6-Day Masai Mara & Serengeti Mid-Range Safari
Overview
Experience the absolute best of East Africa on this 6-day mid-range safari, seamlessly combining the legendary Masai Mara in Kenya with the vast Serengeti in Tanzania. This cross-border adventure offers the perfect balance of rugged wilderness and comfortable relaxation. Instead of basic camping, you will retire each evening to permanent mid-range tented camps or lodges featuring comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and often swimming pools. Witness the Great Migration (seasonal) and the Big Five in two of the world’s most iconic ecosystems, enjoying upgraded service and cuisine every step of the way.
Safari Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi, you will drive down the Great Rift Valley escarpment to the Masai Mara National Reserve (approximately 5–6 hours). The drive offers scenic views of the landscape. Upon arrival at your lodge or tented camp, enjoy a delicious hot lunch. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive. The Mara is famous for its exceptional population of big cats and the annual migration of wildebeest. Return to the lodge in the evening for a sundowner, a three-course dinner, and a peaceful night's sleep.
Full Day in Masai Mara
Wake up to a hearty breakfast and the sounds of the bush. Today is dedicated to exploring the vast Masai Mara. You will enjoy a full day of game driving with a picnic lunch to maximize your time, searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and herds of elephants. You will also have the option to visit a local Maasai village (optional extra) to learn about their ancient culture and traditions. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Mara followed by breakfast. Today, you will embark on a journey across the border into Tanzania. Drive to the Isebania/Sirari border post to clear customs and immigration (ensure you have the necessary visas). Your Tanzanian guide will meet you on the other side. You will then enter the Serengeti via the Ndabaka or Western Corridor gate. Enjoy a game drive en route to your mid-range lodge or tented camp, likely in the central Seronera area. Arrive in time for dinner and overnight.
Full Day in Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, set out for a full day of game driving in the Serengeti. Depending on the season, your guide will navigate towards the best wildlife areas—perhaps the Southern Plains for the calving season (Dec–March) or the Northern reaches for river crossings (July–Oct). The Serengeti offers unparalleled opportunities to see predators in action amidst the "endless plains." You will stop for a scenic picnic lunch in the wilderness. In the late afternoon, return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend another day immersing yourself in the Serengeti ecosystem. You can choose to do an early morning sunrise game drive to catch the predators hunting before the heat of the day. Return to the lodge for a hot lunch and a leisurely afternoon, or enjoy a full day out with a packed lunch to explore different valleys and kopjes (rock outcrops) where leopards often hide. This extra day allows for a relaxed pace to truly absorb the scale of the park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Serengeti to Arusha
Rise early for a final morning game drive in the Serengeti to capture any last-minute photos. After breakfast, you will drive to Arusha. You will exit the park and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands, enjoying spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Crater rim if time permits, and passing through the town of Karatu. You will arrive in Arusha in the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your cross-border mid-range adventure.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Professional safari guide & transport by 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- All game drives & park entry fees (Masai Mara & Serengeti).
- Mid-range accommodation (Permanent Tented Camps or Safari Lodges).
- Full-board meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- Daily bottled water (1.5L per person per day).
- Airport pick-up and drop-off.
Excluded
- Visa fees (Kenya and Tanzania) – East African Tourist Visa recommended if eligible.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for guide, cook, and lodge staff.
- Personal items and souvenirs.
- Optional activities (Balloon safari, Maasai Village visit, Olduvai Gorge).
- Alcoholic drinks, premium soft drinks, and extra bottled water.