exceptional predator viewing and migration experiences. The Serengeti delivers immense landscapes and extraordinary wildlife concentrations, while Ngorongoro provides an unforgettable crater safari in a unique volcanic setting. Tanzania’s official tourism platform highlights Serengeti and Ngorongoro among the country’s signature northern safari destinations.

For first-time visitors to East Africa, this combination offers an exceptional introduction to the region.

Ready to experience Kenya and Tanzania? Contact Mandrill African Safaris and start planning your 10-day Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro adventure.