13-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari (Budget & Luxury)
Safari Overview
This 13-day Kenya and Tanzania safari is designed to offer the perfect balance of affordability and comfort, making it accessible to budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers alike . Explore the most iconic wildlife destinations in East Africa, from Kenya’s Masai Mara and Amboseli to Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, all while experiencing the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife that make this region world-famous . This safari promises an unforgettable adventure, whether you choose the rustic charm of a tented camp or the indulgence of a luxury lodge
Safari Highlights
Masai Mara National Reserve – Big Five safaris and Great Migration (seasonal)
Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingos, rhinos, and over 400 bird species
Amboseli National Park – Large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop
Lake Manyara National Park – Rare tree-climbing lions and diverse wildlife
Serengeti National Park – Endless plains and iconic wildlife encounters
Ngorongoro Crater – UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s Eden
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be warmly welcomed by a Serengeti Wildlife Safari representative. After a short briefing about your 13-day adventure, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner, Drinking water
Day 2: Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a journey to one of Africa’s most renowned reserves. The drive, which takes approximately 5-6 hours, takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara. On arrival, enjoy a hot lunch at your camp and rest before heading out for an afternoon game drive.
The Masai Mara is a vast expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains, known for its exceptional wildlife population, including the Big Five and over 450 bird species . Watch predators and prey interact in a spectacular display of nature’s drama as the sun begins to set. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 3: Full Day in Masai Mara
Today is dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, head out for a full-day game drive. The Mara is part of the great Serengeti ecosystem and is home to a permanent population of lions, elephants, and other wildlife. During the migration season (typically July to October), you may witness the dramatic river crossings as thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave crocodile-infested waters.
You may also opt for a hot air balloon safari (at an additional cost) for a truly spectacular view of the plains at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 4: Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru National Park
After a morning cup of tea, enjoy an en-route game drive as you depart the Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful Kenyan countryside, with a stop at a local craft market to interact with the locals and purchase handmade souvenirs.
Arrive at the park in time for lunch. In the afternoon, set out for a game drive in search of the park’s famous residents, with a particular focus on the rare black and white rhino. The lake is also home to Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, lions, buffalo, leopards, and baboons . While the flamingo population has decreased in recent years, the park remains a stunning bird-watching destination. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Amboseli National Park
Wake up early for a final game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park when animals are most active. Search for the nocturnal predators returning from the hunt and any wildlife you might have missed. After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park, located in the shadow of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.
This scenic drive takes you south through the Rift Valley. Arrive at Amboseli in the late afternoon, check in, and relax. You can enjoy a short evening game drive to see elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 6: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Start the day with an early morning game drive to catch the sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is renowned for its large elephant herds, which can be seen in their hundreds, and this is often the best time to witness the majestic mountain peak before the clouds settle in . With 392 square kilometres of savannah and marshland, Amboseli supports over 550 bird species and is a prime location for spotting the Big Five.
After your morning game drive and breakfast, embark on another game drive or choose to relax at the lodge. In the afternoon, continue exploring Amboseli’s diverse landscape. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 7: Amboseli – Arusha (Tanzania)
After an en-route game drive as you leave Amboseli, you will bid farewell to Kenya and cross into Tanzania for the next phase of your safari. Arrive in the Tanzanian city of Arusha in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 8: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
Today, your Tanzanian safari begins. After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Arrive in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive.
The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare and unique sight. The diverse habitats support a wide variety of wildlife, including large elephant herds, giraffes, hippos, and troops of baboons . Enjoy a game drive, and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 9: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart for the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is synonymous with the annual Great Migration, a spectacle of over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle moving in search of fresh grazing .
You will arrive at the Serengeti late in the afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy a “welcome” evening game drive. This is an opportunity to see the famous landscape and spot some of its iconic residents, including elephants, lions, zebras, and wildebeests. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 10: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
A full day is dedicated to exploring the endless plains of the Serengeti. With a packed lunch, you will venture into the park, covering vast areas in search of the Great Migration and the predators that follow the herds. The Serengeti covers over 14,000 square kilometers and contains one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet .
Watch for lions stalking their prey, cheetahs sprinting across the plains, and elephants roaming freely. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 11: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti. After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, you will stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, where the Leakey family discovered the remains of early hominids.
Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim in the late afternoon. Enjoy the spectacular views and, if time permits, go for a game drive along the rim before dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater Tour
After breakfast, descend over 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is often described as a Garden of Eden. It is home to approximately 25,000 large mammals, including all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) .
The crater floor has diverse habitats, from plains and swamps to a soda lake, Lake Magadi, which attracts flamingos and hippos. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before a final game drive in the afternoon. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 13: Ngorongoro – Arusha – Departure
After a final breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a brief morning game drive before you transfer to Arusha. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight back home, bringing your 13-day safari to an end.
Meals: Breakfast, Drinking water
Package Includes
Arrival and departure airport transfers
All park entrance fees
Full board accommodation on safari
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Transport in a custom safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
Driver’s salary, allowances, and park fees for vehicle and driver
Game drives as per the itinerary
Complementary bottle of water daily on safari
All applicable taxes and VAT
Package Excludes
International flights
Departure tax
Tips to drivers (highly recommended)
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Extras at the lodges (drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet, etc.)
Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon ride, Masai village visit)
Personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs, etc.)
