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Zebras in tall golden grass on the plains

Kenya & Tanzania · 12 days · Budget

12 Days Best of Kenya & Tanzania

Twelve days covering the best of both countries: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, finishing in Arusha.

Duration
12 days · 11 nights
Countries
Kenya, Tanzania
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Arusha (for Zanzibar or Nairobi)
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining

Per personFrom USD 1,720 pp

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01 / Overview

The journey in brief.

Twelve days covering the best of both countries: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, finishing in Arusha.

This 12-day budget itinerary starts in Nairobi and ends in Arusha (for Zanzibar or Nairobi), crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Accommodation: Overnight at the camp/lodge.

Ideal for
Longer trips · Budget travellers · Two-country trips
Safari style
Budget · Group Joining

Destination guides: Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Manyara

Route

  1. Nairobi

    Start

  2. Maasai Mara

    Stop 1

  3. Lake Nakuru

    Stop 2

  4. Amboseli

    Stop 3

  5. Arusha

    Stop 4

  6. Tarangire

    Stop 5

  7. Ngorongoro

    Stop 6

  8. Serengeti

    Stop 7

  9. Lake Manyara

    Stop 8

  10. Arusha

    Finish

02 / Highlights

What stays with you.

  1. 01

    Seven parks across two countries

  2. 02

    Tarangire's baobabs

  3. 03

    Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge

  4. 04

    Finish ready for Zanzibar

03 / Day by day

Travel it day by day.

12 days · driving times are approximate

  1. 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
    Cheetah standing on a termite mound scanning the grassland

  2. 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
    Male lion looking along a sandy track through tall grass
    Four cheetahs sitting together in the grass

  3. Day 3 · Approx. 5 hours by road

    Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

    An early game drive, then breakfast and an optional Maasai village visit before driving to Nakuru, with views of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha from the highway.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Nakuru — Buraha Zenoni
    White rhinos grazing on the Lake Nakuru shore with pelicans behind

  4. Day 4 · Long travel day · approx. 7–8 hours by road

    Lake Nakuru to Amboseli

    A morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its white and black rhinos, Rothschild's giraffe and birdlife (flamingo numbers vary with water levels). Then a long drive via Nairobi to Amboseli, arriving in the evening.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Amboseli — Nyati Safari Camp
    Elephant in the marsh with egrets and Kilimanjaro on the skyline

  5. Day 5

    Full day in Amboseli

    Game drives among Amboseli's elephant families, swamps and plains, with a picnic lunch. On clear days Kilimanjaro dominates the southern horizon.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Amboseli — Nyati Safari Camp
    Elephants crossing a pale road on the Amboseli plains
    Bull elephant walking through dry grass below Kilimanjaro

  6. Day 6 · Approx. 2 hours to Namanga · 2 hours to Arusha

    Amboseli to Arusha via Namanga

    A final early game drive in Amboseli and breakfast, then drive to the Namanga border. After immigration formalities, continue to Arusha by shuttle or with your Tanzanian guide.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch
    Overnight
    Arusha — Charity Hotel

  7. Day 7 · Approx. 2 hours by road

    Arusha to Tarangire

    Drive to Tarangire National Park, arriving for lunch and an afternoon game drive among baobabs. Lesser kudu, eland, lion and gerenuk are found here.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Tarangire — Fanaka Campsite
    Elephants walking along a track past a baobab in Tarangire

  8. Day 8

    Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater

    Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 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.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Ngorongoro — Simba Campsite
    Black rhino walking through dry grass
    Herds grazing across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater

  9. Day 9

    Ngorongoro to the Serengeti

    Drive to the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, the site of the Leakeys' archaeological discoveries (museum entry at extra cost). Lunch at Seronera, then an afternoon game drive on the plains.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Serengeti — Seronera Camp
    Lioness beside a dense moving wildebeest herd on the migration plains
    Two zebras running across the grassland with wildebeest behind

  10. Day 10 · Approx. 5 hours by road

    Serengeti to Lake Manyara

    An early game drive, a late breakfast, then drive to Lake Manyara with lunch en route and an evening game drive.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Manyara — Fanaka Campsite
    Lioness and cubs resting on the branches of a tree

  11. Day 11

    Lake Manyara to Arusha

    A morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park among hippos, monkeys and prolific birdlife, then lunch and the drive to Arusha (bed and breakfast).

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch
    Overnight
    Arusha — Charity Hotel
    Storks and pelicans on the shore of a Rift Valley lake

  12. Day 12

    Arusha to Zanzibar or Nairobi

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Zanzibar, or to the shuttle back to Nairobi.

    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

    Tented rooms among trees at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, Maasai MaraBed inside a tented room at Miti Mingi Eco Camp
  • Lake Nakuru1 night

    Buraha Zenoni

    Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort in Nakuru with its pool and gardensTwin room at Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort, Nakuru
  • Amboseli2 nights

    Nyati Safari Camp

    Raised cabins at Nyati Safari Camp with Kilimanjaro in the distance
  • Arusha1 night

    Charity Hotel

    Garden-facing exterior of Charity Hotel in ArushaDouble room at Charity Hotel in Arusha
  • Tarangire1 night

    Fanaka Campsite

    Pool and garden cottages at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and TarangireSimple guest room at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and Tarangire
  • Ngorongoro1 night

    Simba Campsite

    Tents beneath a broad shade tree at Simba Campsite on the Ngorongoro rim
  • Serengeti1 night

    Seronera Camp

    Dome safari tent with chairs at Seronera Camp in the Serengeti
  • Lake Manyara1 night

    Fanaka Campsite

    Pool and garden cottages at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and TarangireSimple guest room at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and Tarangire
  • Arusha1 night

    Charity Hotel

    Garden-facing exterior of Charity Hotel in ArushaDouble room at Charity Hotel in Arusha

Quick planning facts

Duration
12 days · 11 nights
Countries
Kenya, Tanzania
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Arusha (for Zanzibar or Nairobi)
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining
Accommodation
Overnight at the camp/lodge
Best for
Longer trips · Budget travellers

05 / What’s included

Clear from the start.

Included

  • Transport in 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs in Kenya and Tanzania
  • Accommodation as described, with beds and bedding in Tanzania
  • Two nights in Arusha
  • Three meals a day while on safari
  • Services of professional driver-guides
  • Park entry fees
  • Game drives as listed
  • Transport between Nairobi and Tanzania
  • Drinking water (1 litre per person per day)

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
  • Maasai village and Olduvai Gorge entry

06 / Pricing

Honest, complete pricing.

Prices are per person, in US dollars, for the complete 12-day package — not per day.

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Package price per person in US dollars
OptionComplete package
Low season, per personUSD 1,720
High season, per personUSD 1,920

Optional extras (not included)

  • Maasai village visitPaid directly to the community; price confirmed when you book.
  • Hot-air balloon safari over the Maasai MaraEarly-morning flight with bush breakfast; quoted 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

  • Seasonal prices: low and high season dates are confirmed with your quotation.
  • 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 1,720 pp for the complete 12-day package (low season usd 1,720 · high season usd 1,920). 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 Arusha (for Zanzibar or 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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12 days · Kenya & Tanzania

From USD 1,720 pp

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