This cross-border safari weaves together Kenya's finest — the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Nakuru and the big cat drama of the Maasai Mara — with Tanzania's most iconic destinations: the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, the endless plains of the Serengeti, and the ancient caldera of Ngorongoro Crater.
From bumping across the Mara in a 4×4 to watching the sunset from the crater rim, every day delivers a new chapter of the African story.
Plan my SafariWhat makes this cross-border safari one of our most extraordinary itineraries.
Kenya and Tanzania share the same great ecosystem but offer entirely different safari experiences. This itinerary connects them into a single, seamless journey — two countries, two guide teams, one unbroken adventure.
Lake Nakuru's alkaline shores draw vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans and over four hundred bird species — a cloud of pink rising from the water is one of Africa's most iconic natural spectacles.
The Maasai Mara holds the continent's densest concentration of lion, leopard and cheetah. Two full days in the reserve give you time to witness the drama of the hunt and a solo leopard draped across an acacia branch.
Lake Manyara's unique lions have learned to climb trees — a behaviour rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Spotting one draped across a high branch in the dense forest is one of East Africa's most unusual wildlife encounters.
The Serengeti — 'the place that runs on forever' in the Maasai language — is the world's most famous wildlife arena. Two full days on its open grasslands, rocky kopjes and acacia woodlands deliver sightings that define the African safari.
Ngorongoro Crater — twelve miles across and six hundred metres deep — shelters a self-contained ecosystem of extraordinary density. The Big Five, flamingos, and the critically endangered black rhino, all on the floor of an ancient volcano.
Eleven days across five of East Africa's greatest reserves — every detail considered.
Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in and rest ahead of your safari adventure.
After breakfast, drive to Lake Nakuru in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The park is a paradise for birdlife, with over four hundred species recorded — from spoonbills and storks to the famous flocks of pink flamingos drawn by the lake's blue-green algae.
Arrive in time for a relaxed lunch, then set out on an afternoon game drive to explore the park's remarkable diversity.
Spend a second day exploring Lake Nakuru on morning and afternoon game drives. Beyond the spectacular birdlife, the park provides sanctuary for lion, leopard, buffalo, Rothschild giraffe, and both white and the critically endangered black rhinoceros.
Between drives, enjoy panoramic views of the lake from the lodge — the still water reflecting the valley's dramatic escarpment walls.
After an early breakfast, drive south to the Maasai Mara — Kenya's most celebrated wildlife reserve. The endless savannah and rolling grasslands are home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet.
Arrive at Mara Engai Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, set out on a game drive and let the Mara reveal itself — vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle stretching to the horizon, with big cats never far behind.
An unforgettable day awaits. An optional hot-air balloon safari is highly recommended — drift above the vast savannah at sunrise for a completely new perspective on the wildlife below.
Afterwards, morning and afternoon game drives take you deep into the heart of the reserve. The Mara offers exceptional chances of seeing the Big Five alongside giraffe, hyena, impala, and cheetah. Look for lions basking in the shade or an elusive leopard draped across an acacia branch.
After an early breakfast, depart the Mara and transfer to Nairobi for your flight across the border to Tanzania. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel — a comfortable retreat with a refreshing pool and views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.
The rest of the day is yours to unwind before the Tanzanian chapter of your safari begins.
After breakfast, drive through rustic villages and past coffee, maize, and banana plantations to Lake Manyara. Arrive at Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge — a rustic-luxe retreat perched on the rim of the Great Rift Valley — in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy your first Tanzanian game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, an impressive landscape of dense forest, small open plains, and lush waterside grasses. Search for buffalo, hippos, elephants, flamingos, and the famous tree-climbing lions that make this park one of East Africa's most unusual wildlife destinations.
Today's scenic drive north through the highlands leads to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. Arrive at Embalakai Camp in time for lunch and settle into one of Africa's most iconic landscapes.
The Serengeti's vast grasslands, rocky kopjes, and acacia woodlands support an extraordinary concentration of wildlife — including one of the continent's highest densities of big cats. Over five hundred bird species have been recorded here. Spend the afternoon on a game drive across the open plains, watching the Serengeti reveal its drama at every turn.
A full day in the Serengeti — and an optional hot-air balloon safari at dawn offers the most extraordinary way to begin it. Watch the balloon inflate against the first light, then float above the endless plains as wildlife moves below and the horizon stretches in every direction.
After breakfast, head into the park in search of big cats, rhinoceros, buffalo, and giraffe. A delicious picnic lunch is served in the bush as the Serengeti's monumental panorama unfolds around you. The afternoon drive returns through different terrain, ensuring no two sightings are the same.
After breakfast, drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with game viewing en route across the vast Serengeti plains. A picnic lunch is enjoyed along the way before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for an afternoon game drive.
This collapsed volcanic caldera — twelve miles in diameter and six hundred metres deep — shelters a self-contained ecosystem of extraordinary density. Fertile soil, freshwater lakes, and lush grassland attract the Big Five and the critically endangered black rhinoceros in numbers few reserves can match. After a memorable drive, ascend the crater walls and continue to Oldeani Mountain Lodge, a colonial-style retreat set on a hillside above the quiet town of Karatu.
This morning, drive to Arusha for lunch before your onward journey.
Two countries, five reserves, and countless encounters with Africa's most magnificent wildlife — from the flamingos of Nakuru to the big cats of the Mara, the tree-climbing lions of Manyara to the rhinoceros on the crater floor. This is East Africa at its most complete.
Located along Mombasa Road with easy access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the Nairobi city centre, Eka Hotel is a modern four-star property offering comfortable accommodation and reliable service — a popular choice for travellers arriving ahead of safari departures.
Well-appointed rooms and suites finished in warm, contemporary tones. Each room includes air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television, an electronic safe, a minibar and an ensuite bathroom with hot-water shower.
The on-site restaurant serves an international buffet with Kenyan and continental options. A separate lounge bar offers cocktails, wines and light bites. Room service is available around the clock.
Perched on a hillside within Lake Nakuru National Park, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge commands sweeping views across the lake and the surrounding Rift Valley escarpment. The lodge sits inside the park itself — wildlife wanders freely through the grounds.
Sixty-seven cottage-style rooms set among landscaped gardens, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, ceiling fans, tea and coffee facilities, and a private balcony with views towards the lake or surrounding bush.
The main restaurant serves a generous buffet of Kenyan and international cuisine. The poolside bar serves cold drinks and light snacks throughout the day. Bush dinners can be arranged on request.
Perched on the rim of the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking the vast Maasai Mara plains, Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge occupies one of the most spectacular vantage points in the entire ecosystem. The name 'Engai' — the Maasai word for God — reflects the reverence the local community holds for this elevated site.
Thirty spacious tented suites set along the escarpment edge, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water rain showers, comfortable beds, and a private verandah with panoramic views across the reserve.
The main restaurant and outdoor terrace serve a generous buffet with sweeping views across the Mara below. Bush breakfasts and sundowner experiences can be arranged in the reserve.
Located in the heart of Arusha — Tanzania's safari capital — Kibo Palace Hotel is a modern five-star property offering a comfortable base before and after northern circuit safaris. The hotel sits within landscaped grounds with views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, the distant peak of Kilimanjaro. A refreshing pool, international dining and attentive service make it an ideal stopover between Kenya and the Tanzanian bush.
Spacious rooms and suites feature contemporary African-inspired décor, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, minibars, electronic safes, and ensuite bathrooms with bath and separate shower. Suites add private balconies and lounge areas with mountain views.
The main restaurant serves a generous buffet of international and Tanzanian cuisine. A rooftop bar offers cocktails and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Room service is available throughout the day and evening.
Perched on the rim of the Great Rift Valley with uninterrupted views across Lake Manyara and the escarpment below, Kilimamoja Lodge is a rustic-luxe retreat that captures the drama of its setting in every detail. The name means 'one mountain' in Swahili, and the lodge's elevated position provides a breathtaking vantage point from which to survey the landscape stretching to the horizon.
Fifty spacious suites are arranged along the escarpment edge, each with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Rift Valley, ensuite bathrooms with rain showers and freestanding bathtubs, comfortable beds, writing desks, and a private balcony. Interiors blend contemporary design with African textures — stone, wood and warm earth tones throughout.
The main restaurant serves a buffet of Tanzanian and international cuisine with panoramic valley views. An outdoor terrace allows guests to dine as the sun sets behind the escarpment. The lodge bar serves cocktails, wines, and local Tanzanian coffee throughout the day.
Set within the Serengeti National Park's central plains, Embalakai Camp is a mobile-style tented camp that brings guests as close to the action as possible. The camp's location is chosen to follow the seasonal movement of wildlife, ensuring prime game-viewing from the moment you step outside your tent. Authentic canvas, warm hospitality and campfire evenings create a classic safari atmosphere on one of the world's greatest wildlife stages.
Spacious canvas tents are set on raised platforms, each with comfortable beds draped in mosquito netting, ensuite bathrooms with hot-water bucket showers and flush toilets, bedside lanterns, and a private viewing area facing the open plains. The camp's understated design keeps the focus on the landscape — the Serengeti is the décor.
Meals are served in the central dining tent or under the stars around the campfire. Menus feature hearty, home-cooked dishes with fresh ingredients and East African flavours. Packed picnic lunches are prepared for full-day game drives. The camp bar serves cold drinks, wines and sundowner cocktails as the plains turn golden at dusk.
Set on a hillside above the quiet agricultural town of Karatu, between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, Oldeani Mountain Lodge is a colonial-style retreat surrounded by coffee plantations and tropical gardens. The lodge provides a serene base from which to explore the crater — just a short drive from the rim — and its elevated position offers views of Mount Oldeani and the lush highlands of northern Tanzania.
Spacious cottages are set among landscaped gardens, each with ensuite bathrooms featuring bathtubs and separate rain showers, comfortable beds, writing desks, fireplaces for cool highland evenings, and private verandahs with garden or mountain views. Interiors blend colonial-era charm — dark wood, brass fixtures, vintage prints — with contemporary comforts.
The main restaurant serves Tanzanian and international cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the surrounding farmlands. An outdoor terrace allows al fresco dining with mountain views. The lodge bar serves cocktails, wines, Tanzanian coffee and local beers in a warm, fireside setting.
Get in touch and your personal travel specialist will tailor every detail of this journey to your dates, pace and interests.
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