13-Day Kenya & Tanzania Lodge Safari
A full loop of the two countries' best-known parks by road — Nakuru, the Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire and Amboseli — staying in lodges with all meals on safari.
13 days · 12 nights · Year-round · best Jul – Oct (migration)
About this experience
This is the long, unhurried way to see Kenya and northern Tanzania in one trip. You cross into Tanzania from the Maasai Mara, spend two nights each in the Serengeti and on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, then work back through Lake Manyara and Tarangire to Amboseli under Kilimanjaro. Most stops get two nights, so there are proper full days in the big parks rather than just transfers. It runs as a private trip in a pop-up-roof 4x4, with lodges inside or close to the parks.
Best for
- Two countries in one trip
- Big Five seekers
- Migration (Jul–Oct)
Trip features
- Private vehicleYour own 4x4 and driver-guide
- Starts any dayPick your own date, 7+ days ahead
- Can be tailoredChange lodges, add days or parks
- Children welcomeAges 3–12 at half price
- Pickup in NairobiAirport or your hotel
- EnglishGuide language
Signature experiences
Optional extras we can add to this trip. Prices are per person and confirmed when you book.
Chilled drinks on a ridge as the sun drops and the sky turns — a quiet, golden end to a day of game drives.
A lantern-lit table set out under the stars, your own chef and a crackling fire — the safari dinner people remember for years.
Spend an hour in a working manyatta — the jumping dance, fire-making, and a look at daily Maasai life, hosted by the community itself.
On foot with an armed ranger — tracks, plants, birds and the small details a vehicle drives straight past.
Day by day
What each day looks like, from pickup in Nairobi to drop-off.
We meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and take you to your hotel in Nairobi. The rest of the day is yours to rest after the flight.
Best Western Meridian Hotel · Bed & breakfast
A morning drive out of Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park. Your first game drive is in the afternoon, with a focus on the park's birdlife and its rhinos.
Lake Nakuru Lodge · Full-board
A last look around Nakuru after breakfast, then the drive west to the Maasai Mara. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive before checking in for two nights.
Mara Sun Lodge · Full-board
A whole day out on the Mara plains, where lion, elephant, cheetah and giraffe are all regulars. There is also the chance to visit a Maasai village before you head back to the lodge for dinner.
Mara Sun Lodge · Full-board
You leave via the Oloololo Escarpment and stop for lunch at the Isebania border before crossing into Tanzania. The road runs through the hills of the Lake Victoria highlands and past Musoma, and wildlife often starts to appear before you even reach the Serengeti gate.
Serengeti Tortilis Luxury Camp · Full-board
Morning and afternoon game drives across the Serengeti, with your guide picking the best spots for lion, leopard, elephant and giraffe. You return to camp between drives for meals.
Serengeti Tortilis Luxury Camp · Full-board
After breakfast you game-drive your way out of the Serengeti with a picnic lunch packed. By evening you are at your lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where you spend two nights.
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (or similar) · Full-board
You drive down the steep crater wall for around six hours on the crater floor, with a picnic lunch among the wildlife. The afternoon is back at the lodge, with the views over the crater from the rim.
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (or similar) · Full-board
Down the escarpment to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving for lunch. The afternoon game drive looks for the park's tree-climbing lions, elephants and plentiful birds.
Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge (or similar) · Full-board
One more morning drive in Manyara, then on to Tarangire National Park for lunch at your lodge. In the afternoon you go out among Tarangire's big elephant herds and baobab trees.
Tarangire Safari Lodge (or similar) · Full-board
An early start, a hot lunch in Arusha, then immigration at the Namanga border, where you meet your Kenyan guide. You reach Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, by late afternoon for two nights.
Amboseli Sopa Lodge · Full-board
Morning and afternoon game drives with Kilimanjaro behind the plains. The swamps draw plenty of birds, and you may also find giraffe, gazelle, lion and cheetah.
Amboseli Sopa Lodge · Full-board
After breakfast you drive back to Nairobi. We drop you at the airport for your flight home, or at a Nairobi hotel if you are staying on.
Where you'll stay
Lodges we book on this trip. If one is full on your dates, we'll offer a comparable property before you pay anything.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation in lodges and camps as listed (bed & breakfast in Nairobi, full board on safari)
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and driver-guide
- Experienced safari guides in Kenya and Tanzania
- All national park, reserve and Ngorongoro Crater entry fees
- All game drives as per itinerary
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in Nairobi
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from the Bookara team
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA (government fee — we help you apply)
- Tanzania visa (government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional excursions and extra activities
- Drinks and personal expenses
Route & pickup
Where the trip goes, and where we meet you.
- 01 NairobiDay 1 · City
- 02 Lake NakuruDay 2 · Lake
- 03 Maasai MaraDay 3 · National park & reserve
- 04 SerengetiDay 5 · National park & reserve
- 05 Ngorongoro CraterDay 7 · National park & reserve
- 06 Lake ManyaraDay 9 · Lake
- 07 TarangireDay 10 · National park & reserve
- 08 ArushaDay 11 · City
- 09 AmboseliDay 11 · National park & reserve
- 10 NairobiDay 13 · City
Good to know
A 30% deposit holds your dates, and the balance is due 45 days before you travel (book closer than that and you pay in full). Cancel 90+ days before departure for a full refund, 60–89 days before for 50% back. Full terms.
Common questions
Will anyone else be in our vehicle?+
No. This is a private trip — your own vehicle and guide, and nobody else joins. If you'd like to change a lodge or add a night somewhere, message us and we'll quote it.
How does the border crossing work?+
You cross into Tanzania at Isebania on day 5 and come back into Kenya at Namanga on day 11. Both crossings are part of the drive. You will need a Tanzania visa as well as your Kenya eTA, and we help you apply for both.
Is it all by road?+
Yes, the whole loop is driven, with the border crossings on the way. That means some long travel days, but you see a lot of country between the parks.
Book on WhatsApp
Your chat opens with the trip pre-filled — no payment needed now. Our team replies between 7am–10pm EAT.
Request saved
WhatsApp is opening with your details pre-filled — just hit send.
- 1 Send the pre-filled messageYour trip details are already written for you.
- 2 Confirm in chat — or pay the deposit onlineSame reference either way. Our team replies 7am–10pm EAT.
- 3 Instant confirmationWhatsApp message + email receipt the moment your deposit lands.
Your request ref becomes your booking reference once the deposit is paid.
Book direct with the operator
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Licensed & certified
Kenya-registered operator in Nairobi with experienced driver-guides.
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Run from Nairobi
We plan and run your trip ourselves, with driver-guides we know, and stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout.
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Secure payment
Card or Apple Pay through Paystack (USD). Taxes and park fees are in the price you see.
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Flexible cancellation
Full refund up to 90 days before departure; a 30% deposit holds your dates.
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