11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari

The 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari showcases East Africa’s most beautiful landscapes and richest wildlife in one well-paced journey. You will watch lions in the Masai Mara, cruise Lake Naivasha, and walk among elephants in Tarangire. Then you will cross the Serengeti plains and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Each day brings a new view, a new species, and a new culture.

Terenga Africa Safaris and Travel Ltd designed this itinerary for travelers who want scenery, wildlife, and authentic culture without rushing. We use private vehicles with pop-up roofs and keep groups small. As a result, you take better photographs and spend more time at every sighting. Our guides know each park well. They read animal behavior, chase the best light, and explain the stories behind each landscape.

This guide helps you plan with confidence. First, you will find a highlights table. Next, you will read a day-by-day account with cultural tips for every lodge. Finally, you will see inclusions, exclusions, and prices for two, four, and six travelers. The 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari suits couples, families, and friends who want a complete East African experience.

11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari Highlights

Day	Activities	Accommodation
1	Arrival in Nairobi, city and culture visits	Eka Hotel, Nairobi (or similar)
2	Drive to Lake Naivasha, boat trip, Crescent Island walk	Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (or similar)
3	Drive to Masai Mara, afternoon game drive	Mara Sopa Lodge (or similar)
4	Full-day Mara game drives, Maasai village visit	Mara Sopa Lodge (or similar)
5	Morning game drive, flights to Kilimanjaro, Arusha coffee estate	Arusha Coffee Lodge (or similar)
6	Tarangire National Park game drive	Tarangire Sopa Lodge (or similar)
7	Scenic drive to the Serengeti, evening game drive	Serengeti Sopa Lodge (or similar)
8	Full-day Serengeti game drives, Moru Kopjes	Serengeti Sopa Lodge (or similar)
9	Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro rim, Maasai boma visit	Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (or similar)
10	Ngorongoro Crater game drive, Mto wa Mbu village	Arusha Coffee Lodge (or similar)
11	Arusha cultural visit, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport	None

Detailed: 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Karibu Kenya! Your 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari begins at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Our representative meets you at arrivals and escorts you to your private vehicle. The drive to your hotel introduces you to a busy, green capital that borders a national park. After check-in, you rest and refresh. Later, you meet your guide for a friendly trip briefing and a first taste of Kenyan cuisine over dinner.

Nairobi offers rich cultural stops close to your hotel. For example, the Nairobi National Museum explores Kenya’s human origins, tribal heritage, and birdlife. Alternatively, Kazuri Beads Centre lets you watch local women shape and paint ceramic jewelry by hand. The Giraffe Centre also gives you a chance to feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at eye level. Furthermore, the Karen Blixen Museum reveals colonial-era history beneath the Ngong Hills. Choose one or two stops, depending on your arrival time.

Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, you drive northwest toward the Great Rift Valley. A viewpoint on the escarpment reveals the valley floor stretching for miles. Then the road drops to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake alive with birdlife. You arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, a relaxed boat trip takes you close to hippos, pelicans, and fish eagles.

Naivasha also offers memorable experiences on land. Walk among zebras, giraffes, and gazelles on Crescent Island, where no predators roam. Alternatively, cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park beneath towering red cliffs. Local Maasai guides often lead these rides and share their knowledge of the landscape. Moreover, Elsamere Conservation Centre, the former home of Joy Adamson, offers tea, gardens, and conservation history. Together, these visits give you a gentle start to your safari.

Day 3: Naivasha to the Masai Mara

Today you travel southwest to the Masai Mara, Kenya’s most famous reserve. The scenery shifts from farmland and forest to open golden savannah. You stop briefly in Narok town, where bustling markets sell fruit, beadwork, and colorful fabrics. By lunchtime, you reach your lodge and settle in. Then you set out on your first Mara game drive.

The Mara shelters lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, so all of the Big Five live here. Cheetahs, giraffes, and hyenas also patrol the plains. Between July and October, the Great Migration brings enormous wildebeest herds across the Mara River. Back at your lodge, Maasai performers gather around the campfire in the evening. Their jumping dances, layered beadwork, and rich harmonies give your first night a strong sense of place.

Day 4: A Full Day in the Mara

Today you explore the Mara from dawn until late afternoon. Early drives deliver the best sightings, because predators stay active in the cool morning air. By midday, you picnic beside the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles line the banks. Afterward, you scan the open plains for cheetahs and lions resting in the shade. Patient observation often rewards you with dramatic moments.

In the afternoon, you visit a Maasai village near the reserve. Residents welcome you, share their daily routines, and show you how they build homes and herd cattle. Furthermore, you learn the meaning behind Maasai beadwork and the central role of cattle in community life. You can buy handmade crafts directly from the artisans. This visit supports local families and offers a respectful look at a living culture.

Day 5: Into Tanzania

You begin the day with a final Mara game drive, followed by breakfast. Next, you fly from the Mara airstrip to Nairobi and connect to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Our team coordinates every transfer, so you travel without stress. A driver meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport and takes you to Arusha. On clear days, Mount Meru rises dramatically above the town.

Your lodge sits on a working coffee estate, so culture starts at your doorstep. Join a plantation walk to watch farmers pick, roast, and brew local beans. Alternatively, visit the Cultural Heritage Centre, which displays Tanzanian art, carvings, and gemstones under one roof. Arusha’s busy markets also let you sample fresh fruit and spiced street snacks. Afterward, you relax in the gardens and prepare for your Tanzanian adventure.

Day 6: Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast, you drive about two hours to Tarangire National Park. The park hosts some of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds and its most majestic baobab trees. During the dry season, animals gather along the Tarangire River, so sightings come easily. You may also spot giraffes, zebras, lions, and troops of baboons. A picnic lunch under a baobab makes the day even more special.

Cultural experiences near Tarangire Sopa Lodge deepen your visit. Maasai guides lead optional village walks, where you learn how families follow seasonal grazing routes. Likewise, baobab trees hold a special place in Tanzanian folklore, and your guide shares those traditions along the trail. In the evening, you relax on the lodge terrace and watch elephants cross the valley below. The sunset here glows deep orange.

Day 7: The Road to the Serengeti

Today you travel to the Serengeti, one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions. Your route climbs through the Ngorongoro highlands before it drops onto the plains. Along the way, you pass Maasai herders, acacia woodlands, and wide golden grasslands. Game viewing starts as soon as you enter the park. A picnic lunch keeps you fueled for the afternoon.

By late afternoon, you reach your lodge and settle in. A short evening game drive often reveals lions, hyenas, and gazelles near the track. Maasai and Sukuma communities live around the Serengeti and keep their herding and farming traditions alive. Your guide explains these traditions as you travel. Then you enjoy a candlelit dinner beneath one of Africa’s clearest night skies.

Day 8: A Full Day in the Serengeti

Day eight gives you a full day on the Serengeti plains. The park covers about 14,750 square kilometres, so your guide plans routes around recent sightings. You search for lions on rocky kopjes, leopards in sausage trees, and elephants along the rivers. Depending on the season, you may also meet vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. For a different perspective, add a sunrise hot-air balloon ride at extra cost.

History and culture shape this day as well. At Moru Kopjes, you see Maasai rock paintings and an ancient gong rock that rings when struck. At the lodge, staff share traditional songs and often run local cooking demonstrations. Afterward, you return for sunset drinks and a relaxed dinner. These small moments connect you to the people who share this wild landscape.

Day 9: Olduvai Gorge and the Ngorongoro Rim

After breakfast, you leave the Serengeti and stop at Olduvai Gorge, a major archaeological site. The small museum displays early human fossils and tools that reveal our shared origins. Next, you continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and check in at your lodge on the crater rim. The view over the crater takes your breath away.

Maasai communities live on the highlands around the crater. Visit a boma to see traditional homes, taste fresh milk, and watch the famous jumping dance. Late afternoon offers softer light and warm conversation. Then watch the sun set over the crater from your lodge terrace. Cool mountain air and sweeping views make this a relaxing evening, so pack a warm jacket.

Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater and Mto wa Mbu

At dawn, you descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. The crater floor covers roughly 260 square kilometres and shelters about 25,000 large animals. Black rhinos, lions, hippos, and flamingos live here, so sightings come quickly. A picnic lunch beside the hippo pool completes this unforgettable morning.

In the afternoon, you drive toward Arusha and stop at Mto wa Mbu village. This lively market town blends many Tanzanian communities. Wander the stalls, sample banana beer, and watch woodcarvers at work. A guided bicycle tour through banana farms adds a fun, local perspective. By evening, you reach Arusha and rest after a full day of discovery.

Day 11: Arusha and Departure

On your final morning, you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. If time allows, visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre for last-minute gifts. Local artists sell paintings, carvings, and jewelry, so you can take home authentic memories. Our team then transfers you to Kilimanjaro International Airport, about an hour away.

You leave with memories of lions, elephants, and endless plains. Moreover, you carry new friendships and a deeper understanding of East African cultures. The 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari ends here, yet your connection to Africa continues. We look forward to welcoming you back.

11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers
• 10 nights accommodation
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking guide
• All national park and conservation fees
• Flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi
• Flight from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro
• Lake Naivasha boat trip
• Cultural visits listed in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water during game drives

Safari Exclusions

• International flights
• Visa and travel authorisation fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities such as hot-air balloon rides
• Excess baggage charges

Price for the 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari

Number of Travelers	Price Per Person (USD)	Total Group Price (USD)
2	$4,450	$8,900
4	$3,950	$15,800
6	$3,700	$22,200

Extend Your Adventure With a 4- Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking safari

After completing the 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari, you can extend your African journey with an unforgettable 4-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari. This extension creates an extraordinary combination of Tanzania’s open savannah wilderness and Uganda’s ancient tropical forests.

The journey takes travelers toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most important mountain gorilla destinations. Instead of endless grasslands, Uganda introduces misty forests, rolling hills, and beautiful green landscapes. Gorilla trekking provides the main highlight of this extension. Travelers enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The journey through Bwindi becomes an adventure itself. Dense vegetation, forest sounds, colorful birds, and changing trails create an exciting atmosphere. Eventually, visitors spend valuable time observing mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

The extension can also include cultural experiences around Bwindi. Travelers may discover local traditions, crafts, music, food, and community life. A Batwa cultural experience can provide further insight into the human heritage connected to Uganda’s ancient forests. Combining the 11 Days Kenya and Tanzania Scenic Safari with a Uganda gorilla trekking safari creates an exceptional East African journey. You can experience elephants in Tarangire, lions in Serengeti, wildlife in Ngorongoro, and mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Terenga Africa Safaris and Travel Ltd can help you create this unforgettable multi-country African safari experience.

Optional Safari Extension: 4- Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda

Day	Activities	Accommodation
Day 1	Flight from Kilimanjaro airport to Kigali airport and have afternoon Kigali city tour	Kigali: chez lando hotel Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2	Morning road transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest (Rushaga sector) and afternoon relaxation at the lodge	Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge Meal: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Drinking Water
Day 3	Go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and afternoon enjoy batwa cultural experience with community involvement	Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Drinking Water
Day 4	Road transfer to Kigali international airport Rwanda for a flight back home	None Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Drinking Water