10 Day Tanzania & Kenya Safari to Serengeti, Masai Mara…

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Tanzania

This Tanzania & Kenya Safari starts with a short tour briefing in Arusha before we set off southwest to our first Tanzania safari destination, Tarangire National Park.

This diverse African game reserve is home to a large variety of wildlife and is considered one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in northern Tanzania. Tarangire Park hosts one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania and is dotted with baobab and acacia thorn trees. The national park is also home to various big cats including lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as tree climbing pythons. Other wildlife inhabiting the safari park include many giraffes, buffalos, zebras, and various antelope species such as gazelles.

We spend the late afternoon enjoying superb game viewing in Tarangire Park followed by our first overnight stay at a tented camp near Tarangire Park. Accommodation is in spacious, en-suite tents with verandas that look out over Lake Burunge and Tarangire beyond. Facilities at the safari camp include a pool, and main lounge and a dining/bar area raised on a wooden deck so that guests can enjoy the views. Sit back and relax with sundowners as the sun sets over the lake and surrounding bush, or sidle up to the cozy fireplace on chilly nights.

• Meals: Lunch; Dinner

Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park & Karatu – Tanzania

On day two of our lodge safari, we depart from the Tarangire National Park after breakfast. From Tarangire we travel further into the Great Rift Valley, admiring the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania as we go.

We drive north to the nearby Lake Manyara Park, a compact safari park dominated by the shallow, soda lake after which it is named. Lake Manyara National Park is known for the large seasonal flocks of flamingos and other waterbirds that can at times be seen at the lake. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, as well as being home to massive baboon troops and a large population of elephants.

Arriving at Lake Manyara we embark on a game drive, often sighting elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, primates, warthogs, and wildebeest, along with numerous birds. After our extensive exploration, we set off for Karatu in the lush crater highlands. Continuing up into the Ngorongoro Highlands we enjoy spectacular views over the plains and Lake Manyara, pausing to take photos.

Tonight we stay at one of the ideally located Tanganyika Wilderness Adventure Lodges. Set close to a coffee estate about 30 minutes from the entrance gate of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the lodges offer beautiful views over the lush crater highlands. If there is time after our arrival we can take a walk in the coffee plantations.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti Park – Tanzania

Our next Tanzania safari destination is the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, also known as Africa's Garden of Eden. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit destinations, as is our next stop, the Serengeti Park.

Day three of our Tanzania & Kenya Safari starts with breakfast at dawn. Then we descend the steep walls of the crater in our 4x4 safari vehicle for a game drive in the wildlife-rich caldera.

Ngorongoro, part of the Serengeti ecosystem, is a massive caldera spanning an impressive 18 km in diameter with walls as high as 600m. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the densest mammalian population in Africa, with around 25,000 large animals. The diverse habitats found on the fertile crater floor support a variety of wildlife, including elephant, monkey, hyena, jackal, and herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and other antelope species. The Ngorongoro Crater hosts the Big Five of Africa, boasting one of the highest concentrations of lions in the world.

Almost all of the wild animal species found on the savannahs of East Africa inhabit this compact crater. Ngorongoro offers first-class game viewing and is considered one of the best places to capture the endangered black rhino on film. In the early afternoon, we move on from the crater to the seemingly endless Serengeti Plains.

Tanzania's most famous game park, the Serengeti Park is where the wildlife spectacle of the annual Great Migration takes place. Here vast herds of stampeding wildebeest, gazelle, and zebra can be seen migrating across the plains in search of fresh grazing, in turn attracting numerous predators.

Tonight we stay at a tented safari camp, located in the central region of Serengeti Park. The traditional tented camp offers comfortable camping accommodation in the heart of Serengeti, surrounded by the untamed African bush and its wildlife. The camp features safari-style tents with en suite bathrooms, electric lights, and mosquito netting.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4: Serengeti Safari – Tanzania

The day starts at sunrise with a Serengeti game drive, followed by a hearty breakfast back at the safari camp. Alternatively, you can pre-book a hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti Plains to get an overview of this natural gem and spot game from above. After the optional balloon ride (extra cost) participants are treated to a champagne breakfast in the bush.

Serengeti National Park offers spectacular game viewing year-round, being home to healthy populations of Africa's Big Five - rhino, lion, buffalo, elephant, and leopard as well as huge numbers of various antelope species such as eland, topi, kudu, impala, oribi, waterbuck, and gazelle. Cheetah, hippo, giraffe, serval cat, crocodile, hyena, and a rich array of other wildlife including numerous monkey, mongoose, and rodent species also inhabit the Serengeti, along with over 500 bird species!

You have the option of taking a guided trip to the visitor's center with a representative of the Frankfurt Zoological Society in the afternoon. The knowledgeable guide can tell you about the work this organization has been involved in for the last thirty years in Serengeti (request when booking). We embark on another rewarding game drive in the afternoon before returning to our safari lodge for another night in the African wilderness. We spend another night at the tented camp inside Serengeti Park, surrounded by the bush and sounds of nature.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5: Serengeti National Park to Lake Victoria – Tanzania

Today we get an early start for our journey to Lake Victoria game viewing as we leave Serengeti National Park. From this top Tanzania safari park, we head to the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake and the second biggest lake in the world.

We stop off at Lake Victoria getting a glimpse of less-visited Tanzania in this very fertile area. The region around the lake is the most densely populated in Tanzania and here we get the unique opportunity of seeing the local way of life and encountering Tanzanian people in this less touristed spot. Watch the local fishermen as they bring in their catch and visit a rural community school in this off-the-beaten-track corner of Tanzania that most tourists never get to visit.

Tonight you will overnight at a pleasant safari lodge set on a peaceful 100-hectare property on the shores of Lake Victoria. Lodge features include a restaurant, bar, and lounge. We overnight in en-suite thatched bungalows set apart along the lakeshore for privacy.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 6: Lake Victoria to Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya

Day six starts with breakfast. Then our Tanzania & Kenya Safari takes us on a canoe trip with a local guide and fishermen. We venture out onto the lake in a canoe to see the locals fishing in an old-fashioned way. After our local fishing experience, we leave Lake Victoria behind.

Today we have a long journey ahead, as we cross the border into Kenya and head to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve.

Home to the largest lion populations of Africa's game reserves, all of the big cats inhabit Masai Mara in large numbers throughout the year. The annual Wildebeest Migration can be witnessed in this spectacular Kenyan game reserve - an unforgettable wildlife spectacle with over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle stampeding across the scenic plains as they migrate between Tanzania's Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya.

The 1510km² Mara Reserve is home to an impressive variety of wild animals, including numerous antelope species, rhino, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, elephant, hyena, and an incredible array of birds. Along with the big cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

Tonight we stay in luxury safari tents along a thicket that fringes the escarpment. The safari camp is located on the fringes of Masai Mara Game Reserve. The camp offers fantastic views over the game reserve and hosts antelopes and zebra, as well as prolific birdlife.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 7: Mara Triangle, Masai Mara Safari – Kenya

Today we explore the Mara Triangle area of Masai Mara game reserve in open-sided 4x4 vehicles in true African safari style. Enjoy a full-day safari in Masai Mara with your experienced safari guide who takes you in search of Africa's Big Five and other wildlife. In addition to the Big 5, Masai Mara is home to cheetahs, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, Masai giraffes, gazelles, elands, hartebeests, and roan antelopes.

The Mara Triangle area, in northwestern Masai Mara, features endless savannahs dotted with acacia trees - the quintessential African safari environment.

We also drive to the Mara River Mara, known for dramatic wildlife sightings during the annual wildebeest migration. In the rainy season (from July to October), the great migration takes place here, while the river swells to several times its normal size. Tens of thousands of hoofed beasts plunge into the raging Mara River, where crocodiles lie in wait for prey, as the herbivores make the dangerous crossing. The river attracts wildlife and birds year-round, however, with hippos, crocodiles, and other animals gathering here.

After our exhilarating day on safari in Masai Mara, we spend another night at the tented safari camp on the outskirts of Masai Mara National Reserve. Stay in permanent canvas tents on raised wooden platforms, overlooking the African bush.

• Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 8 - 9: Masai Mara Safari – Kenya

Day eight and nine of our Tanzania & Kenya Safari are set aside for exploring central Masai Mara. We spend two full days on a 4x4 safari in Masai Mara, getting to know one of Africa's best game reserves.

With plenty of time to explore Masai Mara, you can take your time to enjoy this famous safari park at your own pace. Stop to take in the details of the African bush, capture wildlife sightings and marvel at the wonders of nature. Your guide takes you in search of the Big Five and the host of other wild animals found here. Keep your eyes open for Thomson’s and Grant's gazelles, elands, and Coke's hartebeests, amongst other interesting species. Masai Mara is also home to the Masai giraffe, seldom seen outside of Kenya as well as the rare roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox. The game reserve also hosts over 470 bird species including some 60 raptor species.

We spend the next two nights at an unfenced safari lodge inside Masai Mara Game Reserve. This authentic game lodge is tucked away in a forest along the Olarro Orok River where it blends in with the natural environment. Surrounded by the unspoiled bush, a variety of wildlife and birds are spotted at the camp year-round. It is a wildlife photographer's dream and a treat for any nature lover.

• Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi – Kenya

Wake up in the heart of Masai Mara on the final day of your budget-friendly lodge safari. After breakfast at the authentic safari camp, it is time to say goodbye to the Kenyan part of the Serengeti ecosystem, Africa's most famous safari destination.

We make our way out of the national park, looking out for wildlife and birds along the way. From Masai Mara, we drive back up to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Arriving in Nairobi early in the afternoon, your guide takes you to the airport or your post-tour accommodation, bringing our incredible Tanzania & Kenya Safari to an end.

• Breakfast & Lunch

Note: Every guest on this Tanzania & Kenya Lodge Safari is guaranteed a window seat.

Wildebeest Great Migration Explained

Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.

The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.

Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.