Kenya & Tanzania · 11 days · Budget
11 Days Scenic Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari
An eleven-day budget loop from Nairobi through the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then into Tanzania for Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, returning to Nairobi.
- Duration
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Countries
- Kenya, Tanzania
- Starts
- Nairobi
- Ends
- Nairobi
- Tier
- Budget
- Format
- Group joining
01 / Overview
The journey in brief.
An eleven-day budget loop from Nairobi through the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then into Tanzania for Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, returning to Nairobi.
This 11-day budget itinerary starts in Nairobi and ends in Nairobi, crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Accommodation: Overnight at the camp/lodge.
- Ideal for
- Budget travellers · Longer trips · Two-country trips
- Safari style
- Budget · Group Joining
Destination guides: Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Route
Nairobi
Start
Maasai Mara
Stop 1
Lake Nakuru
Stop 2
Amboseli
Stop 3
Arusha
Stop 4
Lake Manyara
Stop 5
Serengeti
Stop 6
Ngorongoro
Stop 7
Arusha
Stop 8
Nairobi
Finish
02 / Highlights
What stays with you.
- 01
Six parks in two countries
- 02
Maasai village visit included
- 03
Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- 04
Starts and ends in Nairobi
03 / Day by day
Travel it day by day.
11 days · driving times are approximate
Day 1 · Approx. 5–6 hours by road
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Collection from your Nairobi hotel or the airport for a short briefing, then drive via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and Narok (lunch stop) to the Maasai Mara. Check in and relax before an afternoon game drive until sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Maasai Mara — Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Day 2
Full day in the Maasai Mara
A full day exploring the Mara's grasslands with a picnic lunch, often near the hippo pools of the Mara River. Resident lions, cheetahs, elephants and plains game are present all year; the migration herds usually arrive around July to October.
- Full-day game drive
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Maasai Mara — Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Day 3 · Approx. 5 hours by road
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, visit a Maasai village to meet the local community and learn about their way of life. Then drive to Nakuru, with lunch en route and views of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Lake Nakuru — Buraha Zenoni
Day 4 · Long travel day
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
A game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its birdlife and rhino sanctuary, then drive to Amboseli National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Amboseli — Nyati Safari Camp
Day 5
Full day in Amboseli
A day of game drives among elephants, hippos and plains game, with Kilimanjaro views when the weather allows. Picnic lunch in the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Amboseli — Nyati Safari Camp
Day 6 · Approx. 4–5 hours including the border
Amboseli to Arusha
A final game drive, then drive to the Namanga border for immigration and board the shuttle to Arusha. Our manager meets you at the bus stop and takes you to your hotel (bed and breakfast).
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch
- Overnight
- Arusha — Charity Hotel
Day 7 · Approx. 2 hours by road
Arusha to Lake Manyara
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive; the park is known for its occasional tree-climbing lions and flocks of water birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Lake Manyara — Fanaka Campsite
Day 8 · Approx. 5 hours with game viewing
Lake Manyara to the Serengeti
Drive to the Serengeti, home to huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. Lunch at Seronera, then an afternoon game drive on the plains, looking for the herds and the lions that follow them.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Serengeti — Seronera Camp
Day 9
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
An early game drive before breakfast, then drive to the Ngorongoro Crater area with lunch en route and an evening game drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Overnight
- Ngorongoro — Simba Campsite
Day 10
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Descend about 600 metres onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a game drive among its resident lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, zebra and wildebeest, and one of Tanzania's few black rhino populations. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Drive back to Arusha for the night (bed and breakfast).
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch
- Overnight
- Arusha — Charity Hotel
Day 11 · Approx. 5–6 hours by shuttle
Arusha to Nairobi
After breakfast, transfer to the shuttle for Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon for drop-off at the airport or your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- End of safari
04 / Where you stay
Budget camps and hotels.
Named properties are the budget stays we use on this route. Where the itinerary says “overnight at the camp/lodge”, your quotation confirms the exact stay.
- Maasai Mara2 nights
Miti Mingi Eco Camp
- Lake Nakuru1 night
Buraha Zenoni
- Amboseli2 nights
Nyati Safari Camp
- Arusha1 night
Charity Hotel
- Lake Manyara1 night
Fanaka Campsite
- Serengeti1 night
Seronera Camp
- Ngorongoro1 night
Simba Campsite
- Arusha1 night
Charity Hotel
Quick planning facts
- Duration
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Countries
- Kenya, Tanzania
- Starts
- Nairobi
- Ends
- Nairobi
- Tier
- Budget
- Format
- Group joining
- Accommodation
- Overnight at the camp/lodge
- Best for
- Budget travellers · Longer trips
05 / What’s included
Clear from the start.
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi (hotel or airport)
- Transport in 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs in Kenya and Tanzania
- Services of professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Meals as listed day by day
- Park and conservation area entry fees for the areas visited
- Game drives as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Two nights in Arusha, bed and breakfast
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Kenya and Tanzania visas
- Accommodation in Nairobi
- Zanzibar flights and accommodation
06 / Pricing
Honest, complete pricing.
Prices are per person, in US dollars, for the complete 11-day package — not per day.
| Option | Complete package |
|---|---|
| From, per person | USD 1,520 |
Optional extras (not included)
- Hot-air balloon safari in the Maasai MaraQuoted on request.
- Olduvai Gorge museum visitEntrance paid on the day; price confirmed when you book.
- Maasai village visitQuoted on request
- Serengeti hot-air balloon safariQuoted on request, subject to availability.
07 / Good to know
Questions, answered.
Important notes
- The master catalogue lists this package from USD 1,520 per person; the final price depends on season.
- Cross-border itineraries require valid visas or electronic travel authorisations for both Kenya and Tanzania. Border formalities at Namanga (or Isebania) usually take 30–90 minutes; your consultant will confirm the current entry requirements for your nationality.
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will adapt the day to recent sightings, weather and road conditions.
- Driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions, stops and wildlife encountered along the way.
- Park and conservancy fees are set by the authorities and may change; any change is passed on at cost.
How much does this safari cost?
From USD 1,520 pp for the complete 11-day package (per person, complete package). Prices are per person in US dollars. The pricing section lists exactly what is included.
Where does the safari start and finish?
It starts in Nairobi and finishes in Nairobi.
Is this a private or group-joining safari?
This itinerary usually runs as a group-joining safari, sharing the vehicle with other travellers to keep costs down. It can also be quoted as a private trip.
What accommodation is used?
The accommodation pattern is: Overnight at the camp/lodge. Each night is listed in the day-by-day itinerary.
Can this itinerary be changed?
Yes. Dates, pace, accommodation level and the order of stops can usually be adjusted. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.
Do I need visas for both countries?
Most travellers need entry authorisation for both Kenya and Tanzania. Requirements depend on nationality and change from time to time, so check official sources; we will remind you when you book.
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Ready to make this journey yours?
Tell us your dates, group size and travel style and our Nairobi team will tailor the safari.