Join an affordable 12-day Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari from Nairobi, travelling through Kenya and Tanzania to some of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
This budget-friendly overland safari combines Kenya’s Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Travel through the Great Rift Valley, enjoy game drives in search of the Big Five and experience Maasai culture along the way.
Along the way, camp beside Lake Naivasha, climb Mount Longonot and travel through some of East Africa’s most spectacular landscapes. Travel between July and October for the best chance of seeing the Great Migration between the Serengeti and Masai Mara.
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This Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari Adventure begins at our first overnight hotel in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
For those arriving early enough in the day, there are a variety of optional activities in Nairobi that can be arranged through the hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of this busy city.
In the early evening, there will be a pre-tour briefing at the hotel, and then we will enjoy dinner (own expense) at a local restaurant in Nairobi.
On day two of our Kenya & Tanzania Safari, we head west to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, where our wildlife adventures begin!
Our route takes us to the edge of the escarpment where we pause to take in the sweeping views over the Great Rift Valley, formed about 40 million years ago when tectonic plates split causing a trench that runs some 6000 kilometres along the length of East Africa, broken by volcanoes, some still active, and a string of lakes.
The Masai Mara Reserve was established in 1961, and extended over the years to the 1510 square kilometres area it is today. The terrain primarily open grassland dotted with trees and with seasonal rivers which flow during the two distinct rainy seasons, home to an impressive variety of game.The Mara (as it is known locally) is famous for the annual mass migration of huge herds of herbivores, some 1.3 million wildebeest, antelope and zebra, which head north in July in search of fresh grazing and returning south each September. The Reserve is unfenced, even along the border with Tanzania in the south, which allows for the free movement of wildlife. The migration is the scene of heartbreak for the young animals preyed on by predators and taken by hundreds of crocodiles in the Mara River. However, the sheer weight of numbers ensures most animals are lucky enough to escape.
We arrive at our camp in the afternoon and spend the next two nights camping just outside the Masai Mara. An accommodation upgrade is available every night of the tour, but this must be booked before departure to avoid disappointment.
Today, we get an early start, making our way into the world-famous Masai Mara. We spend a full day exploring this quintessential African safari destination on extensive game drives in search of the abundance of wildlife that roams across the open plains and gentle hills. We will follow the seasonal migrations where possible.
Kenya's leading game park, Masai Mara, is also famous for its impressive populations of Africa's big cats - lion, leopard, and cheetah. The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) are commonly sighted throughout the year, in addition to all kinds of plains game.
At lunchtime, we have a picnic on the banks of the Mara River, home to hippos and huge crocodiles. This evening we return to our nearby camp and enjoy a hearty meal beside the campfire.
Leaving the Masai Mara, we retrace our steps to Mount Longonot National Park, known for its dormant volcano that last erupted in the early 1900s.
We leave our safari truck behind and take a short hike to the crater rim with our guides. The views of the jagged-edged caldera and the forest within are well worth the climb. It’s also a good spot to take in the Rift Valley below. Though the volcano last erupted in the early 1900s, steam vents may still be visible and on the way, and there is a variety of plains game to be seen while we walk. We will take a packed lunch along for a picnic with a view.
Reunited with our overland truck, it’s only a short drive to our campsite on the shores of Lake Naivasha, where we set up camp for the next two nights.
This morning, our Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari takes us to Hell’s Gate National Park, a short drive away. This national park was named by 19th-century explorers for a natural cleft visible in the high basalt cliffs and the geothermal activity in the area.
The dramatic scenery here was the inspiration for the movie “The Lion King”, and it’s a great place to walk, with the chance of seeing zebra, giraffe, and buffalo amongst various species of antelope. The adventurous have the option to explore the park on a bicycle (local hire, own expense). Hot springs are a reminder of the volcanic activity below our feet, and the nearby Olkaria Geothermal Power station takes advantage of this.
Later, we return to camp for lunch, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Naivasha. Here we have a chance to get close to hippo and some of the 400 species of birds that the lake attracts.
The final highlight of our action-packed day is a scrumptious high tea at Elsamere. This is the former home of the original “lion whisperers”, George and Joy Adamson and is named after Elsa the lioness raised by the Adamsons in the 1960s. Here we gain some insight into their fascinating lives and conservation work.
Our adventure takes a new turn as we head towards neighbouring Tanzania. Our journey takes us south, past the outskirts of Nairobi, and over the border into Tanzania. If the skies are clear, we may already catch a glimpse of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro through the clouds.
We skirt the base of volcanic Mount Meru, Africa’s 5th highest mountain, before arriving at the vibrant Arusha town. Arusha is a hub of activity, known as Tanzania’s “safari capital” due to its proximity to Tanzania's top safari destinations and Africa's hightest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, which lies some 100 kilometres northeast. You are free to explore the town and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).
Next up on our Kenya and Tanzania Safari, the legendary Serengeti Park. Get ready to experience Tanzania's premier safari destination and arguably the world's most famous wildlife park, Serengeti National Park.
The journey takes us up the slopes of the ancient volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro before descending onto the plains of the Serengeti. This epic East African game park hosts huge concentrations of plains game, numerous predators, and prolific birdlife on its seemingly endless savannah plains. The sweeping grasslands dotted with thorn trees and roaming wildlife, epitomize the untamed Africa of movie scenes and safari dreams.
We will camp in the Park and spend two days on safari in Serengeti, which is part of Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit. We drive from west to east through the scenic bush, and our experienced guides will share their extensive knowledge of the Serengeti, its animals, and their behaviors, as we go in search of predators like lions and cheetahs. We will take breaks and pause for a picnic before continuing our game spotting.
After our rewarding days filled with superb African wildlife sightings, we will return to camp to sit around the campfire and share stories of the day's adventures while the crew prepares a hearty dinner.
This morning we enjoy one last game drive in Serengeti National Park. Then, our Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari takes us back up the steep slopes to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.
Ngorongoro is the crater that was formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself over 2 million years ago. It is the world's largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera - 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep with its floor covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles), hosting an impressive concentration of wildlife. En route, we encounter the semi-nomadic Maasai tribe, the most famous inhabitants of the East African Rift Valley region, clad in red robes and herding their prized cattle amongst the wildlife.
Tonight we camp at the edge of the Ngorongoro, at the famous Simba camp, which offers stunning views overlooking the crater.
At dawn this morning, we descend the steep walls into the Ngorongoro Crater in a smaller 4x4 safari vehicle better suited to the rugged terrain.
We spend the morning exploring this natural wonder with its sheer walls, diverse habitats, and fertile plains. The crater is a natural enclosure, hosting one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and offering superb game viewing. It is possible to see almost every kind of African animal, including the rare black rhino, at close range.
We return to Simba camp for lunch before descending the escarpment to our next camp in an established local village. Here we will camp for the night amongst the Maasai people of Tanzania. This afternoon we take a tour of the rural village with a Maasai guide who tells us more about the traditional Maasai culture, beliefs and way of life.
On day 11 of our budget Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari, we wake up to the hustle and bustle of Maasai village life in Tanzania. After breakfast, we head back to the town of Arusha, located at the foot of the beautiful Mount Meru. Spend the afternoon exploring this busy town and its bustling markets. Tonight we eat out (own expense) at a local restaurant, celebrating the last night of our memorable Africa overland adventure.
After breakfast on the final morning of this Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari, we head north back into Kenya. Sometimes we catch the shuttle bus for our transfer to Nairobi; alternatively, the tour vehicle is used. This scenic journey passes through some spectacular rural scenery and on a clear day offers stunning views of the towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. En route to Nairobi city, the transfer stops at the airport for those catching onward flights, before continuing to the city center of Nairobi, where the tour ends.
Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari Notes:
An open and flexible attitude will ensure that you enjoy the best safari experience. Road, weather, or other unforeseen conditions may necessitate changes to the itinerary and clients need to be prepared for this.
A sleeping bag, a towel, and a pillow are required for this tour. Visas for both Kenya and Tanzania are required for most nationalities, and clients are responsible for prearranging the visas with the respective authorities. Seasonal precautions against malaria are advisable. The recommended currency for this tour is the US Dollar, and notes in small denominations should be brought along for expenses not included. A small daypack is advisable.
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 the Masai Mara in Kenya and the 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 also 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.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does not take children.
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