Quick Facts
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
|---|---|
| Countries | Kenya and Tanzania |
| Route | Nairobi → Masai Mara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha/Kilimanjaro |
| Style | Private safari — dedicated vehicle and guide, no shared seating |
| Vehicle | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser |
| Price From | USD 2,650–4,350 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | First-time East Africa travellers, couples, families, and small private groups |
A 7-day private safari through the Masai Mara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater, three of Africa's most concentrated wildlife regions, connected by one continuous ecosystem and one border crossing.
This itinerary is designed to cover ground efficiently without over-scheduling: two full days in the Mara, a full day in the Serengeti, and a full crater-floor morning at Ngorongoro. No destination is a drive-by.
Every departure runs in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with your own dedicated driver-guide. No shared vehicles, no fixed group schedules, no compromise on how long you stay at a sighting.
Safari Highlights
- 7 days / 6 nights across two countries, one continuous ecosystem
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with dedicated driver-guide throughout
- Two full days of Big Five game drives in the Masai Mara
- A full day exploring the Serengeti's Seronera region
- A full crater-floor morning at Ngorongoro, home to Africa's highest lion density
- Great Migration river crossings in season (July–October)
- Optional dawn hot air balloon safari over the Mara
- Coordinated Kenya–Tanzania border handover, fully managed by our team
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara
Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or JKIA. Private 4x4 transfer via the Great Rift Valley escarpment, approximately 5–6 hours, or a short scheduled flight.
Afternoon arrival, check-in, and an evening game drive to start ticking off the Big Five.
Day 2: Masai Mara — Full-Day Game Drive
Early departure before the 6am gate opening. Full day in the reserve tracking lion, leopard, and cheetah across the Mara's open plains.
Picnic lunch in the field to maximise drive time.
Day 3: Masai Mara — Second Full Day
Continued game viewing, with your guide targeting river-crossing zones (July–October) or resident predator territory year-round.
Optional Add-Ons
A dawn hot air balloon safari over the Mara, at an additional cost.
Day 4: Masai Mara → Isebania Border → Serengeti
Depart by 6:30am for the border crossing at Isebania/Sirari, open 24 hours, with processing typically taking 30–90 minutes. Your Kenyan guide hands off to your Tanzanian guide and vehicle at the border.
The final stretch into the Serengeti via the eastern gate doubles as an afternoon game drive.
Day 5: Serengeti — Full-Day Exploration
A full day in the Seronera region, the Serengeti's year-round wildlife hub, home to some of the highest lion and leopard densities in the park.
Guides track resident prides and kopje-dwelling leopards; migration-season travellers head north toward Kogatende for river-crossing activity.
Day 6: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Highlands
Morning game drive, then a scenic 3-hour transfer southeast to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Afternoon arrival at your crater-rim lodge, with views down into the 2,286-metre-high caldera.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Floor → Departure
Descend to the crater floor by 7am for up to 6 hours of game driving before the mandatory 1pm ascent, accompanied by a licensed NCAA guide. Target species: black rhino, dense lion prides, elephant in the Lerai Forest.
Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Pricing is per person, based on a shared private 4x4 Land Cruiser and mid-range/premium lodge accommodation. Larger private groups lower the per-person cost since vehicle and guide fees are split across more travellers.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May, November
- High SeasonDecember–March
- Peak SeasonJuly–October, Great Migration
Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $3,150 | $2,850 | $2,650 |
| High Season | $3,650 | $3,300 | $3,050 |
| Peak Season | $4,350 | $3,950 | $3,650 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with dedicated driver-guide throughout |
| ✓ | All park and conservancy entry fees (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) |
| ✓ | 6 nights' accommodation, full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) |
| ✓ | All ground transfers, including the Kenya–Tanzania border crossing handover |
| ✓ | Bottled water during game drives |
| ✓ | 24/7 support from our Nairobi-based team |
| ✗ | International and domestic flights |
| ✗ | Kenya and Tanzania e-visa fees |
| ✗ | Yellow fever vaccination |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff |
| ✗ | Optional activities (hot air balloon safari, cultural village visits) |
| ✗ | Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages) |
Getting There & Transit Logistics
Nairobi (NBO): Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the main entry point for the Kenya leg, with direct flights from London, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Doha.
Kilimanjaro (JRO): The standard exit point after the Ngorongoro leg, roughly 3 hours from the crater.
Cross-Border Logistics
The Kenya–Tanzania land crossing runs via Isebania/Sirari, open 24 hours. Bring your passport, a Tanzanian e-visa (apply at least 10 days ahead), and your yellow fever certificate.
Vehicles cannot cross the border. Your Kenyan Land Cruiser and guide hand off to a Tanzanian counterpart at the crossing point, coordinated entirely by our team.
Flying between the Mara and Serengeti (via Wilson Airport or the Keekorok airstrip) is available on request and cuts a 10-hour transfer day to under 3 hours.
Pre-Tour Recommendations
- Arrive in Nairobi at least one night before Day 1 to absorb jet lag before the early morning departure
- Apply for both e-visas online at least 10 days in advance (evisa.go.ke for Kenya, visa.immigration.go.tz for Tanzania)
- Pack neutral-coloured clothing and a warm layer — Ngorongoro's crater rim drops to around 10°C at night
