6-Day Mara and Serengeti Migration Safari Itinerary (Short Option)
A short Mara and Serengeti safari works best when you accept a few long transfer days, fly where you can and keep the number of camps to two.
Short trips are popular because they fit a normal holiday allowance, but they leave little room for delays. The plan below uses six days with three nights in each country in the second half of the year, when the herds are most likely to be in the north.
It is part of a set that begins with the Great Migration combination guide. If you can stretch to eight days or more, compare the medium itinerary.
This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.
At a glance
- Length: 6 days, 5 nights
- Camps: Two: one in the Mara, one in the northern Serengeti
- Transport: Light aircraft and game-drive vehicle
- Best months: July to October
- Pace: Busy; long transfer day in the middle
Day-by-Day Outline
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Nairobi, meet your guide and transfer to a hotel. Brief the evening before an early start. |
| 2 | Fly to a Masai Mara airstrip, transfer to camp and enjoy an afternoon game drive. |
| 3 | Full day in the Mara: dawn drive, picnic lunch and a visit to the Mara River viewpoints. |
| 4 | Morning drive, then a long transfer day: fly out of the Mara and connect by scheduled or charter flight to the Serengeti. |
| 5 | Full day in the northern Serengeti, searching for herds and crossings. |
| 6 | Early game drive, then fly to Arusha or onward to your international departure. |
Why Three Nights in Each Park
A river crossing may need patience. Herds gather, hesitate, retreat and return, sometimes over several days. Three nights give you up to six game drives per park and a margin if the weather or traffic disrupts a morning. Two nights each can work if the herds are known to be at a particular crossing, but the odds shrink quickly. Read the Masai Mara best time guide and Serengeti best time guide before choosing dates.
Managing the Transfer Day
Day 4 is the pressure point. Moving between countries by air normally involves checking in, a gateway airport and possibly a wait, so schedules matter and delays are common. Keep your morning relaxed, pack in soft bags and ask your operator to confirm the exact routing and baggage allowance in advance. Light-aircraft limits are strict: see Kenya luggage and light aircraft rules and Tanzania luggage and light aircraft rules. Details of border options are in the route and border guide.
Optional Variations
Consider these swaps depending on your priorities:
- Start in Tanzania and finish in Kenya if the herds are in the Serengeti early in your window.
- Replace one Mara night with a conservancy stay for night drives, as explained in Mara conservancies explained.
- Add a sunrise balloon flight in one park, such as the Mara balloon safari or Serengeti balloon safari.
Who This Itinerary Suits
It suits energetic travellers with limited time who are happy to spend long days in vehicles and aircraft. Photographers will enjoy the dawn and dusk drives, but those wanting a slow pace should choose a longer plan. If you worry about flights or baggage limits, a medium itinerary spreads the load more gently. For a sense of what a day feels like, read the Kenya safari day in the life.
What Is Usually Included
Typical inclusions are accommodation, meals as stated, a private guide and vehicle, game drives, park and conservancy fees, and the domestic flights listed in the itinerary. Drinks, tips, visas and personal insurance are normally extra. Official park tariffs apply in both countries and change from time to time, so your operator will confirm what is covered. See the practical guide for the paperwork.
Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.
Related Tours, Guides and Resources
- Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
- Uganda safari packages
- Uganda travel guide
- How to book a Uganda safari
- Plan your safari with our team
Itineraries That Include This Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Uganda Safari Pages
- Masai Mara National Reserve: Great Migration, Wildlife and Best Time to Visit
- Serengeti National Park: Location, Wildlife, Migration and Best Time
- Kenya Migration Safari Itinerary: Mara River Crossings and Wildebeest Herds
- Tanzania Migration Safari Itinerary: Following the Wildebeest Through the Year
- East Africa Combination Safaris: Multi-Country Trip Planning Guides
- 10-Day Mara and Serengeti Great Migration Itinerary (Medium Option)
- 15-Day Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Great Migration Itinerary (Long Option)
- Masai Mara to Serengeti: Route, Flights and Border Crossing Guide
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