Explore the wonders of Kenya’s most iconic national parks on this 7-day budget safari. From the breathtaking plains of Maasai Mara to the pink-hued shores of Lake Nakuru and the elephant-rich Amboseli National Park, this journey promises close encounters with diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and memorable cultural experiences. This budget-friendly safari provides an authentic wilderness experience with comfortable accommodation and thrilling daily game drives, all while capturing the beauty of Kenya’s top safari destinations.
Trip Highlights:
- Witness the abundant wildlife of Maasai Mara, including the Big Five and, seasonally, the Great Migration.
- Explore the birdwatcher’s paradise of Lake Nakuru, known for its flamingos and rhino populations.
- See Amboseli’s majestic elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro as a stunning backdrop.
- Enjoy budget-friendly, yet comfortable, accommodations in safari camps and lodges.
- Take in the diverse ecosystems and capture stunning wildlife photos in three unique Kenyan parks.
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with a morning pick-up from Nairobi, followed by a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Along the way, stop at viewpoints overlooking the valley and take in the stunning landscapes.
Lunch:
Enjoy a packed lunch or stop at a local restaurant en route, before continuing your journey to the Maasai Mara.
Afternoon Game Drive:
Arrive at Maasai Mara in the afternoon and dive straight into a game drive. The Mara’s vast plains are home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and an array of herbivores like wildebeests and zebras. You’ll have a chance to spot some of the Big Five and observe the wildlife in action.
Evening Meal:
Settle into your camp and enjoy a traditional Kenyan dinner, prepared with local ingredients to fuel you for the days ahead.
Accommodation:
Miti Mingi Eco Camp or Enchoro Wildlife Camp, both offering budget-friendly tented camps with basic amenities close to the reserve.
Spend a full day exploring Maasai Mara, with morning and afternoon game drives across different regions of the park. Depending on the season (July-October), you may witness the Great Migration, with vast herds of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River—a thrilling sight as they brave the crocodile-filled waters.
Lunch:
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the Mara, surrounded by the sounds of the savannah.
Afternoon Game Drive:
Continue your game drive to spot lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and elephants. The Maasai Mara is known for its dense predator population, and sightings of big cats are frequent.
Evening Meal:
Return to camp for dinner, sharing stories of the day’s encounters around the campfire.
Accommodation:
Miti Mingi Eco Camp or Enchoro Wildlife Camp.
After breakfast, visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about Maasai culture and traditions. Watch a traditional jumping dance, browse handmade crafts, and listen to stories from the Maasai people.
Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park:
Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. This drive takes around 5-6 hours, passing through scenic landscapes and local villages along the way.
Lunch:
Stop en route for lunch, enjoying Kenyan classics such as chapati and nyama choma (grilled meat).
Evening Game Drive in Lake Nakuru:
Arrive at Lake Nakuru in the late afternoon for an introductory game drive. Known for its pink flamingo flocks and rhino population, Lake Nakuru offers excellent birdwatching and the chance to see white and black rhinos.
Evening Meal:
Enjoy dinner at your lodge, overlooking Lake Nakuru’s serene setting.
Accommodation:
Citymax Hotel Nakuru or Lake Nakuru Budget Hotel, providing budget-friendly options close to the park.
Explore Lake Nakuru’s stunning landscapes on morning and afternoon game drives. Lake Nakuru is surrounded by lush woodlands and acacia forest, creating diverse habitats for leopards, buffalos, and over 400 bird species. Spot Rothschild giraffes and keep an eye out for lions resting in the trees.
Lunch:
Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park, allowing you to relax by the lake while spotting birds like flamingos, pelicans, and storks.
Evening Meal:
Return to your hotel for dinner and a comfortable night’s rest after a day of wildlife encounters.
Accommodation:
Citymax Hotel Nakuru or Lake Nakuru Budget Hotel.
After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park, a journey that takes approximately 6-7 hours with a scenic drive through Kenya’s countryside.
Lunch:
Enjoy a packed lunch or a stopover at a local restaurant along the way.
Evening Arrival and Game Drive in Amboseli:
Arrive in Amboseli and enjoy an introductory evening game drive, with your first views of Amboseli’s famous elephant herds and, if clear, stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Evening Meal:
Settle in at your camp and enjoy a warm meal with Mount Kilimanjaro as a dramatic backdrop.
Accommodation:
Kimana Camp or AA Lodge Amboseli, budget-friendly camps located near the park with comfortable tents and dining facilities.
Start with an early morning game drive, capturing the herds of elephants grazing beneath Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak. The light in the morning provides excellent photo opportunities and Kilimanjaro’s backdrop adds to the unique landscape of Amboseli.
Breakfast and Lunch in the Park:
Return to camp for breakfast, then head out for more game viewing. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park to maximize your time spotting lions, cheetahs, zebras, and hippos.
Afternoon:
Continue exploring Amboseli’s swamps, open plains, and acacia woodlands, encountering a variety of wildlife. Amboseli is known for its vast elephant herds, and sightings are frequent and often up-close.
Evening Meal:
Return to your camp for a hearty dinner, enjoying your last night in the bush.
Accommodation:
Kimana Camp or AA Lodge Amboseli.
Enjoy one last morning game drive in Amboseli, making the most of your final hours in the park. Look out for any species you may have missed, or take a few last photos of the incredible landscape.
Lunch:
Stop for lunch en route back to Nairobi, enjoying your final taste of Kenyan flavors.
Afternoon Departure:
Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, concluding your unforgettable 7-day safari through Kenya’s most celebrated parks.