The best time for the Masai Mara is generally July to October, when migrating herds are in the northern Serengeti and Mara region and river crossings take place. Aug to Sep is usually the peak, though timing varies with rainfall. Dry months bring easier game viewing, while the green season is quieter and scenic. On a private tailor-made safari you can set dates around your priorities, whether that is crossings, big cats, photography or a calmer visit. Many travelers find that building the trip around river-crossing months gives the strongest sense of the migration.

Combining the Masai Mara with the Serengeti lets you follow the Great Migration across a wider landscape. In the northern Serengeti, around Kogatende, the herds often reach the Mara River between roughly July and October. A private itinerary can place you where the animals are most likely to be for your dates. Your driver-guide reads the conditions, adjusts the route and gives you time at sightings without needing to follow anyone else's schedule or timetable. Our team can suggest which camps or lodges sit closest to the action for your travel dates, so less time is spent driving.

Masai Mara and Serengeti safaris offer lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and huge numbers of wildebeest, plus hippo and crocodile along the rivers. Big cats are often seen on open plains, which suits photographers. Early-morning and late-afternoon drives usually bring the most activity. Your private guide knows animal behavior and good vantage points, and in your own vehicle you can stay at a sighting as long as you like. Photographers in particular value this flexibility, because light, wind and animal movement change quickly through the day.

Every Foot Slopes safari is individual and private. You travel in your own vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide, and you decide start times, photo stops and how long to stay at each sighting. Accommodation can range from camping to luxury lodges and tented camps, matched to your budget. General guide costs are budget camping about $250-$390, mid-range about $550-$990, luxury about $990-$2,500 per person per day, with ultra-luxury from about $2,500. Our team will help you balance comfort and budget so the accommodation suits the style of safari you want.

To plan a Mara and Serengeti safari, start with your travel dates, interests and budget, then we build a private itinerary around them. Allow several days in the Serengeti so you have time to follow the migration, and consider adding Ngorongoro Crater or Tarangire. Cross-border travel requires correct visas and documents, so check requirements early and consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health preparation before departure. Our team can also advise on how many nights to spend in each area so the trip never feels rushed or overpacked.

The Masai Mara is in Kenya, and it borders the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The two form one connected ecosystem, and wildlife, including the migrating herds, moves between them. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris is a Tanzania operator, so we specialize in the Serengeti and northern Tanzania, and we can plan a private tailor-made itinerary that follows the migration and includes the regions you want to explore. Please ask us for the latest guidance on borders and park rules. Many guests start by asking about this exact point.

July to October is usually the best time for the Masai Mara, because the Great Migration is in the northern Serengeti and Mara region and the Mara River crossings occur, with August and September typically peak. Exact timing varies with rainfall. Dry months give clearer game viewing, while the green season offers quieter parks. We can tailor a private safari to your dates. If you are unsure about timing, we can compare several travel months with you before you decide.

Yes, combining the Masai Mara and Serengeti is popular because the herds cross between them. A private tailor-made itinerary can focus on the northern Serengeti around Kogatende during crossing months, then add other areas. Cross-border logistics, visas and park rules need careful planning, so tell us your dates early and our team will help build a smooth, individual itinerary. This keeps the journey simple, with one trusted team handling the details from your first message to your final game drive.

Most travelers allow at least five to seven days for a Mara and Serengeti style safari, and longer if you want to follow the migration at an unhurried pace. More nights in one area means more time at sightings and less driving. Because our safaris are private and tailor-made, you can shorten or extend the trip to suit your schedule and budget. Our team can compare several trip lengths with you, so you can see how each one changes the pace and the price.

Costs depend on season, accommodation and length. As a general guide, budget camping is about $250-$390, mid-range about $550-$990, and luxury about $990-$2,500 per person per day, with ultra-luxury from about $2,500. A private vehicle and driver-guide are included in our individual safaris. Send us your dates and preferences and we will suggest a suitable itinerary. Costs vary by season and length, so treat these numbers as a general guide only and request a personal quote.

Yes, private safaris suit families well because you travel in your own vehicle with your own driver-guide and set the pace. You can plan shorter drives, rest breaks and child-friendly stops, and choose lodges that welcome children. Tell us the ages of your travelers and your interests, and we will tailor a private itinerary that keeps everyone comfortable and engaged. Our team will handle the details quietly and clearly, so you can focus on enjoying the wildlife together.

The Masai Mara is known for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebra and large herds of wildebeest. Black rhinos are present but rarely seen, and birdlife is rich across the open savannah. The Great Migration herds typically cross from the Serengeti into the Mara between about July and October, when river crossings can be dramatic, though timing varies with rainfall. Sightings are never promised. A private driver-guide can read animal behaviour, stay patiently with a sighting and help you photograph wildlife at your own pace.

Travelers usually combine the two with a flight, a border crossing by road or an arranged transfer, depending on the season and itinerary. Because the Masai Mara is in Kenya and the Serengeti is in Tanzania, you must plan visas, border procedures and park fees for both countries. Passports must be valid for the required period, and your guide cannot drive across without correct permits and arrangements. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris can advise how to plan the connection properly, or you can simply focus on the Serengeti, which is part of the same ecosystem.

Masai Mara accommodation ranges from simple camps to mid-range tented camps, luxury lodges and ultra-luxury camps, often located near the Mara River, the Talek area or in private conservancies. Camps on the Serengeti side, such as in the northern region near Kogatende, put you in the same migration ecosystem without crossing into Kenya. As a general guide, budget camping costs about $250 to $390, mid-range about $550 to $990 and luxury about $990 to $2,500 per person per day. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris will match lodging to your private safari plan.

Pack lightweight neutral clothing in khaki, olive or tan, plus a warm fleece for cool mornings and evenings and a light waterproof jacket for rain. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable closed shoes and a small daypack. Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens make the experience richer. Soft duffel bags suit vehicles and light aircraft better than hard suitcases. For health preparation, consult your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure. Your private guide can suggest extras that suit the season and route.

Safari travel in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti is generally well organised when you travel with a licensed operator and an experienced driver-guide, as these destinations welcome visitors every year. Follow your guide's instructions, stay inside the vehicle during game drives and keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Check current government travel advice, buy travel insurance and consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health preparation. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris provides a private vehicle and guide, clear briefings and carefully chosen lodging, so you can concentrate on the wildlife and landscapes.