The Great Migration does not recognize borders. The wildebeest and zebra move freely between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, following the rains and the fresh grass. For travellers who want the complete Migration experience, this 12-day Kenya and Tanzania migration safari combines both sides of the border. You will witness the dramatic Mara River crossings from the Kenyan side in the Masai Mara. You will then cross into Tanzania to experience the endless plains of the Serengeti, including the northern sector where the herds also cross the Mara River. This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari is designed for serious wildlife enthusiasts who want to maximise their chances of witnessing river crossings and to see the different landscapes of these two iconic reserves. You will stay in private conservancies on both sides, enjoying off road driving, night drives, and low vehicle density. Internal flights connect the parks, eliminating long road transfers.
This 12-day Kenya and Tanzania migration safari is divided into two parts. You begin in Kenya, spending five nights in the Masai Mara. You stay in a private conservancy, giving you access to the Mara River crossings while enjoying off road driving and night drives. You then fly to Tanzania for six nights in the Serengeti. You visit the northern Serengeti for more river crossings and the central Serengeti for resident predators. You also visit the Ngorongoro Crater for guaranteed Big Five sightings. Internal flights connect the parks, and you cross the border between Kenya and Tanzania by air.
| Day | Destination | Activities | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Masai Mara | Fly to Mara, afternoon game drive | Mara Conservancy Camp |
| 2 | Masai Mara | Full day game drive, river crossing search | Mara Conservancy Camp |
| 3 | Masai Mara | Full day game drive, river crossing search | Mara Conservancy Camp |
| 4 | Masai Mara | Morning game drive, afternoon night drive | Mara Conservancy Camp |
| 5 | Masai Mara | Full day game drive, river crossing search | Mara Conservancy Camp |
| 6 | Masai Mara to Serengeti | Fly to Serengeti, afternoon game drive | Serengeti Camp |
| 7 | Northern Serengeti | Full day game drive, river crossing search | Serengeti Camp |
| 8 | Northern Serengeti | Full day game drive, river crossing search | Serengeti Camp |
| 9 | Central Serengeti | Full day game drive, resident predators | Serengeti Camp |
| 10 | Ngorongoro Crater | Full day crater descent | Crater Rim Lodge |
| 11 | Lake Manyara or Tarangire | Afternoon game drive | Arusha Hotel |
| 12 | Arusha to Kilimanjaro | Transfer to airport, departure | – |
This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari offers several extraordinary highlights. You will witness the Great Migration river crossings on both sides of the Mara River. The crossings are unpredictable, but with five nights in the Masai Mara and three nights in the northern Serengeti, you have excellent chances. You will see the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater, where black rhino are reliably sighted. You will experience private conservancies in Kenya and private concessions in Tanzania, offering off road driving, night drives, and low vehicle density. You will fly between parks, saving days of driving. You will see the different landscapes of the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, from the rolling hills of the Mara to the endless plains of the Serengeti. This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari is the ultimate Migration experience.
Your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari begins at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. A Nomara Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to Wilson Airport for your flight to the Masai Mara. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the Mara airstrip, your guide will meet you. You transfer to your camp in a private conservancy, such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi, or Naboisho. After lunch, you depart for your afternoon game drive. Your guide will begin the search for the Migration herds along the Mara River. Overnight at your Mara conservancy camp.
You wake before dawn and depart by 6:00 AM. Your guide drives toward the Mara River, where the wildebeest herds are massing. Your guide monitors radio contact with other guides. When a crossing is reported, you move toward that location. The wait can be long. Herds gather on the banks, milling and hesitant. When the crossing happens, it happens quickly. Wildebeest plunge from high banks. Crocodiles strike. The far bank becomes a scramble of panicked hooves. You carry a picnic lunch, allowing you to stay out all day. Overnight at your Mara conservancy camp.
Your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari continues with another full day of game driving. The herds may have moved overnight. Your guide will have gathered intelligence from the guide network. You return to the Mara River, searching for herds gathering on the banks. Between crossing attempts, you explore other parts of the conservancy. You may find a leopard resting in a tree, a cheetah hunting on the plains, or a pride of lions sleeping in the shade. Overnight at your Mara conservancy camp.
You depart at dawn, heading toward the river. By late morning, you return to camp for breakfast and rest. The middle of the day is the hottest period, when most large mammals seek shade. In the late afternoon, you depart again. After sunset, you continue your drive with spotlights for a night drive. You may see hyenas hunting, leopards stalking, or a serval cat crossing the track. Overnight at your Mara conservancy camp.
You have one more full day of crossing hunting. You depart at dawn, heading toward the most promising crossing points. Even without a crossing, the Mara delivers. You will see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest. Your guide ensures you have the best possible experience. Overnight at your Mara conservancy camp.
After breakfast, you fly from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti. The flight connects through Kilimanjaro or Arusha. Upon arrival at the Serengeti airstrip, your Tanzanian guide meets you. You transfer to your camp in the northern Serengeti. After lunch, you depart for an afternoon game drive, beginning your search for the Migration on the Tanzanian side. Overnight in the northern Serengeti.
Your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari continues in the northern Serengeti. The Mara River also flows through this sector, and the wildebeest cross here as well. You have three nights in the northern Serengeti to maximise your chances of witnessing crossings on the Tanzanian side. The landscape is more remote than the Masai Mara, with fewer vehicles. You carry a picnic lunch and stay out all day. Overnight in the northern Serengeti.
You have another full day of game driving in the northern Serengeti. Your guide monitors the guide network for crossing activity. Between crossing attempts, you explore the riverine forests and open plains. You may see elephants, giraffes, and the resident predators. Overnight in the northern Serengeti.
Today you drive from the northern Serengeti to the central Seronera area. The central Serengeti has year round resident game, including large prides of lions and excellent leopard sightings. You take a full day game drive, stopping for a picnic lunch. The central Serengeti is known for its rocky kopjes, where lions love to lounge. You may also see cheetahs on the open plains. Overnight in the central Serengeti.
You wake early and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater. You descend into the crater at dawn for a full day game drive. The crater supports approximately 25,000 large mammals, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino. You can often see the Big Five in a single morning. You stop for a picnic lunch at the hippo pool. In the late afternoon, you ascend to the crater rim and drive to your lodge. Overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari continues with a morning game drive at either Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park. Lake Manyara is known for its tree climbing lions and flamingos. Tarangire is known for its elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. After your game drive, you drive to Arusha. Overnight at your Arusha hotel.
Your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari concludes today. After breakfast, you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Your guide will assist you with check in and bid you farewell.
For travellers booking a luxury Kenya and Tanzania migration safari, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In the Masai Mara: Angama Mara offers tented suites on the escarpment. Mahali Mzuri offers twelve tented suites in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. In the Serengeti: Singita Grumeti offers ultra luxury in the western corridor. Sayari Camp offers luxury in the northern Serengeti. On the Ngorongoro Crater rim: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offers suites with butler service. Prices range from USD 800 to USD 2,500 per night.
For travellers booking a mid range Kenya and Tanzania migration safari, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In the Masai Mara: Kicheche Mara Camp offers comfortable tents in the Mara North Conservancy. In the Serengeti: Serengeti Serena Lodge offers good value in the central Serengeti. Serengeti Kati Kati Camp offers a mobile tented experience. On the Ngorongoro Crater rim: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge offers comfortable rooms. Prices range from USD 300 to USD 600 per night.
This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari includes:
This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari excludes:
The best time for this Kenya and Tanzania migration safari is from July to October, when the wildebeest herds are in the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti. September and early October offer the best combination of crossing activity and manageable crowds. The dry season also offers the best weather conditions for game drives.
The cost depends on accommodation level and season. A mid range safari costs approximately USD 8,000 to USD 11,000 per person. A luxury safari costs approximately USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 per person. Nomara Safaris provides a detailed quotation based on your travel dates.
With five nights in the Masai Mara and three nights in the northern Serengeti, your chances are good but not guaranteed. Crossings are unpredictable. A longer stay increases your probability.
The East African Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, but not Tanzania. You need separate visas for Kenya and Tanzania. Apply online before travel.
Yes, yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into both Kenya and Tanzania. You will need to show your certificate at immigration.
Pack neutral coloured clothing, a fleece jacket for cool mornings, comfortable closed toe shoes, a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera with extra batteries.
This Kenya and Tanzania migration safari offers the ultimate Great Migration experience. You will witness river crossings on both sides of the Mara River, explore private conservancies and concessions, and see the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater. Contact Nomara Savaris to begin planning your Kenya and Tanzania migration safari. Tell us your preferred travel dates and group size. We will create a custom itinerary for you.