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View into Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Itinerary: Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

By the Africa Safaris team, Nairobi · · 3 min read

A 10-day Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary combining the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, with migration timing, border crossing tips and costs.

Kenya and Tanzania share one ecosystem: the Serengeti and the Masai Mara are two halves of the same plains, divided only by a border. A 10-day Kenya and Tanzania safari lets you experience both, plus the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater, in a single trip.

Suggested 10-day route

DaysWhereWhy
1NairobiArrive and rest
2–4Masai Mara, KenyaBig cats, migration (July–October), balloon safari
5Fly to TanzaniaCross into Tanzania by air and connect to the Serengeti
6–7SerengetiEndless plains, migration herds, predators
8–9Ngorongoro CraterA volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, including rare black rhino
10Arusha / KilimanjaroFly home from Kilimanjaro International (JRO)

The fastest way between the two countries is usually a short flight, either Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, or a bush flight that connects the parks. Overland border crossings at Namanga are possible but use up most of a day.

Timing the migration

  • July–October: the herds are mostly in the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti. This is the classic time for this combination.
  • December–March: the herds are in the southern Serengeti for the calving season. Spend more time in Tanzania, then finish in Kenya.

Our 7-Day Tanzania Great Migration Safari and 12-Day Ultimate East Africa are built around these patterns. For month-by-month detail, see the best time for a Kenya safari.

Visas and paperwork

You'll need a Kenya eTA and a Tanzania e-visa, both applied for online before travel. Allow plenty of time and carry printed copies. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months with blank pages.

How much does a 10-day Kenya and Tanzania safari cost?

Expect around USD 4,500–7,500 per person sharing for a mid-range to upper mid-range trip including internal flights, and considerably more for luxury camps. Park fees in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro are significant, so check they're included. They are in all our safaris. Live examples:

Add a beach finish

Many travellers end with three or four nights on Zanzibar, a short flight from Arusha or the Serengeti. It's a perfect way to unwind before the long flight home, especially for honeymooners. See our beach and bush safaris.

Who is this itinerary for?

  • First-timers with 10+ days who want to see the best of East Africa.
  • Photographers following the migration across the border.
  • Travellers from Australia and the US West Coast, for whom a longer trip makes the journey worthwhile.

Build your own Kenya and Tanzania safari or ask our team to plan the border crossing for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can you do Kenya and Tanzania in one trip?+

Yes. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are part of the same ecosystem. A 10–12 day trip comfortably covers both, usually with a short flight between them.

Do I need two visas for a Kenya and Tanzania safari?+

You need a Kenya eTA and a Tanzania e-visa. Apply for both online before travel.

Which is better, the Masai Mara or the Serengeti?+

Both are exceptional. The Mara is smaller, with a very high density of big cats and easy access from Nairobi. The Serengeti is vast and wild. Combining them gives you the full migration story.

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