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Kenya Budget Safari Tours
Few countries are as well-suited to the budget safari as Kenya. The country’s safari industry highlights its budget safaris and takes advantage of ideal expedition conditions. A seemingly endless array of possibilities is created by cheap accommodation and low-cost transport options, such as the pop-top safari minivan. Kenya is, in many ways, the home of the East African safari, and there are few finer places to plan your trip than here. A string of iconic national parks and reserves provide the venues for excellent wildlife viewing, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Lake Nakuru and Samburu.
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari
$601 to $760 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Lenchada Safaris
4.9/5 – 730 Reviews
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4-Day Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru Budget Shared Safari
$480 to $705 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.3/5 – 76 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Explore Masai Mara, Nakuru & Naivasha Private
$1,012 to $1,210 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 1308 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Big 5 Budget Safari
$1,250 to $1,400 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetCamping & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Marurumi Safaris
5.0/5 – 64 Reviews
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6-Day Let's Go Masai Mara Nakuru and Amboseli in a Group
$880 to $1,100 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Jungleroam Safaris
4.9/5 – 14 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Mara & Nakuru Jeep Trek
$682 to $902 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Super Eagles Travel and Tours
4.8/5 – 161 Reviews
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4-Day Budget Group Joining Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Tour
$468 to $710 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Balu Travel
4.8/5 – 51 Reviews
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7-Day Masai Mara, Nakuru & Amboseli Kenya Budget Safari
$879 to $1,320 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Mara River, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Let's Venture Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 25 Reviews
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4-Day Maasai Mara -Lake Nakuru 4x4 Jeep Budget Safari
$570 to $770 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Leobeast Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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6-Day Masaimara/Nakuru/Amboseli/Mombasa Safari
$1,210 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Mombasa (End)
Mateo Travel and Adventure
4.9/5 – 22 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Amazing Budget Safari
$1,375 to $1,672 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Laxatrails Safaris
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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7-Day Kenya Magnificent Budget Tour
$2,310 to $2,530 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara NR, Giraffe Centre (Nairobi), Nairobi (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 122 Reviews
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6-Day Budget Safari in a Minivan
$1,205 to $1,859 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Kameraz of Afrika
4.8/5 – 98 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara National Reserve Budget Tour
$767 to $851 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Morning Star Tours & Travel
4.9/5 – 168 Reviews
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4-Day Masai Mara & Nairobi -Budget Trip
$1,067 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Ways Of Africa Travel
5.0/5 – 65 Reviews
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5-Day Group Safari from Masai Mara NP-Lake Naivasha
$1,706 to $2,272 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Resort
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Jastro Safaris
4.9/5 – 27 Reviews
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4-Day Maasai Mara Budget Private Safari
$957 to $1,375 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Kenya Tulia Safari Holiday Arcade
5.0/5 – 48 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Amboseli Group Joining Tour
$341 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 1350 Reviews
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3-Day Samburu Game Reserve Safari
$1,034 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Shaba NR, Nairobi (End)
Kentau Safaris
4.9/5 – 26 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Private Mini Van Budget Safari
$594 to $869 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Moran Discoveries & Tours
5.0/5 – 40 Reviews
6 Questions About Kenya Budget Safaris
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony is a writer and photographer who co-writes Lonely Planet’s guide to Kenya, writes about the country for magazines and newspapers around the world, and has been exploring the country for more than a decade.› More about Anthony
6 Questions About Kenya Budget Safaris
Why should I choose Kenya for a budget safari?
“Nairobi’s role as a hub for African budget travel has given Kenya a long and reliable tradition of budget safaris. Nairobi is one of the cheapest African destinations when it comes to both international air travel and budget accommodation. Building on this foundation, the Kenyan tourism industry has experience in taking budget travelers into the heart of some of Africa’s premier wildlife areas. Choosing a budget safari in Kenya will not limit your options to view the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) or other African animals. While per-day national park fees are expensive, budget operators are adept at ensuring costs are kept to a minimum. Budget accommodation is almost always possible within or just beyond park boundaries.”
1What is included in a budget Kenya trip?
“There is a range of possibilities. All-inclusive safaris should include all accommodation, three meals a day, transport and game drives. Other safari operators may build in more flexibility – breakfast and dinner may be included but not lunches. If your safari includes a camping component, you might be expected to help with the setting up of camp, the preparation of meals and cleaning up afterwards. But the biggest variable is the standard of the accommodation. There is everything from simple two-person tents to basic rooms in lodges or large safari-style tents in tented camps. Clearly the more you pay, the higher the levels of comfort. Exactly what is included is a question that you should always ask any operator when planning your safari. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option. Extras added later to your overall costs may cancel out the appeal of a low (but perhaps misleading) upfront price.”
2How do I avoid the crowds in the parks?
“You can avoid the worst of these crowds if you’re flexible with dates. Kenya is one of the busiest safari destinations in Africa, so expect to share safari trails with plenty of other travelers. The busiest times are usually around Christmas, Easter and July and August, when international travelers choose to spend their holiday time in Kenya. The migration of wildebeest and zebra between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is surely one of the greatest spectacles on the African calendar. However, the sheer number of travelers who visit at this time can spoil the experience for many. It’s also the most expensive time to visit and a cheap Kenya safari at this time is more difficult to find. The only way to increase your chances of finding a cheap safari during this period is to take your time looking at all of the available options. Last-minute deals are sometimes possible but waiting for one to appear can be a risk. Wildlife is abundant in most parks year-round, and if you’d prefer a thrilling encounter without waiting in queues of safari vehicles, you may choose to avoid the migration. Predicting when the migration occurs is an inexact science. The herds usually cross into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti from July to August and remain in Kenya until November when they return to Tanzania. But any of these events can happen earlier, later or not at all. That being the case, May and June, or September and October can be ideal to avoid the crowds.”
3Can you describe a typical day on a Kenya budget safari?
“A typical day on a Kenya budget safari revolves around wildlife viewing and early morning and late-afternoon game drives, which are a near-constant of life on any budget safari. These are the times when wildlife is most active and easiest to see. If your budget safari has you staying in a simple tented camp or budget lodge, your time in between wildlife viewing and meals will largely be your own. You can either arrange excursions such as village visits or have some downtime to relax. One of the ways that operators keep costs down is by reducing the number of staff who accompany you on safari. What this means in a practical sense is that you’re expected to play a role in keeping camp life running. On a camping budget safari, you’ll participate in setting up camp, packing up each campsite and generally contributing to the smooth running of camp. This may mean helping out with the preparation of meals, and then cleaning up afterwards, as well as putting up and dismantling tents. On a camping safari, if you’re moving on to the next campsite, you’ll return to camp after the morning game drive, prepare breakfast, clean up, pack up camp, and then set off to the new location, usually with some wildlife viewing en route. Lunch is often a relatively quick affair, sometimes in the form of a picnic at a well-chosen spot along the way. On arrival at the new camp, you’ll join the communal effort to set everything up. After dinner in the evening, expect to spend time around the campfire.”
4What type of accommodation can I expect?
“Most budget safari packages in Kenya offer a varied range of accommodation options, perhaps more so than any other major safari destination. At the cheaper end of the scale, simple canvas tents of the two-person variety provide you with overnight shelter. These will usually travel with you from one campground to the next. Also cheap are the budget lodges, usually offering a basic bed in a shared room. These are at their best out on the fringes of the major national parks. In the south, particularly around the Masai Mara and Amboseli, homestays in Maasai compounds are an atmospheric and rewarding option. More comfortable and roomy safari tents or simple lodges of varying levels of comfort are all also possible, although they do cost more.”
5How much will this safari cost?
“As a starting point, count on per-person per-day prices that begin at US$110. This figure is usually based on a twin-share package, and solo travelers can expect prices to begin closer to US$140 to US$165 per day. Finding the right balance between a small group size and reasonable levels of comfort with a low price is the key to planning a budget safari. Prices vary greatly from one safari to the next, costs depend upon a whole range of variables, and the range of tours is extensive. The per-person rate can vary according to group size, accommodation standards, the amount of travel required between parks and so on.”
6Kenya Reviews
Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
A Safari Behemoth
In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination which will fulfill...
Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.
From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness
Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...
Great Safari experience, avoid some tourist traps
- The safari experience was unforgettable! Masai Maara park was the best, I wish we had spent there one day extra instead of other parks. - Amboseli was flooded a little bit, as it was rainy season when we went. But that attracted lots of...
A magical place
Kenya has my heart forever - I’d go back to visit it each year if possible, it has everything: scenic landscapes, the friendliest people, delicious food, wildlife, gorgeous sunsets - it’s difficult to put it into words to describe its...
Absolutely beautiful!!!
We had a full day layover on our way to Zim and made the most of it by booking a game drive in Nairobi National Park and it was absolutely worth the jet lag! It was so incredible and we were able to see most of the animals on our list...
The most beautiful country and the friendliest people in the world
This was my fourth trip to Africa and my 3rd to Kenya, but it was a first both for my husband and my daughter. I always wanted to share the vast, untouched beauty of Africa with them. I wanted them to see the friendliness, sweetness of...