7 Days Best of Kenya Safari — Self-Launched Budget Version
7 days · Kenya
Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania charges £2,655
No-markup version: ~£1,085 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Dallago Tours' private 7-day Kenya safari, covering the same three headline parks — Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli — but booked independently. Instead of a private guided vehicle at US$3,359/pp, you join a small-group or shared game-drive safari (widely available from Nairobi operators) and use Kenya's excellent network of budget buses and matatus between parks. You still get the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, morning and evening game drives in the Mara, a Masai-guided nature walk, flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, and Kilimanjaro views over elephant herds in Amboseli — for roughly a third of the price. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP and assume joining shared safari vehicles and budget lodges/camps.
Day-by-day
Nairobi to Masai Mara via the Great Rift Valley
Nairobi → Masai Mara
Start in Nairobi. Rather than a private 4x4 pickup, join a shared safari minibus departing Nairobi — most budget operators leave around 7-8am from the city centre or your hostel. Drive northwest through the Great Rift Valley with the classic viewpoint stopover at the escarpment, then continue to the Masai Mara. Afternoon game drive en route to your tented camp or lodge. Book your shared safari through a Nairobi-based budget operator (e.g. a 3-day Mara group safari) — this is where you save the most versus a private tour.
🚌Shared safari minibus from Nairobi to Masai Mara (~5-6 hrs), included in the group safari package (~£60-80/day all-in)
🛏Budget tented camp / safari lodge, Masai Mara (~£35/night with meals)
- →Great Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint
- →Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve
Full day in the Masai Mara — hippo pool picnic
Masai Mara
Morning game drive when predators are most active, followed by a picnic lunch at the Mara River hippo pool watching hippos and crocodiles. Return for an evening game drive as the light softens — prime time for lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes and the Big Five. All game drives are shared in the group vehicle, which keeps park fees and vehicle costs split across the group.
🚌Included shared game-drive vehicle within the reserve
🛏Budget tented camp / safari lodge, Masai Mara (~£35/night with meals)
- →Morning game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve
- →Picnic lunch at the Mara River hippo pool
- →Evening game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve
Masai Mara — nature walk and optional village visit
Masai Mara
Early morning game drive, then an escorted nature walk with Masai guides (usually arranged through your camp, ~£15-25pp) to learn about tracks, plants and traditional land use. Optional afternoon game drive, and an optional visit to a local Masai village to see the nomadic lifestyle (community fee ~£20-30pp, paid directly) — a genuine cultural exchange and a good moment to buy beadwork directly from makers.
🚌On foot with Masai guides; shared vehicle for game drives
🛏Budget tented camp / safari lodge, Masai Mara (~£35/night with meals)
- →Early morning game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve
- →Escorted nature walk with Masai guides
- →Optional afternoon game drive
- →Optional Masai village visit (extra cost)
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru
Travel day from the Mara to Lake Nakuru. This is a long, dusty drive — you can either continue in your shared safari vehicle or take a public bus back toward Narok and onward to Nakuru, then a matatu/tuk-tuk to the park area. Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for flamingos, white rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes behind a fenced sanctuary.
🚌Shared vehicle or public bus Masai Mara → Nakuru (~6-7 hrs), then local matatu to park gate (~£15-20 total)
🛏Budget guesthouse / lodge near Nakuru town (~£25/night)
- →Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
Lake Nakuru → Amboseli
Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru while the park is still cool and quiet, then a game drive en route as you head south to Amboseli. The transfer is long (~7-8 hrs by road), usually via Nairobi. Budget travellers often break it with one night in Nairobi and take a morning bus to Amboseli, but a same-day run is possible with an early start. Arrive in time for sunset over the plains.
🚌Shared vehicle or public bus Nakuru → Amboseli via Nairobi (~£20-25)
🛏Budget camp / lodge near Amboseli gate (~£30/night)
- →Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
- →Game drive en route toward Amboseli National Park
Full day in Amboseli under Kilimanjaro
Amboseli
A full day exploring Amboseli National Park — big-tusker elephants, buffalo, zebra and, on clear mornings, Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind the herds. Climb Observation Hill for the classic panorama and Kilimanjaro viewpoint, then a final evening game drive. Amboseli park fees are the priciest of the trip (~£60-70/day), so combine your drives into a single day pass where possible.
🚌Included shared game-drive vehicle within Amboseli
🛏Budget camp / lodge near Amboseli gate (~£30/night)
- →Full-day game drive in Amboseli National Park
- →Observation Hill viewpoint with Mount Kilimanjaro views
- →Evening game drive in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli to Nairobi
Amboseli → Nairobi
Final dawn game drive in Amboseli before checking out, then the return run to Nairobi. Budget options are the public shuttle/matatu from Emali or Namanga, or a booked shared shuttle back to the city (~£12-18). Arrive Nairobi and connect to the airport or extend your stay — hostels in Westlands or Kilimani are a good base.
🚌Shared shuttle or matatu Amboseli → Nairobi (~4-5 hrs, ~£12-18)
🛏Not included — budget hostel in Nairobi if staying on (~£15-20/night)
- →Final game drive in Amboseli National Park
Self-launched vs. Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,085 | £2,655 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,570 per person (59%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,085
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does 7 Days Best of Kenya Safari — Self-Launched Budget Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,085 per person for 7 days in Kenya. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania?+
Yes — Dallago Tours Kenya-Tanzania charges around £2,655 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,085 — a saving of roughly £1,570 (59%) per person.
How long is the Kenya trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Kenya.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, budget trip through Kenya, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.