East Africa Self-Launched: Safari Drives, Mountain Hikes & Chimp Trekking
19 days · Kenya & Tanzania
G Adventures charges £8,000
No-markup version: ~£1,665 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 19-day East Africa adventure from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, covering the same ground as the commercial G Adventures Geluxe itinerary: Nairobi's culture and coffee scene, a day hike on Mt Kenya, big-game safari drives across the Maasai Mara, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, a Maasai community stay and Mto wa Mbu village walk, and chimp trekking at Gombe Stream National Park — the park where Jane Goodall did her legendary research. You'll arrange local buses, shared safari seats and self-booked lodges yourself, cutting the cost dramatically versus the guided small-group version. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-midrange estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Nairobi: Welcome to Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive in Nairobi and settle into a budget guesthouse or hostel in the Westlands or Kilimani area. Spend the afternoon acclimatising: grab a flat white at a Nairobi coffee roastery, wander the Maasai Market for crafts, and pick up a local SIM (Safaricom) if you haven't already. In the evening, try nyama choma or a Kenyan-Indian curry. Rest up — the pace picks up from Day 2.
🚌Arrival into JKIA; local matatu or ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt) into town (~£3-6)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Westlands or Kilimani (~£15-25/night)
- →Nairobi city wander
- →Maasai Market crafts
- →Safaricom SIM setup
- →Nairobi coffee + local dinner
Nairobi Culture & History
Nairobi, Kenya
Slow day to shake off jet lag and go deeper on Nairobi. Visit the National Museum (home to the Leakey family's prehistoric finds), and optionally the Nairobi National Museum's adjacent snake park or the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage (book the 11am slot online in advance). Evening: artsy café or a bar with live music.
🚌Ride-hailing / matatu around the city (~£3-5)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Westlands or Kilimani (~£15-25/night)
- →Nairobi National Museum
- →Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (optional, book ahead)
- →Live music evening
Nairobi to Mt Kenya Region
Nanyuki / Mt Kenya region
Travel north toward Mt Kenya. Take a local shuttle or matatu from Nairobi to Nanyuki (roughly 3-4 hours), the classic gateway town for Mt Kenya hikes. Settle into a budget guesthouse or hostel in Nanyuki, sort out a guide for the next day's hike, and enjoy views of the mountain on a clear afternoon.
🚌Local shuttle/matatu Nairobi–Nanyuki (~£6-10)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Nanyuki (~£18-28/night)
- →Overland to Nanyuki
- →Source a local hiking guide (book through guesthouse or a local operator)
Day Hike on Mt Kenya
Mt Kenya, Kenya
Spend a full day hiking on Mt Kenya with a local guide. A popular self-bookable day option is the Sirimon Gate area or a lower-slope day trek that gets you onto the mountain with big views without a multi-day summit push. Pack layers, water and snacks — the altitude makes even the lower slopes feel demanding.
🚌Local 4x4 / shared vehicle to trailhead with guide (~£10-15)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Nanyuki (~£18-28/night)
- →Guided day hike on Mt Kenya
- →High-altitude viewpoints
Nanyuki to Maasai Mara Gateway
Narok / Maasai Mara gateway
Travel south toward the Maasai Mara. Overnight in a gateway town (e.g. Narok) or arrange a self-booked safari camp just outside the reserve. Confirm your shared safari arrangements for the next few days with a local operator or your camp. Evening around the fire.
🚌Matatu/shuttle Nanyuki–Narok–Mara area (~£10-15)
🛏Budget safari camp/guesthouse near the Mara (~£30-45/night incl. some meals)
- →Overland to the Mara region
- →Confirm shared safari logistics
Maasai Mara Safari Drives
Maasai Mara, Kenya
First full day of safari drives in the Maasai Mara. Join a shared safari vehicle with a local driver-guide and head out at dawn and late afternoon — elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and, with luck, big cats. Note that doing a Mara safari self-launched is easier as a shared/group seat on a camp's existing game drive rather than a private vehicle.
🚌Open-air safari vehicle (shared, included with camp game drive)
🛏Budget safari camp/guesthouse near the Mara (~£30-45/night incl. some meals)
- →Sunrise game drive
- →Afternoon game drive
- →Big Five spotting
Maasai Mara Safari Drives
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Second day of wildlife drives in the Mara. If you're travelling Jul-Oct, this is prime Great Migration country — wildebeest and zebra river crossings are possible. Otherwise enjoy the resident predator action and rolling savannah. Return to camp for dinner.
🚌Open-air safari vehicle (shared)
🛏Budget safari camp/guesthouse near the Mara (~£30-45/night incl. some meals)
- →Full-day or dual game drives
- →Optional balloon safari (book ahead, pricey ~£350+)
Maasai Mara Safari Drives
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Final Mara day. Another morning drive for anything you've missed, then relax at camp. If you like, visit a Maasai village or a community-run conservancy (arrange through your camp) for an authentic cultural exchange rather than a staged one.
🚌Open-air safari vehicle (shared)
🛏Budget safari camp/guesthouse near the Mara (~£30-45/night incl. some meals)
- →Morning game drive
- →Optional Maasai community/conservancy visit
Mara back to Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Travel back to Nairobi and overnight there before crossing into Tanzania. Use the afternoon to rest, do laundry, and stock up. Optional evening: Nairobi nightlife in Westlands.
🚌Shuttle/matatu Mara–Nairobi (~£10-15)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Nairobi (~£15-25/night)
- →Overland return to Nairobi
- →Rest and resupply
Nairobi Day & Crossing Prep
Nairobi, Kenya
Spare day in Nairobi to buffer against safari delays. Visit the Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum, or just enjoy coffee and cafés. Confirm onward transport toward Arusha/Namanga and check Tanzanian e-visa status (apply in advance online).
🚌Local transport around Nairobi (~£4-6)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel, Nairobi (~£15-25/night)
- →Giraffe Centre / Karen Blixen Museum (optional)
- →Confirm Tanzania crossing logistics
Nairobi to Arusha / Mto wa Mbu
Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania
Cross the Kenya–Tanzania border (Namanga) and travel onward toward Arusha and Mto wa Mbu. The Mto wa Mbu community walk is a fantastic self-bookable cultural experience: a two-hour walk through the local market, farmers' fields, hut construction and artisan workshops, usually ending with a home-cooked lunch. Book directly with a local community guide in town.
🚌Shuttle Nairobi–Arusha then local transport to Mto wa Mbu (~£12-20)
🛏Budget guesthouse/lodge, Mto wa Mbu (~£15-25/night)
- →Border crossing at Namanga
- →Mto wa Mbu community walk & lunch (book locally, ~£15-25)
Mto wa Mbu & Lake Manyara
Mto wa Mbu / Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Base yourself in Mto wa Mbu and take a day safari into Lake Manyara National Park (famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores). Arrange a shared game drive with a local operator in town. Evening back in the village.
🚌Shared safari 4x4 to Lake Manyara (~£20-30)
🛏Budget guesthouse/lodge, Mto wa Mbu (~£15-25/night)
- →Lake Manyara game drive (shared)
- →Trees-climbing lions & birdlife
Into the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Travel from Mto wa Mbu through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and into the Serengeti. Afternoon game drive en route. Join a shared camping safari or book a budget mobile-tented camp seat; camps inside/near the park let you spend the golden hours with wildlife rather than transiting.
🚌Shared safari 4x4 (~£30-45)
🛏Budget Serengeti tented camp (~£50-75/night incl. meals)
- →Scenic drive via Ngorongoro highlands
- →Afternoon Serengeti game drive
Serengeti Wildlife Safari Drive
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Full day of Serengeti safari drives. Buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeest, zebras and more. Dawn and dusk are prime — charge your camera and binoculars the night before. Keep an eye out for leopard in the Seronera riverine trees.
🚌Open-air safari vehicle (shared)
🛏Budget Serengeti tented camp (~£50-75/night incl. meals)
- →Sunrise game drive
- →Big cat and herd viewing
- →Sunset drive back to camp
Serengeti to Kigoma (transit)
Transit toward Kigoma
Begin the long transfer west toward Kigoma, the gateway to Gombe Stream National Park on Lake Tanganyika. This is a genuine overland day — the original tour uses a flight here; self-launched travellers can take a domestic flight from the Serengeti/Mwanza area to Kigoma (book ahead) to save days, or overland by bus if time and budget allow.
🚌Domestic flight Serengeti/Mwanza–Kigoma (~£90-140) or long-distance bus (~£20-30)
🛏Budget guesthouse, Kigoma (~£20-35/night)
- →Transfer west to Kigoma
- →Optional domestic flight to save time
Kigoma & Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
Take the boat from Kigoma to Gombe Stream National Park (about 1.5-2 hours). Book your chimp trekking permit and park fees in advance (through TANAPA or a local operator) — numbers are limited. Settle in at a lakeside lodge such as Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge or a simpler guesthouse. Afternoon: kayaking, bird watching, snorkelling or swimming in Lake Tanganyika.
🚌Boat Kigoma–Gombe (~£15-25 return)
🛏Gombe lakeside lodge/guesthouse (~£40-70/night)
- →Boat to Gombe Stream
- →Lake Tanganyika kayaking/snorkelling
- →Confirm chimp trek permit
Chimpanzee Trekking at Gombe
Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
The highlight: chimp trekking in the same park where Dr Jane Goodall conducted her legendary research. Head out early with a ranger-guide to track the habituated chimpanzee families. Treks can involve steep, forested walking — go slow and give the chimps their space. Afternoon back at the lake for relaxing, boating or birdwatching.
🚌Walking within the park; park boat for transit
🛏Gombe lakeside lodge/guesthouse (~£40-70/night)
- →Guided chimpanzee trek
- →Nature walk with ranger
- →Lakeside relaxation
Gombe to Kigoma & onward
Kigoma, Tanzania
A second forest/morning activity or another chimp trekking window if permits allow, then boat back to Kigoma. Catch an onward bus or flight toward Dar es Salaam. If travelling overland, this is a long overnight leg; if flying, Kigoma–Dar es Salaam connections are quick and worth the splurge.
🚌Boat to Kigoma (~£15) plus flight/bus Kigoma–Dar es Salaam (~£100-160 flight / ~£30-45 bus)
🛏En route / budget guesthouse (~£20-35/night)
- →Optional second chimp trek (permits permitting)
- →Boat back to Kigoma
- →Onward transfer
Dar es Salaam: Trip Ends
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Arrive in Dar es Salaam and wrap up. Spend a last morning at Kariakoo Market or the waterfront, grab a final seafood meal, and swap numbers with everyone you met along the way. Depart from Julius Nyerere International Airport.
🚌Local transport to Julius Nyerere International Airport (~£3-6)
🛏Not included (departure day)
- →Kariakoo Market
- →Waterfront farewell meal
- →Airport departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,665 | £8,000 |
| Duration | 19 days | 19 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £6,335 per person (79%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,665
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does East Africa Self-Launched: Safari Drives, Mountain Hikes & Chimp Trekking cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,665 per person for 19 days in Kenya & Tanzania. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £8,000 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,665 — a saving of roughly £6,335 (79%) per person.
How long is the Kenya & Tanzania trip?+
This itinerary runs 19 days, covering 19 day-by-day stops through Kenya & Tanzania.
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 wildlife, adventure, hiking trip through Kenya & Tanzania, 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?
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