9 Day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari

9 Day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari Holiday

Your 9-day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari Holiday sounds absolutely incredible! Starting from Nairobi, Kenya, you take guests on an unforgettable journey through some of East Africa’s most renowned national parks. The adventure begins in Masai Mara National Reserve, famous for its abundant wildlife and the spectacular Wildebeest Migration, a natural phenomenon like no other. Moving north, you visit Hells Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha, showcasing Kenya’s diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Next, you head south to Amboseli National Park, known for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its large herds of elephants. Crossing into Tanzania, you explore Lake Manyara National Park with its unique tree-climbing lions and diverse birdlife.

The highlight of your Tanzanian leg is Serengeti National Park, renowned for its vast plains and incredible wildlife, including the Big Five. You then venture to the Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa’s “Garden of Eden,” for its dense concentration of wildlife within the caldera.

Finally, the safari concludes in Arusha, a city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, offering a perfect end to an adventurous and wildlife-packed journey through East Africa’s best safari destinations.

This itinerary promises an immersive wildlife experience and an opportunity to witness some of the most breathtaking landscapes Africa has to offer. It’s sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to embark on this journey with Gorilla Link Tours.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara – Kenya

Your 9-day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari kicks off with a pickup from your accommodation or the airport in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic drive towards Masai Mara, descending through the picturesque Great Rift Valley.

Upon arrival at Masai Mara, you’ll check into your lodge in time for lunch. The lodge provides comfortable accommodations in permanent walk-in tents equipped with amenities like beds, en-suite bathrooms, and mosquito nets.

In the afternoon, after settling in, you’ll head out for your first thrilling game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve. This reserve is renowned for its rich wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros) and especially famous for the annual Wildebeest Migration, a spectacular natural event.

After your exciting game drive, you’ll return to the safari camp near Masai Mara Game Park for dinner and an evening of relaxation, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

This day sets the tone for an adventure-packed safari experience, where you’ll have the opportunity to witness incredible wildlife and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Masai Mara.

Day 2: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya

Today in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s premier wildlife park, enjoy extensive morning and evening game drives. Marvel at the Big Five and diverse wildlife amid expansive savannahs and riverine forests. Spot Masai giraffes, warthogs, and elephants. Experience the thrill of predator sightings including lions and cheetahs. Witness the Great Migration (July-August), a spectacle of millions of wildebeests crossing the Mara River. Capture stunning wildlife moments and Mara’s famed sunsets. Optional hot-air balloon safaris offer a unique perspective. Return to camp for meals and relaxation.

Day 2 promises an unforgettable safari in Masai Mara, showcasing its wildlife diversity and natural beauty

Day 3: Masai Mara to Hells Gate National Park – Kenya

Begin Day 3 with an early morning game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve, where you’ll experience the vibrant wilderness at its peak. After breakfast, depart southwards from Masai Mara towards Lake Naivasha and continue onwards to Hells Gate National Park.

Hells Gate is renowned for its towering cliffs, gorges, and geothermal steam vents, providing a unique landscape for hiking and cycling (bike rentals available at an additional cost). Unlike other parks, Hells Gate is predator-free, allowing safe exploration on foot or bike amidst stunning scenery and diverse wildlife.

Discover the park’s trails, encountering zebras, gazelles, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species up close. The park’s accessibility and natural beauty make it a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

After a day of exploration, unwind at nearby accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay, reminiscing about your adventures in Kenya’s picturesque heartland.

Day 3 blends thrilling wildlife encounters from Masai Mara with active exploration and the distinctive geological features of Hells Gate National Park, enhancing your safari experience in Kenya.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park

On your fourth day of your 9-day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari begins with an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha, offering serene views and chances to spot birds and wildlife along the shore.

After the boat ride, journey southwards through picturesque countryside towards Amboseli National Park, located in southern Kenya near the Tanzanian border. Enjoy lunch en route as you travel towards this stunning destination.

Upon arrival at Amboseli, embark on an afternoon game drive across its vast open plains, framed by the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Africa’s tallest freestanding mountain provides a spectacular setting for wildlife photography, especially during encounters with elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.

Amboseli is renowned for its large elephant herds and opportunities to observe predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs. The park’s diverse birdlife, from raptors to waterbirds, adds to the rich safari experience.

After an exhilarating game drive, settle into your safari camp in Amboseli for dinner and relaxation, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness under a starlit sky.

Day 4 promises a blend of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife sightings, and photographic opportunities that highlight the allure of Amboseli National Park, enriching your East African safari journey.

Day 5: Amboseli to Lake Manyara – Tanzania

Depart Amboseli National Park in the morning and journey south into Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. Your first stop is Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Enjoy an afternoon game drive exploring the park’s woodlands, plains, and the alkaline lake, home to tree-climbing lions and a variety of bird species. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, settle in at your accommodation nearby for dinner and relaxation, preparing for further adventures in Tanzania’s renowned national parks.

Day 6: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

Day 6 of your 9-day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari begins with a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, providing one last opportunity to explore its diverse wildlife and scenic landscapes. After the game drive, you’ll begin your journey towards the world-renowned Serengeti National Park.

The drive to Serengeti National Park is itself a thrilling safari experience, traversing through the diverse and wildlife-rich ecosystems that characterize this region of Tanzania. The Serengeti is globally renowned for its iconic African wildlife scenes, often featured in documentaries and movies due to its immense savannah plains and abundant wildlife.

As you enter Serengeti National Park, you’ll embark on a game drive en route to your overnight campsite. This allows you to start wildlife viewing immediately, seeking out the park’s famous inhabitants such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and numerous antelope species. The Serengeti is also renowned for its annual Wildebeest Migration, a spectacular event involving millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other grazers moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds.

In the evening, you’ll settle into your overnight campsite within the Serengeti, where you’ll enjoy dinner and have some free time to relax under the starry African sky. The campsite offers a rustic yet comfortable setting, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the sights and sounds of the Serengeti.

Day 6 marks your transition into Serengeti National Park, promising exhilarating game viewing opportunities and the chance to witness firsthand why this park is considered one of the greatest safari destinations in the world.

Day 7: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

Today immerses you in Serengeti National Park’s expansive savannahs and diverse wildlife. Enjoy exhilarating game drives to spot the Big Five and other iconic species amidst Serengeti’s varied landscapes. Witness the awe-inspiring Wildebeest Migration, a highlight of East African safaris. Return to camp for meals and relaxation, surrounded by the wilderness’s sights and sounds, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.

Day 8: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

Today, you leave Serengeti National Park and head southeast to the remarkable Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This area features the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater, spanning 8,300 square kilometers. Known as one of the natural wonders of the world, the crater formed millions of years ago during volcanic activity that shaped the Rift Valley.

Upon arrival, you’ll settle into a campsite on the crater rim, offering panoramic views. In the evening, descend to the crater floor for a memorable game drive. The crater’s unique ecosystem hosts diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, and numerous bird species.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife encounters, concluding the day with dinner and relaxation at the campsite.

Day 8 provides a captivating experience in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, combining geological marvels with exceptional wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 9: Ngorongoro to Arusha

On the final day of your 9-day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari, after breakfast at the campsite on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll begin your journey towards Arusha in Tanzania.

The drive from Ngorongoro to Arusha takes you through scenic landscapes and rural countryside, offering glimpses of local life along the way. Arusha, located at the foothills of Mount Meru, serves as a gateway to many of Tanzania’s renowned national parks and is a vibrant city known for its cultural diversity and bustling markets.

Your safari adventure concludes upon arrival in Arusha, where you’ll be dropped off at the airport for your onward journey or at your booked accommodation, marking the end of your memorable 9-day safari through Kenya and Tanzania.

Day 9 wraps up your safari with reflections on the incredible wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences that have made this journey a truly unforgettable East African adventure.

9 Day Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari Holiday