12 Days Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach Safari
12 Days / 11 Nights Days
Nairobi, Kenya → Zanzibar, Tanzania (Nungwi)
Wildlife
Easy
Why Choose This Safari?
This is the trip for travelers who want the full East Africa story rather than picking wildlife or beach — eight days across Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, then a clean handoff in Arusha to a flight that ends the trip on Zanzibar's white sand instead of back at an airport. Starting in Nairobi and finishing in Nungwi means you're never backtracking: the overland border crossing at Isebania carries you straight from Kenya's side of the migration ecosystem into Tanzania's, and the Zanzibar leg — Safari Blue's sandbank lunch, a spice farm, Stone Town's Old Fort — is a genuinely different kind of four days rather than a token beach add-on. It suits travelers with two weeks who want both halves of East Africa done properly, not rushed through to fit the other.
Safari Highlights
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (June–October)
- Explore Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
- Visit Lake Manyara National Park
- Enjoy guided tours and spice experiences in Zanzibar
- Relax at stunning beachfront resorts
Destinations to Travel
airobi · Maasai Mara National Reserve · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Crater · Lake Manyara National Park · Arusha · Stone Town, Zanzibar · Fumba Village (Safari Blue) · Nungwi, Zanzibar 2. META TITLE
Itinerary
Day 1—Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you're met by our representative and transferred to your hotel to check in and settle in after the flight.
Day 2 — Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, it's a scenic drive to the Maasai Mara, one of Africa's premier wildlife reserves. You arrive in time for lunch, then head straight into an afternoon game drive across the endless plains in search of lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.
Day 3 — Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara
A full day exploring the reserve, watching herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move freely alongside the Big Five. With over 500 recorded bird species, it's also genuinely good ground for birders. A picnic lunch out in the wild breaks up the day before you return to camp for dinner.
Day 4 — Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park via Isebania
An early morning game drive on your way out of the Mara, then the crossing at the Isebania border into Tanzania. From there, you continue into the legendary Serengeti National Park, with its vast open plains and abundant wildlife.
Day 5 — Full Day in Serengeti National Park
A full-day safari through the heart of the Serengeti — prides of lion, cheetah on the hunt, and massive herds of wildebeest grazing the golden savannah. A picnic lunch out on the plains keeps you out in it longer, and you're back at camp by sunset.
Day 6 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, a morning game drive carries you out of the Serengeti before you continue toward the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's more remarkable natural formations. If you'd like, you can stop at Olduvai Gorge along the way, at an extra cost.
Day 7 — Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara
You descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling six-hour game drive across this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to rhino, lion, elephant and countless other species. After a picnic lunch, you drive on to the Manyara area for dinner and the night.
Day 8 — Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
You spend the morning in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, flamingo and hippo, with a picnic lunch inside the park. From there, you return to Arusha for the night.
Day 9 — Arusha to Zanzibar
After breakfast, a scheduled flight takes you to Zanzibar. On arrival, you're met and transferred to the Tembo House Hotel in Stone Town for the night, with the rest of the day free to settle in at your own pace.
Day 10 — Zanzibar: Safari Blue Tour
After breakfast, you drive to Fumba Village for a full-day Blue Safari excursion—sailing across turquoise water, snorkeling among the reef, and a seafood lunch served right on a sandbank. You're back at your hotel by evening.
Day 11 — Zanzibar: Spice Farm and Stone Town Tour
A morning spice farm visit gives you a taste literally of the island's aromatic heritage, with tropical fruit along the way. In the afternoon, you explore Stone Town itself, including the former Slave Market, the House of Wonders, and the Old Fort. Later, you transfer to Amaan Beach Bungalows in Nungwi for a night by the ocean.
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Day 12 — Departure from Zanzibar
One last breakfast before you're transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your international departure, timed to your flight.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- All accommodation as per itinerary
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Safari transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- All park entry fees and crater fees
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Domestic flight (Arusha to Zanzibar)
- Safari Blue and Spice Tour excursions in Zanzibar
- Bottled mineral water during safari
- Full-board meals during safari, breakfast only in Zanzibar
Rate Excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees for Kenya & Tanzania
- Hot air balloon safari (optional)
- Visit to Olduvai Gorge or Maasai village (optional)
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Any items not mentioned in the itinerary
Best Time to Go
June through October works best for both halves of this trip — the driest, clearest game viewing across the Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, and also Zanzibar's most reliable weather, with low humidity and little rain. If your dates are flexible, avoid April and May specifically, when Zanzibar's long rains can disrupt the Safari Blue excursion and beach days generally.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a 12-day trip from Nairobi that ends in Zanzibar?
Yes — this itinerary starts in Nairobi, Kenya, and finishes in Zanzibar, Tanzania, combining eight days of wildlife safari with four days on the coast.
How do I get from the Maasai Mara into Tanzania?
By road, crossing overland at the Isebania border on Day 4, straight from the Maasai Mara into Serengeti National Park.
How do I get from Arusha to Zanzibar?
By a scheduled domestic flight on Day 9, included in the itinerary.
Does this trip include the Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes, Day 7 is a six-hour game drive on the crater floor itself, with a real chance at rhino, lion, elephant and more.
What's included on the Zanzibar leg of the trip?
A full-day Safari Blue sailing and snorkeling excursion, a spice farm visit, and a guided Stone Town tour, plus two nights in Stone Town and a final night on the beach at Nungwi.
Is the Olduvai Gorge stop included on Day 6?
No, it's optional. You can route via Olduvai Gorge on your way to Ngorongoro, but it's at an extra cost on top of the itinerary.