Cross-Border Mara-Serengeti Explorer
Follow the wildebeest migration from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti in this cross-border expedition.
Follow the wildebeest migration from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti in this cross-border expedition.
This 7-day expedition follows the great wildebeest migration across two countries, from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. You will witness the herds at different stages of their journey, cross an international border by road, and experience two of Africa's most celebrated wildlife areas. This is the ultimate migration safari for those who want the complete picture.
This safari is led by experienced local guides who have spent their lives in the bush. They know where the herds are moving, which waterholes are active, and where to find the big cats at first light. Every drive is timed to the rhythm of the land, not a fixed schedule.
Accommodations are handpicked for their location, comfort, and connection to the surrounding landscape. You will stay in lodges and camps that sit within or on the edge of the reserves, putting you close to the action from morning to night.
Tour Highlights
Best Time to Visit
Physical Rating
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Stay: Mara Engai LodgeFly from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. Transfer to Mara Engai Lodge and settle in. After lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive across the Mara plains. The Mara is teeming with wildlife, and your guide will introduce you to the key species and landscapes you will encounter over the coming days.
Maasai Mara Full Day
Stay: Mara Engai LodgeA full day exploring the Maasai Mara, focusing on the migration herds and the predators that follow them. Your guide will take you to remote areas of the reserve where few tourists venture, increasing your chances of rare sightings. A bush lunch is served in a scenic spot along the Mara River.
Mara to Serengeti
Stay: Serengeti Serena LodgeCross the border into Tanzania at the Isebania gate, a unique experience as you drive from one country to another. The landscape transitions from the Mara's rolling hills to the Serengeti's vast open plains. Arrive at Serengeti Serena Lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive introduces you to the Serengeti ecosystem, where the migration herds are often found in large concentrations.
Serengeti Full Day
Stay: Serengeti Serena LodgeA full day exploring the Serengeti, one of the most famous wildlife areas on Earth. The park covers 14,763 square kilometers of grasslands, woodlands, and kopjes (rocky outcrops). Your guide will take you to the kopjes where lions often rest, and to the river crossings where crocodiles wait for the herds. The sense of space and wildlife density in the Serengeti is unmatched.
Serengeti Central
Stay: Serengeti Serena LodgeExplore the central Serengeti, the heart of the ecosystem. Visit the Seronera area, where the Serengeti's largest concentration of predators resides. The rocky outcrops provide excellent vantage points for lions, and the riverine forests harbor leopards. The open plains are home to vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's gazelles.
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Stay: Ngorongoro Serena LodgeDrive from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater, a journey through changing landscapes from open plains to montane forest. Arrive at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, perched on the rim of the crater with spectacular views. The afternoon is at leisure, with opportunities to walk along the crater rim and photograph the dramatic scenery.
Ngorongoro and Departure
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most concentrated wildlife areas in Africa. The crater floor is home to over 25,000 animals, including lions, elephants, rhinos, and flamingos. After a full morning of game viewing, drive to Arusha for your flight back to Nairobi.
Tour Highlights
- 7 days / 6 nights full-board safari
- 7 guided game drives included
- Expert English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4x4 transport with pop-up roof
- All park fees and conservation levies
What's Included
- All park entrance fees and conservation levies
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Meals and daily game drives as per the program
- Private 4x4 safari transport with pop-up roof
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas and vaccinations
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses
Tailor this safari to you
Adjust dates, accommodation level, group type (private or join-in), or combine this tour with other destinations. Our team will shape a program around exactly how you want to travel.
Every safari we offer can be tailored to match your preferences. Whether you want to travel on specific dates, upgrade your lodge, change the pace of the itinerary, or add a beach extension after the game drives - we will make it happen. There is no extra charge for customization on any of our tours.
You can travel privately with just your group and a dedicated guide, or join a shared departure to meet fellow travelers and keep costs down. If you have special interests - photography, birdwatching, honeymoon celebrations, or a family trip with children - let us know and we will build those into the plan.
Want to see more of East Africa? We can extend this safari with extra days on the Kenyan coast, a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, a gorilla trek in Uganda, or a island stay in Zanzibar. Just tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a proposal within 24 hours.
Need Help Planning?
Our safari specialists can tailor any itinerary to your budget, dates, and interests - at no extra cost.
- Free customization on all tours
- Response within 24 hours
- Flexible payment plans available
- Cancel up to 30 days before departure
The Unmissable Places of Your Trip
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Fly from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. Transfer to Mara Engai Lodge and settle in. After lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive across the Mara plains. The Mara is teeming with wildlife, and your guide will introduce you to the key species and landscapes you will encounter over the coming days.
Maasai Mara Full Day
A full day exploring the Maasai Mara, focusing on the migration herds and the predators that follow them. Your guide will take you to remote areas of the reserve where few tourists venture, increasing your chances of rare sightings. A bush lunch is served in a scenic spot along the Mara River.
Mara to Serengeti
Cross the border into Tanzania at the Isebania gate, a unique experience as you drive from one country to another. The landscape transitions from the Mara's rolling hills to the Serengeti's vast open plains. Arrive at Serengeti Serena Lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive introduces you to the Serengeti ecosystem, where the migration herds are often found in large concentrations.
Bush Breakfast Under the Acacias
A fully prepared breakfast served in the wild - fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, and coffee with panoramic savanna views.
Sundowner Drinks on the Savanna
Watch the sun melt into the horizon with a cold drink in hand - a signature end to every Mara day.
Nyama Choma at a Mara Boma
Grilled meats, ugali, and sukuma wiki served around a fire - traditional Kenyan fare cooked the old way.
Mara Engai Lodge
Premium lodge with en-suite rooms, pool, and uninterrupted wildlife views.
Mara Engai Lodge
Premium lodge with en-suite rooms, pool, and uninterrupted wildlife views.
Serengeti Serena Lodge
Premium lodge with en-suite rooms, pool, and uninterrupted wildlife views.
Great Migration River Crossing
Position yourself at the Mara River for one of nature's most dramatic spectacles - thousands of wildebeest braving the crossing.
Big Cat Safari at Dawn
Follow lions and leopards as they return from night hunts across the open grasslands of the Mara Triangle.
Mara River Hippo & Croc Trail
Track hippos in deep pools and giant crocodiles basking on sandy banks along the legendary Mara River.
Savanna Sunrise Walk
Walk the open grasslands at dawn with Maasai guides - spot tracks, birds, and small mammals as the plains come alive.
Oloolaimutia Hills Ridge Trail
Climb the slopes of the Oloolaimutia Hills for panoramic views of the Mara reserve stretching to the horizon.
Mara Riverbank Trail
Follow the life-giving Mara River through riverine forest - spot colobus monkeys, fish eagles, and hippo pools.
Get Instant Travel Tips
from Sangare Community
Maasai Mara National Reserve Quick Tips
Best Time to Visit
Visit during the dry season (June to October) for prime wildlife viewing as animals gather near water sources. The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara peaks between July and September, while November–December offers lush scenery and excellent birdwatching.
Spoken Language
English and Swahili (Kiswahili) are widely spoken across Kenya. Your expert Sangare driver-guide is fluent in English and will seamlessly manage all local interactions so you can fully relax and enjoy your safari experience.
Details About Weather
Nights and early morning game drives can be crisp (10°C–14°C). Temperatures rise by midday to a warm 25°C–28°C under direct sun. Dressing in layers allows you to easily adjust as temperatures change throughout the day.
What to Take for Tour
Pack neutral, earth-toned clothing (khaki, olive, tan) - avoid dark blue or black. Essential gear includes high-SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses, warm fleece jacket, binoculars (8x42 or 10x42), and camera with zoom lens.
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