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Scheduled Group Departure Tour
The Mara Cross Border Safari is a signature East African itinerary connecting Tanzania’s northern circuit with Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara. It begins in Arusha, explores Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, crosses into Kenya through Isebania, and continues into the Maasai Mara before concluding with Lake Nakuru and Nairobi. The itinerary is ideal for travellers who want diversity, big-game density, iconic landscapes, and the sense of movement that makes a classic East African safari unforgettable.

Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Destination
Arusha
Type
Scheduled Group Departure
Style
Cross-Border Safari
Trip overview
The Mara Cross Border Safari is a signature East African itinerary connecting Tanzania’s northern circuit with Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara. It begins in Arusha, explores Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, crosses into Kenya through Isebania, and continues into the Maasai Mara before concluding with Lake Nakuru and Nairobi. The itinerary is ideal for travellers who want diversity, big-game density, iconic landscapes, and the sense of movement that makes a classic East African safari unforgettable.
Why this trip
Trip route
Follow the day-by-day flow of this itinerary across East Africa.
FAQs
Answers are general public guidance. Your final itinerary, inclusions, pricing, and supplier conditions are confirmed during quotation.
Public prices are indicative retail guidance. Availability, seasonal adjustments, rooming, and final inclusions are confirmed when the team prepares your quote.
Many scheduled routes can be adapted with lodge, timing, or extension changes depending on availability and supplier rules.
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Plan this journey
Send a quote request with the route, dates, and traveller details you have. Availability and final pricing are confirmed at quotation stage.
Arusha
Arrival in Arusha
Mapped stop
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Mapped stop
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater Exploration
Mapped stop
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
Mapped stop
Serengeti National Park
Mapped stop
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Serengeti to Masai Mara Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Lake Nakuru National Park
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
Mapped stop
Nairobi
Lake Nakuru to Nairobi and Departure
Mapped stop
Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Mount Meru Hotel near the foothills of Mount Meru. The evening is at leisure after international arrival.
Drive across Tanzania’s scenic landscapes to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure before dinner.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day wildlife experience with picnic lunch. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem supports rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, and abundant plains game.
Drive to Serengeti National Park, stopping at Olduvai Gorge for archaeological context before arriving for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
Enjoy a full day of wildlife exploration in the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, and migratory plains game.
Drive to Isebania for border procedures and cross into Kenya. Continue to the Maasai Mara, arriving for an afternoon game drive before dinner.
Spend the day in the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives, offering opportunities to see the Big Five, big cats, and sweeping savannah plains.
Depart for the Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive for lunch and take an afternoon game drive in search of rhinos, flamingos, Rothschild giraffes, and birdlife.
Enjoy a final morning game drive before returning to Nairobi. Drop-off is at a Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Mount Meru Hotel
1 nightsBB in Arusha; LDBB/Full Board during safari unless otherwise stated
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
2 nightsBB in Arusha; LDBB/Full Board during safari unless otherwise stated
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
2 nightsBB in Arusha; LDBB/Full Board during safari unless otherwise stated
Ashnil Mara Camp
2 nightsBB in Arusha; LDBB/Full Board during safari unless otherwise stated
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
1 nightsBB in Arusha; LDBB/Full Board during safari unless otherwise stated
Inclusions
Departures
Contact us for current departure dates and quotation-stage availability.
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Nairobi