Embark on a premier 10 day luxury safari showcasing the magnificent highlights of both Kenya and Tanzania. Crafted for discerning Canadian travellers seeking an extensive East African wildlife adventure, this itinerary balances iconic landscapes with incredible animal encounters. Journey from Amboseli's elephants under Kilimanjaro and the famous Maasai Mara in Kenya, across the border to Tanzania's vast Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Park. As Kenyan based East Africa specialists, Bubble Tours & Travel expertly manages the cross border logistics, ensuring a seamless, comfortable, and unforgettable bespoke Kenya Tanzania itinerary, with flight options recommended to enhance your experience.

Premier Destinations Included

This comprehensive journey features exploration within East Africa's most celebrated wildlife areas:

• Amboseli National Park (Kenya): Iconic Kilimanjaro views, large elephant herds.
• Lake Naivasha (Kenya): Rift Valley lake scenery, boat trips, birdlife, Crescent Island walk.
• Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya): World renowned Big Five viewing, Great Migration crossing point (seasonal).
• Serengeti National Park, Central (Tanzania): Vast plains, heart of the Migration ecosystem, abundant predators.
• Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania): Diverse habitats, birdlife, unique groundwater forest.
• Tarangire National Park (Tanzania): Large elephant concentrations, striking baobab trees.

(Note: The detailed day by day itinerary follows below)

Activities:

• Game drives in custom-designed safari vehicles
• Guided nature walks
• Bird watching
• Cultural visits to Maasai villages (optional)
• Hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara (optional)
• Boat ride on Lake Naivasha

Optional Travel Upgrade:

Travel Between Parks with Light Aircraft: For a seamless and time-efficient experience, consider upgrading your transportation between parks with a scenic light aircraft flight. This option offers breathtaking aerial views of the landscape and significantly reduces travel time, allowing you to maximize your time on safari.

Wildlife & Scenic Highlights:

Amboseli National Park: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and secretary birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro: The majestic backdrop of Africa's highest peak, offering stunning photo opportunities.
Lake Naivasha: Hippos, African fish eagles, cormorants, pelicans, herons, kingfishers, and a variety of other water birds.
Crescent Island: Zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, and numerous bird species.
Maasai Mara National Reserve: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and a diverse array of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Witness the annual spectacle of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River in search of fresh grazing lands. (Seasonal, typically July-October)
Serengeti National Park: The Big Five, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, and a wide variety of birdlife.
Lake Manyara National Park: Tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, flamingos, and a variety of bird species.
Tarangire National Park: Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and a variety of bird species.
Scenic Landscapes: The vast plains, rolling hills, and acacia-dotted savannahs of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti; the picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley; acacia forests; the shimmering waters of Lake Naivasha and Lake Manyara; the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire; the volcanic Mount Longonot; and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.

Seamless Luxury Across East Africa

Bubble Tours & Travel ensures consistent quality throughout your cross border journey:

• Premium Accommodations: Stay in a curated selection of high quality lodges and camps across both Kenya and Tanzania, chosen for their prime locations, service, comfort, atmosphere, and ethical practices.
• Expert Kenyan & Tanzanian Guides: Benefit from professional, knowledgeable local guides specific to each country, coordinated by us, using comfortable private 4x4 safari vehicles for insightful exploration.
• Meticulous Cross Border Logistics: As East Africa specialists, we expertly manage all complex ground arrangements, recommended flight coordination, border crossing procedures between Kenya and Tanzania, park fees, and activities, ensuring a smooth, worry free premier tour for Canadian travellers.

Tailoring Your Premier East Africa Safari

This 10 day itinerary offers outstanding coverage. We specialize in bespoke adjustments:

• Pacing: Add extra nights in favourite locations like the Maasai Mara or Serengeti for deeper immersion and a more relaxed journey (extending beyond 10 days).
• Focus: Emphasize specific interests such as the Great Migration timing, birding, photography, or cultural interactions.
• Accommodation Tiers: Select preferred styles from luxury to ultra luxury options throughout both countries.
• Add Ngorongoro Crater: Modify the Tanzanian leg to include a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater if desired (requires careful logistical planning, potentially adding a day).
• Extensions: Seamlessly conclude with a Zanzibar beach escape, gorilla trekking, or further exploration.

Best Time for This K&T Safari

Coordinating optimal viewing across both countries involves considering seasonal patterns:

• Great Migration: Timing is key. The herds are typically in the Maasai Mara (Kenya) around July October and various parts of the Serengeti (Tanzania) at other times. This itinerary visiting both offers flexibility; consult us for predictions based on your dates.
• Overall Wildlife Viewing: Generally excellent year round in most parks. Tarangire elephant viewing peaks in the dry season (June Oct). Amboseli Kilimanjaro views are best in dry seasons.
• Travel: Dry seasons (June Oct, Jan Feb) offer easier road travel. Utilizing optional flights makes year round travel highly comfortable.

Our specialists provide detailed guidance based on your preferred travel window.

Why Choose This Premier K&T Journey?

• Best of Both Worlds: Covers the absolute premier wildlife destinations in both Kenya and Tanzania.
• Excellent Wildlife Diversity: Maximizes opportunities to see the Big Five, the Great Migration, diverse birdlife, and unique regional sightings.
• Iconic Landscapes: Features Kilimanjaro views, Rift Valley lakes, vast savannahs, and baobab woodlands.
• Well Paced Key Stops: Includes two night stays in the core parks of Amboseli, Maasai Mara, and Serengeti allowing for quality exploration time there.

Plan Your Premier East Africa Adventure

The detailed day by day itinerary, featuring specific accommodation suggestions and logistical recommendations for this outstanding cross border journey, follows below. If this premier exploration of Kenya and Tanzania captures your imagination, contact our East Africa specialists.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-8:00 AM): Pick up from your Nairobi hotel/residence. Brief safari briefing.
• Late Morning/Afternoon (12:00-1:00 PM): Lunch en-route
• Afternoon (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrive in Amboseli National Park, check in to your accommodation, and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Amboseli.

Accommodation Suggestions (Amboseli): Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Tortilis Camp Amboseli, Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli.

Day 2: Amboseli National Park – Full Day Game Drives

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in Amboseli, focusing on the large elephant herds and the stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather permitting).
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Amboseli.

Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Final game drive and breakfast
• Late Morning/Afternoon (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to Lake Naivasha. This is a long driving day.
• Late Afternoon (3:00 PM Onwards): Arrive at Lake Naivasha, check in to your accommodation, and enjoy some relaxation by the lake or a short activity like bird watching from the shores.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Naivasha.

Accommodation Suggestions (Lake Naivasha): Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Enashipai Resort & Spa, Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara National Reserve (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Boat ride on Lake Naivasha for birdwatching and hippo viewing.
• Late Morning/Afternoon (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to the Maasai Mara.
• Afternoon (3:00-6:00 PM): Arrive in the Maasai Mara, check in to your accommodation, and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.

Accommodation Suggestions (Maasai Mara): Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Intrepids Camp, Angama Mara (Luxury); Ashnil Mara Camp, Keekorok Lodge (Mid-range).

Day 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Full Day Game Drives

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in the Maasai Mara with packed lunches.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.

Day 6: Maasai Mara (Kenya) to Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) (Approx. 5-6 hours drive including border crossing)

• Morning (6:00-8:00 AM): Final game drive after breakfast in the Mara en route to the Serengeti.
• Late Morning/Afternoon (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to the Isebania border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Your tour guide will assist with this. Continue to the Central Serengeti.
• Late Afternoon/Evening (3:00 PM onwards depending on border crossing): Arrive in the Serengeti, check in to your accommodation, and if time allows, enjoy a short evening game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in the Serengeti.

Accommodation Suggestions (Serengeti): Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Melia Serengeti Lodge.

Day 7: Serengeti National Park – Full-Day Game Drives

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in the Serengeti with packed lunches.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in the Serengeti.

Day 8: Serengeti National Park to Lake Manyara National Park (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Final game drive and breakfast in the Serengeti.
• Late Morning/Afternoon (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
• Afternoon (3:00-6:00 PM): Arrive at Lake Manyara and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay near Lake Manyara.

Accommodation Suggestions (Near Lake Manyara): Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Escarpment Luxury Lodge.

Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park to Tarangire National Park (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Final activity or relaxed breakfast at Manyara.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Drive to Tarangire National Park.
• Afternoon (12:00-6:00 PM): Arrive in Tarangire, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Tarangire.

Accommodation Suggestions (Tarangire): Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Swala Camp.

Day 10: Tarangire to Arusha (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Final morning game drive in Tarangire and breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Drive to Arusha.
• Afternoon (12:00 PM Onwards): Arrive in Arusha and transfer to your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) for your onward flight.

Important Notes:

• This is a very ambitious itinerary covering significant distances. Be prepared for long driving days, especially on days involving border crossings or transfers between distant parks.
• Border crossing procedures between Tanzania and Kenya will be handled by your guide. Ensure you have the necessary travel documents.
• Book well in advance, especially during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How active is the pace for this 10 day Kenya & Tanzania safari? This is a comprehensive itinerary covering six major wildlife areas across two countries in 10 days (plus travel/transit time). It involves several travel days connecting locations. While it includes valuable two night stays in Amboseli, Mara, and Serengeti, expect an active pace overall. Using optional flights for key transfers is highly recommended to enhance comfort.

2. How is the border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania handled? The crossing between Amboseli (Kenya) and Arusha (Tanzania), typically via the Namanga border, is carefully coordinated. Your Kenyan guide assists with exit formalities, and you'll be met by your Tanzanian guide and vehicle after completing entry procedures. We handle the logistics to make it as smooth as possible. Coordinated flights bypassing the road border are also an option.

3. Why isn't the Ngorongoro Crater included in this itinerary? This specific 10 day itinerary prioritizes extensive time in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti alongside Amboseli, Tarangire, Manyara, and Naivasha. Including the Ngorongoro Crater typically requires adjusting the routing or adding an extra day for a comfortable visit. We can easily customize the itinerary to include the Crater if it's a priority for you.

4. Can I realistically hope to see the Great Migration in both Mara & Serengeti? It depends entirely on your month of travel. The herds are typically in the Mara July-Oct and various parts of the Serengeti at other times. If travelling during the shoulder seasons (like June/July or Oct/Nov), you might catch parts of the movement in both ecosystems. Visiting both parks maximizes your overall chances across a wider timeframe. We provide specific advice based on your dates.