Overview
This 9-day Kenya and Tanzania migration safari follows the ancient path of over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes as they journey across the savannahs of Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Experience jaw-dropping predator-prey action, Big Five encounters, stunning landscapes, and cultural richness across East Africa’s most iconic parks.
This itinerary is perfect for witnessing the Great Migration (July–October in Maasai Mara, and December–July in Serengeti), while also offering full immersion into the African wilderness and community.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Nairobi’s international airport, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax and settle in before your safari begins.
Overnight: Nairobi
After breakfast, your guide will brief you on the adventure ahead before setting off for Amboseli National Park. You’ll arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive across the open plains. Amboseli is renowned for its large elephant populations and dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge
Wake early to catch the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro at sunrise, a truly memorable sight. After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive to search for lion, cheetah, giraffe, and buffalo. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest before heading out again in the afternoon. Amboseli’s dusty terrain and swampy patches make for dramatic contrasts and wildlife surprises.
Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge
Today you’ll cross into Tanzania, enjoying a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch en route. The park’s terrain shifts from groundwater forests to alkaline lake shores, attracting everything from pelicans and flamingos to elephants and baboons. Tree-climbing lions may be spotted sprawled across acacia branches, while the shores are dotted with pink clouds of migratory birds.
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
After breakfast, continue to the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most legendary reserves. After checking in at your lodge and enjoying lunch, head out on a game drive across the sweeping plains. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter the wildebeest migration as it moves in search of fresh grazing. The rhythm of the migration follows rainfall, making every sighting feel part of an ancient pattern in motion.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge
Spend the day exploring different sectors of the Serengeti, with morning and afternoon game drives. Watch for prides of lions basking in the sun, solitary leopards draped in fig trees, and herds of wildebeest stretching to the horizon. Between drives, return to the lodge for lunch and a short break. This is one of the best places on Earth to experience the wild on its own terms.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge
Begin with a morning drive through the Serengeti’s savannah before continuing toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After checking in at your lodge, descend into the crater for a half-day game drive. The basin of this ancient caldera hosts an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, hyenas, and massive bull elephants with sweeping tusks. The alkaline Lake Magadi in the center is often fringed with thousands of flamingos.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Spend a full day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch. The variety of habitats — from grassy plains to swamps and acacia woodlands — supports nearly every species found in East Africa. Large herds of zebra and wildebeest share the crater floor with predators and scavengers. Keep an eye out for elusive leopards along the rim and hippos lounging in the freshwater pools.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
After breakfast, begin the journey back to Nairobi with a picnic lunch en route. You’ll cross the border and continue to the city, where you’ll be dropped off at the airport for your onward flight or extended travels.
Inclusions
Includes
- 8 nights’ accommodation (full board on safari, half board in cities)
- All park entry fees and conservation charges
- Game drives in 4x4 pop-up safari vehicles (Kenya & Tanzania)
- Services of professional English-speaking guides
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- All road transfers, border crossing assistance
- Boat ride at Lake Naivasha (if added)
- Airport transfers in Nairobi and Arusha
Excludes
- International flights & visa fees (Kenya and Tanzania)
- Travel insurance
- Balloon safari (optional, available on request)
- Maasai/Samburu/Olduvai Gorge visit fees (optional)
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry, tips
- Extra nights in Nairobi or Arusha (bookable on request)
FAQs
The migration is a year-round phenomenon, but the most dramatic river crossings typically occur between July and October. Calving season happens from December to March in the southern Serengeti.
Ngorongoro is home to nearly all of the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant — as well as hyenas, jackals, zebras, hippos, and various antelope species.
The itinerary involves long drives but minimal walking. Game drives are done in 4×4 safari vehicles, making this suitable for most fitness levels.
Yes, this safari is child-friendly, though it’s most suitable for children over the age of 6 who can handle long drives and follow wildlife safety rules.