In this guide
The Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya are two halves of the same ecosystem. The great wildebeest migration moves between them all year, and many travellers want to see both. Add Amboseli, with its elephants walking beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, and you have a classic East African safari across two countries.
This guide explains how the two countries fit together, the route most trips take, how long you need, and the practical points (borders, visas and timing) worth knowing before you book.
Why combine Tanzania and Kenya?
- Follow the migration. The herds spend most of the year in the Serengeti and usually move into the Masai Mara from about July or August to October. Combining both countries gives you more chances to be in the right place.
- Different landscapes. The Ngorongoro Crater, the endless Serengeti plains and the baobabs of Tarangire in Tanzania; the rolling Mara grasslands and the Kilimanjaro views of Amboseli in Kenya.
- Easy connections. Arusha and Nairobi are linked by a good road through the Namanga border and by short flights, so it is simple to start in one country and finish in the other.
Can you drive directly from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara?
This is the question we hear most often. On the map the two parks touch, but the direct crossing between them at Bologonja is not open to tourist vehicles. Tanzania has kept it closed to protect the Serengeti from heavy traffic.
In practice there are two ways to link the parks:
- By air: the quickest way. Fly from the Serengeti or Arusha to Nairobi or Kilimanjaro, and on to an airstrip in the Mara. This saves a full day of driving.
- By road through Arusha and Namanga: drive back to Arusha, cross into Kenya at the Namanga border post, and continue to Amboseli or Nairobi. This route works best when you visit Amboseli, which is not far from Namanga.
How many days do you need?
We suggest 10 to 12 days for a relaxed trip that includes both countries. With about a week you can still combine them, but you will need to fly between the parks. With two weeks you can add Lake Nakuru or Samburu in Kenya, or end with a beach stay on Zanzibar.
A sample 11-day Tanzania and Kenya itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Our team meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you to your lodge in Arusha for a full briefing.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Big elephant herds, baobab trees and plenty of birdlife.
Days 3 and 4: Serengeti National Park
Two full days in the Serengeti, staying in the area where the herds are during your month of travel.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
A morning game drive on the crater floor, then on to Karatu or Arusha.
Day 6: Arusha to Amboseli via Namanga
Drive north to the Namanga border, complete the formalities with your guide's help, and meet your Kenyan guide for the drive to Amboseli National Park.
Day 7: Amboseli National Park
Early game drives with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background (the mountain is often clearest at sunrise), elephants and the swamps that keep the park green.
Days 8 to 10: Masai Mara
Fly or drive to the Masai Mara for three days of game drives. From about July to October this is the season for the Mara River crossings. All year round the Mara is known for its lions, cheetahs and leopards. You can also add a hot air balloon flight or a visit to a Maasai village.
Day 11: Fly to Nairobi and depart
Morning flight from the Mara to Nairobi for your international flight home.
The route works just as well in reverse, starting in Nairobi and ending with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro or a beach stay in Zanzibar.
Visas and entry
- Tanzania: most nationalities pay USD 50 for a single-entry tourist visa, and US citizens pay USD 100 for a multiple-entry visa. Apply online on the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz) or get the visa on arrival.
- Kenya: since January 2024 Kenya no longer issues tourist visas. Instead, most visitors apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling, for a fee of about USD 30. Apply at least a few days before you travel. Citizens of East African Community countries and, since 2025, most other African countries are exempt.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: this joint visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda but not Tanzania.
- Yellow fever: Tanzania may ask travellers arriving from Kenya for a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Ask your travel clinic, and carry your certificate if you have one.
Entry rules change often, so we send every guest an up-to-date checklist with their booking. Please also check the official government websites before you fly.
Best time to go
- January to February: calving season in the southern Serengeti, with thousands of newborn wildebeest and plenty of predators.
- June to October: the long dry season. Excellent game viewing in both countries, and the main season for the river crossings in the northern Serengeti and the Mara.
- November and March to May: greener, quieter and often better value. The long rains (roughly April and May) can make some roads harder going.
For a month-by-month look at the Tanzania side, read our guide to the best time to visit the Serengeti.
Plan your Tanzania and Kenya safari with Asoupe Travel
We are based in Arusha and work with trusted partners in Kenya, so one team looks after your whole journey: the Tanzania safari, the border crossing or flights, your Kenyan guide and lodges. Tell us your dates and we will send you a tailor-made plan and a clear price.
Want a plan for your own dates?
Tell us your month, who is travelling and what you want to see. We’ll send a free, no-obligation safari plan.
