7 Days Masai Mara Serengeti Safari: The Honest 2026 Guide
A 7 Days Masai Mara Serengeti Safari connects the two halves of the Great Migration ecosystem across the Kenya-Tanzania border. For the 2026/2027 season, all-inclusive rates for two people sharing range from KES 495,500 ($3,810) to KES 1,480,000 ($11,385) per person. This covers private 4×4 Land Cruisers in both countries, Masai Mara park fee charges, Tanzanian TANAPA fees, and internal flights. Seven days is the minimum where this cross-border trip starts to feel worth the transit day. You change vehicles and guides at the Isebania border.
7 Days Masai Mara Serengeti Safari Costs (2026/2027)
This is the 7-day version of our Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari. For a shorter option, see the 5-day version.
This trip crosses an international border. The pricing includes park fees in both Kenya and Tanzania, two separate 4×4 vehicles with guides, border logistics, and internal flights. These are all-inclusive prices for two people traveling together.
7-Day All-Inclusive Rates (Per Person Sharing)
Package Tier | Suggested Hotels | Regular (KES) | Peak (KES) |
Budget | Talek Bush Camp + Tukaone Camp | KES 495,500 | KES 785,000 |
Mid-Range | Ashnil Mara + Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge | KES 720,000 | KES 1,020,000 |
Luxury | Mara Serena + Serengeti Serena | KES 1,150,000 | KES 1,320,000 |
Luxury Plus | Angama Mara + Sasakwa Lodge | KES 1,380,000 | KES 1,480,000 |
Book Now | Current Rates |
Note: Peak season is July–October for the wildebeest migration. For a luxury safari upgrade, request a custom quote.
What’s Covered in the Price?
- Vehicles. Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser in Kenya and a separate 4×4 in Tanzania.
- Flights. Internal flights via Masai Mara flying packages.
- Guides. TRA-licensed guide for the Kenya leg. Tanzanian guide for the Serengeti leg.
- Park Fees. Kenya fees via eCitizen. Tanzania fees via TANAPA.
- Accommodation. Full board throughout, 6 nights.
- Water. Bottled water during all game drives.
Excluded. Kenya eTA ($30–$50), Tanzania eVisa ($50–$100), tips ($25/day Kenya, $20–$30/day Tanzania), hot air balloon ($450–$600 depending on which park), international flights.
I’ve been guiding for ten years. A 7 Days Masai Mara Serengeti Safari is the trip where you see the migration from both sides of the border. The Mara is concentrated and hilly, with bold predators and conservancy night drives. The Serengeti is flat and vast in a way that takes a full day to appreciate. They share an ecosystem, but they don’t feel the same at all.
The 7-Day Itinerary
Days | Hub & Location | Core Focus & Activity |
Days 1–3 | 🇰🇪 Masai Mara (3 Nights) | High-density predators, night drives, and walking safaris. |
Day 4 | 🛃 Isebania Border | 60–90 min customs clearance and 4×4 vehicle/guide swap. |
Days 5–6 | 🇹🇿 Serengeti (2 Nights) | Endless savannah plains, Great Migration tracking, and Kopjes. |
Day 7 | 🛫 Departure | Morning game drive followed by a bush airstrip flight out. |
You spend three nights in the Mara, one day crossing the border, and three nights in the Serengeti.
Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara
6:30 AM departure. Arrive for lunch. Your Mara park ticket runs on a strict 12-hour calendar day (6 AM – 6 PM), so if you arrive mid-afternoon, consider doing a Masai village visit or a conservancy drive outside the reserve instead of entering late and paying the full day rate for a few hours. Save your first reserve entry for 6 AM on Day 2.
Day 2–3: Full Days in the Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives tracking lions, leopards, and the migration if it’s in the Mara (July–October). If you’re in a conservancy, do your night drive on one of these evenings. The Serengeti doesn’t allow night drives, so this is your only chance.
Day 3: Walking Safari
Use one morning for a walking safari with a Maasai warrior in the conservancy. The Serengeti doesn’t allow walking safaris inside the park either, so do it here.
Day 4: The Border Crossing
Early breakfast. Drive to the Isebania border. Your Kenyan guide handles the Kenya side paperwork. You cross on foot with your luggage. Your Tanzanian guide is waiting on the other side with a different vehicle. The crossing takes 60–90 minutes. From the Tanzania side, you drive to the Serengeti. If your operator flies you instead (Mara → Nairobi → Kilimanjaro → Serengeti), this becomes a flight day and you arrive by evening.
Day 5–6: Serengeti
Two full days. If visiting August to October, ask your operator to fly you into Kogatende in the northern Serengeti rather than Seronera in the centre. The northern crossings of the Mara River happen near Kogatende, and driving from central Seronera takes an entire day. If visiting outside migration season, central Seronera has the best year-round resident wildlife, including the Seronera Hippo Pool and the Simba Kopjes where a resident lion pride has used the rocks for generations.
Day 7: Departure
Morning game drive. Fly from a Serengeti airstrip to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport. Transfer to Nairobi for your international connection. If your itinerary includes Ngorongoro Crater, it fits between the Serengeti and Arusha as a half-day stop with an overnight on the crater rim.
The Isebania Border Crossing
See the Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari main page for full details on why the Sand River gate between the parks has been closed since the 1970s. See Day 4 in the itinerary above for how the crossing works.
While the paperwork is being processed (60–90 minutes), you can walk to the Kuria tribe stalls just past the Tanzanian gate. They sell Kitenge textiles and khangas with Swahili proverbs printed on them at local prices. A piece that costs $30 in a Mara lodge shop is $5 here.
What Makes the Serengeti Different From the Mara
Topi as spotters. In the Serengeti, look for Topi antelope standing on termite mounds. If a Topi is staring in one direction without moving, a predator is usually within 200 metres. Your guide will know what that posture means.
Seronera Hippo Pool alternatives. The main Hippo Pool in central Serengeti is good but crowded. The smaller ponds near the staff quarters are quieter. The hippos there are more habituated and stay closer to eye level for photography.
Olduvai Gorge. If your route passes between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, stop for 30–45 minutes at Olduvai Gorge (Oldupai). This is where the Leakey family discovered human fossils and tools dating back over 2 million years. Small museum, small entrance fee. Nothing like it exists in Kenya.
Book early for August and September. Serengeti accommodation fills up faster than the Mara during peak migration season because there are fewer lodges across a much larger area. Book 4–6 months in advance or you’ll be left with whatever is available.
What I Tell My Guests Before We Cross
Border Factor | Requirement & Expert Rule | Guide’s Pro-Tip |
Park Passes | Mara tickets run on a strict 12-hour wheel. | Exit by 10:00 AM on Day 4 to avoid a full double-charge. |
Entry Visas | Both Kenya eTA & Tanzania eVisa required. | Submit online applications at least 3 weeks prior. |
August–October | Target Northern Serengeti (Kogatende). | Book 4–6 months early; local lodge spaces are highly limited. |
Transit Rules | The Sand River border gate is closed permanently. | You must cross at Isebania or fly via Nairobi—no exceptions. |
Crew Tipping | Plan $20–$30/day per driver-guide. | Tip your Kenyan and Tanzanian crews separately at drop-off. |
- The 12-Hour Mara Rule. Your Mara ticket is valid from 6 AM to 6 PM. It expires at 6 PM regardless of when you entered. On departure day, exit by 10 AM or pay another full day. Enter as early as possible to maximise your time.
- Kogatende for Northern Crossings. See Days 5–6 in the itinerary. If visiting August–October, this is the airstrip that matters.
- Crater Rim, Not Karatu. If adding Ngorongoro, stay at a rim lodge like Ngorongoro Serena. Staying in Karatu town adds 2 hours of road time. On a 7-day trip, that matters.
- Olduvai Stop. See the Serengeti section above. Don’t skip it.
- Tanzania Tips. Budget $20–$30 per day for your Tanzanian driver-guide. Separate tips for lodge staff.
- Night Drives and Walking. Both only available in the Mara conservancies. See Days 2–3 in the itinerary.
- Simba Kopjes at Dawn. The Moru Kopjes are famous for rhinos. The Simba Kopjes are better for scanning lions from the warm rocks at first light. Ask your guide to visit both on separate mornings.
- Retima Hippo Pool. In the northern Serengeti near Kogatende, this is the most reliable spot for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo year-round.
- Siana Gate. Sekenani and Talek are bottlenecks for eCitizen validation. I use the Siana Gate for faster entry.
- Masai Mara booking Operator Check. Verify your Kenya operator on the KATO directory and your Tanzania operator on the TATO directory before paying any deposit.
The Guest Who Tried to Walk Across
A guest on one of my trips tried to save time by crossing the Sand River directly into the Serengeti. He could see the Tanzanian rangers from the Kenyan side. When he reached the Purungat Bridge, he was turned back and fined. He had to drive all the way around through Isebania, lost two game drives, and arrived at his Serengeti camp after dark.
The border is closed. It has been closed for decades. The only legal way across is Isebania or flying via Nairobi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need?
Seven is the minimum for this cross-border trip. Three nights in each park with one transit day. For a shorter Kenya-only option, see the 5 days Masai Mara safari. Browse all options on our Masai Mara packages page.
Do I need two visas?
Yes. Kenya eTA ($30–$50) and Tanzania eVisa ($50–$100). Apply for both at least 3 weeks before travel.
What is the best month?
August to September for crossings in both the Mara and the northern Serengeti. Check our best time to visit Masai Mara guide and the Masai Mara vs Serengeti comparison.
Is a 4×4 mandatory?
Yes, in both countries. Every private safari we run uses a 4×4.
Is this trip safe?
Yes. Both parks have rangers and your guides carry radios. The Isebania border is a working border post with immigration officials. More in our Masai Mara safety guide.
Why Both Parks on One Trip
The wildebeest move between the Mara and the Serengeti following the rain and the grass. Doing both parks on one trip means you see the migration as a single event rather than one side of it. The Mara gives you the concentrated predator action, the conservancy flexibility, and the river crossings from the Kenyan bank. The Serengeti gives you the open plains, the Kopjes, and Ngorongoro Crater. Seven days is tight but it works. You come home having seen both halves.
If a Kenya-only trip suits you better, see our 5 days Masai Mara safari or 4 days Masai Mara safari. Want to add a beach? See the Masai Mara and Diani Beach Safari or the Masai Mara and Zanzibar Safari. Want a different Kenya circuit? See the Masai Mara Amboseli Nakuru Safari or the 6 days Masai Mara Amboseli safari. Browse everything on our Masai Mara packages page.
Ready to start? Fill out our booking form at Masaimara.co.ke here and I’ll get both vehicles and the border logistics ready.
Related Reading:
- Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari
- 5 Days Masai Mara Serengeti Safari
- Masai Mara vs Serengeti
- Masai Mara and Zanzibar Safari
- Masai Mara and Diani Beach Safari
- Masai Mara Amboseli Nakuru Safari
- 6 Days Masai Mara Amboseli Safari
- 5 Days Masai Mara Safari
- 4 Days Masai Mara Safari
- Masai Mara Packages
- Luxury Safari Masai Mara
- Masai Mara Flying Packages
- Masai Mara Migration
- Masai Mara Booking
- Wildebeest Migration Kenya
- Masai Mara Entrance Gates
- Official KWS Park Fee Portal
- Kenya Wildlife Service
This guide was authored by David Njunge, a TRA-licensed safari guide with over 10 years of experience, and edited by Cecilia Wambui, a travel consultant with a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.
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