Kenya and Tanzania Budget Safari: 9-Day Safari

Day 1: Safari starts at the magnificent Amboseli National Park

Our highly credentialed safari driver-guide will pick you up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or hotel in Nairobi and bring you to your safari briefing.  After this short introduction, you will go to Amboseli, enjoying the plains and rolling hills.

You'll be welcomed by the sighting of Mount Kilimanjaro with the arrival time expected mid-morning. If time allows, we will hop in for a short game drive then head to the lodge for check-in and lunch. You can relax for the remainder of the day or head for another afternoon game drive.

Day 2: Explore huge herds of elephants in Amboseli

Amboseli is an enthralling destination for wildlife enthusiasts who want an up-close interaction with elephants, known for its huge herds of elephants, both in size and tusk. Another highlight for any adventure in Amboseli is the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.

Your safari escapades start early morning to get ample time to see the predators as they are usually active at this time. Some predators expected to see include the lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Other resident wildlife include topi, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, leopards, buffalos, giraffes, and wild dogs.

Meals will always served at the lodge with an option to have a picnic lunch inside the park at designated areas.

Day 3: Tanzania awaits

It's another early start to the day as we head to Tanzania. After an early morning breakfast, we shall check out of the lodge and have an en-route game drive as we head to the border. Expected time at the border is around mid-morning. If all goes well, we expect to be at Lake Manyara right for lunch. We shall head to the lodge for refreshments, check-in and a little rest.

Our afternoon game drive will have us explore Lake Manyara with our focus on the tree-climbing lions. It is a unique characteristic as it is unusual for lions to climb trees. The only predator known to do this is the leopard. Other resident wildlife includes Wildebeest, Zebra, Thomsonʼs and Grantʼs gazelle, Plain Zebras, Bushbuck, and Waterbuck among others. Later you shall be transferred to the Lake where you shall have a chance to see Hippos in their pool, elephants on the shores of the lake, Hyena, Serval cats, Honey badgers, African Civet, Mongoose, Cheetah, Leopard, Jackal among other wild animals. Birdsʼ species likely to be spotted within the lakes shore include; Great and Lesser flamingos, Northern Shoveler, Yellow-billed storks, Pelicans, Black-winged slit, Pied Avocet, Caspian plover, Ruff, and Common gull-billed tern among others. Later in the evening, you shall be transferred to the lodge for dinner and prepared for tomorrow.

Day 4: Traverse World Heritage Site of Ngorongoro

After a full breakfast, it is off for a morning game drive for one last adventure at Serengeti National Park. Once again, this park offers designated areas where you will be able to enjoy a picnic lunch right out in the open. After lunch, there will be time for a little more exploring before it is time to head to the next park.

Upon arriving at Ngorongoro Crater National Park you will check in to your accommodation where you will have time to relax before an authentic African dinner. After dinner, there will be a bonfire where you can meet other travellers and swap stories about your safari adventure. Then it is off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Day 5: Transfer to wildlife-rich Serengeti

An early start to the day, have an early morning breakfast then check out of the lodge and head to Serengeti. We shall have an en-route game drive one last time as we leave behind Ngorongoro.

A dramatic change in landscapes as we leave behind the hilly areas and head to the endless plains occasioned at Serengeti.

Serengeti is rich in wildlife, home to the African Big Five and hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Upon arrival at Serengeti National Park, you will check into your accommodations and then head right out for an afternoon safari game drive. At Serengeti National Park, the landscape is dominated by open woodlands and hills. This is one of the best places to find elephants, giraffes and dik-dik.

Upon returning to your accommodations for dinner there will be a bonfire where you can meet other travellers and swap stories about your safari adventure. Then it is off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Day 6: Exploring the endless plains of Serengeti

Begin each day with a thrilling 4x4 game drive in the Park. There's a reason why Serengeti is so a revered park for wildlife seekers. Excellent wildlife, endless plains and the Maasai people. Spend your days exploring the Northern Sector of Serengeti with twice-daily game drives. During the game drive, you spot wild animals such as; leopards, Lions, Hyenas, The ear bat fox, and Cheetah among others. This park is normally the scene of the annual migration of 
wildebeest and Zebra that occurs between the Kenyan Masai Mara and the Serengeti. Varied bird species that you might spot include; Eagles, Ducks, Geese, Egrets, Vultures, and Secretary birds.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world with over 3 million large mammals. Other common roaming herbivores and omnivore species likely to be spotted include; Hippos, Giraffes, Eland, baboons, and monkeys among others. Later at dusk, you shall resume back to the camp for dinner, a bonfire experience and a night's rest as you prepare for tomorrowʼs tour to Central Serengeti.

Day 7: Back to Kenya through Maasai Mara

Today you will begin early. After a quick hot drink, it is off for a morning safari game drive. All the animals are out in the morning, searching for breakfast, so it is the perfect time for your game drive.

After the drive, you will return to your accommodation for a full breakfast before checking out. You will then proceed to the Tanzania border where you will have a quick lunch before continuing on your journey to Kenya.

The expected arrival time is around mid-morning, have an en-route game drive as you head to your camp for check-in and lunch. Then, head for an afternoon game drive, exploring the vast landscape.

Day 8: After the African Big Five in Maasai Mara

Full day exploring the vast landscape and rich wildlife of Maasai Mara. Twice daily game drives will allow you to spot the Big Five, famously coined for how hard it was to hunt them. 

With a huge concentration of Wildlife, Maasai Mara is among the best parks for a truly remarkable African Safari. The biggest highlight of any Mara adventure is the annual wildebeest migration, crossing over from Serengeti into Mara for greener pastures. The Big Five also call this place home, with spotting a leopard relatively easy.

 Day 9: End of our Kenya and Tanzania Budget Safari

The last of your safari will give you one more opportunity to explore Maasai Mara's wonders and wildlife. A short morning game drive going through the best spots for wildlife before embarking on your journey back to Nairobi. 

You'll leave the lodge after breakfast and have an option of a packed lunch or opt to have lunch in Nairobi, enjoying a unique barbecue that includes approved bush meats at Carnivore.

After such a delight, we shall transfer you back to your hotel/residence or drop you off at the airport for your scheduled international flight.