9 Days 8 Nights Kenya and Tanzania Combined Safari Itinerary

Description

9 Days 8 Nights Kenya and Tanzania Combined Safari Itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of East Africa with this exclusive 9-day, 8-night combined safari. This carefully curated itinerary is designed to offer a seamless and immersive journey, blending the iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes of both Kenya and Tanzania. From the vast, golden plains of the Maasai Mara to the dramatic beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, this safari promises a diverse and thrilling experience. You will travel in comfort and style in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide who will bring the magic of the wilderness to life. This detailed day-by-day plan provides a glimpse into the incredible journey that awaits, complete with accommodation details, travel times, and an overview of what is included and excluded.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya

Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, you will be met with a warm Kenyan welcome by your dedicated safari representative. After a long flight, your private transfer will be waiting to take you directly to your accommodation. You will check into The Boma Hotel Nairobi, a comfortable and modern hotel located conveniently close to the airport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to rest and acclimate to the East African rhythm. You can enjoy the hotel’s amenities or explore a nearby restaurant for dinner at your own expense.

Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Nairobi
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha’s Tranquil Shores

After a delicious breakfast, your journey begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha. The drive takes approximately 2 hours (100 km) and offers a stunning descent down the Great Rift Valley escarpment. We will make a stop at a panoramic viewpoint for a fantastic photo opportunity. Upon arrival, you will check into the beautiful Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, where you will enjoy lunch. The afternoon is dedicated to an exciting boat ride on Lake Naivasha, where you will get up close with hippos and a myriad of birdlife. An optional activity is a visit to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary for a guided walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest.

Drive time: Approx. 2 hours (100 km)
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Journey to the Legendary Maasai Mara

Today, we head to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. Following an early morning pickup from your lodge, the journey by road is approximately 280 km, taking about 6-7 hours, with a packed lunch en route. Upon arrival and check-in at your lodge, you’ll have a short time to settle in before embarking on your first afternoon game drive. The Maasai Mara’s vast savannahs are teeming with wildlife, and your expert guide will help you search for the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo, among many others. The day concludes with a satisfying dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in the heart of the Mara.

Drive time: Approx. 6-7 hours (280 km)
Accommodation: Mara Crossings Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Full Day of Exploration in the Maasai Mara

Wake up to the sounds of the African bush and head out for an early morning game drive, a prime time for spotting predators on the hunt. The rest of the day is dedicated to a full-day game drive, exploring deeper into the Mara with a delicious picnic lunch served in the bush. This day offers the best chance to witness the spectacular Great Migration (seasonal) and capture incredible photographs. For an additional cost, you can choose to take an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn, offering a breathtaking aerial perspective of the plains below.

Accommodation: Mara Crossings Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

After an early breakfast, we begin the cross-border journey from Kenya to Tanzania. The drive to the Isebania border crossing takes approximately 3-4 hours (150 km). Here, you will complete immigration procedures and meet your Tanzanian driver-guide, who will be your companion for the next part of the safari. The drive to Central Serengeti (Seronera area) is about 4-5 hours (150 km) through the western corridor, with game viewing en route. We’ll arrive at your lodge in time for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Drive time: Approx. 7-9 hours total, including border formalities
Accommodation: Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Discovering the Endless Plains of the Serengeti

Today is dedicated to exploring the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, a place of extraordinary natural beauty and an unparalleled density of wildlife. Your full-day game drive will take you across the vast plains in search of Africa’s iconic big cats, herds of elephants, giraffes, and much more. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. For an extra cost, a hot air balloon safari at sunrise offers an unforgettable perspective of the Serengeti’s expansive landscape.

Accommodation: Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Following an early breakfast, we’ll enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti as we make our way towards the majestic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The scenic drive to the crater rim is approximately 3.5-4.5 hours (145 km). On the way, you have the option to visit a Maasai Boma to learn about their unique culture or stop at the Olduvai Gorge, the site of some of the earliest human fossil discoveries (entry fees apply). We’ll arrive at Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp, located right on the crater rim, in time for dinner and to take in the breathtaking views.

Drive time: Approx. 3.5-4.5 hours (145 km)
Accommodation: Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, then to Amboseli

Today is a highlight of the safari as we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, an incredible natural wonder often called the “Garden of Eden.” This is one of the best places in Africa to spot the endangered black rhino, along with a high concentration of other animals. A picnic lunch is served on the crater floor. After the game drive, we begin our long journey back into Kenya, driving to the Namanga border (approx. 6-7 hours, 290 km). After completing immigration formalities and meeting your Kenyan guide again, we continue to Amboseli National Park (approx. 1.5-2 hours, 90 km). You will check into your lodge for dinner and a much-needed rest.

Drive time: Approx. 7.5-9 hours total, including border formalities
Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Amboseli’s Elephants and Departure

Your final day begins with an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park. This is the best time of day to capture those iconic photographs of large herds of elephants with the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. After a final safari breakfast and some leisure time, we begin the drive back to Nairobi (approx. 4-5 hours, 230 km). You will be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or a Nairobi hotel for your onward flight home, filled with incredible memories of your East African adventure.

Drive time: Approx. 4-5 hours (230 km)
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser (Kenya & Tanzania) with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
All park entry fees (Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Amboseli).
Accommodation on a full-board basis (as specified).
Bottled drinking water during game drives.
Cross-border transfers at Isebania and Namanga.
Crater service fees (Ngorongoro).
Game drives as per the itinerary.
Airport pick-up and drop-off.
Government taxes and levies.

Exclusions