Skip to content
Towering sandstone walls of the Hell's Gate gorge

Kenya & Tanzania · 13 days · Budget

13 Days Magical Kenya & Tanzania Safari

Our longest budget journey: thirteen days through eight parks and lakes, from the Maasai Mara and the Rift Valley to Amboseli, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Tarangire.

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

Per personFrom USD 1,825 pp

Request This SafariWhatsApp Us

01 / Overview

The journey in brief.

Our longest budget journey: thirteen days through eight parks and lakes, from the Maasai Mara and the Rift Valley to Amboseli, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Tarangire.

This 13-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
Longest budget trip · Seeing everything
Safari style
Budget · Group Joining

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

Route

  1. Nairobi

    Start

  2. Maasai Mara

    Stop 1

  3. Lake Nakuru

    Stop 2

  4. Lake Naivasha

    Stop 3

  5. Amboseli

    Stop 4

  6. Arusha

    Stop 5

  7. Lake Manyara

    Stop 6

  8. Ngorongoro

    Stop 7

  9. Serengeti

    Stop 8

  10. Tarangire

    Stop 9

  11. Arusha

    Finish

02 / Highlights

What stays with you.

  1. 01

    Eight parks and lakes

  2. 02

    Hell's Gate walk at Naivasha

  3. 03

    Olduvai Gorge visit

  4. 04

    12 nights' accommodation

03 / Day by day

Travel it day by day.

13 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
    Two zebras running across the grassland with wildebeest behind

  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
    Wildebeest leaping into the river during a migration crossing
    Dense herd of wildebeest crossing a river

  3. Day 3 · Approx. 5 hours by road

    Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

    After breakfast, visit a Maasai village, where your hosts share songs, dances and the famous jumping. Then drive to Nakuru with lunch en route.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Nakuru — Buraha Zenoni
    Lesser flamingos wading in shallow water

  4. Day 4 · Approx. 1.5 hours by road

    Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

    A game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its birdlife and rhino sanctuary, then drive to Naivasha.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Naivasha — Leisure Apex
    Waterbuck wading along the shallows of Lake Naivasha

  5. Day 5 · Approx. 5–6 hours by road

    Lake Naivasha to Amboseli

    After breakfast, a guided nature walk in Hell's Gate National Park, then lunch and the drive to Amboseli National Park.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Amboseli — Nyati Safari Camp
    Elephant family walking across short grassland

  6. Day 6

    Full day in Amboseli

    Game drives across the swamps and plains, with a picnic lunch and Kilimanjaro views when the weather allows.

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

  7. Day 7 · Approx. 4–5 hours including the border

    Amboseli to Arusha

    A final game drive, then cross the Namanga border and take the shuttle to Arusha, where our manager meets you (bed and breakfast).

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch
    Overnight
    Arusha — Charity Hotel

  8. Day 8 · Approx. 2 hours by road

    Arusha to Lake Manyara

    Drive to Lake Manyara for an afternoon game drive; overnight in basic tents.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Manyara — Fanaka Campsite
    Lioness lounging in the fork of a tree

  9. Day 9

    Ngorongoro Crater

    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. Overnight in basic tents on the rim.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Ngorongoro — Simba Campsite
    Soda lake on the Ngorongoro Crater floor seen from the rim
    Zebras in shafts of light on the Ngorongoro Crater floor

  10. Day 10

    Ngorongoro to the Serengeti

    A final look over the crater, then drive to the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, with lunch at the museum and time to see where Dr Louis Leakey's team found early human remains. Afternoon game drive.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Serengeti — Seronera Camp
    Giraffes in the Serengeti with a hot-air balloon drifting by
    Wildebeest grazing below a grassy hill on the plains

  11. Day 11 · Approx. 6 hours by road

    Serengeti to Tarangire

    Drive to Tarangire, arriving for lunch and an afternoon game drive among its baobabs and elephant herds.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Tarangire — Fanaka Campsite
    Giraffe beneath a large green tree in northern Tanzania

  12. Day 12

    Tarangire to Arusha

    A final game drive, then drive to Arusha with lunch en route. Dinner on your own.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch
    Overnight
    Arusha — Charity Hotel
    Elephants walking along a track past a baobab in Tarangire

  13. Day 13

    Arusha to Zanzibar or Nairobi

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for 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
  • Lake Naivasha1 night

    Leisure Apex

    Leisure Apex Resort building on the Moi South Lake Road, NaivashaDouble room at Leisure Apex Resort, Naivasha
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Arusha1 night

    Charity Hotel

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

Quick planning facts

Duration
13 days · 12 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
Longest budget trip · Seeing everything

05 / What’s included

Clear from the start.

Included

  • Transport in 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs in Kenya and Tanzania
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 12 nights' accommodation as described
  • Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as listed
  • Services of professional driver-guides
  • Park entry fees
  • All game drives
  • 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
  • Accommodation in Nairobi and Zanzibar
  • Flights to or from Zanzibar

06 / Pricing

Honest, complete pricing.

Prices are per person, in US dollars, for the complete 13-day package — not per day.

Request This SafariWhatsApp
Package price per person in US dollars
OptionComplete package
Low season, per personUSD 1,825
High season, per personUSD 2,025

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 1,825 pp for the complete 13-day package (low season usd 1,825 · high season usd 2,025). 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.

You may also like

All safaris
  • Elephants walking along a track past a baobab in Tarangire2 countries

    Kenya & Tanzania · 12 days

    12 Days Best of Kenya & Tanzania

    NairobiMaasai MaraLake NakuruAmboseliArushaTarangireNgorongoroSerengetiLake ManyaraArusha

    Budget · Group Joining

    From USD 1,720 ppLow season USD 1,720 · High season USD 1,920

  • Giraffe beneath a large green tree in northern Tanzania2 countries

    Kenya & Tanzania · 11 days

    11 Days Scenic Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari

    NairobiMaasai MaraLake NakuruAmboseliArushaLake ManyaraSerengetiNgorongoroArushaNairobi

    Budget · Group Joining

    From USD 1,520 pp

Ready to make this journey yours?

Tell us your dates, group size and travel style and our Nairobi team will tailor the safari.

Ask About This SafariWhatsApp

13 days · Kenya & Tanzania

From USD 1,825 pp

Request
WhatsApp — chat with our Nairobi team (opens WhatsApp)