11 Day Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari Itinerary
Embark on an unforgettable Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari that takes you to some of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This affordable safari adventure is designed for families looking to experience the best of Kenya and Tanzania’s national parks, from the famed Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Naivasha.
Stay in family-friendly lodges and authentic tented camps, enjoy exhilarating game drives, and choose from a range of included and optional activities like cultural village visits, boat rides, and hot air balloon safaris. This itinerary is crafted with comfort and minimal driving in mind, perfect for families seeking an enriching yet relaxing East African safari experience.
Quick Itinerary Overview
- Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
- Countries Visited: Kenya & Tanzania
- Safari Style: Private, Budget, Family-Friendly
- Accommodation: Lodges & Tented Camps
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Kenya
Your Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari begins with a warm welcome at Nairobi’s international airport. Transfer to your central Nairobi hotel and relax by the rooftop pool or explore local attractions like Karura Forest, animal sanctuaries, and coffee shops.
Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha
Visit the Giraffe Centre and Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust to meet rescued baby elephants and feed giraffes. After lunch at the famous Carnivore restaurant, travel through the Great Rift Valley to your lakeside lodge at Lake Naivasha.
Day 3: Explore Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate
Enjoy activities like a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, a walk or cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park, and optional visits to Crescent Island, geothermal springs, or Elsamere.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive to the world-renowned Masai Mara with a picnic en route. In the afternoon, head out on your first thrilling game drive before settling into a comfortable tented camp near the reserve.
Day 5: Masai Mara Safari & Cultural Visit
Enjoy a sunrise game drive followed by a nature walk led by a Masai guide. Learn about traditional Masai culture during a visit to a local manyatta before returning to camp for dinner.
Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara
Spend the day tracking the Big Five and witnessing the Great Migration (seasonal). Optional hot air balloon safaris can be arranged for a unique aerial perspective of the plains.
Day 7: Masai Mara to Lake Victoria – Tanzania
Cross into Tanzania via the Isebania border and continue to a lakeside lodge at Lake Victoria. In the afternoon, take an optional guided mountain bike tour through the surrounding bush.
Day 8: Lake Victoria to Serengeti National Park
Join a local fisherman on a traditional canoe trip (optional) before journeying into the legendary Serengeti National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before checking into your scenic tented camp.
Day 9: Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti
Explore the vast Serengeti ecosystem teeming with wildlife. From large herds of herbivores to prowling predators, the wildlife sightings are unmatched. Return to camp for a night under the stars.
Day 10: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the lush Ngorongoro Crater for a spectacular game drive. Later, tour a coffee plantation in the Karatu highlands to see how local coffee is grown and processed.
Day 11: Karatu to Nairobi – Kenya
Enjoy a relaxed morning before driving to Arusha for lunch and shopping. Then transfer back to Nairobi for your departure, concluding your memorable Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari.
Transport on Safari
This family safari uses custom-built 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for optimal wildlife viewing in both Kenya and Tanzania. All vehicles are equipped with refrigerators for chilled drinks while on game drives.
Highlights of the 11-Day Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari
- See the Big Five in Masai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
- Visit family-friendly conservation centers in Nairobi
- Enjoy optional activities like hot air ballooning and mountain biking
- Stay in comfortable, family-friendly lodges and tented safari camps
This Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari offers the perfect mix of comfort, adventure, and wildlife encounters for families wanting to experience Africa’s best safari destinations without breaking the bank.