Kenya & Tanzania · 12 days · Midrange
12 Days Kenya & Tanzania Grand Circuit - Midrange
Twelve days on the grand circuit of two countries: three nights in the Maasai Mara, the Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- Duration
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Countries
- Kenya, Tanzania
- Starts
- Nairobi
- Ends
- Arusha
- Tier
- Midrange
- Format
- Private safari
01 / Overview
The journey in brief.
Twelve days on the grand circuit of two countries: three nights in the Maasai Mara, the Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
This 12-day midrange itinerary starts in Nairobi and ends in Arusha, crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Accommodation: Overnight at the lodge.
- Ideal for
- Longer trips · Wildlife variety
- Safari style
- Midrange · Private
Destination guides: Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Route
Nairobi
Start
Maasai Mara
Stop 1
Lake Nakuru
Stop 2
Lake Naivasha
Stop 3
Amboseli
Stop 4
Tarangire
Stop 5
Serengeti
Stop 6
Ngorongoro
Stop 7
Arusha
Finish
02 / Highlights
What stays with you.
- 01
Three nights in the Maasai Mara
- 02
Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha
- 03
Amboseli and Tarangire
- 04
Serengeti and Ngorongoro
03 / Day by day
Travel it day by day.
12 days · driving times are approximate
Day 1 · Approx. 5–6 hours by road
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Collection from your Nairobi hotel or the airport for a short briefing, then drive via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and Narok (lunch stop) to the Maasai Mara. Check in and relax before an afternoon game drive until sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Maasai Mara — Overnight at the lodge
Day 2
Full day in the Maasai Mara
A full day exploring the Mara's grasslands with a picnic lunch, often near the hippo pools of the Mara River. Resident lions, cheetahs, elephants and plains game are present all year; the migration herds usually arrive around July to October.
- Full-day game drive
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Maasai Mara — Overnight at the lodge
Day 3
Full day in the Maasai Mara
A full day exploring the Mara's grasslands with a picnic lunch, often near the hippo pools of the Mara River. Resident lions, cheetahs, elephants and plains game are present all year; the migration herds usually arrive around July to October.
- Full-day game drive
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Maasai Mara — Overnight at the lodge
Day 4 · Approx. 5 hours by road
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Morning game drive, then drive to Nakuru.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Lake Nakuru — Overnight at the lodge
Day 5
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Game drive at Lake Nakuru, then the short drive to Lake Naivasha for an optional boat ride.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Lake Naivasha — Overnight at the lodge
Day 6 · Approx. 6 hours by road
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
Drive via Nairobi to Amboseli.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Amboseli — Overnight at the lodge
Day 7
Full day in Amboseli
Morning and afternoon game drives.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Amboseli — Overnight at the lodge
Day 8 · Approx. 6–7 hours including the border
Amboseli to Tarangire
Cross the Namanga border and continue to the Tarangire area.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Tarangire — Overnight at the lodge
Day 9 · Full travel day
Tarangire to the Serengeti
Morning in Tarangire, then drive to the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro highlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 10
Full day in the Serengeti
A full day on the plains with a picnic lunch.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Overnight at the lodge
Day 11
Serengeti to the Ngorongoro rim
Morning game drive, then drive to the crater rim.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Ngorongoro — Overnight at the lodge
Day 12
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Descend about 600 metres onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a game drive among its resident lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, zebra and wildebeest, and one of Tanzania's few black rhino populations. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Continue to Arusha for your onward journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch
- Overnight
- End of safari
04 / Where you stay
Comfortable lodges.
Where the itinerary says “overnight at the lodge”, we propose specific lodges with your quotation, based on your dates, preferences and availability.
- Maasai Mara3 nights
Overnight at the lodge
- Lake Nakuru1 night
Overnight at the lodge
- Lake Naivasha1 night
Overnight at the lodge
- Amboseli2 nights
Overnight at the lodge
- Tarangire1 night
Overnight at the lodge
- Serengeti2 nights
Overnight at the lodge
- Ngorongoro1 night
Overnight at the lodge
Quick planning facts
- Duration
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Countries
- Kenya, Tanzania
- Starts
- Nairobi
- Ends
- Arusha
- Tier
- Midrange
- Format
- Private safari
- Accommodation
- Overnight at the lodge
- Best for
- Longer trips · Wildlife variety
05 / What’s included
Clear from the start.
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi (hotel or airport)
- Transport in 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs in Kenya and Tanzania
- Services of professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Meals as listed day by day
- Park and conservation area entry fees for the areas visited
- Game drives as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Kenya and Tanzania visas
06 / Pricing
Honest, complete pricing.
This safari is priced on request. Your quotation covers the complete 12-day package, with the inclusions and exclusions shown on this page.
Price on request
Pricing depends on your dates, group size and accommodation. We will send a clear quote for the complete package.
Optional extras (not included)
- Maasai village visitPaid directly to the community; price confirmed when you book.
- Hot-air balloon safari over the Maasai MaraEarly-morning flight with bush breakfast; quoted on request.
- Olduvai Gorge museum visitEntrance paid on the day; price confirmed when you book.
- Maasai village visitQuoted on request
- Serengeti hot-air balloon safariQuoted on request, subject to availability.
07 / Good to know
Questions, answered.
Important notes
- Cross-border itineraries require valid visas or electronic travel authorisations for both Kenya and Tanzania. Border formalities at Namanga (or Isebania) usually take 30–90 minutes; your consultant will confirm the current entry requirements for your nationality.
- Lodges are proposed with your quotation, based on your dates, budget and availability.
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will adapt the day to recent sightings, weather and road conditions.
- Driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions, stops and wildlife encountered along the way.
- Park and conservancy fees are set by the authorities and may change; any change is passed on at cost.
How much does this safari cost?
This 12-day safari is priced on request because rates depend on your dates, group size and accommodation. Send us your details and we will reply with a full quotation for the complete package.
Where does the safari start and finish?
It starts in Nairobi and finishes in Arusha.
Is this a private or group-joining safari?
This itinerary is quoted as a private safari with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
What accommodation is used?
The itinerary shows where you stay each night. Lodges are proposed with your quotation, based on your dates, preferences and availability.
Can this itinerary be changed?
Yes. Dates, pace, accommodation level and the order of stops can usually be adjusted. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.
Do I need visas for both countries?
Most travellers need entry authorisation for both Kenya and Tanzania. Requirements depend on nationality and change from time to time, so check official sources; we will remind you when you book.
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Ready to make this journey yours?
Tell us your dates, group size and travel style and our Nairobi team will tailor the safari.