12-Day Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Maasai Mara Safari

Explore Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Maasai Mara on a 12-day Kenya-Tanzania safari with Big Five viewing, Kilimanjaro and Great Migration experiences.

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Safari Overview

This 12-day Kenya Tanzania safari combines five of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Amboseli National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Designed for travelers who want to experience the highlights of both Kenya and Tanzania in one journey, the safari combines exceptional Big Five viewing, elephant encounters, dramatic landscapes, and the wider Serengeti–Mara ecosystem.

Starting in Nairobi, the route travels through southern Kenya into Tanzania before crossing back into Kenya for the final Maasai Mara experience. The itinerary is particularly suited to wildlife photographers, first-time East Africa visitors, couples, families, and travelers looking for a comprehensive Kenya and Tanzania safari.

KENYA & TANZANIA SAFARI ROUTE

Nairobi → Amboseli → Namanga → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Isebania → Maasai Mara → Nairobi

This route is designed to connect the major destinations in a logical sequence while reducing unnecessary backtracking.

Safari Highlights

12 days exploring Kenya and Tanzania
Five iconic East African safari destinations
Big Five wildlife viewing opportunities
Large elephant herds in Amboseli and Tarangire
Mount Kilimanjaro views
Ngorongoro Crater safari
Serengeti predator and wildlife viewing
Maasai Mara game drives
Great Migration ecosystem experience
Private 4×4 safari option
Professional driver-guides
Scenic cross-border journey
Optional photography-focused arrangements

12-DAY KENYA TANZANIA SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your Nairobi hotel.Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or arrange an optional Nairobi experience before your safari begins.Overnight: Nairobi

Day 2: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and travel south toward Amboseli National Park.Arrive in time for lunch before your first afternoon game drive.Amboseli is particularly famous for its large elephant herds and spectacular views toward Mount Kilimanjaro.Overnight: Amboseli

Day 3: Full-Day Amboseli Safari

After breakfast, travel toward the Namanga border and cross into Tanzania.Continue toward Tarangire National Park, arriving for an afternoon game drive.Tarangire is known for its distinctive baobab trees, elephant herds and seasonal concentration of wildlife around water sources.Overnight: Tarangire

Day 4: Amboseli to Tarangire National Park

Day 5: Full-Day Tarangire Safari

Enjoy a full day exploring Tarangire National Park.The park's combination of open savannah, woodland, baobabs and riverine habitat creates excellent conditions for wildlife viewing and photography.Possible sightings include:Elephants Lions Leopards Buffalo Giraffes Zebras Wildebeest Elands Numerous bird speciesOvernight: Tarangire

Day 6: Tarangire to Ngorongoro

After breakfast, depart Tarangire and travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.The journey passes through Tanzania's scenic northern highlands before reaching the crater area.Arrive at your accommodation with time to enjoy the surrounding scenery.Overnight: Ngorongoro

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive.The crater's enclosed environment supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife, creating excellent opportunities for Big Five viewing.Possible sightings include:Black rhino Lions Elephants Buffalo Hippos Hyenas Zebras WildebeestAfter the game drive, ascend from the crater and return to your accommodation.Overnight: Ngorongoro

Day 8: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, travel toward Serengeti National Park.As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape changes into expansive grasslands and open savannah.Enjoy game viewing en route to your lodge or camp.Overnight: Serengeti

Day 9: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti.The park supports large populations of predators and herbivores and forms the Tanzanian section of the wider Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.Wildlife viewing may include:Lions Leopards Cheetahs Elephants Buffalo Giraffes Zebras Wildebeest HyenasOvernight: Serengeti

Day 10: Serengeti to Maasai Mara

Depart the Serengeti and travel toward the Isebania border crossing.After completing the necessary border formalities, continue into Kenya and onward to the Maasai Mara.Depending on arrival time, enjoy an evening game drive.Overnight: Maasai Mara

Day 11: Full-Day Amboseli Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve.The Mara is renowned for its high predator populations, large herbivore herds and expansive grasslands.Depending on the season, you may also witness parts of the Great Migration as wildebeest and zebra move through the greater Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.Overnight: Maasai MaraDay 12: Maasai Mara to NairobiEnjoy a final morning game drive before departing Maasai Mara for Nairobi.You can finish the safari in Nairobi or arrange an alternative connection depending on your onward travel plans.End of safari.

Day 12: Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Enjoy a final morning game drive before departing Maasai Mara for Nairobi.You can finish the safari in Nairobi or arrange an alternative connection depending on your onward travel plans.End of safari.

What’s Included

Private 4×4 safari vehicle
Professional driver-guide
Accommodation
Meals according to the selected accommodation plan
Park and conservancy entry fees
Game drives
Bottled drinking water
Nairobi airport/hotel transfers
Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi

What’s Not Included

International flights
Kenya visa or entry requirements
Travel insurance
Domestic flights unless included in your quotation
Optional activities
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities

FIVE ICONIC DESTINATIONS IN ONE SAFARI

Amboseli National Park

Famous for its elephants and dramatic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli provides some of Kenya’s most recognizable safari scenery.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire combines baobab landscapes, seasonal wetlands and large elephant populations, making it a distinctive stop on a northern Tanzania safari.

Ngorongoro Crater

The crater provides an exceptional wildlife viewing environment and is one of the defining destinations of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is renowned for its vast plains, large predator populations and connection to the annual Great Migration.

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Kenya’s Maasai Mara offers excellent year-round wildlife viewing, with particularly strong opportunities for predator sightings and seasonal migration activity.

Best Time for This Kenya Safari

June to October

The dry season generally offers good wildlife visibility and comfortable conditions for game drives. The Maasai Mara may also experience increased wildlife activity associated with the seasonal migration.

January to March

Generally favorable conditions for wildlife viewing, with green landscapes in some areas and good photography opportunities.

November to December

The short rains can transform parts of the landscape into greener environments and produce dramatic skies, although rain can affect road conditions.

Wildlife sightings and migration timing are naturally influenced by weather and local conditions.

Plan Your 12-Day Kenya Safari

Ready to explore Kenya beyond the standard safari circuit?

This 12-day Kenya safari from Nairobi combines Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli into one diverse wildlife journey.

Send us your travel dates, number of travelers and preferred accommodation level for a personalized Kenya safari quotation.

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12 Day Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Zanzibar Safari

12 Day