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Wildebeest grazing close together during the migration season

Kenya & Tanzania · 8 days · Budget

8 Days Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari

Eight budget days from Nairobi to Arusha: the Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru in Kenya, then Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Duration
8 days · 7 nights
Countries
Kenya, Tanzania
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Arusha (airport)
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining

Price on request

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01 / Overview

The journey in brief.

Eight budget days from Nairobi to Arusha: the Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru in Kenya, then Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in Tanzania.

This 8-day budget itinerary starts in Nairobi and ends in Arusha (airport), crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Accommodation: Miti Mingi Eco Camp + Buraha Zenoni + Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge.

Ideal for
Budget travellers · Seeing both Kenya and Tanzania
Safari style
Budget · Group Joining

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

Route

  1. Nairobi

    Start

  2. Maasai Mara

    Stop 1

  3. Lake Nakuru

    Stop 2

  4. Arusha

    Stop 3

  5. Lake Manyara

    Stop 4

  6. Ngorongoro

    Stop 5

  7. Serengeti

    Stop 6

  8. Arusha

    Finish

02 / Highlights

What stays with you.

  1. 01

    Two nights in the Maasai Mara

  2. 02

    Lake Nakuru rhino sanctuary

  3. 03

    Full day in the Ngorongoro Crater

  4. 04

    Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge

03 / Day by day

Travel it day by day.

8 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
    Elephant feeding in lush green grass

  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
    Orange sunset with wildlife silhouetted along the horizon
    Hot-air balloon floating above the winding Mara River

  3. Day 3 · Approx. 5 hours by road

    Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

    An early pre-breakfast game drive, then drive to Nakuru with lunch en route, arriving in the evening.

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

  4. Day 4 · Approx. 8 hours including the border

    Lake Nakuru to Arusha

    A morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its white and black rhinos, then transfer to the afternoon shuttle to Arusha, arriving in the late evening.

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Overnight
    Arusha — Charity Hotel
    Zebra on the grassy shore with flamingos crowding Lake Nakuru

  5. Day 5 · Approx. 2 hours by road

    Arusha to Lake Manyara

    Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, with lunch en route, for an afternoon game drive through its forest and along the lake shore.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Manyara — Fanaka Campsite
    Lion cubs climbing along a tree branch

  6. Day 6

    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 on the crater rim.

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

  7. Day 7 · Approx. 3–4 hours with game viewing

    Ngorongoro to the Serengeti

    Drive to Olduvai Gorge, where early human remains were found by the Leakey family (museum entry optional), then on to the Serengeti plains for afternoon game drives.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Serengeti — Seronera Camp
    Dense wildebeest and zebra herd drinking along the Mara River during the migration

  8. Day 8 · Approx. 7–8 hours by road

    Serengeti to Arusha airport

    A final morning game drive in the Serengeti, then drive back to Arusha with lunch en route, arriving in the afternoon for drop-off at the airport.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch
    Overnight
    End of safari
    Zebra and wildebeest massing on the riverbank before a crossing

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
  • 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

Quick planning facts

Duration
8 days · 7 nights
Countries
Kenya, Tanzania
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Arusha (airport)
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining
Accommodation
Miti Mingi Eco Camp + Buraha Zenoni + Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge
Best for
Budget travellers · Seeing both Kenya and Tanzania

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
  • Shuttle from Nakuru/Nairobi to Arusha

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
  • Flights

06 / Pricing

Honest, complete pricing.

This safari is priced on request. Your quotation covers the complete 8-day package, with the inclusions and exclusions shown on this page.

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Price on request

Pricing depends on your dates, group size and accommodation. We will send a clear quote for the complete package.

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

  • This package is quoted on request.
  • 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?

This 8-day safari is priced on request because rates depend on your dates, group size and accommodation. Send us your details and we will reply with a full quotation for the complete package.

Where does the safari start and finish?

It starts in Nairobi and finishes in Arusha (airport).

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: Miti Mingi Eco Camp + Buraha Zenoni + Other stops: 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.

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8 days · Kenya & Tanzania

Price on request

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