13-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari
Two Countries, Extended East African Safari
13-Days
from 1,602$ PP
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 27 Reviews
13-Day Kenya and Tanzania Tour Highlights
-
Maasai Mara — Explore Kenya's iconic wildlife reserve
-
Serengeti — Three dedicated days of wildlife exploration
-
Ngorongoro Crater — Descend into Tanzania's famous volcanic caldera
-
Tarangire National Park — Discover elephants and baobab landscapes
-
Kenya–Tanzania Border Crossing — Travel between two East African countries
-
Private Safari Experience — Private 4x4 safari with professional guide
-
Nairobi to Arusha — Convenient cross-border route
13-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Experience
Experience a 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari covering Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Starting in Nairobi, this private Kenya and Tanzania safari travels through Kenya's Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara before crossing the Isebania–Sirari border into Tanzania.
The extended itinerary gives you more time for game drives in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, rather than rushing between destinations. You can explore different wildlife areas, spend multiple days in the Serengeti, and have dedicated safari experiences in the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.
This 13-day Kenya Tanzania safari is ideal for travelers looking for an extended Maasai Mara and Serengeti safari with a private 4x4 vehicle, professional safari guide, and flexible Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation. The journey ends in Arusha, with options to continue to Zanzibar or Mount Kilimanjaro.
13-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1 : Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Morning
Your 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari begins with a morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport. You will travel approximately 4 to 4.5 hours to Amboseli National Park, passing through changing landscapes as you leave Nairobi and head toward the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The journey gives you an opportunity to see rural Kenya and the landscapes surrounding Amboseli before reaching the park. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and settle in before lunch.
Midday
Enjoy lunch at your accommodation and take some time to relax before beginning your first wildlife experience in Amboseli. The afternoon provides a good transition from the journey into your safari, with your private guide preparing you for the first game drive.
Afternoon & Evening
In the afternoon, head out for your first Amboseli National Park game drive. Amboseli is particularly known for its large elephant herds and spectacular views toward Mount Kilimanjaro. As you explore the park, you may encounter elephants, zebras, wildebeests and giraffes moving across the open landscapes.
The combination of wildlife and the mountain backdrop makes Amboseli a distinctive beginning to a Kenya and Tanzania safari.
As evening approaches, return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation before your next day of wildlife exploration.
Mid-Range: Hunters Manor Amboseli Lodge
Luxury: Soroi Amboseli Lodge
Day 2 : Full-Day Game Drives in Amboseli National Park
Morning
Today is dedicated entirely to Amboseli National Park, giving you more time to explore its wildlife areas without needing to travel to another destination. You can work with your private safari guide to choose the schedule that best suits your interests.
For travelers looking for early wildlife activity, an early morning game drive at around 6:00 AM provides an opportunity to explore the park during the cooler hours. Alternatively, you can enjoy a more relaxed breakfast before departing around 9:00 AM.
Midday
With a packed lunch, you can remain inside the park throughout the day rather than returning to the lodge for lunch. Your game drive takes you through Amboseli's different landscapes, including its swamps and dry lake beds.
These areas attract a variety of wildlife. You may encounter elephants, lions and hyenas, while the park's birdlife adds another dimension to the safari, with more than 400 bird species recorded.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue exploring Amboseli through the afternoon, with your guide adjusting the route according to wildlife activity and recent sightings. Mount Kilimanjaro can provide an impressive backdrop when visibility is favorable, particularly during the morning and evening light.
Your game drive continues until the park closes, after which you return to your accommodation around 6:00 PM.
Enjoy dinner and a relaxed evening before continuing toward the Great Rift Valley on the following day.
Mid-Range: Hunters Manor Amboseli Lodge
Luxury: Soroi Amboseli Lodge
Day 3 : Amboseli to Lake Naivasha
Morning
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey from Amboseli toward Lake Naivasha. The drive takes approximately 6 to 6.5 hours, taking you through changing Kenyan landscapes and toward the Great Rift Valley.
Although this is primarily a travel day, the route provides scenic views along the way and connects two very different environments within the Kenya section of your safari.
Midday
Continue through the Great Rift Valley toward Lake Naivasha. After arriving in the afternoon, check into your accommodation and prepare for your lake experience.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake known for its birdlife and hippo populations, providing a different type of wildlife experience from the savannah game drives in Amboseli.
Afternoon & Evening
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, giving you the opportunity to observe hippos and water birds from the lake. The experience provides a closer look at the aquatic side of Kenya's wildlife environment.
You will also have a walking tour on Crescent Island, where you can walk among giraffes, zebras and other wildlife. After the activities, return to your accommodation for dinner and a relaxing evening beside the lake.
Mid-Range: Villa Grazia Hotel
Luxury: Lake Naivasha Country Club
Day 4 : Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
Morning
After breakfast, check out and drive toward Lake Nakuru National Park. The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, passing through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley.
The relatively short drive allows you to reach Lake Nakuru with enough time for a meaningful wildlife experience during the afternoon.
Midday
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before preparing for your first game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is particularly known for its rhino population and diverse wildlife environment surrounding the lake.
Lake Nakuru provides opportunities to search for both black and white rhinos, as well as lions and buffaloes. The lake itself also supports important birdlife, including the famous flamingos associated with the area.
Afternoon & Evening
Head out for an afternoon game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park. Your guide will explore areas where wildlife activity is concentrated, while keeping an eye out for rhinos, lions, buffaloes and other species.
As the afternoon comes to an end, return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
The day adds a different wildlife environment to your Kenya and Tanzania safari before you continue toward the Maasai Mara.
Mid-Range: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Luxury: The Cliff Nakuru
Day 5 : Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Morning
After breakfast, check out and begin the drive toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the most important wildlife destinations on your Kenya and Tanzania safari.
The journey takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes and local villages as you travel toward the Mara ecosystem..
Midday
Arrive at your Maasai Mara accommodation around midday and have lunch before preparing for your first game drive in the reserve.
The Maasai Mara is known for its open savannah landscapes and abundant wildlife. The broad plains can provide excellent visibility when searching for animals, while your private guide can adjust the route according to wildlife activity.
Afternoon & Evening
In the afternoon, begin your first Maasai Mara game drive. Explore the open plains while looking for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, zebras, wildebeests and other wildlife.
The afternoon drive provides your first introduction to the Mara before you spend two additional full days exploring the reserve. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and a restful night.
Mid-Range: Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Luxury: Keekorok Lodge
Day 6 : Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Morning
Today provides a full day to explore the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Your schedule remains flexible so you can plan the day around the type of wildlife experience you prefer.
For the best chance of observing active predators during the cooler morning hours, you can begin with an early morning game drive around 6:00 AM and return to your accommodation afterward for breakfast.
Alternatively, enjoy breakfast around 8:00 AM before departing for a full-day game drive with a packed lunch.
Midday
With a packed lunch, continue exploring different areas of the reserve throughout the day. Your guide can select routes according to recent sightings, wildlife activity and the areas you have not yet explored.
The Mara provides opportunities to search for lions, cheetahs and leopards, alongside large herds of zebras and wildebeests. Scenic picnic locations can also provide a chance to stop and enjoy the surroundings without breaking the day's wildlife exploration.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue the game drive through the afternoon until the reserve closes at approximately 6:00 PM. The additional time in the Maasai Mara allows you to explore beyond the areas visited during your arrival day.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation, with another full day in the Mara ahead.
Mid-Range: Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Luxury: Keekorok Lodge
Day 7 : Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Morning
Your second full day in the Maasai Mara provides additional time to explore the reserve and search for wildlife that may not have been encountered during the previous game drives.
You can again choose an early morning start or arrange the day's schedule with your guide according to your interests. Having another full day gives your guide greater flexibility to explore different parts of the reserve based on recent wildlife sightings.
Midday
Continue through the Mara's open grasslands, looking for some of its most recognizable wildlife. Depending on the season and current animal movements, you may encounter lions resting in the shade, cheetahs moving across the plains, leopards in areas of thicker vegetation, and large groups of zebras and wildebeests.
The Maasai Mara is also an important part of the Great Migration ecosystem, particularly during the migration period. Your guide can help identify areas where wildlife activity is currently concentrated.
Afternoon & Evening
Spend the afternoon continuing your game drive and exploring additional sections of the reserve. The changing light across the open plains creates excellent conditions for wildlife photography and landscape viewing.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
After several days exploring Kenya's wildlife destinations, you will prepare for the next stage of the journey: crossing into Tanzania and continuing to the Serengeti.
Mid-Range: Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Luxury: Keekorok Lodge
Day 8 : Maasai Mara to Isebania Border & Transfer to Central Serengeti
Morning
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey from the Maasai Mara to the Isebania–Sirari border. The drive to the border takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. A packed lunch is provided for the journey.
Your Kenyan guide will assist with the Kenya exit and Tanzania entry formalities at the border. Your Tanzanian safari guide will meet you around midday, allowing the Tanzania portion of your private safari to continue.
Midday
After completing the border formalities and meeting your Tanzanian guide, continue from Isebania toward Central Serengeti. The journey takes approximately 4.5 hours and passes through villages and agricultural areas before reaching the Serengeti ecosystem.
You will stop at Ikoma Gate for lunch and park entry procedures before continuing into the Serengeti.
Afternoon & Evening
As you enter the Serengeti, the journey becomes part of the safari experience itself. Enjoy an en-route game drive as you travel toward Central Serengeti, providing your first opportunity to see Tanzania's wildlife after crossing the border.
Continue toward your accommodation and arrive in the evening.
Enjoy dinner and a restful night before beginning your dedicated Serengeti game-drive days.
Mid-Range: Serengeti Safari Haven Camp
Luxury: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Day 9 : Full-Day Game Drives in Central Serengeti
Morning
Begin your first full day exploring Central Serengeti with a leisurely breakfast before heading out around 8:00 AM. The Seronera area is one of the major wildlife areas of Central Serengeti, with the Seronera River attracting wildlife to the surrounding landscape.
During the morning game drive, search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffaloes. Your private guide will select areas based on current wildlife activity and the conditions of the day.
Midday
A packed lunch allows you to remain in the Serengeti throughout the day and maximize your time in the park. Rather than returning to camp for lunch, you can continue exploring different wildlife areas and stop at an appropriate scenic location for your meal.
Central Serengeti is particularly known for opportunities to observe large lion prides and predator activity, although wildlife sightings naturally vary from day to day.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue the game drive through the afternoon, exploring more of the Seronera area and surrounding plains. Alternatively, you can choose an early morning game drive at around 6:00 AM, return for a late breakfast and rest, then head out again in the afternoon.
Return to your accommodation around evening for dinner and a peaceful night in the Serengeti.
Mid-Range: Serengeti Safari Haven Camp
Luxury: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Day 10 : Full-Day Game Drives in Central Serengeti
Morning
Another full day in Central Serengeti gives you the opportunity to explore areas that may not have been covered on the previous day. You can follow a similar schedule or work with your guide to choose different wildlife areas.
The extra time is valuable because wildlife movements change throughout the day. Your guide can use recent sightings and local conditions to determine where to spend more time.
Midday
Continue through the Seronera Valley and surrounding Central Serengeti plains, searching for lions, elephants and leopards. Predator activity can be particularly rewarding during periods when animals are actively hunting or moving between resting areas.
A packed lunch allows you to stay in the park and continue exploring rather than interrupting the game drive with a return to camp.
Central Serengeti also supports exceptional birdlife, with more than 500 species recorded, adding opportunities for birdwatchers alongside the larger wildlife.
Afternoon & Evening
Spend the afternoon exploring additional parts of Central Serengeti before returning to your accommodation in the evening.
After another full day of wildlife viewing, enjoy dinner and a peaceful night's sleep.
The following morning, you will leave the Serengeti and travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Mid-Range: Serengeti Safari Haven Camp
Luxury: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Day 11 : Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Morning
After an early breakfast, enjoy one final morning game drive in Central Serengeti before leaving the park. This provides one more opportunity to search for wildlife around the Seronera area before beginning the journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
After the morning wildlife experience, continue toward Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch.
Midday
Depart toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area around noon. The journey takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours and provides a dramatic change in scenery.
You will travel from the open Serengeti plains toward drier landscapes before gradually ascending into the cooler, greener environment of the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Along the way, you will have a scenic stop at Naabi Hill Gate, providing views across the surrounding Serengeti landscape while you enjoy your picnic lunch.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue into the Ngorongoro area and arrive at your accommodation in the evening. The cooler mountain environment provides a noticeable contrast to the warmer Serengeti plains.
After checking in, enjoy dinner and relax ahead of the following day's early Ngorongoro Crater safari.
Mid-Range: Mvuli Hotel Ngorongoro
Luxury: The Retreat at Ngorongoro
Day 12 : Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Transfer to Tarangire National Park
Morning
Your day begins with an early breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater at approximately 6:00 AM. You can reach the crater floor around 7:00 AM, giving you an early start for wildlife viewing.
The crater forms a remarkable enclosed wildlife environment, and your game drive will explore different areas of the crater floor while searching for elephants, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas, lions and the rare black rhino.
Midday
Continue your Ngorongoro Crater game drive through the middle of the day. The crater's varied habitats support different wildlife species within a relatively concentrated area.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool, providing a scenic stop during the crater experience. After lunch, continue exploring the crater before beginning the ascent.
Afternoon & Evening
After completing the crater game drive, ascend from the Ngorongoro Crater and begin the journey toward Tarangire National Park. The drive takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Arrive at your Tarangire accommodation in the evening and settle in after a full day of wildlife viewing. Enjoy dinner and prepare for your final full safari experience in Tarangire.
Mid-Range: Tarangire Safari Haven Camp
Luxury: Elephant Springs Camp
Day 13 : Tarangire Game Drives & Transfer to Arusha
Morning
Your final safari day begins with a full day of game drives in Tarangire National Park. The park provides a distinctive final setting for the Kenya and Tanzania safari, with its iconic baobab trees, diverse habitats and the Tarangire River.
Tarangire is particularly known for its large elephant herds. During the game drive, search for elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudus, buffaloes, oryx, eland, giraffes and zebras.
Midday
Continue exploring Tarangire with your private safari guide, following wildlife activity across the park's different habitats. A packed lunch allows you to remain in the park and maximize your final wildlife-viewing hours.
The combination of wildlife, baobab-studded landscapes and the Tarangire River creates a different safari environment from the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater visited earlier in the journey.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue your final game drive into the afternoon before departing Tarangire for Arusha around mid-afternoon. The drive to Arusha takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Arrive in Arusha by evening and transfer to your preferred location. This marks the end of your 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari, completing a journey through Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
Safari Ends in Arusha.
PLANEN SIE IHRE SAFARI IN TANSANIA
Sprechen Sie mit einem Safari-Experten
Sie sind sich nicht sicher, welche Safari die richtige für Sie ist?
Lassen Sie sich von Experten zu Routen, Parks, Reisedaten und Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten beraten, die auf Ihre Pläne zugeschnitten sind.
Unverbindlich · Safari-Beratung in Ihrer Sprache · 24/7 support
Frequently Questions About the 13-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari
What destinations are included in the 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari?
The 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari combines Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. The journey starts in Nairobi and finishes in Arusha, creating a cross-border safari through several different wildlife habitats. You will experience Kenya's Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara before crossing into Tanzania through the Isebania–Sirari border and continuing through the Serengeti and northern Tanzania.
Where does the 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari start and finish?
The safari starts in Nairobi, Kenya, where you can be collected from your hotel or another agreed location. The route then continues through Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara before crossing into Tanzania. After visiting the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, the safari finishes in Arusha, Tanzania. This Nairobi-to-Arusha route is particularly practical for travelers arriving in Kenya and continuing their East African journey in Tanzania.
How does the Kenya to Tanzania border crossing work on this safari?
The safari crosses from Kenya into Tanzania through the Isebania–Sirari border after your time in the Maasai Mara. Your Kenyan safari guide assists with the Kenya departure procedures before you complete Tanzania's entry procedures. A Tanzanian safari guide then meets you on the Tanzania side and continues the journey toward the Serengeti. Border procedures can take different amounts of time depending on immigration and vehicle formalities, so the itinerary allows for the crossing as part of the travel day.
Why choose 13 days for a Kenya and Tanzania safari?
A 13-day Kenya Tanzania safari provides more time for wildlife viewing than shorter cross-border itineraries. Instead of treating each destination as a brief stop, the longer schedule allows additional game-drive days in key wildlife areas, particularly the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. It also makes it possible to combine Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire without compressing the entire journey into a very fast-paced schedule.
How many days do I spend in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti?
The itinerary provides dedicated time in both the Maasai Mara and Central Serengeti, allowing you to explore different areas rather than relying on a single game drive. Multiple days are particularly useful in large wildlife ecosystems because animal locations can change throughout the day and from one day to another. Your private safari guide can adjust game-drive routes according to recent wildlife sightings, road conditions and your interests.
Can I see the Great Migration on a 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari?
Yes, the itinerary can be planned around the Great Migration, but wildlife movements are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed on specific dates or at a particular location. The Maasai Mara and Serengeti form part of the same broader ecosystem, and the best area to visit depends on the time of year. During migration-focused travel, your safari route can be planned around the seasonal location of wildebeest and other wildlife while still including the permanent attractions of the two parks.
What wildlife can I see during this Kenya and Tanzania safari?
The combined route provides opportunities to see a wide range of African wildlife. Depending on location and season, game drives may include lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, hyenas and antelope species. Lake Nakuru also provides opportunities to look for rhinos and diverse birdlife, while the Ngorongoro Crater is known for its concentration of wildlife within the crater floor. Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable, so no specific animal encounter can be guaranteed.
What makes the Serengeti different from the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara and Serengeti are part of the same larger ecosystem, but they offer different safari settings and travel experiences. The Maasai Mara is relatively compact and is known for its open grasslands and abundant resident wildlife, while the Serengeti covers a much larger area with diverse landscapes and wildlife zones. Spending several days in the Serengeti gives you greater flexibility to explore areas such as Seronera and Central Serengeti rather than simply passing through the park.
Why is Tarangire included in a 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari?
Tarangire National Park adds a different wildlife environment to the Kenya and Tanzania safari route. The park is recognized for its large elephant populations, distinctive baobab trees, seasonal wildlife concentrations and varied landscapes. Including Tarangire after the Ngorongoro portion of the journey creates a more diverse northern Tanzania safari rather than concentrating the entire Tanzanian section around the Serengeti alone.
Can I extend the 13-day safari to Zanzibar or Mount Kilimanjaro?
Yes. Because the safari finishes in Arusha, you can continue your Tanzania trip after the wildlife portion. Popular extensions include a Zanzibar beach holiday or a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking experience. Domestic flights can also be arranged where appropriate, allowing the safari and beach or mountain portions of your trip to be planned as one Tanzania holiday.