Masai Mara-Serengeti & Ngorongoro safari: Masai Mara and Serengeti are one of the best national parks in East Africa and they are renowned for their spectacular wilderness inhabited by the big 5 animals, big cats and incredible birdlife. These national parks are also highlights of the popular wildebeest migration that travelers enjoy while in Kenya and Tanzania.
Travelers on this trip will explore the two great national parks and also take on adventures in the Ngorongoro cradle of mankind. The game drives in different national parks will further allow one to encounter numerous wildlife species that are not common elsewhere.
Masai Mara-Serengeti & Ngorongoro safari Highlights
- Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara national reserve
- Day 2: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
- Day 3: Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania through Isebania border.
- Day 4: Full day Serengeti National Park.
- Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro crater.
- Day 6: Ngorongoro crater to Lake Manyara National park.
- Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha. Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara national reserve
Pick up from the hotel in Nairobi, embark on the transfer to Masai Mara national reserve with a professional guide who is familiar with the country. The journey will take approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes and on arrival at the National Park you will sign in at the lodge and get served a delicious lunch.
After lunch, embark on a guided walking safari this evening within the vicinity of the lodge that will help you view some of the wild animals and lush vegetation which is quite breathtaking and therapeutic. At dusk, transfer back to the lodge where you will be served dinner and stay for an overnight.
Day 2: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
You will be served breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast embark on a guided morning game drive through the Masai Mara wilderness. The game drive will take you through the areas of Motorogi and Lemek conservancy. Here you will view the big cats which inhabit this National Park especially the lions, leopards, serval cats and hyenas. Transfer back to the lodge in the mid morning.
The game drive will take you through Mara north and Mara triangle / Conservancy. Here visitors will spot the famous wildebeests along rivers and in the savanna grasslands.
Day 3: Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania through Isebania border.
After the meal, embark on the drive to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania through Isebania border which is about 153 miles. Continue to the lodge on arrival, relax as you enjoy the serene environment.
In the evening, you’ll take a nature walk that will help you appreciate more of the endowments of the National Park as you feel the breeze while staring at the lush vegetation of the vast Serengeti and the forested areas. Head back to the lodge at sunset and have yourselves served a luscious dinner.
Day 4: Full day Serengeti National Park.
Have an early meal at the lodge before sunrise. Go on an early morning game drive through the Ikorongo and Grumeti areas. Here visitors will have the opportunity to view animals especially the African Bush elephants, Cape Buffaloes, Kobs, kudus, zebras, giraffes, elands and Defassa waterbucks. After the game drive probably in the mid-morning, you’ll have a delicious lunch in the middle of wilderness.
After lunch, continue on the afternoon game drive past the Mara river where you will also have opportunities to view hippopotami, crocodiles and buffaloes in the water and on the shores of the river. Proceed with the drive through Singita and Lolilondo game conservancy areas. At sunset, transfer back to the lodge for a dinner and accommodation for the night.
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro crater.
After breakfast, embark on the journey to Ngorongoro crater which is roughly 4 hours and 30 minutes. Pass through the areas of Olduvai gorge where you’ll tour around and have deep insights into the history and the remains of early man. You will have lunch in the afternoon at the gorge.
After lunch, continue to Ngorongoro where you’ll have a tour around the caldera that will offer chances for extraordinary photography and videography due to the beautiful scenery of the place. Enjoy the activity the entire evening and head back to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Ngorongoro crater to Lake Manyara National park.
Have breakfast at the lodge very early in the morning. After breakfast, go on an early morning game drive through Ngorongoro area where you will view animals especially giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and zebras. Head back to the lodge at around 10 AM, check out and later embark on the drive to lake Manyara National Park which will take you about one hour and 10 minutes.
On arrival at the park, check in at the hotel and relax the entire evening as you view various endowments of the park from the balconies of your room.
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha. Departure
After breakfast, go on an early morning game drive through lake Manyara National Park. Explore the National Park intensively and view the animals that inhabit its wilderness. A variety of bird species will be spotted near the shores of the lake. Especially cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African fish eagles, turacos and African paradise flycatchers.
After lunch, check out of the lodge and embark on a drive to Arusha which will take you about an hour.