Can I Combine Masai Mara & Serengeti
Can I Combine Masai Mara & Serengeti
Is it possible to combine a Masai Mara with Serengeti Safari? Yes, but it’s challenging. The Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania are two renowned safari spots in Africa. Collectively, they constitute one of the globe’s most remarkable ecosystems. Do you want to combine the two into a single, life-changing road trip? We get it! Driving between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti is more difficult than it appears, even though it may appear straightforward on a map. Here;s why
Is it possible to drive from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti?
In a nutshell, the answer is no. The Masai Mara and Serengeti, although adjacent on the map, are separated by an international border between Kenya and Tanzania. Regrettably, there is no direct passage from the Mara to the Serengeti (or the reverse).
Instead, one must navigate around the parks to traverse the boundary. The predominant border crossings are Namanga and Isibania, with Isibania offering a more expedient path for traveling directly from the Mara to the Serengeti. Nonetheless, it will require almost two complete driving days to traverse the distance between the two parks.
In addition to the lengthy journey, another obstacle is the prohibition of Tanzanian-registered safari vehicles in Kenyan parks such as the Masai Mara. If you are traveling in a 4×4 from Tanzania, entry into Kenya’s national parks will be prohibited. Conversely, entry into Tanzanian parks with a Kenyan-registered tourism vehicle is likewise prohibited. It stems from repeated commercial conflicts between the two nations.
Strategies for combining the Masai Mara and Serengeti into your travel itinerary
If you are determined in your desire to visit both the Masai Mara and Serengeti on your road trip, there are several strategies to facilitate your goal.
Option 1: transfer by shuttle bus
Traveling across Kenya in a 4×4 from our Kenyan fleet and then taking a shuttle bus from Nairobi to Arusha is a sensible and reasonably priced choice. Numerous shuttle services, including Riverside Shuttle and Impala Shuttle, operate daily, traversing the Namanga border in approximately five to six hours. Upon arrival in Arusha, you may collect a Tanzanian vehicle from our branch office and go with your safari vehicle in the Serengeti.
Option 2: switching cars at the border
If you choose to drive the entire distance, we provide a vehicle exchange service at the Namanga or Oloitokitok border crossings. This enables the interchange of vehicles between our fleets in Kenya and Tanzania. Please be aware that this service incurs additional charges due to the necessity of returning the vehicles to our offices in Nairobi and Arusha.
What do you think of Self Drive through East Africa, encompassing Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in a single journey?
For an East Africa road adventure, hire a Ugandan registered Vehicle from our Nairobi branch in Kenya. Our Uganda-registered vehicles may be taken beyond the borders to Kenya, Tanzania, burundi and Rwanda. An extension of COMESA insurance is necessary for cross-border travel. We will manage the needed vehicle documentation. At the border, you must organize and remit payment for your East Africa visa and road tax.
Although there are one-way fees, it is also possible to begin your rental in Nairobi and end it in another city or nation (Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda).
Be advised that accessing national parks in Kenya or Tanzania with a Ugandan-registered car would incur elevated fees. Locally registered automobiles (Kenyan in Kenya, Tanzanian in Tanzania) incur a fee of approximately US$10, whilst international vehicles are assessed a charge of roughly US$150.
What do you think of self driving around Lake Victoria?
Although self driving around Lake Victoria may seem thrilling to circle Africa’s largest lake, much of the trip consists of just lengthy drives. Furthermore, the identical border restrictions and vehicle constraints pertinent to the Masai Mara and Serengeti are also applicable to a round journey around Lake Victoria. Consequently, we advise you to allocate your time to exploring alternative regions that are more abundant in animals. Explore our self-drive itineraries for Kenya and Tanzania for inspiration!
We recommend combining Kenya and Tanzania in a one vacation.
Considering the difficulties of integrating both the Serengeti and Masai Mara, what recommendations do we propose?
Traveling for 20 days or fewer
For trips shorter than three weeks, we recommend concentrating on a single park within one country instead of attempting to see both. The Masai Mara and Serengeti comprise a singular natural environment, offering identical game-viewing experiences in both locations. Rather of dedicating two days solely to transit between parks, you will have increased opportunity to really engage with the species and scenery of a particular location.
Traveling for three weeks or longer
Should you possess 21 days or more, combining countries can constitute an exhilarating expedition. Just make sure to carefully consider border crossings and vehicle limits while planning your itinerary. Throughout your road journey, we can provide you with a smooth ride and dependable roadside assistance by utilizing our distinct rental fleets in Kenya and Tanzania. For an East Africa road trip, it is advisable to rent from our Uganda registered Vehicle.
Require assistance with organizing your road trip? We are pleased to assist you in experiencing the finest of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda! Contact us for further information and support.
