$2,117 to $2,341 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Nairobi to Tsavo West – The Land of Lava & Red-Dusted Tusker Giants
Nairobi to Tsavo West – The Land of Lava & Red-Dusted Tusker Giants
Your epic Kenyan journey begins at 6:00 AM with a prompt pickup from your Nairobi hotel or the airport. Traveling in a rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser, you’ll head south through the scenic plains into the heart of Tsavo West National Park.
This park is a geological marvel, and your first stop will be the Shetani Lava Flows, a massive field of black jagged rocks that tells the story of the region’s volcanic past. After a hot lunch at your budget-friendly camp, head out for an afternoon game drive.
Tsavo is famous for its "red elephants" - giants that dust themselves in the park’s unique volcanic soil. You’ll also visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a critical stronghold for the endangered Black Rhino.
As the sun sets over the Chyulu Hills, keep your eyes peeled for leopards stalking through the acacia thickets before returning to camp for a hearty dinner by the fire.
- Main Destination:
- Tsavo West National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ngulia Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Tsavo West NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Tsavo West to Amboseli – From Crystal Springs to the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
Tsavo West to Amboseli – From Crystal Springs to the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
Start your morning at Mzima Springs, an oasis where millions of gallons of crystal-clear water gush from under lava rocks. From an underwater viewing tank, you’ll get a rare, eye-level look at hippos and crocodiles gliding through the water. Afterward, your rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser takes you across the border into Amboseli National Park, arriving just in time for a late lunch.
In the afternoon, the landscape opens up to reveal the iconic, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is world-renowned for its massive free-ranging elephant herds, often led by legendary matriarchs.
Watch as these "Great Tuskers" trek across the dusty pans against the majestic mountain backdrop. You’ll explore the lush marshes where buffalo and hippos wallow, surrounded by hundreds of colorful bird species.
As dusk falls, settle into your budget camp, enjoying the sight of the mountain glowing in the twilight.
- Main Destination:
- Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation:
- Little Amanya Camp
Wildlife in Amboseli NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Full Day in Amboseli – Swamp Explorations and Panoramic Views from an observation Hill
Full Day in Amboseli – Swamp Explorations and Panoramic Views from an observation Hill
Dedicate a full day to uncovering the secrets of Amboseli National Park. After an early breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch to maximize your time in the wild.
Your rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser allows you to navigate the swampy areas where wildlife congregates during the heat of the day. A major highlight is Observation Hill, a volcanic cone that you can climb on foot for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire park, the swamps, and the mountain.
From this vantage point, you can see elephants bathing in the mud below and pelicans gliding across the water. Spend the afternoon tracking predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas as they begin to stir for their evening hunts.
This immersive day offers endless photography opportunities of wildlife interacting in one of Africa's most scenic settings. Return to your camp for a final night in the shadows of the "Roof of Africa."
- Main Destination:
- Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation:
- Little Amanya Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Amboseli to Lake Naivasha – Descent into the Great Rift Valley with Lakeside Scenery while Hiking
Amboseli to Lake Naivasha – Descent into the Great Rift Valley with Lakeside Scenery while Hiking
Bid farewell to Kilimanjaro as you head toward the freshwater gem of the Great Rift Valley: Lake Naivasha. The drive is a highlight in itself, featuring a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for panoramic photos of the escarpment.
After arriving and enjoying lunch at your budget lodge, head to the lake's shores. You’ll take a private boat safari to see massive pods of hippos and soaring African Fish Eagles in action.
The afternoon continues with a walking safari on Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Since there are no predators, you can walk alongside giraffes, zebras, and waterbucks - it’s one of the few places in Kenya where you can truly "walk with the wild." This peaceful encounter provides a refreshing change of pace from the vehicle-based game drives. Enjoy a quiet evening at your lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the Rift Valley.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)
- Accommodation:
- Lake Naivasha Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara – Entry into the Big Five Kingdom with more Great Rift Valley Highlights
Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara – Entry into the Big Five Kingdom with more Great Rift Valley Highlights
Leaving the Rift Valley lakes behind, your rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser climbs the escarpment and descends into the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
You’ll travel through Maasai land, passing colorful villages and vast wheat farms before entering the park gates. Arrive at your budget-friendly tented camp for a warm welcome and a hot lunch. In the late afternoon, set out for your first game drive in this legendary wilderness.
The Mara is home to the highest concentration of large predators in the world; within minutes, you might spot a pride of lions resting in the shade or a cheetah surveying the plains from a termite mound.
As the golden sun dips toward the horizon, capture stunning photos of the classic "flat-top" acacia trees silhouetted against the African sky before returning to camp for a traditional safari dinner.
- Main Destination:
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation:
- PrideInn Mara Camp
Wildlife in Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Full Day Masai Mara – The Ultimate Quest for the Big Five, Mara River & Maasai Village
Full Day Masai Mara – The Ultimate Quest for the Big Five, Mara River & Maasai Village
This is the pinnacle of your 7-day adventure. After an early breakfast, head deep into the reserve with a picnic lunch for a full-day immersion in the wild.
Your expert guide will use their tracking skills to find the most elusive members of the Big Five, focusing on the leopard and the rhino.
You’ll traverse the vast savannah toward the Mara River, the site of the dramatic Great Migration crossings. Here, you’ll see enormous Nile crocodiles and pods of hippos fighting for territory. Your rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser provides the perfect platform for 360-degree viewing and photography as you witness the raw beauty of nature.
Whether it’s a lion kill or a peaceful herd of elephants crossing the plains, today is about experiencing the Mara in its most authentic form. Spend your final evening by the campfire, reflecting on a week of incredible wildlife encounters.
- Main Destination:
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation:
- PrideInn Mara Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Final Sunrise Safari and Scenic Drive Back to Nairobi
Final Sunrise Safari and Scenic Drive Back to Nairobi
Savor your final morning in the bush with an early sunrise game drive. The early hours are the best time to see the Mara’s big cats active and on the move before the sun gets too hot.
You might catch a leopard returning from a night hunt or a pride of lions playing with their cubs in the long grass. After a final "bush breakfast," enjoy a mid-morning game drive as you slowly exit the reserve.
Your rugged 4x4 Land Cruiser will carry you back across the scenic Rift Valley toward Nairobi. Stop for an affordable local lunch and perhaps some souvenir shopping for Maasai beadwork along the way.
You’ll arrive back in the city by late afternoon for a drop-off at your hotel or the JKIA airport, concluding your epic 7-day budget-friendly Kenyan safari with a camera full of memories and a heart full of adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Nairobi Airport (Nairobi)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
