Serengeti VS Masai Mara: 20 days self drive safari experience (from 10500$/ person)

Amboseli, Kenya, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tanzania

For a 20-day self-drive safari, combining the Serengeti and Masai Mara is the ideal approach, as it allows for a longer and more diverse experience than either park could offer alone. Serengeti provides vast landscapes and the potential for longer drives, while the Masai Mara offers high wildlife density and a shorter drive from Nairobi, though access to both is primarily via 4×4 and guided safaris, or standard self-driving. With a 20-day itinerary, you could spend about 10 days in each location, allowing for a leisurely pace and deeper exploration, especially during the dry season when roads are best. You will further visit other prominent parks in both Kenya and Tanzania to widen your experience while enjoying your stay in these 2 top safari destinations on African continent. you can opt for either a lodging safari or a camping safari during this experience.

Experience the finest of East Africa on this epic 21-day trip that blends cultural immersion with wildlife-rich national parks in Tanzania and Kenya. Set out on an adventure via the flamingo-filled Lake Nakuru, wildlife drives through Ol Pejeta, Samburu, and Meru, and an immersion in the world-renowned Masai Mara and Serengeti Plains. Finalize your magnificent safari by seeing the old baobabs in Tarangire, the elephants in Amboseli, and the untamed wildness in Tsavo.

Highlights

Explore Meru National Park, one of Kenya’s hidden gems.
Discover unique wildlife in Samburu National Reserve.
Track rhinos and visit the last northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Spot flamingos at Lake Nakuru, with an optional Boat Cruise ($150).
Game drives in the world-famous Masai Mara, with optional Masai Cultural Visit ($50) and Hot Air Balloon Safari ($450).
Experience the endless plains of the Serengeti across multiple days.
Safari through Tarangire National Park, with an optional Hadzabe Tribe cultural encounter ($50).
Witness the red elephants and vast wilderness of Tsavo National Park.
Enjoy close-up views of elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop in Amboseli National Park.
Scenic SGR Train ride from Amboseli/Tsavo region back to Nairobi.

The 21 days Serengeti and Masai Mara self drive Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Nairobi to Meru

Meet your guide upon your arrival in Nairobi, and then head off to Meru National Park via car for an evening game drive. you will spend your night within Meru.

Day 2: Full Day in Meru

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives. Keep an eye out for Grevy’s zebras, elephants, and rhinos. spend another night within Meru.

Day 3: Meru – Samburu National Reserve

Make your way north to Samburu. you will carry out the game drive within the park in the evening . spend the night in Samburu.

Day 4: Full Day in Samburu

African gerenuk and Somali ostrich sightings are possible during the full day game drive. Overnight in Samburu.

Day 5: Samburu – Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy on a morning drive. Drive in the afternoon for game drive in the evening. Overnight in Ol Pejeta.

Day 6: Full Day in Ol Pejeta

Discover the Big Five—rhinos, chimpanzees, and the rest—in the conservancy. Overnight in Ol Pejeta.

Day 7: Ol Pejeta – Lake Nakuru (Optional Boat Cruise $150)

Go for a boat cruise at Lake Nakuru at an extra 150$ with a chance to see several bird species and various animals on the shores of the lake. overnight in Lake Nakuru.

Day 8: Nakuru – Masai Mara

Stop at the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve on your way. head for an evening game drive within the park. overnight within Masai Mara.

Day 9: Full Day in Masai Mara

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with a chance to witness the great migration of wildebeest depending on your travel time. Overnight in Masai Mara.

Day 10: Masai Mara (Optional Masai Cultural Visit $50 & Hot Air Balloon $450)

A hot air balloon safari in the early morning ($450) with a champagne breakfast to follow. Culture Tour of the Masai People ($50). Overnight in Masai Mara.

Day 11: Masai Mara – Serengeti (Tanzania)

Enter Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. proceed for the evening game drive in the plains of Serengeti. Overnight in Serengeti.

Day 12–14: Serengeti National Park

Explore the expansive plains of Serengeti over the course of three days. Occasionally, you may be able to see the Great Migration while on a game drive. Overnight in Serengeti each night.

Day 15: Serengeti – Karatu

Morning game drive in Serengeti. and transfer to karatu where you will be spending the night as you prepare to visit Tangire the following day.

Day 16: Karatu – Tarangire National Park

Travel to Tarangire in the morning; it’s renowned for its baobab trees and elephants. Head for the afternoon game drive with a chance to encounter tree climbing lions on top of the elephants. Overnight in Tarangire.

Day 17: Full Day in Tarangire (Optional Hadzabe Tribe Visit $50)

Morning and afternoon game drives. Optional Hadzabe Tribe visit ($50). Overnight in Tarangire or near lake Eyasi.

Day 18: Tarangire – Amboseli National Park (Kenya)

after your breakfast, drive to Amboseli national park near Kenya Tanzania border of Namanga for an overnight stay.

Day 19: Full day game drive at Amboseli National Park

a full day game drive at the backdrop of Kilimanjaro mountain, the tallest mountain on the African continent will be high reward. Overnight in Amboseli national park

Day 20: Amboseli – Nairobi

Drive to Nairobi after the morning game drive where you will be ending your safari the following day. overnight in Nairobi

Day 21: transfer to the airport

the last day of this great adventure will lead you to Nairobi airport where you will be ending you trip from and that will mark the end of this great adventure