Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari

Setting off from Kenya’s capital city Nairobi, we travel to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, then the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania.

This eight day African Camping Adventure provides plenty of exciting wildlife opportunities, as all the game parks are home to an array of wildlife as well as Africa’s Big 5.

Spend time game viewing in both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti National Park, where millions of wildebeest and zebra follow ancient trails across the vast plains, as part of the largest migration of wildlife on earth as well as visiting a Masai Cultural Village that gives you insight into the lives of this extraordinary culture and tribe.

This memorable Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari explores game-rich East Africa, returning to Nairobi, where it ends.

Kenya & Tanzania Safari Highlights:

• Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
• Ngorongoro Crater  in Tanzania
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

DAY 1 - From Nairobi to the Masai Mara - Kenya (D)

Leaving the bustling streets of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, behind we climb the quiet slopes of the escarpment. 

Along the way we stop at a viewpoint to admire the breathtaking views over the splendid Great Rift Valley.

Then we descend into the Rift Valley, entering Masai country.

We often see Masai, habitually pastoralists, tending their cattle on the roadsides. Passing through Narok town, we keep an eye out for roaming wildlife in the area.

Our overnight Safari Camp, just outside of Narok, overlooks the Meguarra hills and a meandering stream that forms a natural border with the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.

DAY 2 - The Masai Mara - Kenya (B /L /D)

On the road early we spend the day game driving through the natural wilderness of this East African game park's vast plains and gently rolling hills teeming with wildlife.

The Masai Mara offers an awesome wildlife experience, difficult to match anywhere!  We look out for the Big 5 of Africa, as well as various other wild animals, reptiles and birds. Between July and October, we may get to witness the Great Migration of massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle reaching to numbers of over 2 million. The numerous herbivores in turn attract Africa’s predators, often seen at a kill during the Wildebeest Migration.

In the afternoon we can visit one of the local Masai Manyatta’s - traditional villages of the Masai People.

At night we recollect our wildlife highlights from the annual migration or the game-viewing spectacle in Mara, at the camp's fireside. 

DAY 3: Masai Mara to Nairobi - Kenya (B)

We travel north through the Masai Mara looking out for any game that may have eluded us thus far.

After our game drive, we leave the Masai Mara, travelling into the surrounding Masai Land area. The Masai Mara National Reserve is unfenced; therefore roaming wildlife is commonly sighted migrating through this ‘buffer’ zone.

Arriving in Nairobi in the late afternoon we spend the evening at  our safari camp. In the morning some new passengers may join our Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari.

DAY 4: Nairobi to Arusha - Tanzania (L / D)

This morning we set off from Nairobi driving south into Tanzania, at Namanga border post.

We stay at a very pleasant campsite on the outskirts of Arusha, in Meserani, for the night. In the morning we will embark on our exciting Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater Trip.

DAY 5: Arusha to Karatu - Tanzania (B / L / D)

On the morning of day five we visit the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum in Arusha. Or you can explore the nearby town of Arusha and take the short walk from our campsite to an art gallery selling the bright and iconic Tinga Tinga paintings of Tanzania.

We have lunch at our safari camp with Mount Meru as a scenic backdrop. Then we meet up with our Tanzanian safari guides and transfer into locally operated 4WD vehicles. These safari vehicles are adapted for safari drives providing excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities through open roof hatches.

Drivingl via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River), next to Lake Manyara National Park, we continue up the Rift Valley Escarpment to Karatu village.

The high lying village of Karatu offers panoramic views over the Tanznian hills and is surrounded by scenic wheat farms. Tonight we spend the evening at a lovely safari campsite in Karatu village and get some rest before heading into the Ngorongoro Crater.

DAY 6: Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park - Tanzania (B / L / D)

On day six of this action-packed Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari we set off early in the morning for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We embark on a thrilling game drive in the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater of Tanznia.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken, unflooded caldera in the world. This World Heritage Site encompasses varied habitats, from open savannahs and acacia forests to both soda and fresh water lakes. The Ngorongoro Crater is truly a miniature ‘Garden of Eden’, boasting some of the best game viewing in Africa.

Home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa – game sightings include the elusive black rhino. After our game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, we drive down the Crater rim, passing the renowned ‘Cradle of Mankind’ en route to the legendary Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.

We game drive across the vast plains of the southern and central areas of Serengeti Park as we make our way to our overnight camp. Tonight we camp in the untamed African bushveld, falling asleep to the sounds of wild animals. At our unfenced campsite in the Serengeti we are truly immersed in nature!

DAY 7: Serengeti National Park to Arusha - Tanzania (B / L / D)

Venturing back into the Serengeti Park we explore the vast game park in search of the abundance of wildlife found here. With some luck, we may spot Africa’s ‘Big 5’ - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo!

After the exhilarating morning game drive, we cross back over the African plains, travelling along the lush Crater rim, back to our safari truck in Arusha.

We spend the evening sharing tales from our thrilling wildlife experience in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Park.

DAY 8: Arusha to Nairobi - Kenya (B)

On the final morning of this Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari there is some free time for you to explore Arusha or relax at camp.

From Arusha we take a shuttle bus back into Kenya, and on to Nairobi city, where our African Camping Trip comes to an end.

The shuttle driver will assist you with the border crossing and drop you at a hotel in the centre of Nairobi, in the afternoon (We recommend booking any onward travel for the following day).

Please Note:

This Budget Kenya and Tanzania Safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park before ending back in Nairobi, Kenya.

The budget 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.