8-Day Budget Safari to Amboseli & Tsavo Parks
Location
Full Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where our professional safari guide will warmly welcome you. After a brief introduction to Kenya’s spectacular wildlife heritage, you will be transferred to your accommodation at Ibis Styles Westlands, a comfortable and centrally located budget-friendly hotel in Nairobi.
Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to rest after your flight or explore some of the city’s famous attractions. A visit to the Giraffe Centre offers an up-close experience with the endangered Rothschild giraffes, where you can feed them and even receive a giraffe "kiss." Alternatively, a trip to the Bomas of Kenya provides a vibrant introduction to the country’s diverse cultures through traditional music, dance, and storytelling. For those interested in local cuisine, Nairobi’s bustling restaurant scene offers a range of delicious Kenyan dishes, from nyama choma (grilled meat) to ugali and traditional stews.
After a relaxing evening, you will return to your hotel to rest in preparation for the exciting safari ahead.
Day 2: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast, you will depart Nairobi and begin your journey to Amboseli National Park, a drive that takes approximately four to five hours through scenic countryside and traditional Maasai lands. Along the way, you may spot Maasai herders grazing their cattle against the backdrop of rolling hills, a testament to their centuries-old pastoral lifestyle.
As you approach Amboseli, the breathtaking sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, dominates the horizon. The mountain’s snow-capped summit, often emerging from behind the clouds, creates a spectacular backdrop for photography. Arriving at Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, you will check in and enjoy a delicious lunch before setting out for your first game drive.
The golden afternoon light makes for an ideal wildlife viewing experience. Amboseli is world-famous for its large elephant herds, often seen moving gracefully across the dusty plains, with Kilimanjaro towering behind them. You will explore the park’s swamps, where hippos wallow in the water, and open grasslands, where cheetahs and lions silently stalk their prey. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the presence of over 400 bird species, including pelicans, kingfishers, and the striking African fish eagle.
As the sun sets, casting an orange glow over the plains, you will return to your lodge for a relaxing evening. Dinner will be served at the lodge’s open-air restaurant, allowing you to dine under the African night sky while listening to the distant calls of hyenas and the occasional roar of a lion.
Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Amboseli
Waking up to the golden hues of dawn, you will set out for an early morning game drive when wildlife activity is at its peak. The cool morning air makes it the perfect time to spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas as they finish their nocturnal hunts. The sight of elephants crossing the vast open plains, their wrinkled skin coated in red volcanic dust, is a moment that will stay with you forever.
Returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, you will have some time to relax or take a refreshing dip in the pool. For those interested in cultural experiences, an optional visit to a Maasai village provides insight into the Maasai people’s traditional way of life. You will learn about their customs, witness their famous jumping dance, and even have the opportunity to purchase handmade beadwork and crafts.
After lunch, the adventure continues with another game drive, exploring Amboseli’s wetlands, acacia woodlands, and dry lake beds. The highlight of the afternoon is a stop at Observation Hill, a vantage point offering panoramic views of the park’s expansive landscape. From here, you can see elephants, buffalos, and giraffes wandering across the plains, as well as flamingos wading in the shallows of Enkongo Narok Swamp.
As the day comes to an end, you will return to the lodge for another relaxing evening, sharing stories of the day’s wildlife encounters around a crackling bonfire.
Day 4: Amboseli to Tsavo West
After breakfast, you will depart Amboseli and travel towards Tsavo West National Park, a journey of about three to four hours. The landscape begins to change as you enter Tsavo’s rugged terrain, characterized by rolling hills, dense bushland, and ancient lava flows.
Arriving at Ngulia Safari Lodge, you will check in and enjoy lunch while overlooking the lodge’s waterhole, where wildlife frequently gathers to drink. In the afternoon, you will visit the Mzima Springs, a stunning oasis fed by underground streams from Mount Kilimanjaro. A short guided walk along the crystal-clear pools offers the chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of fish, all visible from an underwater viewing chamber.
The adventure continues as you drive through the park’s striking volcanic landscapes, including the Shetani Lava Flows, a vast field of blackened lava formed by an eruption hundreds of years ago. Here, your guide will share fascinating stories about the region’s geological history and its eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Returning to the lodge, you will enjoy a delicious dinner as you watch nocturnal animals, such as leopards, stealthily approach the floodlit waterhole.
Day 5: Full-Day Game Viewing in Tsavo West
The day begins with an early morning game drive, offering the best opportunity to spot the elusive black rhino, one of the rarest creatures in Africa. Tsavo West’s dramatic landscape, with its rocky outcrops and dense vegetation, makes it an excellent place for spotting leopards, which are often seen resting in the shade of large trees.
After breakfast, you will have a leisurely morning to relax at the lodge before another afternoon of game viewing. You will visit Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a protected reserve dedicated to the conservation of the endangered black rhino population.
As the sun sets, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, you will return to the lodge for a final evening in Tsavo West, reflecting on the incredible wildlife sightings of the past few days.
Day 6: Tsavo West to Tsavo East
After an early breakfast at Ngulia Safari Lodge, you will bid farewell to the breathtaking landscapes of Tsavo West and set off on a scenic journey to Tsavo East National Park, Kenya’s largest national park. The drive takes approximately three to four hours, leading you from Tsavo West’s volcanic terrain into the vast, open savannahs of Tsavo East.
Upon entering the park, you will immediately notice the distinct red soil, which gives Tsavo East its famous “red elephant” reputation. The elephants here love dust-bathing, covering themselves in the iron-rich soil, giving them a striking reddish hue. These incredible herds, often numbering in the hundreds, create an awe-inspiring spectacle as they traverse the plains.
You will arrive at Voi Safari Lodge, a budget-friendly lodge that boasts spectacular views of a nearby waterhole, frequently visited by elephants, buffalos, and other thirsty wildlife. After check-in and lunch, you will set off on an afternoon game drive, exploring the park’s famous sites, including the Aruba Dam, a magnet for wildlife, and the vast Galana River, where crocodiles and hippos can often be spotted basking in the sun.
Tsavo East is also home to maneless lions, a unique adaptation seen in the lions of this region, believed to be descendants of the infamous "Man-Eaters of Tsavo." Your guide will share fascinating tales of these legendary lions that terrorized railway workers in the late 19th century.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the savannah, you will return to the lodge for a relaxing evening. Dinner will be served as you listen to the distant calls of hyenas and the occasional roar of a lion echoing across the plains.
Day 7: Full-Day Game Viewing in Tsavo East
The day begins with an early morning game drive, when wildlife is most active. You will traverse the park’s seemingly endless plains, keeping an eye out for cheetahs, which thrive in Tsavo East’s open terrain. These fast and elusive predators are often seen perched on termite mounds, scanning the horizon for prey.
The morning drive will also take you to the Lugard Falls, a series of rocky rapids on the Galana River, where crocodiles bask lazily on the riverbanks. Nearby, the Mudhanda Rock serves as a natural water catchment area, attracting large numbers of animals, making it an excellent spot for wildlife observation.
After returning to the lodge for a well-earned lunch and some rest, you will head out again in the late afternoon for another game drive. This time, you will explore the less-traveled areas of the park, where you may encounter the rare fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk (the giraffe gazelle), and the striking African wild dogs, if luck is on your side.
As the sun sets, you will make your way back to the lodge for one final night in the wild. The evening is a perfect time to reflect on the unforgettable moments of the past few days while enjoying a traditional Kenyan meal under the star-studded sky.
Day 8: Tsavo East to Nairobi
After a leisurely breakfast, you will embark on your final game drive as you exit Tsavo East National Park, making the most of your last chance to spot wildlife in the African wilderness. Your journey back to Nairobi takes approximately five to six hours, offering a final opportunity to admire Kenya’s diverse landscapes along the way.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight, or, if you prefer, dropped off at your hotel for an extended stay in the city.
As you bid farewell to Kenya, you will carry with you a treasure trove of memories—from the iconic elephants of Amboseli to the volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West and the red plains of Tsavo East. This 8-day budget safari has offered a truly immersive experience, proving that incredible wildlife encounters don’t have to come with a luxury price tag.
Inclusions
- Transport: Comfortable safari minivan with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing
- Accommodation: Budget lodges with en-suite bathrooms and dining facilities
- Meals: Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except on arrival night in Nairobi)
- Game Drives: Multiple game drives in Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East
- Park Fees: All entrance fees for Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East National Parks
- Professional Guide: Experienced, English-speaking safari guide/driver
- Drinking Water: Bottled water provided during game drives
- Airport Transfers: Pickup from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on arrival and drop-off at JKIA or your Nairobi hotel after the safari
- Government Taxes & Levies: All applicable taxes and park conservation fees
Exclusions
- International Flights: To/from Nairobi, Kenya
- Visa Fees: Kenyan tourist visa fees ($50 for most travelers)
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and phone bills
- Travel Insurance: Mandatory for all travelers (covers health, luggage, and trip cancellation)
- Tips & Gratuities: Suggested $5–$10 per day for the guide/driver
- Optional Activities: Maasai Village Visit in Amboseli ($20 per person)
- Additional Accommodation: Extra nights in Nairobi before or after the safari (can be arranged at an extra cost)
