8-Day Budget Kenya Safari with Masai Mara and Amboseli

8 Days Round trip from Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta Airport) Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Spot wildlife in Nairobi National Park, the only safari park near a capital city
  • 02 Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and birdlife
  • 03 Look for white and black rhinos and flamingos in Lake Nakuru National Park
  • 04 Spend a full day in the Masai Mara searching for big cats and herds of zebra and wildebeest
  • 05 Watch elephants in Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop when the sky is clear

An 8-day, 7-night budget safari in Kenya that starts in Nairobi and takes you through Nairobi National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, and Amboseli National Park before returning to Nairobi. Travel in a shared 4x4 safari vehicle and stay in budget hotels, hostels, and camps along the way. The tour combines classic wildlife viewing with a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and possible views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli. Sightings are never guaranteed, migration in the Masai Mara is best from July to October, and Kilimanjaro views depend on clear weather.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Naivasha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nairobi National Park

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Nairobi and Safari Briefing

  • Arrival: You arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, where your driver meets you.
  • Transfer: You drive for about 30 minutes to your budget hotel in Nairobi.
  • Briefing: Your guide gives you a short briefing about the trip.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: Nairobi
2
Day 02

Nairobi National Park and Drive to Lake Naivasha

  • Meals: After breakfast
  • Visit: Visit Nairobi National Park, the only wildlife park near a capital city.
  • Wildlife: Look for giraffes, zebras, buffalo, rhinos, and many birds.
  • Drive: In the afternoon, drive for about 2 hours to Lake Naivasha.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: At your camp
3
Day 03

Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru Safari

  • Meals: After breakfast
  • Activity: Take a short boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and birds.
  • Drive: Then drive for about 2 hours to Lake Nakuru National Park.
  • Meals: Picnic lunch
  • Game drive: Enjoy an afternoon game drive, looking for white and black rhinos, buffalo, and flamingos.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: At your camp
4
Day 04

Lake Nakuru to the Masai Mara

  • Meals: After breakfast
  • Drive: Drive for about 5 to 6 hours to the Masai Mara, with a stop for lunch on the way.
  • Arrival: Arrive in the late afternoon.
  • Game drive: Enjoy a short game drive.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: At your camp
5
Day 05

Full-Day Game Drive in the Masai Mara

  • Meals: After an early breakfast
  • Game drive: Spend the full day on a game drive with a packed lunch.
  • Wildlife: Look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and large herds of zebra and wildebeest.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: At your camp
6
Day 06

Masai Mara to Amboseli National Park

  • Meals: After breakfast
  • Game drive: Have a short morning game drive.
  • Drive: Then drive for about 5 to 6 hours south to Amboseli National Park, with a stop for lunch.
  • Arrival: Arrive in the late afternoon.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: At your camp, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro if the sky is clear.
7
Day 07

Morning Game Drive in Amboseli and Return to Nairobi

  • Game drive: After an early morning game drive, watch elephants, giraffes, and zebras with the mountain behind them.
  • Drive: Then drive for about 4 to 5 hours back to Nairobi.
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Overnight: Nairobi
8
Day 08

Departure from Nairobi

  • Meals: After breakfast and check-out
  • Transfer: Your driver takes you to Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your flight home.
  • End: The tour ends.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta Airport) 7 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • English-speaking driver-guide
  • Park entrance fees (Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Amboseli)
  • Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
  • Camping and hostel accommodation
  • Tent, sleeping mat, table, and chairs at camp
  • Meals as listed
  • Drinking water during the safari
  • Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Kenya eTA
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Sleeping bag hire
  • Drinks (soft and alcoholic)
  • Tips for the driver and cook
  • Masai Mara conservancy fee (if applicable)
  • Hot air balloon safari
  • Personal items (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
  • Optional activities not listed

What to bring

  • Documents and money: Passport, Kenya eTA, insurance papers, flight tickets, and small US dollar notes for tips.
  • Camping gear: Warm sleeping bag (camp nights can be cold), torch or headlamp, and a small towel.
  • Clothes: Light long-sleeve shirts and trousers in neutral colours, a warm jacket or fleece for cool mornings, a light rain jacket, closed shoes, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
  • Safari gear: Binoculars, a camera with extra batteries, a power bank, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle.
  • Health: Personal medicine, anti-malaria tablets (ask your doctor), motion sickness tablets, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, and toilet paper.

Know before you go

Note: Sightings are never guaranteed. Migration in the Masai Mara is best from July to October. Amboseli views of Kilimanjaro depend on clear weather.

  • Use soft bags, not hard suitcases.
  • Bring a universal plug adaptor (Kenya uses Type G).
  • Plastic bags are banned in Kenya.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta Airport)
Tour start
Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta Airport)
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta Airport).

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 800 /person
Book This Tour

Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,100.00 — $1,400.00
Double Sharing $850.00 — $1,100.00
Triple Sharing $800.00 — $1,050.00

When

Travellers

Total