East African Game Parks Safari

Visit top East African Game Parks in Kenya and Tanzania - exploring several amazing African game reserves over ten days makes for an exciting wildlife adventure!

This budget East African safari starts and ends in Nairobi with the first stop being Lake Nakuru, famous for its thousands of lesser and greater flamingos. From Lake Nakuru Park we make our way to the fresh water Lake Naivasha, home to many pods of hippopotami and a multitude of bird life.

From Lake Naivasha we journey to the Masai Mara Game Reserve in search of Africa's Big 5. Next we drive south into Tanzania to explore the Serengeti National Park, famous for its annual wildlife migration.

Our final wilderness stop is the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Conservation Area from where we return to Arusha and then Nairobi where this affordable East African Game Parks Safari ends.

An African Wildlife Feast - at a great price!

East African Game Parks Safari Highlights:

• Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha National Parks
• Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
• Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

DAY 1:  Nairobi to Lake Nakuru – Kenya (L / D)

The East African Game Parks Safari sets off from bustling Nairobi, travelling north to the town of Nakuru, the capital of the Rift Valley Province in Kenya.

The compact Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to the shores of its soda lake. The size of the flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru vary, depending on the level of the water. This is a spectacular sight with the lake almost turning pink when the water is low. 

We spend the day looking for the frequently sighted black and white rhino. This wildlife-rich Kenyan Game Park was established as a sanctuary for the resident rhino species. We also search for the more elusive leopard, seeing giraffe, buffalo, antelope species and sometimes hippos too.

On our first night we camp inside Lake Nakuru Park (no ablutions), experiencing the African bush up close.

DAY 2: Nakuru to Lake Naivasha – Kenya (B / L /D)

Lake Nakuru National Park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen.  This morning we head off early on a game drive in search of these pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo along the way. In the afternoon, we head to Lake Naivasha where we make camp in peaceful surroundings next to the lake. 

We spend the afternoon (time allowing) enjoying optional excursions such as Elsamere High Tea (home to Joy & George Adamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride in Hell’s Gate National Park. 

Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake and is the highest Rift Valley Lake, at 1880m. Lake Naivasha Park is home to many pods of hippopotami and an impressive array of bird life, including the African Fish Eagle with his haunting cry. 

DAY 3: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara – Kenya (B / L /D)

We depart from Lake Naivasha after breakfast, entering Masai country where these habitual pastoralists can be seen tending their cattle on the roadside.  

On the way to our overnight campsite we pass the town of Narok and hopefully spot some wildlife en route. Our safari camp overlooks the Meguarra hills and a meandering stream below that forms a natural border with the spectacular Masai Mara National Reserve. 

The Mara Game Reserve is unfenced, so its wild animals are free to roam around in the surrounding wilderness areas, even entering our safari camp! The local ‘Askari’ keeps a look out for any unwelcome predators at camp, ensuring your safety.

DAY 4: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya (B / L /D)

Today we venture into the Masai Mara Reserve on our morning game drive shortly after sunrise. We spend the day driving through nature as it was intended to be - huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched nowhere else on earth.  

We keep an eye open for the Big 5 of Africa - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard.  If travelling between July and October, we may get to witness the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle in their Annual Migration as they cross from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Following these herbivores are Africa’s predators that are often seen at a kill during this period.

The Masai Mara is well known as one of East Africa’s best game parks and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Our Masai Mara game drive takes us through a section of the vast park in search of the wild animals, reptiles and birds inhabiting this wilderness area. 

After our Mara game drive, we can visit one of the local Masai Manyatta’s – traditional hamlets where the Masai people still follow old customs. At the end of the day we unwind around the camp fire, admiring a beautiful African sun set over this wildlife haven.

DAY 5:  Kisii / Kericho Area - Kenya (B / L / D)

Rise and shine for breakfast before we journey out of the famous Masai Mara. Our drive takes us to Kisii / Kericho via the scenic tea plantations of Kenya. 

Cash crops such as tea and coffee thrive in this equatorial area and these towns serve as the main commercial hubs in the Gusii Highlands of Kenya. We stock up on supplies and get some rest, before travelling into Tanzania tomorrow.

DAY 6:  Musoma - Tanzania (B / L / D)

Departing from Kenya we drive south to Lake Victoria into Tanzania. Completing border formalities, we continue through the scenic granite landscapes beside Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria.

We overnight at a campsite set on the banks of Lake Victoria in the small fishing town of Musoma.

DAY 7: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania (B / L / D)

This morning, we head off to Tanzania's top game park, the Serengeti National Park, after stocking up on supplies for the next couple of days.

Entering the Serengeti National Park after lunch we pass through the less-visited western corridor, game viewing en-route to our campsite in the centre of the Serengeti Park. Without any fences surrounding our safari campsite we are truly in the midst of nature!

The Serengeti, meaning “endless plains” in Masai, is famous for its dazzling concentration of game, especially the big cats. Serengeti is also renowned for the Great Migration - an annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles.

The Serengeti National Park's famous annual migration sees millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle stampeding across the plains in search of greener pastures. The unique climate in this region ensures the continuous movement of migrating animals remains unchanged. The abundance of plains game in this area is truly astounding!

Tonight we camp in the untamed bush (no ablutions), falling asleep to the sounds of the wild African bushveld, punctuated by the calls of nearby nocturnal wildlife. We venture back into the Serengeti on an exciting morning game drive, in search of the abundant wildlife inhabiting this captivating landscape. Keep an eye out for the iconic Big Five of Africa!

DAY 8: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania (B / L / D)

In the morning we embark on a game drive through the Serengeti Park crossing the southern and central areas of this top Tanzania game park. We get to admire the endless rolling plains this vast park is famous for, as we drive.

At lunch time we travel from the Serengeti Park to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and ascend the Crater steep edge.

Tonight we camp (basic ablutions) up on the crater rim at about 2000m above sea level, where temperatures contrast sharply with the warmer plains below - bring your winter woollies for the cool nights.

DAY 9: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha – Tanzania (B / L / D)

This morning we head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken, unflooded caldera in the world. The natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater has 600 m high walls and is 20 km wide.

We enjoy breathtaking views from the Crater's rim, before dipping into this caldera to truly appreciate the grand scale of Ngorongoro from its floor. Exploring the plains of the Crater we are met with an impressive abundance of roaming wild animals. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to almost every species of African animal and offers a unparalleled chance to sight an incredible concentration of East Africa's mammals, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plains game. 

The Crater encompasses open savannah grasslands, acacia forests and both soda and fresh water lakes. It is easy to see why the Ngorongoro Crater is called a ‘Garden of Eden’. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.

After our rewarding morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater we journey to our campsite on the outskirts of Arusha where we spend the evening sharing our exhilarating Tanzanian wildlife experience.

DAY 10: Arusha to Nairobi – Kenya (B / L)

After breakfast we travel back into Kenya arriving in Nairobi in the late afternoon. 

In Nairobi we part ways after having experienced a trip of a lifetime on this East African Game Parks Safari. 

Please Note:

This budget African Camping Safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels to Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara in Kenya, as well as the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater before ending back in Nairobi, Kenya.

The East African Game Parks Safari departs from Nairobi in Kenya, early in the morning. Should you wish to explore Nairobi, an earlier arrival is recommended. We offer a free night of pre-tour accommodation in shared dorms or you can upgrade your accommodation through African Budget Safaris.

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change.

Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a safari truck and crew change during the trip.