7-Day Amboseli, Masai Mara & Serengeti Budget Safari
Overview
Embark on the ultimate East African road trip on this action-packed 7-day budget safari. This incredible journey takes you across Kenya and Tanzania, combining three of the continent’s most famous parks. You will witness the massive herds of elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, search for the Big Five in the legendary Masai Mara, and explore the endless plains of the Serengeti. Designed for the adventurous traveler, this tour uses public campsites and a dedicated safari crew to keep costs down while delivering a premium wildlife experience. This is the best way to see the diversity of East Africa in one week.
Safari Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
After an early morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, you will drive southeast towards Amboseli National Park (approximately 4–5 hours). The drive offers scenic views of the African landscape as you approach the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you will check in at the campsite and enjoy a hot lunch. Head out for an afternoon game drive; Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and the spectacular views of Africa’s highest peak. Return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.
Amboseli to Masai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Amboseli to catch the elephants silhouetted against the sunrise and Kilimanjaro. After breakfast, you will depart for the Masai Mara. This is a long driving day (approximately 6–7 hours) as you drive back towards Nairobi and then down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley. You will arrive at the Masai Mara in the late afternoon, checking into your campsite in time for a sunset game drive. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Full Day in Masai Mara
Wake up to the sounds of the bush and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Today is dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara, renowned for its exceptional population of big cats and the annual Great Migration. You will enjoy a full day of game driving with a picnic lunch, searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and herds of wildebeest. You will also have the option to visit a Maasai village to learn about their culture (optional extra). Return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.
Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
After a final morning game drive and breakfast in the Mara, you will head to the Isebania/Sirari border post to cross into Tanzania. Complete customs and immigration formalities (ensure you have your visa). Once in Tanzania, enter the Serengeti via the Ndabaka or Western Corridor gate. Enjoy a game drive as you drive to your designated public campsite, likely in the central Seronera area. The journey showcases the vastness of the ecosystem. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day of game driving in the Serengeti. Depending on the season, your guide will navigate towards the best wildlife areas—perhaps the Southern Plains for the calving season (Dec–March) or the Northern reaches for river crossings (July–Oct). The Serengeti offers unparalleled opportunities to see predators in action amidst the "endless plains." You will stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness. In the evening, return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.
Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend another day immersing yourself in the Serengeti. You can choose to take a sunrise game drive to see the predators hunting, or visit a kopje (rocky outcrop) to spot lounging lions and leopards. The midday heat can be spent relaxing at the campsite before heading out again in the late afternoon when the animals become active. This leisurely pace allows you to truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the park. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Serengeti to Arusha
Rise early for a final morning game drive in the Serengeti. After breakfast, break camp and drive to Arusha. You will exit the park and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands, passing the town of Karatu. Enjoy the scenic drive through the coffee plantations and villages of northern Tanzania. You will arrive in Arusha in the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your cross-border budget adventure.
