14-Day Kenya Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara to Serengeti Migration

Overview

This 14-day journey crosses Kenya and Tanzania, linking iconic parks like Aberdares, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Amboseli. You'll track wildlife across diverse landscapes, from misty highlands to endless plains. Expect realistic encounters shaped by the season, with time for game drives, walks, and cultural glimpses.

Safari Highlights

• Dawn patrols in Aberdares for forest elephants and rare bongos.
• Flamingo shores and rhino sightings at Lake Nakuru.
• Full days in Masai Mara chasing big cats amid migration routes.
• Serengeti plains teeming with wildebeest herds.
• Ngorongoro Crater descent and Olduvai Gorge history.
• Amboseli elephants against Kilimanjaro's silhouette.

Why This Safari Works Well

The route flows logically from Nairobi's highlands through Rift Valley lakes to Mara-Serengeti migration corridor, then south to crater and baobab country before looping back via Amboseli. It balances intensive game viewing with restful lodge stays, crossing borders smoothly. Seasoned travelers appreciate the mix of Kenya's intimate reserves and Tanzania's vast expanses.

Detailed 14-Day Kenya Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdares National Park

Meet your guide in Nairobi for a quick orientation, then drive into Aberdares' rugged terrain of peaks, valleys, moorlands, and rainforests. Afternoon game drives might reveal forest elephants, mountain bongos, buffaloes, or hyenas; watch for Aberdare cisticola and Jackson's francolin. Visit Chania and Kalulu Falls before returning to the lodge.

Meals: Lunch, dinner.
Stay: The Ark Lodge.

Day 2: Aberdares to Lake Nakuru National Park

Early breakfast, then head south with an equator viewpoint stop. Enter Lake Nakuru via game drive for lunch at the lodge. Afternoon exploration covers this Rift Valley gem—famed for birds, Rothschild giraffes, white and black rhinos. Climb Baboon Cliff or Lion Hill; spot Makalia Waterfalls.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

Morning game drive, breakfast by 9 AM, then drive to Lake Naivasha for lunch. Post-rest, guided walk in Hell's Gate reveals giraffes, eland, hartebeest, buffalo, gazelles up close. Optional bike ride or boat (extra cost) available.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Great Rift Valley Lodge.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

Breakfast checkout leads to Masai Mara via game drive en route to camp for lunch. Afternoon drive scans for Big Five, cheetahs, servals, hyenas, hippos, crocs, plus eagles, vultures, ostriches.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Enkakenya Camp.

Day 5: Full Day in Masai Mara

Early morning game drive from open-top vehicle targets active predators like lions and cheetahs. Picnic lunch in the bush, then continue into evening.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Enkakenya Camp.

Day 6: Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park

Breakfast and packed lunch for the Isebania border crossing. Afternoon game drive through Serengeti plains to camp.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Acacia Central Camp.

Days 7-8: Full Days in Serengeti

Two days of post-breakfast game drives across plains holding 3 million mammals. Track wildebeest-zebra migration, hippos, giraffes, elands, baboons. Picnic lunches extend the day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (both days).
Stay: Acacia Central Camp.

Day 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Packed lunch after breakfast; descend Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing among woodlands, lakes, gazelles, buffaloes, elephants, black-maned lions, leopards. Detour to Olduvai Gorge for ancient human fossils and tools.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.

Day 10: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park

Breakfast drive to Tarangire's nine vegetation zones and towering baobabs. Game drive spots tree-climbing pythons, gerenuks, dense elephant herds. Picnic lunch midway.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Tarangire Sopa Lodge.

Day 11: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park

Breakfast, packed lunch to Lake Manyara with en-route game drive. Head to Tree Canopy Walkway—a 370m path with suspension bridges rising 18m into the forest. Spot butterflies, monkeys, birds from viewing decks.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge.

Day 12: Lake Manyara to Amboseli National Park

Breakfast border crossing at Namanga (vehicle swap), picnic lunch en route. Afternoon Amboseli game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Ol Tukai Lodge.

Day 13: Full Day in Amboseli

Picnic lunch fuels all-day game drives in this elephant stronghold. Five habitats frame Mount Kilimanjaro views; optional Maasai community visit adds cultural depth.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Stay: Ol Tukai Lodge.

Day 14: Amboseli to Nairobi

Morning game drive, mid-morning departure to Nairobi for lunch and drop-off at hotel or airport.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Accommodation Style & Comfort

Lodges like The Ark and Ngorongoro Serena offer elevated views and bush immersion; camps such as Enkakenya and Acacia Central provide intimate savanna settings. All include en-suite facilities, full board, and reliable service suited to multi-day safaris.

Wildlife & Activities

Expect Big Five across parks, plus migration spectacles, birds, primates. Activities center on 4x4 game drives; extras like Hell's Gate walks or canopy bridges add variety. Sightings depend on season and luck—no guarantees.

Travel Pace & Distances

Moderate pace with 4-6 hour drives most days, broken by game viewing. Total ~2,000 km, including border crossings. Early starts maximize wildlife windows.

Best Time to Travel

June-October for dry season and peak migration; January-March for calving and green landscapes. Avoid April-May rains.

What’s Included

• Full board meals per itinerary.
• 4x4 Land Cruiser transport.
• English-speaking driver/guide.
• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Park fees, game drives, drinking water.
• Driver allowances, AMREF emergency evacuation.

What’s Not Included

• Visas, flights, tips.
• Drinks (beer, soda, wine, spirits).
• Extras: boat/bike rides, balloon safaris, Maasai village visits.
• Personal items.

Practical Notes for Travelers

Pack layers for highlands/chilly nights, binoculars, camera, sunscreen. Yellow fever certificate advised; malaria precautions essential. Borders require passports.