A 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari lets you cross the border in the order that makes the most sense. You start in Amboseli, drive to Tanzania, see the crater and the Serengeti, then fly to the Mara.
- FromUSD 4,150per person sharing, budget tier, 6 people, low season
- Duration12 days, 11 nights
- StartsNairobi
- Best forTravellers who want Tanzania first and a flight across to the Mara
- StylePrivate 4×4, driver guide, Tanzania leg with local partner
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
This direction avoids a long drive back to Nairobi from the Serengeti. A short flight from the northern Serengeti lands you in the Mara in under an hour. A private pop up roof 4×4 and driver guide handle every road stage.
Here you find the day by day plan, three price tiers, the fees behind them and the practical questions that matter on a two country trip.
Highlights
- Amboseli elephants and Kilimanjaro views to start
- Ngorongoro Crater and three nights in the Serengeti
- A short flight from the Serengeti to the Mara, no long road back
- Three nights in the Mara with full game drive days
- A rest night in Nairobi at the end
- Private 4×4 with a pop up roof on the road legs
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Nairobi to Amboseli
You leave Nairobi at 8 am and drive 4 to 5 hours to Amboseli. After lunch you go out on an afternoon game drive, with elephants in the swamps and Kilimanjaro on the horizon at dusk. Dinner is at camp, and your guide briefs you on the plan for tomorrow.
- Day 2
Full day in Amboseli
You start before sunrise for the clearest mountain views. Morning and afternoon drives cover the swamps and plains, with a visit to Observation Hill. Elephants are the stars, and you finish the day with sundowners at camp while the mountain turns pink.
- Day 3
Amboseli to Arusha
After a dawn game drive you cross the border at Namanga, about 2 hours away, and continue to Arusha. You arrive in the afternoon and rest at your hotel, with time to walk to a cafe or market if you have the energy.
- Day 4
Arusha to Lake Manyara and Karatu
You drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive among baboons, giraffe and birds, then continue to Karatu. You sleep at a lodge on the crater highlands.
- Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater and on to the Serengeti
You descend into the crater at dawn for lion, black rhino, hippo and flamingos. After a picnic lunch you drive on to the Serengeti, arriving at camp at dusk.
- Day 6
Full day in the Serengeti
A full day of game drives on the plains. Seronera’s kopjes hold lions and leopards, and your guide knows the best tracks. Leopards rest in sausage trees, and lions use the rocks to watch for prey. You take a picnic lunch in the bush.
- Day 7
Northern Serengeti
You head north toward Kogatende, where the Mara River cuts through. From Jul to Oct this is migration country, with herds massing at the crossing points. In other months the area is quiet and rich in cats.
- Day 8
Fly to the Masai Mara
After a final dawn game drive you fly from a northern Serengeti airstrip to the Mara, about 45 minutes. A Kenyan guide meets you, and you enjoy an afternoon game drive. You sleep at camp.
- Day 9
First full day in the Mara
A full day of game drives from first light. Your guide tracks lion, cheetah and elephants, and visits the Mara River for hippos and crocodiles. A picnic lunch is served in the bush.
- Day 10
Second full day in the Mara
You return to the best areas or explore the western plains. A dawn balloon ride is optional, at about USD 450 to 550. A village visit is possible in the afternoon.
- Day 11
Mara to Nairobi
After a short dawn drive and breakfast you take the road to Nairobi, about 5 to 6 hours. You sleep at a hotel with a hot shower and time to repack.
- Day 12
Departure from Nairobi
You have breakfast, a late checkout if needed, and a transfer to JKIA or Wilson Airport. The 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari ends here.
12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari, guide price per person sharing, USD, low season
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 5,270 | USD 4,500 | USD 4,150 |
| Mid range | USD 6,440 | USD 5,560 | USD 5,150 |
| Luxury | USD 7,340 | USD 6,490 | USD 5,900 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Low season (Apr to Jun, Nov) shown, with Mara fees of USD 100 per day
- Jul to Oct and Dec add about USD 450 to 800 per person for Mara, Serengeti and camp rates
- Tanzania visa fees are not included, most visitors pay about USD 50
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Private pop up roof 4×4 and driver guide on road legs, with a vehicle change at the border if needed
- 11 nights accommodation on full board
- Park fees in Amboseli, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and the Mara
- Flight from the northern Serengeti to the Mara
- Bottled water and Nairobi pickup and drop off
Not included
- International flights and your Kenya ETA
- Tanzania visa and tips for guides and staff
- Alcohol and drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Optional balloon rides and cultural visits
Why Go in This Direction
Most itineraries start in the Mara and end in the Serengeti. That means a long drive or a costly flight back. A 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari flips the order, so you use one short flight and finish in the Mara with the Nairobi road a half day away.
It also lets you finish with the Mara’s big cats after the Serengeti’s vast plains. Compare it with our 10 day Kenya and Tanzania safari.
Amboseli also makes a gentle start. The drive is shorter than the Mara road, the park is small and the elephants arrive within the first hour. That helps jet lagged travellers settle in before the longer days ahead.
How Much Does a 12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari Cost?
Prices start at USD 4,150 per person for six people sharing a budget tier in low season. Two people in mid range pay about USD 6,440 each, and two people in luxury pay about USD 7,340.
The price includes the Serengeti to Mara flight. Tanzania fees are about a third of the cost. See our Tanzania safari packages and prices for single country options.
Mid range is the most popular tier on a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari, because it adds private bathrooms, pools and better meals for a reasonable step up. Budget works well for guests who spend most of the day out in the vehicle.
The Park Fees on This Route
Fees are approximate non resident adult rates per day. They are inside the price, and we confirm the current rate at booking.
- Masai Mara: USD 100 a day Jan to Jun, USD 200 a day Jul to Dec
- Amboseli: about USD 90 a day
- Serengeti: about USD 82 per day including VAT
- Ngorongoro Crater: a service fee of about USD 295 per vehicle plus area fees
- Lake Manyara: about USD 59 per day
Best Time for a 12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari
Jul to Oct is the migration window, and the northern Serengeti and Mara are at their best. Jan to Mar suits the southern Serengeti, but then the northern leg is quieter. Jun and Nov give a good balance.
Apr and May are wet and some camps close. See the Great Migration calendar to match your travel month to the herds.
Fees also change with the season. The Mara ticket doubles in July, so the 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari costs more from Jul to Dec. For budget trips, Jan to Jun saves several hundred dollars per person. See the Kenya safari month by month guide too.
The Border and the Flight
The land border at Namanga takes 30 to 60 minutes. Your guide helps with forms, and you need a Tanzania visa. The flight from Kogatende to the Mara crosses a second border, but the airline handles the paperwork.
Baggage on small aircraft is limited to about 15 kg in soft bags. Keep your passport, yellow fever card and visa receipt in your hand luggage.
If a long road day does not appeal, the Arusha to Nairobi stage can be replaced by a scheduled flight. Ask us about prices when you request your 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari quote, and read our Nairobi to Maasai Mara guide for road and flight comparisons.
Accommodation You Can Expect
Budget uses simple tented camps and lodges. Mid range uses larger tents and lodges with a pool. Luxury uses upscale camps in the Serengeti and the Mara, some in private conservancies.
Our guide to safari accommodation types explains the differences. A camp position near the herds can add real value, so we choose the camp for the month you travel.
Meals are usually a hot breakfast, a picnic or camp lunch and a three course dinner. Tell us about dietary needs when you book and we pass them to every camp.
Wildlife on This Route
Amboseli brings elephants and birds. Manyara and Ngorongoro bring rhino, hippo and flamingos. The Serengeti brings migration herds and big cats. The Mara brings lion, cheetah and the Mara River.
Read our Maasai Mara vs Serengeti guide to compare the two parks before you go.
Birders do well too. Expect secretary birds, crowned cranes, lilac breasted rollers, vultures, eagles and many more across the five parks.
Who a 12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari Suits
A 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari suits couples, families with teenagers and friends who want the best of both countries in under two weeks. It is a good fit for anyone who has seen one park before and wants to compare it with another.
It is less suited to people who dislike small planes or long road days. Three days involve 5 to 8 hours of driving. If that worries you, ask us to swap the Arusha road for a flight.
Health, Visas and Insurance
You need a Kenya ETA and a Tanzania visa. Carry a yellow fever certificate, because Tanzania may ask for it when you arrive from Kenya. Take malaria tablets and carry travel insurance that includes evacuation.
See our Kenya vaccinations and malaria guide for a checklist.
Booking a 12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari
Send your dates, group size and tier on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957. We reply with a written quote.
For Jul to Oct we suggest booking six to nine months ahead. Look at our full list of itineraries for other lengths.
We can also add a Zanzibar beach finish after the Mara. See our Kenya safari and Zanzibar page for how that works.
How to book your 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari
Booking your 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box, and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only, and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos, and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews, and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
How much is a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
Our guide prices start at USD 4,150 per person for six people in the budget tier in low season. Mid range runs about USD 5,150 to 6,440, and luxury about USD 5,900 to 7,340. The Serengeti flight is included.
Why fly from the Serengeti to the Mara on a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
It saves a long road trip, about 8 hours to Arusha plus 6 more to Nairobi. The flight takes under an hour and lets you finish in the Mara.
Is 12 days enough for a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
Yes. A 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari covers four parks, the crater and the Serengeti with long game drive days. It is a good middle length between 10 and 14 days.
Is the Mara River crossing guaranteed on a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
No. Crossings depend on weather and herd movements. From Jul to Oct the odds are best, and your northern Serengeti and Mara days both give chances.
Do I need a visa for a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
Yes, a Kenya ETA and a Tanzania visa. Most visitors pay about USD 50 for the visa. Rules vary by nationality, so check before you travel.
Can I shorten a 12 day Kenya Tanzania safari?
Yes. Many guests choose our 10 day Kenya and Tanzania safari. We build both and quote each length.
Official information: Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
Chat on WhatsApp