7-Day Maasai Mara & Serengeti Fly-In Safari | Kenya–Tanzania

Experience a 7-day fly-in Maasai Mara and Serengeti safari with bush flights, luxury accommodation, Big Five wildlife, Great Migration opportunities and a Kenya–Tanzania itinerary ending in Arusha.

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Luxury Fly-In Safari Across Kenya and Tanzania

Maasai Mara Wildlife, Serengeti Plains & Seamless Bush Flights

The 7-Day Fly-In Maasai Mara & Serengeti Safari combines two of East Africa’s most renowned wildlife destinations while reducing the amount of time spent on long road transfers.

Starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha, the safari takes you from Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, with carefully planned transfers and scheduled bush flights where applicable.

The result is a safari designed around more time in the wilderness, longer game-viewing opportunities and premium accommodation options, rather than spending several days travelling between destinations by road.

This itinerary is particularly suitable for honeymooners, couples, wildlife photographers, luxury travelers, repeat Africa visitors and travelers with limited time who want to experience both Kenya and Tanzania in one journey.

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti are part of the wider Mara–Serengeti ecosystem, an interconnected landscape known for large herbivore populations, predators, birdlife and seasonal wildlife movements. The Great Migration may also be incorporated into the itinerary depending on the time of year and where the herds are located.

Safari Highlights

Fly into the Maasai Mara to reduce road travel
Explore the Maasai Mara and Serengeti on one cross-border safari
Spend multiple nights in each major wildlife destination
Luxury and premium accommodation options
Excellent opportunities for Big Five wildlife viewing
Seasonal opportunities to see the Great Migration
Dedicated time for wildlife photography
Scenic bush flights across East African landscapes
Ideal for honeymooners and special-occasion travel
Private safari options available
Kenya–Tanzania cross-border safari experience
End your safari in Arusha with optional Tanzania extensions

Route Overview

Nairobi → Fly to Maasai Mara → Maasai Mara → Kenya–Tanzania border → Serengeti → Arusha

7-Day Maasai Mara & Serengeti Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Bush Flight

Your safari begins in Nairobi with a transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to the Maasai Mara.The flight provides an aerial perspective of Kenya's landscapes as you travel toward the Mara ecosystem. Flight duration and routing depend on the airline, aircraft and selected airstrip.On arrival, meet your safari guide and begin your first game-viewing experience, either with a game drive en route to your accommodation or according to the day's flight and lodge schedule.The Maasai Mara is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including:LionsElephantsBuffaloGiraffesZebrasWildebeestHipposHyenasGazelles and other antelopeNumerous bird speciesSpend the evening at your selected Maasai Mara camp or lodge.Overnight: Maasai Mara

Day 2: Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari

Wake up to your first full day in the Maasai Mara.Depending on your interests and accommodation location, the day can be arranged around morning and afternoon game drives or an extended wildlife-viewing excursion with a picnic lunch.The Mara's open grasslands provide excellent habitat for large herbivores and predators.Wildlife you may encounter includes lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and numerous smaller mammals.During the Great Migration season, the Mara can also receive large numbers of wildebeest and zebra moving through the ecosystem. River crossings are seasonal and unpredictable, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.Overnight: Maasai Mara

Day 3: Extended Maasai Mara Wildlife Experience

Enjoy another full day exploring the Maasai Mara.Having a second full day allows your guide to explore different areas rather than concentrating all your wildlife viewing into one game drive.The day can be tailored around your interests, including:Predator trackingWildlife photographyBirdwatchingExploring different sections of the reserveSearching for elephants and giraffesFollowing seasonal wildlife movementsLonger game-viewing sessionsPhotographers can also work with their guide to plan around the best available morning and afternoon light.For travelers seeking a slower pace, the day can include time at the camp or lodge between game drives.Overnight: Maasai Mara

Day 4: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey from Kenya toward Tanzania.The day's arrangements will depend on your selected routing, border procedures, flight schedules and vehicle logistics. Your safari team will coordinate the required Kenya–Tanzania border arrangements and onward transfer into the Serengeti.Once in Tanzania, continue toward Serengeti National Park, where the landscape gradually opens into the vast plains for which the Serengeti is famous.Depending on arrival time and routing, an afternoon game drive may be possible.The Serengeti supports large populations of herbivores and predators, with wildlife distribution changing according to rainfall, water availability, grazing conditions and season.Overnight: Serengeti National Park

Day 5: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti.Morning game drives are particularly useful for finding wildlife when temperatures are cooler and many animals are active. After a break for lunch, continue with afternoon wildlife viewing.Possible sightings include:LionsLeopardsCheetahsElephantsBuffaloWildebeestZebrasGiraffesHyenasGazelles and other antelopeThe Serengeti's open plains also provide excellent opportunities for landscape photography, particularly around sunrise and sunset.Your guide will adjust the day's route according to recent wildlife sightings, seasonal conditions and your interests.Overnight: Serengeti National Park

Day 6: Extended Serengeti Wildlife Experience

Enjoy another full day in the Serengeti.With additional time in the park, you can explore areas that may not have been visited on the previous day and spend longer following interesting wildlife activity.Depending on the season and location of the herds, you may encounter areas associated with the Great Migration.The migration is a year-round movement rather than a single event, and the exact location of the herds changes according to rainfall and grazing conditions. Your safari guide will help determine the most appropriate area to explore during your visit.For photographers, additional time in the Serengeti provides opportunities to work with different lighting conditions and wildlife behavior without having to rush between destinations.Overnight: Serengeti National Park

Day 7: Serengeti to Arusha

Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before beginning your journey toward Arusha.Depending on your selected itinerary and flight arrangements, your transfer to Arusha can be organized by scheduled bush flight or road connection.A flight option can be particularly useful for travelers who want to preserve the fly-in character of the safari and arrive in Arusha with more of the day remaining.Your safari concludes in Arusha, where you can continue with another Tanzania experience.Possible extensions include:Zanzibar beach holidayMount Kilimanjaro trekkingAdditional Tanzania safari daysLake ManyaraTarangire National ParkNgorongoro Crater

What’s Included

Scheduled bush flight from Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Selected internal bush flights where included in the final itinerary
4×4 safari vehicle during road-based safari sections
Professional English-speaking safari guide
Maasai Mara park/conservation fees
Serengeti park fees
Accommodation for 6 nights
Meals as specified in the final itinerary
Scheduled game drives
Kenya–Tanzania border coordination
Drinking water during safari
Safari planning and logistical coordination

What’s Not Included

International flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities
Optional activities
Items not specifically mentioned under inclusions

Accommodation Options

Accommodation can be selected according to your preferred safari style and budget.

Comfort

Quality safari camps and lodges offering a good balance between location, facilities and price.

Luxury

Premium lodges and tented camps with upgraded rooms, strong locations and additional personalized services.

Ultra-Luxury

High-end safari camps and lodges, private-use options where available, personalized service and exclusive safari experiences.

Accommodation availability varies by season, location and travel dates.

Plan Your Kenya–Tanzania Fly-In Safari

A Maasai Mara and Serengeti safari works best when the itinerary is planned around your travel dates, flight schedules, accommodation availability and the seasonal location of wildlife.

Tell us when you want to travel, how many people are joining, your preferred accommodation level and whether you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or another special occasion.

Your journey, your way.