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Kenya Budget Safari Tours
Few countries are as well-suited to the budget safari as Kenya. The country’s safari industry highlights its budget safaris and takes advantage of ideal expedition conditions. A seemingly endless array of possibilities is created by cheap accommodation and low-cost transport options, such as the pop-top safari minivan. Kenya is, in many ways, the home of the East African safari, and there are few finer places to plan your trip than here. A string of iconic national parks and reserves provide the venues for excellent wildlife viewing, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Lake Nakuru and Samburu.
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6-Day Masai Mara-Lake Nakuru - Amboseli Adventure
$979 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Baboon Budget Safaris
5.0/5 – 201 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Masai Mara/Nakuru/Naivasha Group Camping Safari
$721 to $960 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Lenchada Safaris
4.9/5 – 774 Reviews
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3-Day Amboseli Group Joining Safari 2023 - 2025
$350 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.3/5 – 84 Reviews
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5-Day Budget Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, & Nakuru Safari
$726 to $946 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Wild Race Africa
4.5/5 – 70 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Masai Mara~Nakuru~Naivasha~Amboseli
$1,265 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nakuru (City), Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Amboseli NP, Nairobi Airport (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 1445 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Masai Mara Budget Group Joining Safari
$572 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 1392 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Classic Wildlife Safari Adventure
$385 to $627 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jungleroam Safaris
5.0/5 – 65 Reviews
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4-Day Budget Maasai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari
$1,379 to $1,404 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Brighte Maasai Adventures
4.9/5 – 16 Reviews
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6-Day Masai Mara Game Drive Loita Forest Walking Safari
$3,410 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Loita Hills (Mountain Range), Nairobi (End)
Kudu Hills Safaris
4.9/5 – 15 Reviews
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6-Day Jungle Big 5 Budget Group Joining Safari
$1,045 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Dosasha Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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4-Day Budget Safari to Masai Mara, Lakes and More
$1,649 to $1,979 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Tapestry of Africa Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Mara & Nakuru Jeep Trek
$902 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Super Eagles Travel and Tours
4.8/5 – 188 Reviews
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3-Day Wildbeest Migration Tour
$1,073 to $1,106 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Trav-Interactive
4.9/5 – 27 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Private Budget Safari Adventure
$792 to $1,078 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Maasai Village (Cultural Village), Nairobi (End)
Oloropa Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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4-Day Kenya Group Tour on 4 By4 Land Cruiser
$760 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Maasai Village (Cultural Village), Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Josana Tours
4.8/5 – 23 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Daily Join Group Budget Safari
$649 to $660 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Okoa Africa Tours
4.2/5 – 83 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Kenya Magnificent Budget Tour
$2,420 to $2,640 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara NR, Giraffe Centre (Nairobi), Nairobi (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 132 Reviews
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3-Day Amboseli National Park Private Budget Safari
$484 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Buffalo Steps Adventures
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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3-Day Maasai Mara Group Safari
$605 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
African Beast Tours and Safaris
4.6/5 – 11 Reviews
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7-Day Endless Adventure Budget Safari in Kenya
$1,782 to $1,815 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Resort
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi Airport (End)
Leopard Orchid Safaris
4.8/5 – 28 Reviews
6 Questions About Kenya Budget Safaris
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony is a writer and photographer who co-writes Lonely Planet’s guide to Kenya, writes about the country for magazines and newspapers around the world, and has been exploring the country for more than a decade.› More about Anthony
6 Questions About Kenya Budget Safaris
Why should I choose Kenya for a budget safari?
“Nairobi’s role as a hub for African budget travel has given Kenya a long and reliable tradition of budget safaris. Nairobi is one of the cheapest African destinations when it comes to both international air travel and budget accommodation. Building on this foundation, the Kenyan tourism industry has experience in taking budget travelers into the heart of some of Africa’s premier wildlife areas. Choosing a budget safari in Kenya will not limit your options to view the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) or other African animals. While per-day national park fees are expensive, budget operators are adept at ensuring costs are kept to a minimum. Budget accommodation is almost always possible within or just beyond park boundaries.”
1What is included in a budget Kenya trip?
“There is a range of possibilities. All-inclusive safaris should include all accommodation, three meals a day, transport and game drives. Other safari operators may build in more flexibility – breakfast and dinner may be included but not lunches. If your safari includes a camping component, you might be expected to help with the setting up of camp, the preparation of meals and cleaning up afterwards. But the biggest variable is the standard of the accommodation. There is everything from simple two-person tents to basic rooms in lodges or large safari-style tents in tented camps. Clearly the more you pay, the higher the levels of comfort. Exactly what is included is a question that you should always ask any operator when planning your safari. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option. Extras added later to your overall costs may cancel out the appeal of a low (but perhaps misleading) upfront price.”
2How do I avoid the crowds in the parks?
“You can avoid the worst of these crowds if you’re flexible with dates. Kenya is one of the busiest safari destinations in Africa, so expect to share safari trails with plenty of other travelers. The busiest times are usually around Christmas, Easter and July and August, when international travelers choose to spend their holiday time in Kenya. The migration of wildebeest and zebra between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is surely one of the greatest spectacles on the African calendar. However, the sheer number of travelers who visit at this time can spoil the experience for many. It’s also the most expensive time to visit and a cheap Kenya safari at this time is more difficult to find. The only way to increase your chances of finding a cheap safari during this period is to take your time looking at all of the available options. Last-minute deals are sometimes possible but waiting for one to appear can be a risk. Wildlife is abundant in most parks year-round, and if you’d prefer a thrilling encounter without waiting in queues of safari vehicles, you may choose to avoid the migration. Predicting when the migration occurs is an inexact science. The herds usually cross into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti from July to August and remain in Kenya until November when they return to Tanzania. But any of these events can happen earlier, later or not at all. That being the case, May and June, or September and October can be ideal to avoid the crowds.”
3Can you describe a typical day on a Kenya budget safari?
“A typical day on a Kenya budget safari revolves around wildlife viewing and early morning and late-afternoon game drives, which are a near-constant of life on any budget safari. These are the times when wildlife is most active and easiest to see. If your budget safari has you staying in a simple tented camp or budget lodge, your time in between wildlife viewing and meals will largely be your own. You can either arrange excursions such as village visits or have some downtime to relax. One of the ways that operators keep costs down is by reducing the number of staff who accompany you on safari. What this means in a practical sense is that you’re expected to play a role in keeping camp life running. On a camping budget safari, you’ll participate in setting up camp, packing up each campsite and generally contributing to the smooth running of camp. This may mean helping out with the preparation of meals, and then cleaning up afterwards, as well as putting up and dismantling tents. On a camping safari, if you’re moving on to the next campsite, you’ll return to camp after the morning game drive, prepare breakfast, clean up, pack up camp, and then set off to the new location, usually with some wildlife viewing en route. Lunch is often a relatively quick affair, sometimes in the form of a picnic at a well-chosen spot along the way. On arrival at the new camp, you’ll join the communal effort to set everything up. After dinner in the evening, expect to spend time around the campfire.”
4What type of accommodation can I expect?
“Most budget safari packages in Kenya offer a varied range of accommodation options, perhaps more so than any other major safari destination. At the cheaper end of the scale, simple canvas tents of the two-person variety provide you with overnight shelter. These will usually travel with you from one campground to the next. Also cheap are the budget lodges, usually offering a basic bed in a shared room. These are at their best out on the fringes of the major national parks. In the south, particularly around the Masai Mara and Amboseli, homestays in Maasai compounds are an atmospheric and rewarding option. More comfortable and roomy safari tents or simple lodges of varying levels of comfort are all also possible, although they do cost more.”
5How much will this safari cost?
“As a starting point, count on per-person per-day prices that begin at US$110. This figure is usually based on a twin-share package, and solo travelers can expect prices to begin closer to US$140 to US$165 per day. Finding the right balance between a small group size and reasonable levels of comfort with a low price is the key to planning a budget safari. Prices vary greatly from one safari to the next, costs depend upon a whole range of variables, and the range of tours is extensive. The per-person rate can vary according to group size, accommodation standards, the amount of travel required between parks and so on.”
6Kenya Reviews
Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
A Safari Behemoth
In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination which will fulfill...
Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.
From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness
Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...
Breathtaking experience to be experienced by all.
I absolutely loved everything about my visit to Kenya. The food, atmosphere, people, culture, and animals were amazing. I felt welcomed in every part of the country. The safari was life altering. To be up close to the animals in their...
Kenya is a diverse and vibrant country in East Africa, known for its stunning landscapes, rich wild
We were on safari in Kenya, known for its incredible landscapes, rich wildlife and vibrant culture. We spent 2 days in the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most famous reserves in the world. It is famous for the annual Great...
Amazing trip in Tsavo
The tour organised through Safari bookings, with Ultimate Africa Expeditions, has been perfect. Super organisation, very kind and efficient driver, great places. The second hotel (Zoi) was not that great (food very average, bed...
Kenya has incredible wildlife, very nice people and a good climate
We went on a 5-days safari in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. We got to sees all the "Big 5" and lots of other animals. Incredible to sit on the terrace by the lodge outside Masai Mara, and watch a hippo in the water. The...