10-Day Kenya & Tanzania Grand Safari from Nairobi

10-Day Kenya & Tanzania Grand Safari from Nairobi

Safari Overview

Safari Overview

This is a genuine two-country programme, so the logistics are built around licensed Kenya and Tanzania teams, border formalities and realistic transfer time. Over 10 days, the planned route is Nairobi, Masai Mara, Masai Mara, Cross-border, Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha. It is especially suitable for travellers seeking a true two-country east africa itinerary. Accommodation examples are selected for practical location and comfort, but the final property must be confirmed against availability, season and the guest's budget. The website price is a planning benchmark, not a promise for every date or group size.

Route: Nairobi - Masai Mara - cross-border transfer - Arusha - Tarangire - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Arusha

Start: Nairobi | End: Arusha / JRO | Duration: 10 Days

Travel style: Two-country private safari
Best for: Travellers seeking a true two-country East Africa itinerary
Season: Year-round

Website price: From USD 3,980 per person. This is a planning benchmark, generally based on four adults sharing comfort accommodation in lower or shoulder-rate periods. Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, confirmed accommodation, park fees, flight sectors and supplier availability.

Operational Note

Do not advertise Masai Mara-to-Serengeti as a simple direct border hop. Use realistic transfer/flight arrangements and country-specific licensed teams.

Accommodation Confirmation

Accommodation names in this itinerary are recommended examples used to show the intended standard and geography of the route. A property is not guaranteed until availability has been checked, the room category and meal plan have been agreed, and the reservation has been confirmed in writing. If a named property is unavailable, Pori & Beyond Safaris may propose a comparable alternative in a location that protects the itinerary flow.

Wildlife & Timing Reality

Wildlife sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed. Driving times are approximate and may change because of road conditions, weather, park formalities, wildlife stops, border procedures or flight schedules. Great Migration itineraries are routed according to the most suitable Serengeti sector for the travel dates, but exact herd positions and river crossings are never guaranteed.

✦Serengeti wildlife viewing with route time matched to the package length.
✦Ngorongoro Crater or highlands included where shown in the itinerary.
✦Tarangire elephant country, baobab landscapes and river-system game viewing.
✦Cross-border logistics are explicitly built into the itinerary rather than hidden in a game-drive day.
✦Realistic route planning from Nairobi to Arusha / JRO with every overnight stated.

Safari Packing List

Tanzania safari packing inspiration

Practical travel preparation

Pack simply, travel comfortably

Your final packing guidance depends on season, route and accommodation. Begin with these essentials and we will share a tailored checklist before departure.

  • Neutral, light layers for game drives
  • A warm layer for early mornings
  • Sun protection and reusable water bottle
  • Binoculars, camera and spare batteries
  • Personal medication and travel documents
  • Comfortable closed walking shoes

Safari Tour Pricing

Private safari · USD

Prices are planning guides per person and vary with season, availability, accommodation and group size. We confirm the exact quote in writing before you book.

Indicative private group pricing

Tailored to your dates
1 person $ 3,980
2 people $ 3,425
3 people $ 3,105
4 people $ 2,865
5 people $ 2,745
6 people $ 2,625

Price per person. International flights, visa costs and personal purchases are not included unless expressly listed in your confirmed quotation.

Itinerary

10 planned days

Day 1

Nairobi to Masai Mara

Travel from Nairobi toward the Masai Mara, descending through the Rift Valley and continuing to the reserve area. After lunch or check-in, enjoy an afternoon game drive with opportunities for plains wildlife, elephants, giraffes and big cats. The Mara is part of the wider Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and is especially well suited to a Kenya-Tanzania combination when travellers have enough days to avoid rushing the border transfer. Border and road timings can vary, so this day should remain deliberately flexible. Guests must travel with the correct passport and entry documents, and where two countries are involved the handover between licensed teams and vehicles is coordinated in advance rather than presented as an instant transfer.

Night accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp or Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Tonight's accommodation Zebra Plains Mara Camp View accommodation details
Zebra Plains Mara Camp Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 2

Full Day in Masai Mara

Spend a full day in the Masai Mara with your Kenya-based guide. The plan may include an early start, extended wildlife viewing and a picnic lunch in the reserve. Wildlife is present year-round, while the exact distribution of migratory herds changes seasonally. Return to camp in the late afternoon or early evening. Optional balloon safaris can be quoted separately where available. The guide can adapt the day's game-drive rhythm to wildlife movement, road conditions, park rules and the guests' interests. Wild animals move freely, so the itinerary creates strong viewing opportunities without guaranteeing any specific sighting.

Night accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp or Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Tonight's accommodation Zebra Plains Mara Camp View accommodation details
Zebra Plains Mara Camp Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 3

Masai Mara to Arusha - Cross-Border Travel Day

This is a dedicated cross-border logistics day. Depending on the confirmed transport plan, travellers may return toward Nairobi/Namanga, use a scheduled flight connection, or cross through an approved western route with a vehicle handover. Direct tourist vehicle movement between Masai Mara and Serengeti is not a simple gate-to-gate transfer, so realistic itineraries must allow time for the border and country-specific operating arrangements. Reach Arusha or the agreed Tanzania gateway for the night. Border and road timings can vary, so this day should remain deliberately flexible. Guests must travel with the correct passport and entry documents, and where two countries are involved the handover between licensed teams and vehicles is coordinated in advance rather than presented as an instant transfer.

Night accommodation: Forest Hill Hotel or Rivertrees Country Inn

Tonight's accommodation Forest Hill Hotel View accommodation details
Forest Hill Hotel Forest Hill Hotel
Day 4

Arusha Rest and Safari Briefing

Meet your Pori & Beyond Safaris representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer to your hotel. This arrival day is intentionally light, allowing time to rest after the flight, review the safari plan and meet the team. Your guide will confirm departure time, luggage arrangements and any dietary or mobility requirements before the wildlife journey begins. If your flight arrives early, optional Arusha activities can be arranged without forcing a long park transfer on the same day. Daily timing remains flexible within park regulations and confirmed logistics. The guide will adjust stops and pacing according to road conditions, wildlife activity and the guests' comfort while protecting the overall route plan.

Night accommodation: Forest Hill Hotel or Rivertrees Country Inn

Tonight's accommodation Forest Hill Hotel View accommodation details
Forest Hill Hotel Forest Hill Hotel
Day 5

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Depart Arusha after breakfast and travel south-west toward Tarangire. The drive normally takes around two to three hours before park formalities and the first game drive. Tarangire is known for large baobab trees, the Tarangire River and strong elephant viewing, while lions, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and many bird species are also possible. Enjoy a picnic lunch or lodge lunch depending on routing, continue the afternoon game drive and reach your lodge before dinner. Daily timing remains flexible within park regulations and confirmed logistics. The guide will adjust stops and pacing according to road conditions, wildlife activity and the guests' comfort while protecting the overall route plan.

Night accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Maramboi Tented Lodge

Day 6

Tarangire to Central Serengeti

Leave Tarangire after breakfast and travel through the highlands toward the Serengeti. This is a longer road day, but it becomes part of the safari as scenery changes from cultivated highlands to the open plains. Depending on permits and route, pause at viewpoints in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before continuing through Naabi Hill Gate. Once inside Serengeti, the transfer becomes an en-route game drive, with opportunities for plains wildlife and predators before reaching camp in the central region. This is an important transfer-and-game-drive day rather than a short hop. Travel time varies with the chosen camp, road conditions and wildlife stops, so the itinerary should leave enough daylight and avoid overpromising a full separate game drive after a long transfer.

Night accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Tonight's accommodation Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge View accommodation details
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Day 7

Full Day in Central Serengeti

Dedicate the day to central Serengeti, one of Tanzania's most reliable year-round wildlife areas. Start early if you want cooler temperatures and active predators, then follow your guide's local knowledge around river valleys, kopjes and open plains. Because this is a private safari, you can spend longer at meaningful sightings instead of following a rigid circuit. Lunch may be carried into the park or taken at camp, with the afternoon reserved for further game viewing and photography. The guide can adapt the day's game-drive rhythm to wildlife movement, road conditions, park rules and the guests' interests. Wild animals move freely, so the itinerary creates strong viewing opportunities without guaranteeing any specific sighting.

Night accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Tonight's accommodation Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge View accommodation details
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Day 8

Second Serengeti Wildlife Day

Dedicate the day to central Serengeti, one of Tanzania's most reliable year-round wildlife areas. Start early if you want cooler temperatures and active predators, then follow your guide's local knowledge around river valleys, kopjes and open plains. Because this is a private safari, you can spend longer at meaningful sightings instead of following a rigid circuit. Lunch may be carried into the park or taken at camp, with the afternoon reserved for further game viewing and photography. The guide can adapt the day's game-drive rhythm to wildlife movement, road conditions, park rules and the guests' interests. Wild animals move freely, so the itinerary creates strong viewing opportunities without guaranteeing any specific sighting.

Night accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Tonight's accommodation Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge View accommodation details
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Day 9

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

Begin with a morning game drive in Serengeti, a useful time for predators and quieter roads, then travel east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The route provides a final look at the plains before climbing into cooler highland country. Depending on the confirmed itinerary and timing, optional cultural or archaeological stops can be added at extra cost. Reach your lodge near the crater rim or in Karatu, where an early night prepares you for the crater descent the next morning. This is an important transfer-and-game-drive day rather than a short hop. Travel time varies with the chosen camp, road conditions and wildlife stops, so the itinerary should leave enough daylight and avoid overpromising a full separate game drive after a long transfer.

Night accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or The Retreat at Ngorongoro

Tonight's accommodation Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge View accommodation details
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Day 10

Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Descend into the crater in the morning for a focused game drive, taking advantage of the cooler hours before midday traffic increases. After a picnic lunch and final wildlife viewing, climb out of the caldera and drive back through Karatu and the Rift Valley to Arusha. Arrival is usually late afternoon or early evening depending on road conditions and the time spent in the crater. Drop-off can be arranged at an Arusha hotel or, when flight timing safely allows, at the airport. Final drop-off timing should be matched to the guest's onward flight or hotel plan. If an onward flight is booked, a safe time buffer should be kept rather than relying on the most optimistic road estimate.

Night accommodation: No overnight - package ends after the stated transfer/activity.

Inclusions

What's included in this safari

The final inclusions are confirmed in your written quotation.

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle and professional English-speaking driver-guide on Tanzania road-safari sectors unless otherwise stated.
  • Accommodation shown in the confirmed itinerary, normally on full-board basis during safari sectors.
  • National-park and conservation-area entrance fees included in the final written quotation.
  • Ngorongoro crater service fee when the itinerary includes a crater descent.
  • Drinking water in the safari vehicle during applicable road-safari days.
  • Airport, hotel and border transfers specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary.
  • Scheduled domestic/light-aircraft flights only where the package explicitly says they are included and after final confirmation.
  • Activities specifically named as included, such as a Rufiji boat safari in designated southern packages.
What's not included

Anything not expressly listed in the final quotation remains your responsibility.

  • International flights and any domestic flight not specifically listed as included.
  • Kenya or Tanzania visas/eTA/entry permits and any future government charges unless explicitly included.
  • Comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
  • Tips and gratuities, which remain voluntary.
  • Premium alcoholic drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
  • Optional balloon safaris, walking safaris, cultural visits and other add-ons unless explicitly included.
  • Changes requested after confirmation that alter accommodation, routing, flights or park-fee exposure.
  • Any visa, eTA, entry permit or border charge not specifically written as included in the final quotation.
Expert support before departure

Our team will confirm the daily flow, recommended packing, meeting arrangements and any practical details relevant to your specific travel dates.

Visa & Travel Documents

Plan your entry requirements

Visa requirements and entry conditions can change and depend on your citizenship and travel route. Select your citizenship to note it in your enquiry; we will help point you to the appropriate official guidance.

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