12-Day Kenya Budget Safari: Masai Mara to Tsavo
Location
Full Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), you will be met by our representative, who will warmly welcome you to Kenya and transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi. As you settle in, you can take some time to relax after your journey, or if time allows, explore the city’s highlights. Optional activities include visiting the Giraffe Centre, where you can feed and interact with endangered Rothschild giraffes, or the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where rescued baby elephants are cared for before being released into the wild. For history lovers, a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum offers insights into Kenya’s colonial past and the life of the famous Danish author. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel and prepare for the exciting safari ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Masai Mara
After an early breakfast, you will depart Nairobi and embark on a scenic drive towards the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Along the way, you will pass through the breathtaking Great Rift Valley, where a brief stop allows you to admire the panoramic views of this vast geological wonder. The journey continues through Maasai villages and rolling savannahs, giving you a glimpse into the rural beauty of Kenya.
Upon arrival at Masai Mara in the afternoon, you will check into your camp and enjoy a hearty lunch before heading out for your first thrilling game drive. The reserve is teeming with wildlife, and within minutes of entering, you might spot lions lounging under acacia trees, elephants moving gracefully across the plains, or even a leopard resting on a tree branch. As the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, you will return to camp for dinner and a night under the star-studded African sky.
Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara
Today, you will set out for a full-day game drive, allowing you to explore the vast plains of the Masai Mara in search of its incredible wildlife. If you’re visiting between July and October, you may witness the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras make a perilous river crossing, dodging hungry crocodiles along the way.
With a packed picnic lunch, you will spend the day traversing different areas of the park, maximizing your chances of spotting the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, and countless antelope species. For those seeking an even more magical experience, an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn offers a breathtaking aerial view of the Mara’s vast expanse. Another optional activity is a Maasai village visit, where you can interact with the Maasai people, learn about their traditions, and witness a traditional dance performance. After an exciting day in the wild, you will return to camp for a well-deserved rest.
Day 4: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, you will leave the rolling savannahs of Masai Mara behind and travel towards Lake Nakuru National Park, a journey that takes you through scenic landscapes and rural countryside. Arriving in time for lunch, you will check into your lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive in this unique reserve, known for its incredible birdlife and as a sanctuary for endangered rhinos.
The shores of Lake Nakuru often shimmer pink with thousands of flamingos, while the surrounding woodlands and grasslands provide habitat for tree-climbing lions, leopards, and large herds of buffalos. The park is also home to Rothschild giraffes, waterbucks, and baboons, making for an exciting game drive experience. After enjoying the park’s beauty, you will return to your lodge for the evening.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
This morning, you will embark on another game drive in Lake Nakuru before departing for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake known for its abundant bird species and hippo-filled waters. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and have lunch before heading out for a boat safari on the lake, where you will get up close to hippos and watch fish eagles swoop down to catch their prey.
For those interested in a more immersive experience, an optional walking safari on Crescent Island allows you to stroll among freely roaming giraffes, zebras, and antelopes without fences. The island offers a peaceful and unique safari experience, where the wildlife is not disturbed by vehicles. After a day of adventure, you will retire to your lodge for a quiet evening by the lake.
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
After breakfast, you will embark on a journey south to Amboseli National Park, a place famous for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arriving in the afternoon, you will check into your camp and then head out for a game drive, where you can witness elephants walking across the dusty plains, lions resting under acacia trees, and cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey.
The park’s open landscapes and seasonal swamps attract a diverse range of wildlife, making for incredible photography opportunities, especially with Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak as the backdrop. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Full-Day Safari in Amboseli
Today, you will spend a full day exploring Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most scenic parks, with a breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Waking up to the sight of the snow-capped peak bathed in the golden hues of sunrise is a magical experience. After breakfast, you will set off on a morning game drive, venturing deep into Amboseli’s expansive plains, swamps, and acacia woodlands, where diverse wildlife roams freely.
Amboseli is best known for its large elephant herds, and as you traverse the park, you will witness these magnificent creatures moving gracefully against the towering silhouette of Kilimanjaro. Apart from elephants, Amboseli is also home to lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, and numerous bird species, making each drive an exciting and unpredictable adventure.
At midday, you will return to your camp or lodge for lunch and some relaxation before heading out again for an afternoon game drive. This is when predators become more active, increasing your chances of spotting a lion stalking its prey or a cheetah sprinting across the savannah. The day ends with a mesmerizing Amboseli sunset, followed by dinner under the starlit African sky.
Day 8: Amboseli to Tsavo West
After an early breakfast, you will bid farewell to Amboseli and embark on a scenic drive towards Tsavo West National Park, a rugged and diverse wilderness famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, rolling hills, and lava flows. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive.
One of the park’s highlights is Mzima Springs, a natural oasis fed by underground streams from Kilimanjaro. Here, you can take a guided walk along the crystal-clear pools, where hippos wallow in the water, crocodiles bask on the banks, and fish swim in the depths. A unique underwater viewing chamber allows you to observe aquatic life from a fascinating perspective.
Your game drive will also take you past Shetani Lava Flow, a vast expanse of solidified black lava created by volcanic activity centuries ago. Legend has it that locals believed the lava was the work of the devil ("Shetani" means "devil" in Swahili). You will continue searching for elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalos, and elusive black rhinos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Full-Day Safari in Tsavo West
Today, you will spend a full day exploring Tsavo West National Park, which is known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Unlike the open plains of Amboseli, Tsavo West features rocky ridges, dense woodlands, and riverine forests, offering a completely different safari experience.
After an early breakfast, you will set out for a morning game drive, following the winding trails that lead to some of the park’s best wildlife viewing areas. Keep an eye out for Tsavo’s famous "red elephants", which get their distinctive reddish hue from rolling in the park’s iron-rich soil. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and buffalos are also commonly sighted, while the park’s thick vegetation makes it an ideal habitat for leopards.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your exploration. Another highlight of Tsavo West is Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a protected area where endangered black rhinos are being carefully conserved. With a bit of luck, you might spot one of these elusive creatures. As the sun begins to set, you will return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Day 10: Tsavo West to Tsavo East
After breakfast, you will depart for Tsavo East National Park, Kenya’s largest national park, known for its vast open plains, rolling savannahs, and large herds of red elephants. The drive between the two parks is an adventure in itself, as you travel through scenic landscapes, crossing seasonal rivers and wildlife corridors.
Upon arrival at Tsavo East, you will check into your lodge and have lunch before setting out on an afternoon game drive. This park is famous for its raw, untamed wilderness, where wildlife thrives in large numbers. You will explore areas like Aruba Dam, a popular watering hole that attracts a variety of animals, from elephants and buffalos to lions and zebras. Other highlights include Lugard Falls, where the Galana River cascades over rugged rock formations, creating stunning scenery.
As the sun sets over the golden savannah, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, listening to the sounds of the wild in the distance.
Day 11: Full-Day Safari in Tsavo East
Today, you will spend another full day exploring Tsavo East, maximizing your chances of spotting big cats, large elephant herds, giraffes, ostriches, and other wildlife. The park is known for its remote, less-crowded atmosphere, allowing for a more intimate safari experience.
An early morning game drive is the best time to witness predators on the hunt, as lions and cheetahs are most active during these cool hours. The park’s open landscapes provide excellent visibility, making it easier to spot wildlife in action.
At midday, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading out again in the afternoon. This time, you may explore deeper into the park, visiting areas like Mudanda Rock, a long rock outcrop that acts as a natural dam, attracting elephants and other animals seeking water. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s rich avian life, including hornbills, eagles, and kingfishers.
Your last evening in the wilderness will be spent enjoying a traditional bush dinner, where you can reflect on the incredible safari experiences of the past days.
Day 12: Tsavo East to Nairobi
On the final day of your adventure, you will embark on an early morning game drive, making the most of your last moments in Tsavo East. As the sun rises over the vast plains, you may spot elephants moving in single file across the horizon or a pride of lions finishing up a nighttime hunt.
After breakfast at the lodge, you will begin your return journey to Nairobi, enjoying scenic views along the way. You will arrive in the afternoon and be transferred to either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight or a hotel in Nairobi if you have additional plans.
As you say goodbye to Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife, you will take home unforgettable memories of an epic safari adventure.
Inclusions:
- Transport in a comfortable safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography
- Park entrance fees for all national parks and reserves listed in the itinerary
- Accommodation in budget camps and lodges as per the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
- Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- Unlimited game drives as per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Airport pick-up and drop-off on arrival and departure days
- All government taxes and levies
- Cultural visit to a Maasai village in Masai Mara
- Guided walk at Mzima Springs in Tsavo West
- Emergency medical evacuation cover
Exclusions:
- International flights to and from Kenya
- Visa fees (Kenyan tourist visa)
- Travel and medical insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- Optional activities such as hot air balloon safari, boat rides, or extra Maasai cultural visits
- Tips and gratuities for the safari guide/driver (recommended $10-$20 per day per group)
- Any items not mentioned under inclusions
