- Duration
- 10 days · 9 nights
- Trip type
- Private guided | Safari
- Group size
- 2–6 guests
Overview
The Mara-Serengeti border is the most consequential piece of safari geography on earth. This itinerary spends three nights on each side, plus two nights at Ngorongoro Crater, giving you three of the densest wildlife concentrations in Africa within a single trip.
Camps are mid-size (12–16 tents) and owner-operated where possible. The guiding tier is the differentiator at this price point — we work only with camps whose head guides have the top Kenya / Tanzania professional accreditations.
Best in July–October for the Mara crossings, January–March for Tanzania calving season. Quieter and (significantly) less expensive in shoulder months.
The route
Day by day, at a glance
Day 1 · Nairobi
Arrival
Day 2 · Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Fly to the Mara
Day 3 · Maasai Mara
Full day on safari
Day 4 · Maasai Mara
Mara crossings (in season)
Day 5 · Mara → Serengeti
Cross the border
Day 6 · Serengeti
Northern Serengeti
Day 7 · Serengeti
Game drives
Day 8 · Serengeti → Ngorongoro
To the crater
Day 9 · Ngorongoro
Crater floor
Day 10 · Ngorongoro → Arusha
Departure
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1 · Nairobi
Arrival
Met at JKIA and transferred to Hemingways in Karen. Welcome dinner.
Hemingways NairobiDinnerDay 2 · Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Fly to the Mara
Light aircraft flight to the Mara conservancy of your camp. Afternoon game drive.
Mara Plains CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 3 · Maasai Mara
Full day on safari
Sunrise and afternoon game drives. Lunch in camp. Optional Maasai village visit.
Mara Plains CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 4 · Maasai Mara
Mara crossings (in season)
Full day along the Mara River for crossings during the migration season; otherwise general game drives focused on the big cats.
Mara Plains CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 5 · Mara → Serengeti
Cross the border
Fly Mara → Kogatende. Cross the border into Tanzania. Game drive into camp.
Sayari CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 6 · Serengeti
Northern Serengeti
Full day in the northern Serengeti — generally less vehicle-dense than the Mara side of the same migration.
Sayari CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 7 · Serengeti
Game drives
Sunrise drive, mid-day rest at camp, late-afternoon drive. Hot-air balloon optional (additional).
Sayari CampBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 8 · Serengeti → Ngorongoro
To the crater
Fly Kogatende → Manyara. Drive up to the rim. Afternoon at leisure on the rim with views into the caldera.
The HighlandsBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 9 · Ngorongoro
Crater floor
Full day on the crater floor — black rhino, lions, dense general game. Picnic lunch by the hippo pool.
The HighlandsBreakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 10 · Ngorongoro → Arusha
Departure
Drive to Arusha or fly via Kilimanjaro for your homeward connection.
Breakfast
Where you'll stay
Accommodations
Day 1 · Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi
Days 2–4 · Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Mara Plains Camp
Days 5–7 · Mara → Serengeti
Sayari Camp
Days 8–9 · Serengeti → Ngorongoro
The Highlands
How it works
Made to order
- Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
- Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
- Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.
What's included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- 9 nights in mid-size safari camps and lodges
- All game drives in private 4×4 vehicles with professional guide
- All inter-camp light aircraft flights
- All meals at camps; drinks (excluding premium spirits)
- All park and conservancy fees
- Cross-border services Kenya → Tanzania
- 24/7 in-destination support
Not included
- International airfare
- Kenya and Tanzania visas (~CAD $90 each, arranged online)
- Gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Optional hot-air balloon (~CAD $750/pp)
- Travel insurance (mandatory in some camps; we can refer)
- Personal expenses, premium alcohol, laundry
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.
Your specialists
Plan this trip with Roshan Matovu and Edith
Roshan Matovu
Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager specializing in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Central America.
Edith
Senior Travel Consultant
Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Central America, helping travel advisors and clients plan customized journeys, tours and memorable destination experiences.