Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining · Budget safari
Two weeks under canvas, nearly
A thirteen-day camping journey: the Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
The journey in brief
The experience
Camping is the most affordable way to travel at length across East Africa. This route takes in seven parks across both countries.
In Tanzania you spend a day each in Tarangire and Lake Manyara and two nights in the Serengeti before finishing at the Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha.
Seven parks across two countries
Two nights in the Serengeti
Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Camping on a budget
The route
Nairobi
Maasai Mara
Nakuru
Amboseli
Arusha
Tarangire
Lake Manyara
Serengeti
Ngorongoro
Arusha
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Nakuru → Amboseli → Arusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha
Day by day
Timings are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day around road and wildlife conditions.
Day 1 / Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Thirteen days of camping across Kenya and Tanzania begin on the road west from Nairobi. Stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, where the land falls away to the valley floor, then continue through Narok to the Maasai Mara and Miti Mingi Eco Camp. Head out for an afternoon game drive, then return to camp for dinner and your first night in a tent.
Day 2 / Maasai Mara National Reserve
A full day in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, following the wildlife across its open grasslands and along its rivers. Your guide looks for the reserve's lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as elephants, buffalo and the herds of plains game. Sightings vary from day to day, but the Mara's density of wildlife makes a full day here one of the highlights of any East African safari.
Day 3 / Maasai Mara → Nakuru
A dawn game drive in the Mara, when lions and hyenas may still be active after the night, then the drive north through Narok and along the Rift Valley to Nakuru. The valley floor is dotted with volcanoes and lakes, and the road passes farmland and busy small towns. Spend the night at Buraha Zenoni in Nakuru.
Day 4 / Lake Nakuru → Amboseli
Start with a morning game drive at Lake Nakuru, a park known for its rhino sanctuary, its lakeshore birdlife and its Rothschild's giraffe. Then begin the long drive south, out of the Rift Valley and across the dry plains of southern Kenya, to Amboseli, near the Tanzanian border. Arrive at Nyati Safari Camp for two nights in sight of Kilimanjaro.
Day 5 / Amboseli National Park
A full day in Amboseli National Park, a landscape of dusty plains, green swamps and acacia woodland with Kilimanjaro rising beyond. Elephant families are the stars here, and the swamps, fed by water from the mountain, draw them in throughout the day along with buffalo, hippos and herons. Climb Observation Hill for a view across the park.
Day 6 / Amboseli → Namanga → Arusha
Leave Amboseli and drive to the Namanga border, where you cross from Kenya into Tanzania and complete immigration on both sides. The road then runs south through Maasai country to Arusha, a lively town at the foot of Mount Meru and the gateway to Tanzania's northern parks. Charity Hotel is your base for the night.
Day 7 / Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Drive south-west from Arusha to Tarangire National Park for a game drive among baobab trees and acacia woodland. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, which gather along the Tarangire River, especially in the dry season, along with buffalo, zebras, giraffes and a rich variety of birdlife. Afterwards, head on to Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara for the first of two nights.
Day 8 / Lake Manyara National Park
A game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a narrow strip of forest, grassland and lakeshore between the Rift Valley escarpment and an alkaline lake. Look for baboons and blue monkeys in the groundwater forest, elephants and giraffes in the open glades, and pelicans, storks and other waterbirds along the shore. Return to Fanaka Campsite for a second night.
Day 9 / Lake Manyara area → Serengeti
Leave the Lake Manyara area and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands, crossing the cool, forested uplands before descending to the Serengeti plains. Drive across the park to Seronera Camp in the central Serengeti, your base for two nights, watching for grazing herds, giraffes and the kopjes where lions often rest.
Day 10 / Serengeti National Park
A full day in the Serengeti, exploring from the central Seronera area. Your guide decides where to go based on the season and the latest sightings: the Seronera River valley for leopards, the kopjes for lions, the open plains for cheetahs or, depending on the month, the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebras. Return to camp in the evening after a long day on the plains.
Day 11 / Serengeti → Ngorongoro
A morning in the Serengeti, then the drive east across the plains and up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road climbs to the crater rim, where you camp at Simba Campsite with the caldera just below. As you drive, look out for Maasai herders and their cattle, who share the conservation area's highlands with the wildlife. Nights up here can be cold, so pack a warm layer.
Day 12 / Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Wind down the steep crater road at first light to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, some 600 metres below the rim where you slept. Lions, hyenas, buffalo, elephants and black rhinos live here alongside zebras and wildebeest, and flamingos sometimes gather on the shallow soda lake. Climb out and drive back to Arusha for the night at Charity Hotel.
Day 13 / Arusha
After breakfast, transfer for your onward journey from Arusha, whether that is a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha airport, or the next stage of your travels in Tanzania. Thirteen days after leaving Nairobi, the safari has taken you through seven parks across two countries, from the Maasai Mara to the Ngorongoro Crater.
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
Lake Manyara area · 2 nights
The budget base used for selected Tarangire and Lake Manyara stops.
About Fanaka Campsite
Serengeti · 2 nights
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 + Fanaka Campsite + 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.
Keep exploring
Group joining14 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining
Two weeks across East Africa's great parks
Wildlife safari · Budget
Fourteen days and eight parks on a budget: the Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
From USD 1,960 pp
Group joining12 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining
Mara, lakes, Amboseli and the northern circuit
Wildlife safari · Budget
Twelve days: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, then Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
From USD 2,230 pp
6 days · Tanzania · Private
Three nights in the Serengeti
Wildlife safari · Budget
A private camping safari with three nights in the central Serengeti, giving you two full days to follow the herds, plus Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
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.
Use Plan My Safari to send your dates, travellers and preferences for this safari. It takes about two minutes.
Still deciding?
If this safari is close but not quite right, describe your ideal trip and we will suggest a route.
13 days · Kenya & Tanzania
Price on request
