9 DAYS KENYA AND TANZNIA BUDGET SAFARI MAASAI MARA, LAKE NAKURU, LAKE NAIVASHA,ARUSHA, LAKE MANYARA, NGORONGORO CRATER

Overview

Here’s an overview of the incredible wildlife destinations you’ve listed, keeping in mind our location here in Nairobi:

Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya): Kenya’s flagship wildlife reserve, a relatively easy journey from Nairobi. It’s famous for its vast savannah plains, incredible concentrations of wildlife (including the “Big Five”), and the spectacular annual Great Wildebeest Migration.
Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya): Located in the Rift Valley, a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. This park is renowned for its stunning (though sometimes fluctuating) flocks of pink flamingos that gather on the alkaline lake. It’s also a crucial sanctuary for both black and white rhinoceros and boasts diverse birdlife.
Lake Naivasha (Kenya): A beautiful freshwater lake in the Rift Valley, not far from Nairobi. It’s known for its scenic beauty, abundant birdlife (over 400 species), and healthy hippo population. Boat safaris and visits to Crescent Island for walking among wildlife are popular activities.
Arusha National Park (Tanzania): Situated near Arusha town in northern Tanzania, a drive across the border from Nairobi. This park features diverse landscapes ranging from the slopes of Mount Meru to the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes. It’s a scenic park with opportunities for walking safaris and diverse wildlife viewing, including primates and birds.
Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania): Nestled beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment in Tanzania, a drive south from Arusha. This park is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, large elephant populations, and abundant birdlife along the shores of Lake Manyara. Its varied habitats offer a compact yet rewarding safari experience.
Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania): A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania, a drive further from Lake Manyara and Arusha. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, harboring a remarkably high density of diverse wildlife within its natural walls. It’s often called a “natural wonder” and offers exceptional game viewing.

This itinerary offers a fantastic exploration of some of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife areas, showcasing the diverse landscapes and incredible animal populations of both Kenya and Tanzania, all within a relatively accessible distance from Nairobi.

Itinerary

DAY 1: NAIROBI-MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE.

Depart from Nairobi and head west for Maasai Mara enjoying the scenic view of the Great Rift Valley escarpments and have the first stop over at the view point to give you the chance to appreciate the view. The second stop over will be at Narok town to freshen up before getting to the camp for hot lunch. Have an evening game drive in this majestic park. Drive back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: MAASAI MARA GAME RESRVE FULL DAY.

Have breakfast and get ready to explore the magical game sanctuary that is home to the Big 5 and a variety of bird’s species for bird lovers. Be surrounded in the scenic landscape of the savannah grassland over rolling hills and the epic experience of this nature wonder land. Picnic lunch will be held at the hippo pool and you’ll get the once in a lifetime chance to dine with the hippos and crocodiles. Enjoy the park till sunset and later drive back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: MAASAI MARA – LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.

Have breakfast at the camp and proceed for an optional activity of visit to Masai village. At the village you will be able to interact with the local Masai community as well as learning their way of life. At the village you will only pay $10 per person paid direct at the village. Later proceed on to Nakuru. Lunch will be taken enroute as you enjoy the magical site of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha from a far and at own pleasure enjoy boat riding in the lake at an extra cost and payment done directly. Check in at City Max hotel in Nakuru have dinner then rest.

DAY 4: LAKE NAKURU – LAKE NAIVASHA

Have a morning Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park that is famously known for flamingoes and also a rhino sanctuary for both the white endangered rhino and the black rhino. Enjoy the splendid site of the water body animals like the buffaloes, crocodiles and the hippos too and how they live together. You will view this from a view point of the baboon cliff and interact with the baboons too. Have picnic lunch then later in the day travel to Naivasha where dinner will be served followed by overnight.

DAY 5: LAKE NAIVASHA – NAIROBI

Have your breakfast then get to Hells Gate and get started with the fun activities of walking and climbing through the Gorges as you have nature walks appreciating what gifts nature has to give then do bike riding which is an optional fun activity. Enjoy the vegetation around the park later leave Naivasha to Nairobi with lunch enroute. Upon arrival in Nairobi you will be dropped at your Nairobi hotel.

DAY 6: NAIROBI – NAMANGA BORDER – ARUSHA

After breakfast in your hotel, the driver will pick you up at around 8 am and transfer you to the Nairobi – Arusha shuttle bus. You will arrive in the afternoon on time to check in at Charity Hotel in Arusha for overnight. The Hotel is paid for you on bed and breakfast only. Diner on your own.

DAY 7: ARUSHA – LAKE MANYARA.

Breakfast at the hotel the meet our driver for a transfer to the office from where we will leave for Lake Manyara national park. Arrive at the park by 1000am, with picnic lunches proceed for a game drive in search of the wildlife and he flamingos that inhabit in this national park. Lake Manyara is famous for the tree climbing lions and the flocks of Flamingos. Later in the evening leave Lake Manyara and drive to Panaroma Camp where dinner will be served followed by overnight.

DAY 8: LAKE MANYARA – NGORONGORO CRATER.

Early breakfast at the camp then leave for a 2hours drive to Ngorongoro conservancy area, upon arrival registration and descend the crater with a game drive to its crater rim. Have picnic lunch there and start ascending with a game drive to the main gate. Here you will see animals like the Black Rhino’s, buffalo, Elephants, Wildebeest, Giraffes, African lions and lioness among other animals. You will have a total of 6 hours inside the crater then leave and drive to Tarangire Public campsite where dinner and overnight will be served.

DAY 9: NGORONGORO CRATER – ARUSHA.

Breakfast at the camp, then leave for a game drive within the ngorongoro crater where you will be able to descend with a game drive with the view of Common Lions, African Elephants, Black Rhino, blue wildebeest, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena. Wild dog, Grant’s Zebras, African buffalo and Hippopotamus at the crater rim. Have the picnic lunch at the crater rim then start ascending to the main gate, exit the crater after the 6 hours and drive to Arusha where you will be dropped at your Arusha Hotel.