Kenya and Tanzania combined safaris and tour packages have gained fame over the years as one of the best safari packages in Africa. Imagine witnessing the world’s largest animal movement – the wildebeest migration experience. Wildebeest migration safaris and tours on a combined Kenya and Tanzania trip take place in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Other amazing destinations like Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Nakuru National Park, Olpejeta Conservancy, and Amboseli National Park. Tailor your amazing combined Kenya and Tanzania safari and create an everlasting memory that will make your safari dreams come true.

Combining a Tanzania safari with that of Kenya can easily be done and the countries can be explored in a single trip. For those starting their combined Kenya and Tanzania safari from Kenya, the gateway is the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport. Your safari starts with a pick-up from the airport and a transfer to a hotel in Nairobi for relaxation. You then transfer to either the north or the west for an amazing safari experience. If your trip is starting from Tanzania, your inbound flight will land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transfer to Arusha for relaxation.

In this article, we will discuss the highlights of combining safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, providing insights into the attractions and experiences that await adventurous wildlife enthusiasts.

Where to do a combined Kenya and Tanzania Safari?

The combined Kenya and Tanzania safaris give travelers a chance to explore the hidden treasures of Africa. It is a gateway to experiencing the great wildebeest migration. You will take on tour of the Ngorongoro Crater rim and witness the world’s largest crater. You get up close with animals like the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant). Below are some of the places you should look up to for an amazing combined Kenya and Tanzania safari.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Located in the southwestern part of Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve is a renowned and popular safari destination in East Africa. The reserve supports hundreds of wildlife including wildebeests, lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, gazelles, antelopes, zebras, and warthogs, to mention but a few. The best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve is during the dry months of June to September. This is the period when the great Mara River crossing event takes place. During this event, wildebeests and other grazers cross from one side of the river. It is a game of patience, resilience, and commitment. You witness animals. Wildebeests cross the deadly Mara River full of the Nile crocodiles. The

A full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve gives you a chance to witness deadly predators. It is an opportunity to spot a pride of lions hunting down a gazelle or buffalo.

Additionally, Masai Mara National Reserve offers amazing cultural tours. Visiting the Masai Cultural Villages gives a chance to dive into the indigenous cultures of Africa. They participate in local activities like dancing and making crafts.

Lastly enjoying a hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara National Reserve is equally a rewarding experience. Hot air balloons in the Mara Game Reserve usually start in the morning and afternoon. Travelers start with a briefing and they embark on this amazing tour. They get an opportunity to see the great wildebeest migration from the top. Seeing an ocean of animals roaming the endless savannah plains of Kenya is a moment turned into a memory.

At the end of a balloon safari in the Mara Region, travelers are awarded a certificate signed by a professional pilot and a bottle of champagne in the bush. A picnic lunch or sundowner meal can be organized by your lodge. You have your meal under a tree or near a water pool in the middle of nowhere. This is a real deal for lovers and honeymooners.

Serengeti National Park

Located in Central and Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is the best place to be for your combined Kenya and Tanzania wildebeest migration safari. The park is the mother of the great wildebeest migration in East Africa. When you visit Serengeti National Park during January and February, you will witness an amazing mating season, especially in the southern sector of the park. The calving seasons take place from June to September and this comes with the Grumeti River and River Mara crossing.

Serengeti National Park is also home to other wildlife species like the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, African cape buffalo, and rhino). You will also encounter zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, giraffes, antelopes, kopjes, waterbucks, bushbucks, Jackson’s heart beasts, and cheetahs, to mention but a few.

Serengeti National Park is also a reliable destination for cultural tours. Get up close to the Masai people and learn about their traditions and customs. The Masai people harmoniously coexist with wildlife. They are natural hunters and cattle keepers. The park is also a reliable birding destination that should not be missed on your combined Kenya and Tanzania birding safari. Serengeti National Park is a perfect place to see some of the rare species of birds. Some of the birds in Serengeti National Park are migratory and can be seen in particular seasons. Talk to your tour operator about your birding needs for the best advice about birding in Serengeti National Park. The majority of the bird species in Serengeti National Park are rift valley endemics. Book your combined Tanzania and Kenya birding safari and enjoy an exceptional birding adventure in East Africa.

Amboseli National Park

The park is located in the southern parts of Kenya close to the border of Tanzania, Amboseli National Park is one place that you should look up to while planning a combined Kenya and Tanzania safari. A game drive in Amboseli will introduce you to hundreds of elephants and many wildlife species. You will also enjoy exceptional views of the surrounding areas including the Kilimanjaro Mountains. Amboseli National Park is also a favorite birding destination in Kenya. It is home to over 400 bird species.

Some of the bird species spotted in Amboseli National Park include; African swamp hen, Common redshank, Dickinson’s kestrel, Eurasian thick-knee, Greater flamingo, Hartlaub’s bustard, Lesser flamingo, Long-toed lapwing, Pangani longclaw, Rufous chatterer, Rufous-bellied heron, Spike-heeled lark, Steel-blue whydah, Taveta golden weaver, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Yellow-necked spurfowl and many more.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Located in northeastern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an untamed beauty in Africa. The area is home to some of the hidden treasures of Africa and no wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gives you a chance to visit the place where the first remains of early man were discovered – Oduvai George. You will get up close to the famous wildebeest migration and see multiple animal, bird, and plant species.

Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest crater. It was formed as a result of volcanic action, millions of years ago. You will also enjoy the Ndutu plains, the Empakai Crater, Nasera Rock, the Endoro waterfalls, the Olkarien Gorge, the Olmoti Crater, and the Shifting Islands, to mention but a few.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Are you a bird lover looking for that one place that will satisfy your curiosity? Lake Nakuru National Park is the right place to be especially on a combined Kenya and Tanzania birding tour. Lake Nakuru National Park is surrounded by bushy grasslands and wooden forests. It is famous for being home to millions of flamingo birds. Several safari activities take place here and these include; game drives, hiking, birding tours, and guided nature walks, to mention but a few.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Who does not want to climb to the rooftop of Africa? A combined Kenya and Tanzania safari that includes hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is always a rewarding adventure. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is always a challenging task, especially during the wet seasons. The hiking trails get muddy and temperatures drop drastically. The experience however is a rewarding one. You enjoy overcoming the challenges in the company of an experienced hiking guide and fellow hikers. You witness the glacier rocks, wildlife, birds, scenic views, rivers, and vegetation that varies from one elevation to another.

Mount Kenya       

Mount Kenya is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kenya and is best known for having one of the best mountain hiking adventures in Africa. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa standing at 5199 m above sea level. The mountain is believed to have been formed about 3 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity. If you are planning a combined Kenya and Tanzania safari, Mount Kenya is worth adding to your list.

Mombasa and Zanzibar beach holidays

Other than wildlife and hiking adventures, you may want to wash the dust off at the end of your amazing combined Kenya and Tanzania safari. The best way of doing so is by taking a beach tour in Mombasa or Zanzibar. Visit Stone Town enjoy the sunrise and play in the sand. This is an opportunity to interact with the locals and taste the local food. You may go fishing and catch one for the day. Beach holidays in Kenya and Tanzania are perfect for lovers and honeymooners.

What is the best time to visit Kenya and Tanzania for a safari?

Kenya and Tanzania are open tourist destinations at any time of the year. However, some activities are best done during the dry months of June to September and December to February. This is the best time for wildebeest migration tours and hiking adventures in Kenya and Tanzania.