This Private Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari invites you on an exhilarating and budget-friendly expedition to East Africa’s premier wildlife hotspots and breathtaking landscapes, featuring the iconic Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park.

This lodge tour presents a myriad of optional and included activities that will captivate you and the kids, featuring boat trips, cultural excursions, wildlife sanctuary tours, game drives, and hot air balloon safaris. Stay in welcoming lodges and cozy tented camps, with an itinerary crafted to ensure short driving distances. The perfect journey for families eager to explore the wonders of East Africa!

This Private Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari invites you on an exhilarating and budget-friendly expedition to East Africa’s premier wildlife hotspots and breathtaking landscapes, featuring the iconic Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park.

This lodge tour presents a myriad of optional and included activities that will captivate you and the kids, featuring boat trips, cultural excursions, wildlife sanctuary tours, game drives, and hot air balloon safaris. Stay in welcoming lodges and cozy tented camps, with an itinerary crafted to ensure short driving distances. The perfect journey for families eager to explore the wonders of East Africa!

Day 1: Nairobi – Kenya

On the first day of this Budget Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari, you are collected from the international airport upon arrival in Nairobi. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be taken to our hotel, perfectly situated in the vibrant heart of Kenya’s capital.

Nairobi offers a myriad of exciting activities and sights for those eager to embark on an exploration journey. Explore the various animal sanctuaries in the city, enjoy a thrilling day at a water park, or have a delightful picnic at Karura Forest. Alternatively, savor authentic Kenyan coffee in a charming local cafe or relax at the hotel featuring a rooftop swimming pool.

The first day invites you to dive into the wonders of Nairobi or unwind at the hotel.

Journey: Transfer from airport to hotel
Stay: Hotel in Nairobi

Day 2: Journey from Nairobi to the breathtaking Lake Naivasha – Kenya

On the second day, we enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey to two of Nairobi’s iconic spots, the Giraffe Center and the Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust. At the Giraffe Centre, you and your family can stand on a raised platform to feed giraffes as they gracefully reach out with their long, blue tongues to take food from your hands. At Daphne Shedrick’s Wildlife Trust, you will encounter orphaned baby elephants lovingly nurtured by their dedicated keepers. This incredible animal encounter is followed by a delightful lunch at the famous Carnivore restaurant.

After lunch, we embark on an exciting journey from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, passing through the breathtaking Great Rift Valley. We settle in at our safari lodge for dinner and our overnight stay. Your stay will be at one of two welcoming lodges close to the enchanting Lake Naivasha. We typically lodge by the lake, surrounded by vast grounds where giraffes, waterbucks, and monkeys are often seen, while hippos roam the lawns under the moonlight. Our unique lodge is nestled on a spacious property and boasts an array of exciting recreational facilities for families to enjoy.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey: Approximately 90 kilometers (1.5 hours)
Stay at the Lodge by the shores of Lake Naivasha
Exciting experiences: Giraffe Sanctuary, Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust, Lake Naivasha

Day 3: Lake Naivasha – Kenya

Today we embark on an exciting journey to Lake Naivasha and its captivating surroundings, including the thrilling Hell’s Gate National Park. The freshwater treasure of Lake Naivasha, embraced by lush banks, stands as the highest lake in the Rift Valley. Lake Naivasha is a vibrant wetland area teeming with a rich variety of resident birds and exciting migratory visitors that grace the landscape from October to March. Alongside the vibrant birdlife that graces the lake, you can also encounter hippos, buffalo, zebras, elands, impalas, waterbucks, and a variety of other grazers. Explore the stunning landscape of Lake Naivasha through various exhilarating activities such as boat rides, a trip to Crescent Island, an exciting tour of the Ol Karia Geothermal Power Station, or a visit to Elsamere, the former home of the renowned author Joy Adamson, known for her work Born Free.

At the edge of Lake Naivasha, you will discover Hell’s Gate National Park. Hell’s Gate offers an ideal setting for walking and cycling, free from the presence of large predators. The remarkable landscape offers thrilling journeys, and the rich variety of wildlife ensures an unforgettable experience.

Dining options provided: Meals throughout the day
Stay at the Lodge by the shores of Lake Naivasha
Optional activities (own expense): Explore Lake Naivasha, enjoy a boat ride, visit Crescent Island, venture into Hell’s Gate National Park, take a bicycle ride, try rock climbing, go hiking, discover Ol Karia Geothermal Power Station, and experience Crater Lake and Mount Longonot.

Day 4: Journey from Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

After breakfast on day four of our Budget Kenya and Tanzania Family Safari, we set off for the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve. We take packed picnic lunches to be enjoyed along the way. In the afternoon, we reach our camp close to Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most famous safari spots.

Kenya’s most popular and most visited game park, the Masai Mara, is renowned for showcasing one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles – the Great Migration. From July to August, millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrate from the Serengeti, across the Tanzania border and the Mara River to reach the sweet-grass plains of Masai Mara. The excitement of the migration intensifies as predators converge on the vast herds of grazers, showcasing the fierce battle for survival right before your eyes.

In the afternoon, set off on a game drive across the plains, experiencing the essence of this iconic African landscape and its untamed residents. As the sun sets, we make our way back to our tented camp near Mara, where a delightful dinner awaits us, followed by a cozy evening spent around the crackling campfire. We reside at one of two genuine safari camps nestled in the vibrant African bushveld, close to the Masai Mara Reserve.

Dining options provided: Meals throughout the day
Journey: Approximately 250kms (5.5hrs)
Accommodation: Masai Mara camp
Exciting experiences await: Masai Mara National Park, a delightful picnic lunch, and an exhilarating afternoon game drive.

Day 5: Masai Mara National Park – Kenya

On day five, we awaken with the dawn in the heart of the African wilderness. The refreshing morning hours offer the perfect opportunity to witness a variety of animals in their lively state. A vast array of wildlife – zebra, wildebeest, elephant, rhino, and more are ready to be explored. Masai Mara stands out as a premier destination for spotting majestic big cats in Africa, so be on the lookout for lions, leopards, and cheetahs. After our thrilling game drive in Masai Mara, we head back to our camp for breakfast. After your meal, unwind and embrace the thrill of being in the African bushveld.

In the afternoon, following lunch, we set off on an unforgettable two-hour nature walk led by a Masai guide. Your guide possesses deep knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Masai Mara, offering you a unique glimpse into this breathtaking natural wonder. Discover the healing properties of plants, uncover the mysteries of the savannah creatures, learn where to spot them, and understand how to interact safely in their midst. The Masai have called these vast plains home for centuries, and your guide is eager to share his rich experiences and insights with you.

The next stop in our thrilling day is a visit to a Masai manyatta or village. Here, a local Masai guide will share captivating stories about the Masai people and their timeless traditions. You will have the chance to explore their timeless way of life that continues to thrive on the plains today. Finally, join the local Masai for some traditional dancing before returning to our tented camp for a hearty dinner.

Dining options provided: Meals throughout the day
Stay in a tented camp at Masai Mara
Exciting experiences: Morning game drive, nature walk with the Masai, visit a Masai manyatta

Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

Today, we dive into the wonders of Masai Mara National Park, spending the whole day on exhilarating game drives. We embark on a quest to discover the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), along with a myriad of other wild creatures such as cheetah, hyena, impala, wildebeest, and so much more.

From July through October, we may catch the spectacle of the Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s greatest migrations. This breathtaking spectacle showcases wildebeest, diverse antelopes, and zebras embarking on a quest for fresh grazing, as they traverse the Mara River from the Serengeti plains into the Masai Mara. The expedition is teeming with excitement as crocodiles bask along the riverbanks and stealthy predators lurk in the tall grass, ready to pounce. On request (own expense), you can float above the plains in a hot air balloon for an unforgettable birds-eye view of the Masai Mara.

As the sun sets, we make our way back to our camp nestled in the heart of the bush, ready to enjoy a delightful meal and a night spent beneath the twinkling stars. One of our tented camps is nestled on the banks of the Oloirigynyisho River, where zebras, wildebeest, elephants, and a variety of other wild animals can be spotted frequently. The other tented camp is situated on the western edge of Masai Mara, in a vibrant area where wildlife and birds frequently make their appearances.

Enjoy a delightful array of meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tented camp at Masai Mara
Experience a thrilling full-day safari in the Masai Mara.
Optional activity (own expense): Ballooning expedition

Day 7: Journey from Masai Mara to the shores of Lake Victoria – Tanzania

On the seventh day of our budget family safari in Kenya and Tanzania, we kick off the morning with breakfast at our genuine safari camp nestled close to Masai Mara National Park. Next, we set off for the Isebania Border, crossing into Tanzania and swapping vehicles before continuing our journey to Lake Victoria.

In the afternoon, after lunch, you can embark on an exhilarating journey by taking a 2 to 3 hour guided mountain bike tour (own expense) through the wild bush neighboring the lodge. In this area, vehicles are prohibited, allowing you to experience the essence of rural Tanzania as it exists beyond the paved roads.

In the evening, unwind and savor dinner at your cozy lodge as you prepare for an exhilarating day in the Serengeti ahead.

Dining options: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey: Approximately 300kms (7hrs)
Stay at the Lodge by the shores of Lake Victoria
Activities: Lake Victoria visit
Exciting activities (additional cost): Exciting mountain bike tour

Day 8: Journey from Lake Victoria to the vast Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

Our thrilling day kicks off with breakfast, followed by the chance to accompany local fishermen on an outing. Participants in the excursion will be greeted by local fishermen in their traditional canoes (own expense). The fisherman will row you along the shoreline to a nearby village. Here, on foot and with an experienced guide, you can delve into the village and discover local fishing techniques and the unique way of life. The journey lasts around 2 hours, leading you back to the lodge accompanied by the melodic tunes of the fisherman.

Later in the morning, we depart from Lake Victoria with a packed lunch and embark on an exciting journey into the Serengeti National Park. Experience the thrill of this legendary location on our afternoon game drive. Prepare to encounter a diverse array of wildlife, from antelope and zebra to majestic big cats and beyond.

We return to our Serengeti tented camp for an evening filled with the thrill of nature’s wonders. We stay at one of two classic safari camps in the heart of Serengeti, each offering luxurious tented accommodations near the vibrant wildlife plains.

Dining options provided: Meals throughout the day
Journey: Approximately 190 kilometers (3.5 hours)
Stay in a tented camp amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti.
Activities: Exciting exploration in Serengeti National Park
Exciting Activities (at your own cost): Classic canoe expedition and exploration of a fishing community

Day 9: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

An exciting day of wildlife viewing in the magnificent Serengeti National Park awaits. We embarked on our journey at dawn and dedicated the entire day to discovering the vast expanse of Tanzania’s largest game park, traversing an incredible 14,736 km² of untamed wilderness. The expansive Serengeti Plains embody the essence of untamed Africa – rolling hills and grasslands sprinkled with acacia trees stretching endlessly, where herds of wildebeest and other herbivores wander freely among the lurking predators.

Prepare your cameras and binoculars for an exciting array of wildlife, featuring Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, impala, topi, eland, Kirk’s dik-dik, klipspringer, roan, oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, and giraffe. Among them are the fierce hunters and opportunistic foragers, ranging from lions and leopards to cheetahs and hyenas, alongside golden jackals and bat-eared foxes.

As the sun sets on our exhilarating day across the Serengeti plains, we head back to our cozy tented camp for a delicious dinner and a relaxed evening gathered around the crackling campfire.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tented camp at Serengeti
Activities: Exciting game drives in Serengeti National Park

Day 10: Journey from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania

Day ten kicks off with a hearty breakfast at camp, then we embark on a picturesque drive south from the undulating Serengeti Plains into the verdant Ngorongoro Crater Highlands.

As we approach the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, we make our way down into the vast caldera, celebrated as one of Africa’s premier wildlife havens. We set off on an exhilarating game drive in the timeless crater, with packed lunches ready for the journey. The crater spans roughly 8,292 km² and was created around 2.5 million years ago when a dormant volcanic cone collapsed. Ngorongoro Crater is frequently called the Eden of Africa due to the remarkable abundance of large mammal species, with around 30,000 resident animals thriving in the conservation area. This unique ecosystem showcases nearly all of Africa’s majestic big game animals, featuring the iconic Big Five and a remarkable variety of bird species.

Following our exhilarating game drive in the stunning crater, we make our way up the 600 m high crater walls, taking in breathtaking views as we journey to our next overnight lodge. In the late afternoon, we embark on an exciting tour of one of the local coffee plantations. Exploring the coffee plantation offers a glimpse into the fascinating process of how coffee is cultivated and crafted in the highlands. Embark on the journey from handpicking, cleaning, sorting, and drying, all the way through to the grading and roasting of the beans. The day concludes at our cozy lodge, where a delightful dinner awaits, followed by a chance to unwind and enjoy the evening. Our two lodge options for tonight are both farm guesthouses with spacious rooms, set in lush gardens on plantations in the Karatu area.

Dining options: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay at the Lodge nestled within the Ngorongoro Crater
Exciting experiences: Ngorongoro Crater game drive & coffee tour

Day 11: Journey from Karatu to Nairobi – Kenya

Our final morning invites you to relax and soak in the stunning hilly landscape around you.

Later we drive to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch and any last-minute shopping you may like to do. Following lunch, a private transfer whisks you back to the vibrant city of Nairobi in Kenya. As you arrive in Nairobi around 18h30, you’ll be dropped off at the international airport or your post-tour accommodation in the city, marking the end of an unforgettable journey through East Africa.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Kenya & Tanzania Safari Journey
This safari will take place in a specially designed 4×4 Land Cruiser featuring a pop-up roof, perfect for spotting wildlife in the stunning landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. The 4×4 Land Cruisers are designed for thrilling game viewing and equipped with refrigerators to ensure your drinks stay refreshingly cold in the wild.

Group Size: An intimate safari experience with a maximum of six passengers per vehicle, ensuring everyone has a window seat to soak in the sights.