7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Big Five Safari

The 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Big Five Safari takes you through East Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves in one week. You search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos across three landscapes. You begin in Kenya’s Masai Mara, then cross into Tanzania for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Kaara Safari Adventures designed this route from years of guiding guests across both countries.

Every day balances wildlife, comfort, and culture. You stay in well-chosen lodges and meet Maasai and Iraqw communities. Our driver-guides know each trail, airstrip, and village host personally. As a result, you travel with confidence and real local insight. This itinerary suits couples, families, and small groups who want a short but complete safari. Read on to see how each day unfolds.

Detailed: 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Big Five Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Welcome to Kenya. Your guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and drives you to Ole Sereni Hotel. The hotel overlooks Nairobi National Park, so zebras and giraffes often graze in view. Rest, swim, or stretch your legs after the flight. Nairobi stands out as the only capital city with a national park on its edge.

In the afternoon, visit the Karen Blixen Museum. The farmhouse tells the story of colonial-era Kenya. Next, stop at the Kazuri Beads Centre, where local women shape and paint ceramic beads by hand. In the evening, your guide hosts a welcome briefing. Then enjoy a Kenyan dinner of nyama choma and ugali.

Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara

After breakfast, you drive west across the Great Rift Valley. The road climbs the escarpment, and the views stretch for miles. You pause for photos and a short break. By early afternoon, you descend into the Mara plains. Mara Serena Safari Lodge greets you with a cool drink and lunch.

Later, you head out on your first game drive. Lions, elephants, and giraffes often appear within minutes. The golden light makes the grassland glow. Back at the lodge, join a Maasai storytelling session by the fire. Your hosts explain herding traditions, beadwork, and warrior songs. This evening opens the 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Big Five Safari with real energy.

Day 3: Full Day in the Masai Mara

Today belongs to the Mara. You leave at sunrise with a packed breakfast. Big cats hunt most actively in the cool early hours. Your guide positions the vehicle for the best sightings and photographs. Between July and October, you may watch wildebeest gather at the Mara River. Leopards and rhinos reward patient searching along the riverine forest.

In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village near the reserve. The community welcomes you with a traditional jumping dance. You learn how families build homes, make fire, and care for cattle. Moreover, you can try beadwork with the women’s cooperative. Purchases from the craft market go directly to local households. Then return to the lodge for a sundowner on the terrace.

Day 4: Fly to the Serengeti

After breakfast, you board a scheduled flight toward the Serengeti. The route crosses the Kenya-Tanzania border. From the window, you often spot herds moving across the plains below. Border formalities take place at the airstrip. Your Tanzanian guide then meets you and starts a game drive.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge sits on a ridge with sweeping views. You check in, enjoy lunch, and rest briefly. Later, you explore the Seronera area, famous for leopards resting in sausage trees. In the evening, Maasai and Sukuma performers share traditional dances at the lodge. Their rhythms give you a warm introduction to Tanzanian culture.

Day 5: Full Day in the Serengeti

The Serengeti covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres. Today, you explore it with a picnic lunch and an expert guide. The plains hold lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and thousands of grazing animals. Because the herds move constantly, your guide reads the land daily. Radio contact with other drivers helps locate the best action.

During the midday break, visit the Simba Kopjes or a hippo pool. These granite outcrops offer a high viewpoint over the plains. Back at the lodge, explore the small display on Serengeti history. Dinner follows under a sky full of stars. Few places on earth reveal the Milky Way so clearly. Therefore, bring a camera that handles night skies.

Day 6: Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater

After an early game drive, you leave the plains and drive toward Ngorongoro. The route passes Olduvai Gorge, often called the cradle of humankind. A small museum there explains the fossil discoveries of the Leakey family. This stop adds a rich human story to your wildlife journey.

You reach Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge by midday. The lodge clings to the crater rim, and every room offers dramatic views. After lunch, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. This collapsed volcano shelters about 25,000 large animals. Black rhinos, lions, hippos, and flamingos live within its walls. In the evening, Maasai neighbours visit with songs and stories about highland life.

Day 7: Karatu and Departure

On your final morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the crater rim. Then drive to Karatu for a visit to a historic coffee farm. Tour the gardens, grind coffee beans, and meet local artisans. An Iraqw community nearby also welcomes visitors for a short cultural walk. You learn about their farming methods and traditional homes.

After lunch, continue to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight. Our team schedules the transfer so you arrive in good time. You leave with full memories, strong friendships, and a deeper bond with Africa. The 7 Days Kenya and Tanzania Big Five Safari ends here. However, the connection with . Kaara Safari Adventures continues long after you land.

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers in Kenya and Tanzania
• Accommodation as listed, on full board basis
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Park and conservation fees in all destinations
• Internal flight from Masai Mara to Serengeti
• Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
• Maasai village visit
• Karatu coffee farm visit
• Cultural visits as listed
• Bottled drinking water during game drives
• Government taxes and service charges

Safari Exclusions

• International flights to and from East Africa
• Visa fees
• Travel and medical insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic and soft drinks at lodges
• Optional hot air balloon safari
• Laundry and personal items
• Spa treatments and massages