The Ultimate East Africa Circuit
This 16-day itinerary covers the three crown jewels of East African safari: Kenya's Masai Mara, Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and the spice island of Zanzibar. It's ambitious but practical, designed for travelers who want the complete experience in a single trip.
The Itinerary
Days 1-2: Nairobi (Kenya)
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer to a hotel in Karen or Westlands. Use day 2 to visit the Giraffe Centre (hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes, $15 entry), the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (morning visit only, $15 donation), and the Karen Blixen Museum ($12). These aren't filler — they're genuinely moving experiences. Overnight in Nairobi.
Days 3-5: Masai Mara (3 Nights)
Morning flight from Wilson Airport to the Mara (45 min, $200-350 return). Three nights in a conservancy (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, or Mara North) for exclusive game viewing. Expect lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, and during July-October, the Great Migration river crossings. Activities: sunrise and sunset game drives, optional bush walks, Maasai village visit, balloon safari ($450-550pp).
Day 6: Mara to Nairobi
Morning game drive, then late morning flight back to Nairobi. Afternoon free. Overnight near Wilson Airport or JKIA depending on next-day logistics.
Day 7: Cross to Tanzania
Morning flight Nairobi → Kilimanjaro Airport (1 hour, Kenya Airways or Precision Air, $150-250). Clear Tanzania immigration and purchase visa ($50 on arrival or pre-apply online). Transfer to Arusha (45 min drive). Overnight in Arusha at Arusha Coffee Lodge or Mount Meru Hotel. Use the afternoon to visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre or relax.
Days 8-9: Ngorongoro Crater (2 Nights)
Drive from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (3 hours via Karatu). Stay on the crater rim at lodges like Ngorongoro Serena or The Manor at Ngorongoro. Day 9: descend 600 meters into the crater floor for a full-day game drive. The caldera hosts approximately 25,000 large animals in 260 km² — the densest wildlife concentration in Africa. Big 5 sightings are virtually guaranteed in a single day. Black rhinos are reliably seen here (20-30 individuals).
Days 10-12: Serengeti National Park (3 Nights)
Drive from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti (3-4 hours through the Ngorongoro Highlands). The Serengeti's 14,763 km² of endless plains deliver game viewing that rivals or surpasses the Mara. Three nights allow morning and afternoon drives. June-October: the herds are in the western corridor and northern Serengeti. December-March: calving season on the southern plains.
Stay at Serena Serengeti Lodge, Dunia Camp, or Four Seasons Safari Lodge depending on budget.
Day 13: Fly to Zanzibar
Morning bush flight from one of the Serengeti's airstrips to Zanzibar (90 min via Coastal Aviation or Auric Air, $250-400). Arrive at Stone Town or beach resort by early afternoon. Transfer to your beach accommodation.
Days 14-16: Zanzibar
Three nights of Indian Ocean relaxation. Beach options by vibe:
- Nungwi/Kendwa (north): Social, excellent swimming at all tides, sunset bars
- Matemwe/Pongwe (east): Quiet, boutique, tidal reef flats, snorkeling
- Michamvi/Bwejuu (southeast): Romantic, luxury resorts, fewer tourists
Activities: Stone Town walking tour (UNESCO World Heritage, $20-30 with guide), spice plantation tour ($25-35), snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll ($45-60), sunset dhow cruise ($30-50).
Day 16: Depart
Fly home from Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport or connect via Dar es Salaam/Nairobi.
Visa and Entry Requirements
| Requirement | Kenya | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | $50 (eVisa) | $50 (eVisa or arrival) |
| East Africa Visa | $100 (covers Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda) | Not included in EAV |
| Yellow fever | Recommended | Required if from endemic country |
| COVID requirements | None (as of 2026) | None (as of 2026) |
Pro tip: Apply for both visas online before departure. Kenya eVisa: evisa.go.ke. Tanzania eVisa: visa.immigration.go.tz. Processing takes 3-7 business days.
Realistic Cost Breakdown
| Component | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (international) | $800-1,200 | $800-1,200 | $1,500-3,000 |
| Internal flights | $600-800 | $800-1,000 | $1,200-1,500 |
| Mara (3 nights) | $600-900 | $1,200-2,000 | $3,000-6,000 |
| Ngorongoro (2 nights) | $400-600 | $800-1,200 | $2,000-4,000 |
| Serengeti (3 nights) | $500-800 | $1,200-2,000 | $3,000-7,000 |
| Zanzibar (3 nights) | $200-400 | $500-900 | $1,500-3,000 |
| Visas + extras | $200-300 | $300-500 | $500-800 |
| Total per person | $3,300-5,000 | $5,600-8,800 | $12,700-25,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16 days enough for this itinerary?
Yes, but it's a full program with minimal downtime. If you can extend to 18-19 days, add an extra night in the Serengeti and an extra night in Zanzibar. If you have only 12 days, drop either the Mara or the Ngorongoro, not the Serengeti or Zanzibar.
Do I need the East Africa Tourist Visa?
The EAV ($100) covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda but not Tanzania. For this itinerary you need a Kenya visa ($50) and a Tanzania visa ($50) — total $100, same cost as the EAV. The EAV only saves money if you're also visiting Uganda or Rwanda.
Can I do this itinerary in reverse?
Yes, and some travelers prefer it: start in Zanzibar to recover from jet lag, then safari. The disadvantage is ending in Nairobi rather than on the beach. Most travelers prefer to finish with relaxation.
Exclusive Africa Team
Luxury Safari Specialist
Africa-based luxury travel expert specialising in bespoke safari itineraries across Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa. Curated by Exclusive Africa Safaris.
Begin Your Bespoke Safari
Let our Africa-based specialists craft a tailor-made luxury itinerary just for you.