14 Day Plains and Primates: Serengeti, Mara and Gorillas
The Serengeti, the Masai Mara and the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, in one grand circuit.
Go beyond the expected.
Fourteen days across three countries. Two Tanzanian parks and the Ngorongoro Crater, three nights in the Maasai Mara, then a flight to Kigali for a mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park.
- Three nights in the Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater descent
- Three nights in the Maasai Mara
- Mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park
- Optional hot air balloon safaris on both sides of the border
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Guided activities as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Your guide meets you for a briefing.
Day 2 Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
A full day in Tarangire among elephants and baobabs.
Day 3 To the Serengeti
Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park
A long scenic drive through the Ngorongoro highlands into the Serengeti.
Day 4 Full day in the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
A full day of game drives on the plains in search of lion, leopard, cheetah and the herds.
Day 5 Serengeti: second full day
Serengeti National Park
A second day of game drives with a picnic lunch in the field.
Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater
A morning drive out of the Serengeti, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor.
Day 7 To Nairobi
Arusha and Nairobi
Return to Arusha and fly or shuttle to Nairobi for the night.
Day 8 Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Nairobi, Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara National Reserve
Drive west, with a stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint, to the Maasai Mara for an afternoon game drive.
Day 9 Full day in the Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve
A full day of game drives across the Mara in search of lion, cheetah and, in season, the great herds crossing the Mara River.
Day 10 Maasai Mara and a Maasai village
Maasai Mara National Reserve
A last morning game drive and a visit to a Maasai village.
Day 11 Fly to Kigali
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi and Kigali
Return to Nairobi by road or light aircraft and fly on to Kigali, arriving in the evening.
Day 12 To Volcanoes National Park
Kigali and Musanze
Drive north from Kigali to Musanze through the Land of a Thousand Hills, with time to rest before the trek.
Day 13 Gorilla trek and return to Kigali
Volcanoes National Park and Kigali
Trek with rangers to a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour with them, then return to Kigali.
Day 14 Kigali and departure
Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kigali
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then transfer to the airport.
On this safari
Places you will visit
Serengeti National ParkExplore place →
Arusha National ParkExplore place →ArushaExplore place →
Tarangire National ParkExplore place →
Ngorongoro Conservation AreaExplore place →
NairobiExplore place →
Nairobi National ParkExplore place →
Maasai Mara National ReserveExplore place →
KigaliExplore place →
Volcanoes National ParkExplore place →
MusanzeExplore place →
Kigali Genocide MemorialExplore place →Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
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East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania Gorilla Safari: A 14 Day Plan
Gorillas in Rwanda, then the Mara and the Serengeti.
East Africa Multi-Country Safaris Planning a Safari
Tanzania or Kenya Safari: How to Choose Fairly
A fair comparison of the migration, scenery, crowds and logistics.
East Africa Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
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East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Great Migration and Gorilla Safari: Plan Both in One Trip
Where the herds are each month and how to add the gorillas.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 14 Day Plains and Primates: Serengeti, Mara and Gorillas
Can I combine a Kenya safari with the coast?
Yes. Pairing a Maasai Mara or Amboseli safari with a few days on the Kenyan coast (Diani, Watamu or Lamu) is a well-established combination, giving a wildlife-then-beach structure to the safari.
Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, this is one of the most popular East African combinations; a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari followed by several days on Zanzibar’s beaches, connected by a short flight.
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one safari?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one trip?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most nationalities need an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) for Kenya, applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need for a Kenya safari?
A focused Maasai Mara safari can work in 3–4 days, while combining the Mara with Amboseli, another park or the coast generally calls for 7–10 days. We shape the length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Kenya have?
Kenya protects its wildlife across more than sixty national parks and reserves, an unusually extensive network for a single country: from the Maasai Mara and Amboseli in the south to Samburu and the arid northern reserves, each holding a somewhat different range of species.