East Africa Safari in 10 Days
Kenya · Tanzania
Overview
This route crosses overland from Kenya's Maasai Mara into Tanzania's Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — three of East Africa's greatest wildlife areas back to back — before finishing on Zanzibar's beaches. Small-plane transfers between parks are standard and included in most safari packages.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €2,200–€2,750
Route
1. Nairobi2. Maasai Mara3. Serengeti4. Ngorongoro Crater5. Arusha6. Zanzibar
Highlights
- Game drives in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater's dense wildlife concentration
- The Great Migration, if timed for July–September or January–March
- Zanzibar's Stone Town and beaches to finish
Worth knowing
- One of the most expensive trip types on this list — safari lodges and park fees add up fast
- Small-plane transfers between parks have strict luggage weight limits
- Yellow fever vaccination is typically required for entry
Day by day
Day 1
NairobiMain activities
- Arrive
- Giraffe Centre or Nairobi National Park
Overnight: Nairobi
Day 2
Nairobi → Maasai MaraMain activities
- Small-plane transfer (~45min)
- Afternoon game drive
~45 minutes flightOvernight: Maasai Mara
Day 3
Maasai MaraMain activities
- Full-day game drives
Optional additions
- Maasai village visit
Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 4
Maasai Mara → SerengetiMain activities
- Cross the border by small plane (~1h)
- Afternoon game drive
~1 hour flight · Border crossing via bush airstripOvernight: Serengeti
Day 5
SerengetiMain activities
- Full-day game drives
Overnight: Serengeti
Day 6
Serengeti → NgorongoroMain activities
- Drive to the crater rim (~3h)
- Sunset viewpoint
~3 hoursOvernight: Ngorongoro Crater
Day 7
NgorongoroMain activities
- Crater floor game drive
- Drive to Arusha (~3h)
~3 hoursOvernight: Arusha
Day 8
Arusha → ZanzibarMain activities
- Flight to Zanzibar (~1.5h)
- Stone Town and spice tour
~1.5 hours flightOvernight: Zanzibar
Day 9
ZanzibarMain activities
- Beach day
Optional additions
- Snorkelling trip
Overnight: Zanzibar
Day 10
ZanzibarMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Zanzibar
Alternatives
Shorter version · 7 days
Drop Zanzibar and fly directly home from Arusha/Kilimanjaro.
Longer extension · 13 days
Add 3 more beach days on Zanzibar, or a Kilimanjaro trek before the safari begins.