Multi-centre · East Africa
12 Night Masai Mara & Zanzibar
Big cats on the plains, then white sand on the Indian Ocean. The Mara is more compact than the Serengeti and this version costs noticeably less than the Tanzanian equivalent.
Big cats on the plains, then white sand on the Indian Ocean. The Mara is more compact than the Serengeti and this version costs noticeably less than the Tanzanian equivalent.
Smaller, cheaper, and the drives between sightings are shorter.
The Masai Mara is the northern end of the same ecosystem, and the migration crosses into it between roughly July and October. Because it's more concentrated, you spend less time driving and more time watching — which matters on a first safari and matters more with children. It's also cheaper than Tanzania's park fees, and Nairobi has direct UK flights where Kilimanjaro doesn't. The trade is that the Serengeti feels wilder and emptier.
Twelve nights, with light-aircraft transfers to the Mara and a flight south to Zanzibar.
1Five nights means ten game drives. Enough that a slow morning doesn't matter.
Where you stay: A private conservancy bordering the reserve — off-road driving, night drives and capped vehicle numbers.
Getting there: 8h 30m direct to Nairobi, then an hour by light aircraft. Soft bags only, strict weight limits.
2Two nights, at the start of the beach half. Small, hot and worth exactly that long.
Where you stay: A restored merchant house in the old town, ideally with a roof terrace.
Getting there: About two hours by air from Nairobi to Zanzibar.
3Five nights of nothing, which after ten game drives is exactly right.
Where you stay: North coast at Nungwi or Kendwa, where the sea is swimmable at every tide.
Getting there: About an hour by road from Stone Town to any coast.
Everything below is quoted up front. Nothing appears after you've paid a deposit.
Guide prices per person, two sharing, outside school holidays. The hotel standard is the biggest single variable.
| Standard | What that means | Guide price pp |
|---|---|---|
| 4-star | Comfortable conservancy camp, restored Stone Town house, good beach hotel | £3,099 |
| 4-star plus | Well-regarded conservancy camp, boutique Stone Town, beachfront resort | £4,199 |
| 5-star | Premium conservancy camp, luxury Stone Town and north-coast resort | £6,499 |
As everywhere on safari, the money goes on park fees, remoteness and low guest numbers rather than luxury. The upgrade that changes the experience most is the conservancy rather than the lodge within it — off-road driving and capped vehicle numbers are what separate a good sighting from a queue of minibuses.
July to October is the migration window. January and February are dry, green and quieter.
July to October brings the herds into the Mara and the river crossings, and it's Zanzibar's long dry season at the same time — the two line up unusually well. January and February are dry and good for general game, with Zanzibar hot and humid. The long rains in April and May close camps and are worth avoiding on both legs.
We'll pick the conservancy, match the Zanzibar coast to the tide, and write the payment plan out in full.
Kenya is cheaper, more compact and Nairobi has direct UK flights. Tanzania's Serengeti feels wilder. Both pair with Zanzibar.
Yes — a Kenyan eTA and a Tanzanian eVisa, both online in advance. We flag the deadlines against your dates.
North, at Nungwi or Kendwa, where the sea is swimmable at any tide. The east coast retreats hundreds of metres twice a day.
It's the right amount. Ten game drives means a slow morning doesn't cost you the trip, and the Mara rewards patience.
Similar shapes, and the ones people most often weigh up alongside it.
Same approach, different shape. All reshapeable around your dates.
13 nights · Jul–Oct, Jan–Feb · from £4,299pp
10 nights · Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb · from £2,899pp
12 nights · May–Oct · from £6,499pp
11 nights · Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb · from £4,899pp
14 nights · May–Oct · from £3,299pp
11 nights · Apr, Oct · from £2,699pp
