Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining · Budget safari
Kenya's highlights, then the Serengeti
A ten-day budget safari: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli in Kenya, then the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
Price on request
The journey in brief
The experience
The Kenyan half follows the popular Mara–Nakuru–Amboseli route. From Amboseli you cross at Namanga to Arusha, then continue into the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
The final day returns from Arusha to Nairobi, making it straightforward to arrange flights.
Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Namanga border crossing by road
Starts and ends in Nairobi
The route
Nairobi
Maasai Mara
Nakuru
Amboseli
Arusha
Serengeti
Ngorongoro
Arusha
Nairobi
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Nakuru → Amboseli → Arusha → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha → Nairobi
Day by day
Timings are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day around road and wildlife conditions.
Day 1 / Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Meet your fellow travellers in Nairobi and set off in the morning for the Maasai Mara, stopping at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and in Narok on the way. The road leaves the highlands, drops to the valley floor and crosses Maasai grazing land before reaching Miti Mingi Eco Camp. An afternoon game drive gives you a first look at the reserve's wildlife before dinner.
Day 2 / Maasai Mara National Reserve
A full day exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve with packed lunches. The reserve's grasslands are among the richest wildlife habitats in Africa, supporting lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and buffalo, as well as vast numbers of grazing animals. Your guide works out the route with the group, balancing time at sightings with the chance to explore new areas, and you return to camp in the evening.
Day 3 / Maasai Mara → Nakuru
Make an early start for a game drive in the Mara, when the light is soft and many animals are active. After breakfast, leave the reserve and drive north through Narok and the Rift Valley to Nakuru, a lakeside town on the valley floor. Spend the night at Buraha Zenoni, close to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Day 4 / Lake Nakuru National Park → Amboseli
A morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, looking for rhinos in the sanctuary, Rothschild's giraffe in the acacia woodland and pelicans along the lakeshore. Then begin the long drive south, out of the Rift Valley and across the plains of southern Kenya, to Amboseli near the Tanzanian border. Your base for the next two nights is Nyati Safari Camp.
Day 5 / Amboseli National Park
Take packed lunches for a full day in Amboseli National Park. Kilimanjaro rises just across the border, and water from its slopes feeds the swamps that keep the park green, drawing elephants, buffalo, hippos and waterbirds throughout the day. Explore the plains, the swamps and the Observation Hill viewpoint, and watch for the large-tusked elephants Amboseli is known for.
Day 6 / Amboseli → Namanga → Arusha
A morning game drive in Amboseli, then leave the park and drive to Namanga to cross into Tanzania, completing immigration formalities on both sides. The road continues south past the slopes of Mount Meru to Arusha, the starting point for Tanzania's northern safari circuit. Spend the night at Charity Hotel.
Day 7 / Arusha → Serengeti
A long, scenic drive takes you west from Arusha, across the Rift Valley and over the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti. Enter the park for an afternoon game drive across the plains, past kopjes and herds of grazers, to Seronera Camp in the central Serengeti. The Seronera area is known for resident lions, leopards and cheetahs, so keep your camera ready.
Day 8 / Serengeti → Ngorongoro
Spend the morning game viewing in the Serengeti, then drive east across the plains and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands. The road leads up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where you spend the night at Simba Campsite, with the caldera just below and cool air that can feel surprising after the heat of the plains.
Day 9 / Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor, where steep walls enclose grassland, swamps and a soda lake. The crater supports lions, hyenas, buffalo, elephants and black rhinos, as well as herds of zebras and wildebeest. Afterwards, climb out and drive back to Arusha for a final night at Charity Hotel.
Day 10 / Arusha → Nairobi
After breakfast, return by road from Arusha to Nairobi, crossing the border at Namanga. The journey runs through open Maasai country, with Mount Meru behind you and, on a clear day, Kilimanjaro to the east. Arriving in Nairobi makes it straightforward to connect with international flights home.
Where you stay
This budget safari uses the camps and hotels listed below. Where a stop says 'camp/lodge', we confirm the property with your quote.
Maasai Mara · 2 nights
The budget tented camp used for Absolute's Maasai Mara budget safaris, close to the reserve.
About Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Nakuru · 1 night
The Nakuru hotel used for overnight stays before or after a Lake Nakuru National Park game drive.
About Buraha Zenoni
Amboseli · 2 nights
The budget camp used for Amboseli nights, with views towards Kilimanjaro on clear days.
About Nyati Safari Camp
Arusha · 1 night
The Arusha hotel used before or after selected budget safaris on Tanzania's northern circuit.
About Charity Hotel
Serengeti · 1 night
The budget tented base used for selected nights in the central Serengeti.
About Seronera Camp
Ngorongoro crater rim · 1 night
The public campsite used for selected budget itineraries around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
About Simba CampsiteArusha · 1 night
The Arusha hotel used before or after selected budget safaris on Tanzania's northern circuit.
About Charity HotelAccommodation pattern: Budget · Miti Mingi Eco Camp + Buraha Zenoni + Nyati Safari Camp + Charity Hotel + Seronera Camp + Simba Campsite.
This safari is priced for your exact dates. Lodge rates, park fees and availability vary through the year, so we confirm a written price once we know your dates and party size.
Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.
The details
Before you travel
Kenya–Tanzania safaris cross at Namanga or Isebania/Sirari. Allow time for immigration on both sides and carry your passport, visas or eTA and any vaccination certificates required for your nationality and route. Check current entry requirements before you travel.
Your vehicle and guide arrangements for each country are confirmed in writing with your booking, including where any change takes place.
Pack in a soft bag where possible; space is shared and you may move between vehicles at the border.
Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.
A soft bag is easiest in safari vehicles. If any part of your trip includes light-aircraft flights, baggage limits apply.
Weather and wildlife movement change through the year. Tell us your dates and we will explain what to expect.
Questions travellers ask
Group-joining safaris follow the published route so everyone travels together. If you want changes, ask us about running the route privately.
Prices for this safari depend on your dates, party size and accommodation availability, so we quote for your exact trip.
We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.
No. Wildlife is free-ranging and sightings vary. Your guide will plan each day around conditions to give you the best chances.
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The next step
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.
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10 days · Kenya & Tanzania
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