Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary (Big 5 Safari & Beach Escape)

Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary: A Big 5 Safari & Beach Escape Guide. In order to spark ideas for your next vacation, our team of specialists put together this Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar itinerary. You may tailor it to your interests, tastes, and budget, leaving whenever you like, allowing you to connect with local cultures and enjoy true travel.

Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary

Nairobi, Masai Mara, Isebania, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam

• Track the Big Five in the vast Masai Mara and Serengeti landscapes with expert guides.
• Explore Ngorongoro Crater and spot elephants, lions, and rare black rhinos with your guide.
• Visit a Swahili spice farm village and wander through historic Stone Town’s narrow streets.
• Relax on Zanzibar’s pristine white-sand beaches after your thrilling safari adventure.
• Unwind in luxury lodges on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, curated by your Destination Expert.

Masai Mara | The Safari of a LIFETIME!

Detailed Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi  – The Adventure Begins

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a representative who is fluent in English will be waiting to assist you. This agent will be happy to answer any questions you may have and show you around the materials included in your welcome package, including your Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary. As you make your way out of the arrivals hall, someone will be carrying a page board that has your name on it.

You will be escorted privately from your Nairobi hotel to the airport.

We will stop at nothing to ensure your complete protection while you are in our care. This is why we supply all of our guests with a “Flying Doctors” insurance policy—just in case—they get really sick or hurt. Even though this emergency evacuation insurance will pay for the plane ride back to Nairobi so you may get medical help, it won’t pay for the actual care you get there. For comprehensive coverage, we strongly advise purchasing travel insurance.

Where you’ll be staying
Radisson Blu Nairobi Upperhill
Superior Room

Day 2: Nairobi TO Masai Mara – Here we Go!

Your journey to the Masai Mara will begin this morning when you gather with your guide. It will take almost six hours to reach there. Either go straight to the park to see the animals, then either come back to the camp for a late check-in or check-in first, and then go on a game drive in the afternoon. Discuss your expected arrival time and the park’s operating hours with your guide to get their opinion.

Keep in mind that you’ll be driving on smooth roads for the first half of the Kenya And Zanzibar trip, and then onto more uneven terrain for the second half.

Set off on an exhilarating quest to watch a game this afternoon. Because they know the animals’ habits and where to find them best, your knowledgeable guide will decide which areas to visit. During this afternoon outing, you will go to various wildlife hotspots in the hopes of spotting elusive creatures like the leopard. The spotted cats are quite impossible to see in their natural habitat of tall grass and bushes, and they are even harder to see in their preferred tree perch. On hot days, your guide will lead you to local watering holes where you might see a variety of animals and birds—maybe even the elusive leopard—as you explore the area. Your exciting afternoon wildlife drive will end with a return to your lodge, where you have plenty of time to relax before a sumptuous safari supper.

Where you’ll be staying
Mara West
Chalet

Day 3: Masai Mara – Rare Sightings

Is a Masai Mara Safari Worth the Hype? (Honest Opinion)

Early in the morning, like the animals, you will embark on your excursion for the day. Get out on the first game drive of the day with a knowledgeable tracker-guide and explore the breathtaking bio-diversity of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. African elephants, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopards, and the king of creatures, the lion, make up the most famous animals in Africa, and they are together known as the Big 5. The term “Big 5” was originally used by big-game hunters to describe the five most dangerous and difficult species to hunt. However, in recent years, the term has been taken up by the tourism industry and used in a much more positive way. The emphasis is now on protecting and preserving these incredible animals. While driving through the Masai Mara Game Reserve this morning, keep an eye out for ostriches, vultures, eagles, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and falcons, among many other bird and game species.

Any number of exciting adventures could unfold on today’s afternoon game drive! If you’re looking for the Big Five, broaden your search to include some of the lesser-known species in the area. In addition to a diverse assortment of large and small creatures, the Masai Mara is home to some 450 species of birds, including the ferocious bateleur (also known as the short-tailed eagle) and the melodic sooty chat.

Where you’ll be staying
Mara West
Chalet

Day 4: Masai Mara – The Mane Attraction

The famous Masai Mara Game Reserve was called after the Masai people, who were the original residents of the area, and the Mara River, which provided life to the region. Your knowledgeable tracker-guide will be able to maximize your chances of spotting the many animals that inhabit this area, and game viewing is practically guaranteed along the Mara River. Have your camera ready because you will see some incredible wildlife here, like hippos in shallow rivers and elephants lounging on riverbanks.

Join your tracker-guide this afternoon for another thrilling wildlife drive in the Masai Mara wildlife Reserve. Concerningly, estimates put the number of black rhinos on the African continent at just 4,000, making the Mara one of the few remaining locations where visitors can still see rhinos in their natural habitat. In an effort to get you within photographing distance of these majestic, hulking beasts, your guide will be taking you to areas where rhino sightings have been reported recently today.

Where you’ll be staying
Mara West
Chalet

Day 5: Masai Mara to Isebania to Serengeti – The Journey Continues…

Your guide will lead you out of the Masai Mara Game Reserve and toward the Isebania border crossing. Take in the scenic countryside of Kenya as you pass through small towns and villages. Because it is a dirt road, this section of the drive could take a long time if it rains. It takes about two hours to get to the border when it’s dry.

You will continue your safari with a Tanzanian guide after you transfer to a Tanzanian vehicle at the Isebania Border Crossing.

At the border, US nationals can pay $100 USD for a Tanzanian visa, while all other nations can pay $50 USD. Visa payments must be made in US dollars and made in cash. A local protection against counterfeiting requires that no bills be older than 2006. You can enter Kenya and Tanzania many times with a single entry visa, which is good for three months. You must also have your Yellow Fever certification on hand when you reach the border.

The Serengeti National Park will be your next stop on the safari when you cross the Isebania border. There will be sections of both smooth roadway and rough dirt road throughout this route. The Serengeti National Park is around a three- to five-hour drive away, give or take due to traffic. Be sure to bring your camera since you’ll want to capture some amazing wildlife on your game drive into Serengeti National Park. Once you’ve entered the park, you can continue on your way to your lodge or camp.

Today, you will be given a lunch box.

Where you’ll be staying
Lemala Ewanjan
Tent

Day 6 Serengeti – Hakuna Matata

The Truth About a Serengeti Safari (5 Things You Should Know)

Your African experience starts this morning with a wildlife drive across the Serengeti, the oldest and most famous national park in Tanzania. In the Serengeti, you can witness the “circle of life” in action with its vast herds of herbivores and sly packs of predators. It’s a place like no other for game viewing. An animal lover’s and photographer’s paradise, you can practically guarantee sightings of giraffes and elephants munching on shrubbery, gazelles, buffaloes, impalas, and cheetahs and hyenas lurking in the shadows, and an incredible variety of birds swooping through the air.

You have the option to either aim for the Big 5 or broaden your sights and find something new on today’s afternoon game drive. In addition to a diverse assortment of mammals, the Serengeti is home to about 450 species of birds.

Where you’ll be staying
Lemala Ewanjan
Tent

Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro – A Dazzling Drive

The next stop on your African adventure is the massive Ngorongoro Conversation Area, which you’ll reach by privately driven vehicle with the help of a local tracker-guide. Slowly make your way out of Serengeti National Park, stopping to see the animals as you go. Stop by the Serengeti Welcome Center to take in the breathtaking panorama from the vantage point. Stop for a lovely picnic lunch on the way to your Ngorongoro lodgings. It can take anywhere from five to seven hours to almost nine hours to get there, depending on where your lodging is. Whether or not there are any pauses along the route and the weather are two more factors that affect transfer times. You can anticipate higher travel times during the height of the rainy season.

“The Cradle of Mankind” is a common name for the enormous Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge. The vast chasm, formed by natural erosion over millions of years, begins in the Serengeti plains’ eastern region and extends for around 30 kilometers. The Great Rift Valley, which stretches across eastern Africa, is carved out by the steep-sided gully known as Olduvai, after a plant that is commonly used by the Masai people: Sansevieria-Ehrenbergii. Bandages, rope, baskets, roofing materials, and apparel are all made from this locally abundant shrub. Join your knowledgeable local guide as you explore Olduvai Gorge today.

You can tailor your stay in the Ngorongoro region to your interests by choosing from a variety of optional activities. There is a wide variety of activities available, such as guided wildlife discovery walks, cultural tours to local Masai villages, bush picnics, and sundowner drinks. Additionally, safaris to the enormous Ngorongoro Crater, home to a diverse array of animals, are also within your reach. Feel free to ask your Destination Expert any questions you may have about the optional activities.

Where you’ll be staying
Lemala Ewanjan
Tent

Day 7 Serengeti to Ngorongoro – A Dazzling Drive

Ngorongoro Crater & Conservation Area, Tanzania

The next stop on your African adventure is the massive Ngorongoro Conversation Area, which you’ll reach by privately driven vehicle with the help of a local tracker-guide. Slowly make your way out of Serengeti National Park, stopping to see the animals as you go. Stop by the Serengeti Welcome Center to take in the breathtaking panorama from the vantage point. Stop for a lovely picnic lunch on the way to your Ngorongoro lodgings. It can take anywhere from five to seven hours to almost nine hours to get there, depending on where your lodging is. Whether or not there are any pauses along the route and the weather are two more factors that affect transfer times. You can anticipate higher travel times during the height of the rainy season.

“The Cradle of Mankind” is a common name for the enormous Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge. The vast chasm, formed by natural erosion over millions of years, begins in the Serengeti plains’ eastern region and extends for around 30 kilometers. The Great Rift Valley, which stretches across eastern Africa, is carved out by the steep-sided gully known as Olduvai, after a plant that is commonly used by the Masai people: Sansevieria-Ehrenbergii. Bandages, rope, baskets, roofing materials, and apparel are all made from this locally abundant shrub. Join your knowledgeable local guide as you explore Olduvai Gorge today.

You can tailor your stay in the Ngorongoro region to your interests by choosing from a variety of optional activities. There is a wide variety of activities available, such as guided wildlife discovery walks, cultural tours to local Masai villages, bush picnics, and sundowner drinks. Additionally, safaris to the enormous Ngorongoro Crater, home to a diverse array of animals, are also within your reach. Feel free to ask your Destination Expert any questions you may have about the optional activities.

Where you’ll be staying
Kitela Lodge
Suite

Day 8 Ngorongoro – Big-Game Galore

While exploring Ngorongoro National Park today, you will be accompanied by an expert tracker-guide and driven in a private vehicle.

Among Tanzania’s most impressive wildlife preserves, the Ngorongoro Crater, is waiting for you today. Set off from your camp in a privately driven vehicle accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide. Drive for another 20 minutes to arrive at the edge of Ngorongoro Crater, the biggest dormant, intact, and unfilled volcano caldera on the planet. The enormous crater that now stands as a result of the volcano’s collapse on itself was made when a tremendous explosion produced this geological wonder. The distance from the rim to the floor of the crater is around 12 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep; it takes about 45 minutes to drive there. Over 25,000 huge animals, including some of the world’s few remaining black rhinos, now make the crater home, drawn in by the very fertile bottom of the crater. The crater floor is also home to a plethora of animals, including lion prides, hyena packs, and lone predators like jackals and cheetahs. With your guide’s guidance and your own sharp eyes, you should be able to see a variety of animals, including the more elusive leopards, servals, and bat-eared foxes.

Where you’ll be staying
Kitela Lodge
Suite

Day 9 Ngorongoro to Manyara to Zanzibar – Sun and Sand

You will be escorted to the Manyara airport by an agent of your lodge. Depending on where your camp is, the transfer could take anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour.

Take a plane from Manyara to Zanzibar. A two-hour flight is about right.

Kindly be informed that this flight is subject to stringent baggage restrictions: 1) Each passenger is allowed a maximum of 32 pounds (15 kilograms). 2) All bags must have soft-shelled utensils. 3) For more information, please contact your Destination Expert; they can arrange for more baggage allowance at an additional expense.

Valid Inbound Travel Insurance is required for all tourists entering Zanzibar as of October 1, 2024. The Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) is the sole provider of this type of insurance. No traveler, regardless of national coverage, is exempt from purchasing this supplemental insurance. Emergency medical bills, personal injuries, lost or stolen bags, legal fees, personal culpability, and repatriation costs are all covered by the new insurance. You can add this insurance to your Tanzania e-visa application. Getting the insurance ahead of time is better than trying to do it on the spot.

Chauffeured transportation will whisk you away from the airport to your accommodation.

Where you’ll be staying
Breezes Beach Club and Spa
Deluxe Room (F/B)

Day 10 Zanzibar – Island Time

Zanzibar offers a wide array of activities for visitors to enjoy. A variety of tours are available, including those that concentrate on Swahili culture, the ancient spice routes, Stone Town, and cooking classes. Dolphin Sandbank picnics, trips to Mangapwani Beach, and a tour of the old Slave Market are some of the other exciting things to do in the area. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do at your accommodation, such as reef kayaking, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling. There is an abundance of interesting and educational things to do in beautiful Zanzibar, so you may fill your free time anyway you like.

Where you’ll be staying
Breezes Beach Club and Spa
Deluxe Room (F/B)

Day 11 Zanzibar – A Town Frozen in Time

Things To See and Do in Zanzibar | Zanzibar Travel Guide

Stone Town has been a thriving hub for spices and global culture for generations. Today, you will learn about the history of this World Heritage Site on a private tour guided by an expert. Start your day with a trip to a nearby spice farm village, where you can taste seasonal fruits and Swahili cuisine while getting a feel for the local landscape. Then, follow in the footsteps of the sultans as you meander through the narrow streets of Stone Town, taking in the district’s colorful architecture, fragrant plants, and fascinating (though disturbing) history as a major entrance to Africa. During this tour, you will get the opportunity to see an amazing area filled with artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries. Stops along the way include the Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders, the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort, and the Old Dispensary. Afterwards, you will be taken back to your accommodations. Travel time might vary from 30 to 90 minutes in each direction, so pack accordingly (sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a hat), and keep in mind that your accommodation’s location determines the exact duration of the Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar journey.

Where you’ll be staying
Breezes Beach Club and Spa
Deluxe Room (F/B)

Day 12 Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam – Until Next Time…

Chauffeured transportation will whisk you away from the airport to your accommodation.

Everyone leaving the island of Zanzibar must pay the departure tax, which is $49 USD per person, when they arrive. In addition, hotels will tack on an Infrastructure Tax of $5 USD per person, per day, which must be paid in full before leaving the island.

From Zanzibar, you can take a flight to Dar es Salaam. The flight should take around twenty minutes.

Kindly be informed that this flight is subject to stringent baggage restrictions: 1) Each passenger is allowed a maximum of 32 pounds (15 kilograms). 2) All bags must have soft-shelled utensils. 3) For more information, please contact your Destination Expert; they can arrange for more baggage allowance at an additional expense.

End of the 13 Days Masai Mara vs Serengeti vs Zanzibar Itinerary

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