10-Day Budget-Friendly Serengeti & Maasai Mara Migration Safari – Tanzania & Kenya Combo

Overview

This combined Tanzania and Kenya safari is designed for travelers who want to witness the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration across both the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The journey offers an extended exploration of Tanzania’s northern circuit, including Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the vast plains of the Serengeti, followed by a stay in an affordable safari lodge or tented camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

The tour is best experienced between July and October, when your chances of seeing massive herds cross the Mara River—the dramatic boundary between Tanzania and Kenya—are at their highest. This crossing is one of nature’s most intense spectacles, featuring crocodile-filled waters and predator-packed banks.

Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
Day 3: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4: Northern Serengeti
Days 5–6: Northern Serengeti (full migration tracking)
Day 7: Masai Mara, Kenya
Days 8–9: Masai Mara game drives
Day 10: Departure from Nairobi

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Arusha

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) , you will be greeted by your driver-guide and transferred to Arusha Villa. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the lush gardens, which offer stunning views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Multiple terraces provide perfect spots for reading or napping under the African sun, while the swimming pool offers a refreshing escape on warmer afternoons.

Optional day tours are also available, including a guided walk through Arusha Town, a visit to a coffee plantation, or a game drive in Arusha National Park.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Arusha Villa

Day 2 – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, meet your safari guide and set off for a thrilling day of exploration filled with spectacular scenery and wildlife. You will spend several hours in Lake Manyara National Park, which is dramatically framed by the Rift Valley Escarpment. The park is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions and its underground water forest, which supports many animals—especially primates and large herds of elephants. Birdwatchers will be delighted, as over 350 bird species have been recorded here.

After your game drive, travel through the park to Karatu for an overnight stay at Ngorongoro Farm House.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House

Day 3 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Today features a full-day game drive inside the legendary Ngorongoro Crater—one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. This ancient caldera, nearly three million years old, shelters an extraordinary concentration of wildlife and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Endangered black rhinos roam within the crater’s protective rim, while majestic elephants with towering tusks wander through lush forests. The scenery changes constantly as mists swirl over this vast natural amphitheater.

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon, enjoy a delicious dinner, and prepare for your flight to the Serengeti the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House

Day 4 – Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, transfer to Lake Manyara Airstrip, bid farewell to your guide, and board a flight to the northern Serengeti. Upon arrival at Kogatende Airstrip, you will be met by your safari driver-guide and transferred to Nasikia Mobile Camp, where you will spend the next several nights.

Located in the far northern reaches of the Serengeti, this camp provides easy access to key areas such as Kogatende and Bologonja, and is situated close to the Mara River. This location is especially ideal between mid-July and mid-September, when migrating herds risk the gauntlet of crocodiles as they cross the fast-flowing river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Days 5–6 – Northern Serengeti Exploration

Spend two full days exploring the Serengeti National Park in search of the migrating herds. If luck is on your side, you will witness the Great Migration crossing the Mara River—a dramatic display of survival and instinct.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (both days)
Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Day 7 – Masai Mara, Kenya

After breakfast, transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for a flight to the Mara, with stops at Tarime and Migori. Upon arrival at Mara Kiombbo Airstrip, you will be met by your camp’s safari guide and transferred to Basecamp Mara.

This camp borders the Masai Mara National Reserve and is tucked away under thatched roofs on a lush peninsula along the Talek River. It offers spectacular views of the savannah, which is always populated with wildlife. Each tent features a plush bed, stylish furnishings, a modern en-suite bathroom, and a private terrace overlooking the Talek riverbed and the reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basecamp Mara

Days 8–9 – Masai Mara Game Drives

You have two full days to explore the Masai Mara National Reserve through scheduled shared game drives. The Mara is famous for its exceptional concentration of wildlife, diverse birdlife, rich vegetation, and open savannahs. Between July and October, the massive herds of the Great Wildebeest Migration pass through the Mara, with over two million animals moving north toward the Mara River crossings in search of water and fresh grazing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (both days)
Accommodation: Basecamp Mara

Day 10 – Departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for a flight to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by road to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JRO) for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

End of the 10-Day Affordable Serengeti & Maasai Mara Migration Safari

Trip Includes

Airport transfers in Tanzania and Kenya
Accommodation as specified (lodges and tented camps)
Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Game drives as per itinerary (shared vehicle)
Domestic flights: Lake Manyara → Kogatende → Mara Kiombbo → Wilson
Professional English-speaking safari guides
Park entry and conservation fees
Bottled water during game drives

Trip Excludes

International flights to/from Kilimanjaro or Nairobi
Tanzania and Kenya visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Optional tours (e.g., Arusha town tour, coffee plantation)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best time to take this safari?
The ideal period is July through October, when the Great Migration herds are most likely to cross the Mara River between Tanzania and Kenya.

Is this safari suitable for budget travelers?
Yes. This itinerary uses affordable lodges and tented camps while still offering excellent wildlife viewing and migration experiences.

Do I need a visa for both Tanzania and Kenya?
Yes. Most travelers require separate tourist visas for Tanzania and Kenya. These can often be obtained online (e-visa) or upon arrival.

Can I add extra days or activities?
Absolutely. Optional add-ons include a hot air balloon safari, Maasai village visits, or extra nights in Arusha or Nairobi.