Can’t decide on whether to go on safari in Kenya or Tanzania? Kenya and Tanzania offer some of the best safari destinations on the planet, so I can’t blame you for wanting to visit both! That said, I also know how exhausting it can be, especially if you’re keen to make the most of a 10-day trip and want to fit a lot in.
In this guide, you’ll find a carefully curated 10-day Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary. This itinerary is also perfect for getting close to each country’s varied wildlife. Within this post, you can find everything you need to know about planning your trip, from the expected costs, when to visit and how to book a tour operator to advice on making the most of your holiday once you arrive.
This itinerary is carefully put together to avoid long travel times and other mistakes, so you don’t have to repeat the ones I’ve made! After all, I’m sure you’d rather be out on safari than stuck on a long, bumpy drive. If you haven’t quite decided on how many days you’ll be visiting, you can also view my 2-week Tanzania and Kenya itinerary.
Join the rapidly growing tribe of over 1,000 travellers who’ve booked their dream safari using my insider tips and recommendations. I’m here to make booking your perfect safari quick, easy and risk-free. It takes under 60 seconds to fill out the form and in under 48 hours you will receive multiple, no-obligation proposals from my favourite local tour operators with glowing online reviews.
If you have the time, I’d personally recommend extending your trip to 2-weeks over 10 days as it allows you to explore at a much more relaxed pace.
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Why Go on Safari in Kenya and Tanzania?
Besides the wildlife, the countries’ landscapes are equally breathtaking. Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, whereas Kenya offers Mount Kenya, the continent’s second-highest peak.
TANZANIA 🇹🇿 1 Week SAFARI | Serengeti, Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Crater
How to Book Your Kenya and Tanzania Safari
Planning a trip to East Africa can seem really tough, especially if it’s your first time. I recommend booking your Kenya and Tanzania safari with a local tour company.
Choosing a local tour operator over an international travel agency also saves you money. International agencies mark up the price significantly and then hand off the actual trip planning to local firms. This option is also cheaper than booking via a travel agency, as these basically just act as a middleman, which hikes up the prices without offering additional perks. Local operators handle everything for you - from hotel bookings and park entry fees to providing full board, vehicles, fuel, and an experienced driver-guide.
Choosing an overseas travel agent might seem like the easiest way to book your safari, mainly because they can handle both your international flights and the safari itself. Despite this, the actual safari experience they offer isn’t better. However, overseas travel agents tend to mark up profits significantly. A benefit for international travel agents is that In the UK you will be covered by Package Travel Regulations which can provide some assistance if they go bust before your trip.
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My tips would be using your credit or debit card to make payment for the deposit as these typically offer purchase protection (In the UK it’s called Section 75). Purchasing good travel insurance with travel interruption protection or similar. Comparison sites which provide multiple quotes from verified suppliers such as Safaris By Ella.
When booking safaris, you usually have the choice between private and group tours. If it’s within your budget, I always suggest a private safari for more flexibility and a tailored experience, unless you’re travelling solo and keen to meet new people. Group tours often don’t offer the same level of choice regarding accommodation, park visits, or safari timings.
The safari experience can vary significantly depending on which local operator you choose. Reading reviews is crucial to finding a reliable operator. My own safari experiences have varied widely from one operator to another.
How to Book a DIY Self-Drive Tanzania Safari
Going on a self-drive safari in Kenya and Tanzania seems like a great idea if you want to be in charge of your trip. First off, the big costs such as park entrance fees are the same regardless of whether you drive yourself or go on a tour. Also, you won’t get a better deal on hotels and lodges if you book them on your own as tour operators can actually get better deals on hotels.
Meanwhile, a good-quality 4×4 vehicle rental- a necessity for travelling the terrains of Kenya and Tanzania’s national parks-comes with its own set of daily costs, which are often pretty steep. The requirements to enter Tanzania’s parks are quite strict and regular 4×4 vehicles are often turned down, as I saw first-hand when a couple were denied entry to the Serengeti in a regular 4×4 SUV.
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Self-driving can quickly become hazardous due to deep hidden potholes. This was actually a normal road which quickly flooded after heavy rain and trapped inexperienced drivers. Luckily my experienced driver guide knew not to attempt a crossing.
But most of all, while not having to pay for a guide might seem like a way to save money, you’ll likely miss out on seeing a lot of wildlife that only local guides can spot. Although I loved the independence of self-driving when I was in Namibia, even I would find driving around East Africa’s huge parks tough.
Option 1: Comparison sites which provide multiple quotes from verified suppliers such as Safaris By Ella. Make sure to write you want to self drive in the notes when requesting a quote. (This is a hybrid approach where you’ll drive yourself but they will arrange everything)
Option 2: Research and book all elements of the trip yourself using Google and online travel agents.
How to Book a Hotel-Provided Safari
Many lodges and tented camps offer their own safari experiences, which can be ideal if you’re planning to stay in one place for a while. Flying is often the easiest way to get from one hotel to another, especially when they’re in different parks. Many parks have their own airstrips, and hotels near or inside the national parks usually can arrange to pick you up and drop you off, though they might charge extra for this service.
If your journey includes going from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti, or any two parks across the border, you’ll likely need to take two flights. The first flight will bring you to an international airport where you can go through immigration, and the second will take you to your final destination. Another point to bear in mind is that safaris organised by lodges often aren’t private and you’ll be sharing the vehicle with other lodge guests.
Option 1: My recommended tour operators on Safaris By Ella can arrange hotels and air or road transport to and from the hotels. If you opt for the more cost-effective road transport, since they have driven you to the hotel, you might find it cheaper to use the safari company for safaris rather than using the hotel-provided safaris.
Option 2: Check with your chosen accommodation whether they provide this service and the booking requirements.
How Much Does a Kenya and Tanzania Safari Cost?
Kenya safari costs and Tanzania safari costs are very similar. Please note that the starting from costs above are for booking through a local company. If you’re on a tighter budget, group safaris cut costs to around $190 per person per day.
The variable timings of the rains can affect wildlife timings. The most expensive part of an East African safari is the park fees. For example, it costs $200 + 18% tax per person to enter the Maasai Mara in peak season for a 12 hour period. Park fees are similar in Tanzania with it costing $70 +18% tax per person per day to enter the Serengeti plus an additional $60 + 18% tax concession fee to spend the night in the park (staying outside the park isn’t an option with the Serengeti).
The next biggest cost on your safari will be your lodges and tented camps. Even budget camps in Serengeti cost around $150 per person per night (this price excludes the nightly concession fee). Prices for camps bordering the Masai Mara in Kenya are similar. Perhaps the biggest factor is your accommodation comfort level. Another huge factor is the time of year that you choose to visit.
For example, park fees for peak season in the Maasai Mara (July to December) are $200 + 18% tax per person. This is double the fees in low season (January to June) which are $100 + 18% tax per person. Your mode of transportation for game drives will also have an impact on your safari cost. In Kenya you have several options, the cheapest being a minivan. Land Cruisers typically cost $50 more per day than minivans and you can pay even more to have a photographic Land Cruiser with dropped sides.
The final key factor that can affect your cost is how you choose to journey between parks. The cheapest and most popular way to travel is by road in the same vehicle that you’ll be using for your game drives. This doesn’t cost you any extra on top of your safari as you’re already paying per day for your vehicle. However, you may wish to fly between parks which saves you a lot of time.
There are two main dry seasons in East Africa. The longer dry season, from June to mid-October, is often seen as the best time for a visit. Then there’s a shorter dry season from mid-December to late February. This period is the warmest, though it can still get a bit of rain. This season is special because the landscape is green and full, perfect for photography.
The rainy season from March to May is often less popular for visits since it can get very wet. A brief rainy season occurs from mid-October to mid-December when you might see some evening showers, but generally, it stays dry and sunny. The Mara River crossing is part of the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti / Southern Masai Mara around September. Watch out for the crocs!
Timing your visit to catch the highlights of great wildebeest migration is highly recommended if you can, as this is considered one of the best wildlife experiences on the planet. The most popular time to see the great migration is from mid-July to mid-September. Another fantastic time to visit is mid -January and late February in southern Serengeti when thousands of wildebeest calves are born each day.
Crossing Borders and Health Precautions
Ideally, I’d recommend spending at least around 5 days in Kenya and another 5 days in Tanzania if time allows. There’s not much you need to sort out yourself for crossing borders between Kenya and Tanzania, besides getting your visa and making sure your paperwork is in order.
You can cross between the countries either through land borders or at airports. Usually, crossing at airports is quicker because there are fewer people. Safari operators from Kenya can’t operate in Tanzania, and the same goes the other way. This rule helps local businesses thrive. At the border, you’ll need your passport, visa, and yellow fever certificate ready for the officials.
My experience with crossing land borders into Tanzania and back into Kenya was incredibly smooth-no queues and the process took about 10 minutes. However, I travelled during the quieter short rainy season. Your safari will be handled by separate companies in Kenya and Tanzania, but don’t worry-these companies usually work closely with partners across the border.
Most travellers will need a single-entry visa, costing $50 per person. On the other hand, from 2024, Kenya has introduced visa-free entry, meaning you no longer need a visa to visit. However, you will need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before your trip. Kenya is listed as a country where Yellow Fever can occur, so you’ll need to be vaccinated against it. In contrast, Tanzania is considered to have a lower risk of Yellow Fever.
If you’re moving between Kenya and Tanzania, you’ll need to show your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. While other vaccinations aren’t compulsory, they are strongly advised, including for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid, among others. Alongside antimalarial medication, it’s always a good idea to put together a travel health kit. Make sure your prescription containers are clearly marked, and if you can, bring along a note from your doctor explaining what each medication is for and why you’re taking it.
Day 1: Nairobi
This trip begins in bustling Nairobi. Nairobi is a bustling modern city where nature is only ever a stone’s throw away, giving you a sneak peek of what’s to come in Kenya.
Today’s drive time: dependent on what activities you choose to do on this day
If your plane gets in early, you might have time to check out some cool places in the city. You could visit the Nairobi National Museum to learn about the area’s history or walk around Karura Forest for a gentle start to your trip. If you land later in the day, there’s still lots to do. Evening is a great time to try some local food (Nairobi has an excellent food scene!) or check out the vibrant nightlife. However, no one will blame you if you prefer to relax at your hotel to prepare for the days ahead!
Whether you spend your first day exploring or just relaxing and enjoying the vibe, it’s the beginning of a trip you’ll always remember.
About Nairobi
Known as the ‘Green City in the Sun’, Nairobi is special because it has Nairobi National Park right in the city, where you can see animals like lions, giraffes, and rhinos - a very unique experience mixing wildlife with city buildings in the background. If you’re interested in Kenya’s stories and past, places like the Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum are also great to visit.
Getting around in Nairobi is pretty easy. You can use taxis, matatus (which are like small buses), Uber, or even motorbike taxis if you’re feeling brave. Most people here speak English and Swahili, so it’s usually easy to talk to locals. Just like in any big city, it’s important to be careful, especially at night, and keep your things safe.
For food lovers, Nairobi is exciting because the thriving food scene offers a great mix of local restaurants where you can try traditional dishes like roasted meat and maize alongside top-notch international eateries.
Where to Stay in Nairobi
In Nairobi, choosing the right area to stay in can make your visit even better. For first-timers, areas like Westlands and Karen are my top picks. Westlands is bustling with shops, restaurants, and nightlife, making it perfect for those looking to experience Nairobi’s urban side. Karen, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed vibe.
| Month | Wildlife Viewing | Weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| June to Mid-October | Excellent | Longer dry season | Best time for a visit |
| Mid-December to Late February | Good | Shorter dry season, Warmest | Green landscapes, good for photography |
| March to May | Fair | Rainy season | Can get very wet |
| Mid-October to Mid-December | Good | Brief rainy season | Evening showers, generally dry and sunny |
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