Local experts in Tanzania +255 767 617 986
Guest reviews
Safari Escort
Plan My Trip
12-Day Kenya and Tanzania Classic Safari Combined
Tanzania Safari

12-Day Kenya and Tanzania Classic Safari Combined

Safari price
From $7,990
Make an Enquiry
Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 12-Day Kenya and Tanzania Classic Safari Combined begins in Nairobi and finishes in Arusha. Its route includes Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around cultural encounters, with each overnight stop positioned for the next stage of the route.

Every safari day brings a different perspective on Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife. Explore the route below to see how activities, journeys between destinations and overnight stays fit together. Our local team can help you consider seasonal wildlife movements, the time available and accommodation preferences before you make a decision.

Where every day follows the rhythm of the journey
Cheetah in the grasslands of the Maasai Mara ecosystemMaasai Mara
Wildebeest moving across the plains of Serengeti National ParkSerengeti
Zebra and wildlife habitat inside Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater
Elephant habitat and baobab landscape in Tarangire National ParkTarangire
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Nairobi – Drive to Maasai Mara & Afternoon Game DriveSpend time with the history, people and traditions connected to this stage of the journey through a guided local experience.
  • Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara National ReserveSpend time with the history, people and traditions connected to this stage of the journey through a guided local experience.
  • Maasai Mara Wilderness ExplorationSpend time with the history, people and traditions connected to this stage of the journey through a guided local experience.
  • Maasai Mara – Drive to Northern SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • Full-Day Safari in Northern SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • Another Day in Northern SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi – Drive to Maasai Mara & Afternoon Game Drive

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

The scenic drive passes through the Great Rift Valley, with panoramic views and optional photo stops along the way. Arrive in the Mara in time for lunch, then head out for your first afternoon game drive. The golden plains may reward you with sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and perhaps a pride of lions.

Accommodation

Zebra River Camp

Zebra River Camp is a small tented property on a bend of the Talek River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. River-facing tents and private verandas keep the watercourse and surrounding woodland visible throughout the stay. Shared lounge, dining and campfire areas provide a comfortable base between game drives into the reserve. The camp is appropriate for cross-border itineraries that begin or end in the Maasai Mara before continuing toward the Serengeti and Tanzania’s northern circuit.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 02

Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rise early for a full-day exploration of the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich reserves. With a packed lunch, you’ll venture deep into the park, following herds of wildebeest and zebra as predators lurk nearby. Your guide will take you to prime areas for spotting cheetahs, leopards, and elephants. The Mara’s dramatic landscapes and sheer abundance of animals make every turn a photographic opportunity.

Accommodation

Zebra River Camp

Zebra River Camp is a small tented property on a bend of the Talek River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. River-facing tents and private verandas keep the watercourse and surrounding woodland visible throughout the stay. Shared lounge, dining and campfire areas provide a comfortable base between game drives into the reserve. The camp is appropriate for cross-border itineraries that begin or end in the Maasai Mara before continuing toward the Serengeti and Tanzania’s northern circuit.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 03

Maasai Mara Wilderness Exploration

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend another day in this wildlife paradise, exploring new areas and habitats. The morning drive might lead you to hippo pools, while the afternoon could bring encounters with the rare serval cat. Your guide will share insights about animal behavior, migration patterns, and the unique ecology of the region. A picnic lunch in the shade of an acacia tree keeps you close to the action.

Accommodation

Zebra River Camp

Zebra River Camp is a small tented property on a bend of the Talek River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. River-facing tents and private verandas keep the watercourse and surrounding woodland visible throughout the stay. Shared lounge, dining and campfire areas provide a comfortable base between game drives into the reserve. The camp is appropriate for cross-border itineraries that begin or end in the Maasai Mara before continuing toward the Serengeti and Tanzania’s northern circuit.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 04

Maasai Mara – Drive to Northern Serengeti

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, set off on a scenic cross-border drive from Kenya into Tanzania. You’ll pass through remote savannahs and rolling hills, crossing at the Isebania border post. Once inside Tanzania, the landscape gradually transforms into the wild beauty of the Northern Serengeti. This region is famed for the dramatic Mara River crossings of the Great Migration (seasonal).

Accommodation

Gnu Mara Migration Camp

Gnu Mara Migration Camp is a seasonal tented camp in Kogatende, northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River. The camp operates during the northern migration season, when wildlife movements and possible river crossings shape each day’s game-drive plan. En-suite tents face the savannah, while the bar and restaurant provide a central place for meals and evening relaxation. Its location is most relevant to itineraries travelling between June and mid-November and focusing on the northern Serengeti.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 05

Full-Day Safari in Northern Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to tracking the Great Migration (when in season) along the Mara River. Watch as wildebeest hesitate on the banks, then plunge into the water while crocodiles lie in wait. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas patrol the surrounding plains. Even outside migration season, the north offers outstanding year-round sightings of elephants, giraffes, and big cats. Your guide will position you perfectly for dramatic photography moments.

Accommodation

Gnu Mara Migration Camp

Gnu Mara Migration Camp is a seasonal tented camp in Kogatende, northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River. The camp operates during the northern migration season, when wildlife movements and possible river crossings shape each day’s game-drive plan. En-suite tents face the savannah, while the bar and restaurant provide a central place for meals and evening relaxation. Its location is most relevant to itineraries travelling between June and mid-November and focusing on the northern Serengeti.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 06

Another Day in Northern Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With fewer visitors than the central Serengeti, the northern region feels wild and untouched. Spend the day exploring riverine forests, open grasslands, and rocky outcrops where leopards may be resting. Your guide will tailor the day’s route to maximize sightings and match your interests. Expect encounters with elephants feeding on acacia branches, large buffalo herds, and perhaps a lion pride lounging in the morning sun. The evening ends with a campfire under a dazzling sky.

Accommodation

Gnu Mara Migration Camp

Gnu Mara Migration Camp is a seasonal tented camp in Kogatende, northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River. The camp operates during the northern migration season, when wildlife movements and possible river crossings shape each day’s game-drive plan. En-suite tents face the savannah, while the bar and restaurant provide a central place for meals and evening relaxation. Its location is most relevant to itineraries travelling between June and mid-November and focusing on the northern Serengeti.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 07

Northern Serengeti – Drive to Central Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, head south into the central Serengeti, enjoying game drives along the way. This area is renowned for its large predator populations and classic savannah landscapes. Keep your eyes open for cheetahs sprinting across the plains and hyenas patrolling for an easy meal. Spend the evening enjoying a warm meal and sharing stories of the day’s sightings.

Accommodation

Mawe Tented Camp

Mawe Tented Camp is located in the central-eastern Serengeti near the Ngarenanyuki River and the Namiri Plains region. The position provides access to open grassland and big-cat habitat while remaining within reach of wider central Serengeti game-drive circuits. En-suite canvas tents and a central mess area keep the stay intimate and closely connected to the park. It suits year-round Serengeti itineraries that need a stable base rather than a camp that relocates with the migration.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 08

Full-Day Safari in Central Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start at sunrise to catch predators returning from a night’s hunt. The central Serengeti is a photographer’s dream, with sweeping grasslands dotted by lone acacia trees. You’ll likely see lions lounging on kopjes, leopards draped over tree branches, and herds of elephants moving through the golden light. Your guide will shape the route around current wildlife activity, road conditions and the best available viewing areas. Stops are unhurried, allowing time to observe animal behaviour, photograph the landscape and understand how the park’s habitats connect. Rather than chasing a checklist, the day follows the rhythms of the ecosystem and the guide’s local knowledge. Breaks are arranged at suitable points while keeping the experience comfortable, focused and respectful of the wildlife.

Accommodation

Mawe Tented Camp

Mawe Tented Camp is located in the central-eastern Serengeti near the Ngarenanyuki River and the Namiri Plains region. The position provides access to open grassland and big-cat habitat while remaining within reach of wider central Serengeti game-drive circuits. En-suite canvas tents and a central mess area keep the stay intimate and closely connected to the park. It suits year-round Serengeti itineraries that need a stable base rather than a camp that relocates with the migration.

LocationSerengetiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 09

Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early departure takes you to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most unique ecosystems. Descend 600 meters into the lush crater floor for a game drive among rhinos, hippos, wildebeest, and large antelope herds. Predators roam freely here, and you might even spot a serval cat in the grasslands. After a picnic lunch, ascend and drive to Karatu for a relaxing evening in the cool highlands.

Accommodation

Karatu Tented Lodge

Karatu Tented Lodge is set near Rhotia in the cultivated highlands between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. Tented rooms and garden spaces provide a softer transition between the open safari plains and the cooler agricultural landscape around Karatu. A central restaurant and shared areas support meals, packed lunches and relaxed evenings before an early departure. The location makes it useful for itineraries linking Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti by road.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleTented safari camp
Day 10

Karatu – Drive to Tarangire & Afternoon Game Drive

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Head to Tarangire National Park, known for its vast elephant herds and ancient baobabs. Your afternoon game drive may reveal lions resting in the shade, giraffes stretching for treetop leaves, and large numbers of migratory birds. The Tarangire River draws wildlife from miles around, especially in the dry season. Your guide will shape the route around current wildlife activity, road conditions and the best available viewing areas. Stops are unhurried, allowing time to observe animal behaviour, photograph the landscape and understand how the park’s habitats connect. Rather than chasing a checklist, the day follows the rhythms of the ecosystem and the guide’s local knowledge. Breaks are arranged at suitable points while keeping the experience comfortable, focused and respectful of the wildlife.

Accommodation

Baobab Tarangire Camp

Baobab Tarangire Camp is a tented safari base inside the Tarangire ecosystem, where ancient baobabs and the Tarangire River define the landscape. The camp’s position reduces the need for a long return transfer after a full game drive and keeps the next morning close to wildlife country. Guest tents provide private sleeping space while the shared mess area handles meals and evening relaxation. It is a practical match for itineraries focused on elephants, seasonal wildlife concentrations and Tarangire’s dry-country scenery.

LocationTarangireStay styleTented safari camp
Day 11

Tarangire – Morning Game Drive & Return to Karatu

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a morning drive while the park is alive with activity. Elephants bathe in muddy waterholes, impalas graze peacefully, and warthogs trot between the trees. With luck, you might see a leopard slipping through the tall grass. Your guide will shape the route around current wildlife activity, road conditions and the best available viewing areas. Stops are unhurried, allowing time to observe animal behaviour, photograph the landscape and understand how the park’s habitats connect. Rather than chasing a checklist, the day follows the rhythms of the ecosystem and the guide’s local knowledge. Breaks are arranged at suitable points while keeping the experience comfortable, focused and respectful of the wildlife.

Accommodation

Karatu Tented Lodge

Karatu Tented Lodge is set near Rhotia in the cultivated highlands between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. Tented rooms and garden spaces provide a softer transition between the open safari plains and the cooler agricultural landscape around Karatu. A central restaurant and shared areas support meals, packed lunches and relaxed evenings before an early departure. The location makes it useful for itineraries linking Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti by road.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleTented safari camp
Day 12

Karatu – Lake Manyara – Arusha (Drop-Off)

  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart early for Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-filled lake. Drive through lush groundwater forests and open floodplains, spotting elephants, hippos, and playful baboons. After a picnic lunch, continue to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your East African adventure.

Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All Park and conservation fees
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with expert driver-guide
  • Game drives as per itinerary
  • 11 nights in hand-picked safari accommodations
  • All meals as stated
  • Drinking water during game drives, Soft Drinks
  • Airport/hotel transfers in Nairobi and Arusha
Not included

Additional costs

  • International flights, Cross-border visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari)
  • Personal expenses
Safari Escort safari specialist
Local Safari Expert

Ready to shape this trip around you?

Speak directly with our local safari team and let us tailor the trip around your travel plans.

Chat with a Safari Expert
10-Day Great Migration & Big Five Safari Across Kenya and Tanzania
Tanzania Safari

10-Day Great Migration & Big Five Safari Across Kenya and Tanzania

From $7,270View Safari
3-Day Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam with Maasai Experience
Tanzania Safari

3-Day Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam with Maasai Experience

From $650View Safari
21-Day Southern, Northern & Zanzibar Beach Midrange Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari

21-Day Southern, Northern & Zanzibar Beach Midrange Tanzania Safari

From $9,890View Safari
Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our safari team

12 days / 11 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $7,990 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Northern Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Central Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania), Karatu Highlands (Tanzania), Tarangire National Park (Tanzania), Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania)

Zebra River Camp, Gnu Mara Migration Camp, Mawe Tented Camp, Karatu Tented Lodge, Baobab Tarangire Camp. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.