Kenya Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara and Serengeti in One Trip
Kenya Tanzania safari at a glance
| Best months | June to October for dry weather and the migration in the north; December to March for calving in the southern Serengeti |
| Typical trip length | 8 to 10 days for both countries; 5 to 7 days for one country |
| Start point | Nairobi (Tanzania-only routes start in Arusha) |
| Vehicle options | 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari minivan in Kenya; closed 4×4 vehicles are the norm on Tanzania’s northern circuit |
| Comfort levels | Comfort, mid-range and high-luxury lodges and tented camps |
| Who it suits | Travellers with more than a week who want both countries, and return visitors adding Tanzania |
Kenya and Tanzania safari packages from Ramja Safaris
Start with the combined route, or pair a Kenya itinerary with the Tanzania circuit. Our Kenya guide and Tanzania tours give more background.
- 9-Day Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Safari: The Ultimate East Africa Safari: nine days from Nairobi through Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Amboseli.
- 5-Day Tremendous Tanzanian Safari: five days from Arusha through Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- 7-Day Kenya Odyssey – A High-Luxury Safari Symphony: seven days in Kenya from Nairobi: Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.
Want a different length or comfort level? Request a quote and we will tailor the route.
What does a Kenya Tanzania safari itinerary look like?
A typical Kenya Tanzania safari itinerary runs in a loop: Nairobi, a Rift Valley lake, the Masai Mara, across the border to the Serengeti, down to Ngorongoro Crater and back into Kenya. Our nine-day route follows this pattern:
- Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Days 2 and 3: the Masai Mara, with one full day of game drives.
- Day 4: cross at Isebania and continue to the Serengeti.
- Day 5: a full day in the Serengeti.
- Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the crater descent.
- Days 7 and 8: re-enter Kenya at Namanga for Amboseli National Park.
- Day 9: return to Nairobi.
The border days are long drives. They are the price of seeing two countries without an extra flight.
How do you cross the border between Kenya and Tanzania on safari?
You cross by road at an official border post, most often Isebania in the west or Namanga in the south. Immigration for both countries is completed there, with your guide on hand.
- Isebania: used when travelling between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti.
- Namanga: on the road between Nairobi and Arusha, and close to Amboseli.
The Masai Mara and the Serengeti share a boundary, but safari itineraries do not cross there. That is why the Mara to Serengeti day routes through Isebania.
Have your passport, Tanzania visa and Kenya travel authorisation ready, on paper as well as on your phone.
How many days do you need for a Masai Mara and Serengeti safari?
Allow at least eight days for a Masai Mara and Serengeti safari by road, and nine or ten if you want Ngorongoro Crater and a slower pace. Anything shorter turns into mostly driving.
Both parks are large. Two nights in the Mara and two in the Serengeti is a sensible minimum, and the crater takes most of a day, with time on the floor commonly limited to about six hours.
If you have a week or less, choose one country. A seven-day Kenya circuit or a five-day Tanzania circuit gives more time with wildlife than a rushed combination.
What documents do you need for Kenya and Tanzania?
You need a valid passport, an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation and a Tanzania visa, unless your nationality is exempt. Each country sets its own rules.
- Kenya: apply on the official eTA portal, which advises applying at least two weeks ahead. Your passport needs six months of validity and a blank page. Ask whether you need a new eTA to re-enter Kenya from Tanzania.
- Tanzania: apply for an e-visa through the Tanzania Immigration Services Department. At the time of writing (November 2026), published tourist visa fees range from USD 50 to USD 100, depending on nationality.
- Health: check whether your route requires a yellow fever certificate.
- Insurance: Tanzania introduced a mandatory travel insurance requirement for foreign visitors from 1 October 2026. Confirm how it applies to your entry point before you travel.
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It does not cover Tanzania.
When is the best time for a combined safari?
June to October is the most popular time, with dry weather in both countries and the wildebeest herds in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara from about July. December to March is a strong alternative, when the herds calve on the southern Serengeti plains.
April and May are the wettest weeks. Some tracks become difficult and a few camps close, although visitor numbers fall too.
Why book with Ramja Safaris
Ramja Safaris is a Nairobi-based safari tour operator licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority. The company has been operating for more than 10 years and runs guided safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Combined Kenya and Tanzania itineraries planned as one trip, with a single point of contact in Nairobi.
- A choice of 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari minivan on road safaris, both with a pop-up roof.
- Office: Internet Business Centre, Building No. 22, Plums Lane off Ojijo Road, Parklands, Nairobi.
- Open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm (East Africa Time).
- Phone and WhatsApp: +254 758 156 046. Email: sales@ramjasafaris.com.
We do not publish fixed prices, because the cost depends on your dates, group size, vehicle and accommodation. Request a quote and the planning team will reply with a written itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a Kenya Tanzania safari in one trip?
Yes. A Kenya Tanzania safari is usually done as one overland loop of eight to ten days, starting and ending in Nairobi and crossing the border at Isebania or Namanga. Shorter trips are better kept to one country.
Do I need separate visas for Kenya and Tanzania?
Yes. Kenya requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation for most visitors and Tanzania requires its own visa. The East Africa Tourist Visa does not include Tanzania.
Which is better, the Masai Mara or the Serengeti?
They are two parts of one ecosystem. The Masai Mara is smaller and closer to Nairobi, while the Serengeti is far larger and holds the herds for most of the year. A combined trip lets you see both.
Does the same vehicle take us through both countries?
On overland routes a change of vehicle and guide at the border is common. Your written quote from Ramja Safaris will set out the arrangement for your itinerary.
How much does a combined Kenya and Tanzania safari cost?
It depends on the season, group size, vehicle and accommodation, and on park fees in both countries. Ramja Safaris does not publish fixed prices, so request a quote for your dates.
Related safaris and guides
- East Africa Serengeti safari from Nairobi
- Wildebeest migration safari in the Masai Mara and Serengeti
- All African safari tours
- Kenya eTA requirements: how to apply before your safari
- Safari Land Cruiser vs minivan
Last updated: 11 November 2026 · Ramja Safaris planning team, Nairobi.
