Wake up before dawn for an early morning game drive to catch predators during their most active hunting time. Watch the sunrise over Kilimanjaro and observe the park coming to life. Elephants emerge from their night shelters, hippos return to water after grazing on land, and birds begin their morning chorus. Return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast, followed by some leisure time to relax or take a swim. After lunch, head out for another extensive game drive, exploring different areas of the park. Visit Observation Hill for panoramic views of the entire park, the swamps, and Kilimanjaro. The swamps are fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro's melting snows and attract large concentrations of wildlife including elephants, hippos, and various waterbirds. Your guide will share insights about elephant behavior, the Maasai culture, and the park's conservation efforts. Enjoy another spectacular sunset before returning for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Amboseli and journey towards Lake Naivasha, driving through the dramatic Great Rift Valley. Stop at the viewpoint to admire the stunning escarpment and take photos of this geological wonder. Continue your journey, passing through the town of Narok before arriving at Lake Naivasha in the late afternoon. Check in to your budget accommodation near the lakeshore. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake that's home to large populations of hippos and over 400 bird species. Glide past hippos lounging in the water, watch fish eagles diving for prey, and observe various waterbirds including pelicans, cormorants, and herons. If time permits, visit Crescent Island for a walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes - a rare opportunity to walk among wildlife. Return to your lodge for dinner with beautiful lake views and overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive the short distance to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's premier parks, known for its flocks of lesser and greater flamingos that sometimes number in the millions, creating a spectacular pink fringe around the alkaline lake shores. After lunch and checking in, embark on an afternoon game drive through this compact but wildlife-rich park. Lake Nakuru is a rhino sanctuary and one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. The park also hosts Rothschild's giraffes, leopards, lions, buffaloes, and numerous other animals. Drive through the diverse habitats including wooded areas, open grasslands, and rocky cliffs. Visit Baboon Cliff for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Watch for tree-climbing lions resting in the distinctive yellow fever acacia trees. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by over 450 recorded bird species. Return to your budget lodge for dinner and overnight near the park.

After an early breakfast, begin your journey to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Drive through the scenic Rift Valley floor and up the western escarpment, passing through Maasai villages and agricultural lands. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours. Arrive at your budget camp or lodge in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Masai Mara, one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves. The Mara is home to an incredible diversity and density of wildlife including all members of the Big Five. Watch the golden grass plains stretching to the horizon, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife. See wildebeests, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, impalas, and topis grazing peacefully, while predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs watch from the shadows. Your guide will begin to familiarize you with the layout of the reserve and locate resident wildlife. As the sun sets over the Mara plains, return to camp for dinner and overnight, excited for the full days of exploration ahead.

Today is dedicated to exploring the magnificent Masai Mara. Wake before sunrise for an early morning game drive when predators are most active and the soft light creates perfect photography conditions. Watch lions returning from night hunts, cheetahs beginning their stalks, and hyenas heading to their dens. Return to camp for a full breakfast, then have the option to relax at camp or continue with a mid-morning game drive. After lunch, head out for an extensive afternoon game drive. The Mara River cuts through the reserve, and if you're visiting during migration season (July-October), you might witness the spectacular wildebeest river crossings. Year-round, the river areas host hippos, crocodiles, and abundant wildlife coming to drink. Visit different areas of the reserve to maximize wildlife sightings. Your experienced guide will track radio calls from other guides about special sightings like leopards, cheetahs with cubs, or lion prides. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush surrounded by nature. As evening approaches, position yourself for sunset photos of the endless plains before returning to camp for dinner, campfire stories, and overnight rest.

Another full day to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Masai Mara. After breakfast, you can choose between a full day game drive with picnic lunch in the reserve, or morning and afternoon drives with a break at camp for lunch and siesta. Today, explore areas you haven't visited yet and search for animals you may have missed. The Mara offers something new each day - a leopard draped in a tree, a cheetah teaching cubs to hunt, elephants playing in mud, or huge buffalo herds crossing the plains. Visit the Mara Triangle if you haven't yet, known for excellent predator sightings. Optional activities available at extra cost include an early morning hot air balloon safari (highly recommended) floating silently over the plains at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. You can also visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about their fascinating semi-nomadic culture, customs, and traditions. These proud warriors have lived harmoniously with wildlife for centuries. Spend your final evening in the Mara enjoying sundowners and reflecting on incredible wildlife encounters before returning to camp for your last dinner and overnight in this spectacular wilderness.

Wake up for one final early morning game drive to say goodbye to the Mara and hopefully catch any animals you may have missed. Watch the sunrise one last time over this incredible landscape and treasure your final wildlife sightings. Return to camp for breakfast, check out, and begin the journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes approximately 5-6 hours with a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for photos and refreshments. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon where you'll be dropped off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey. Leave Kenya with unforgettable memories of elephants against Kilimanjaro, flamingo-filled lakes, endangered rhinos, and the magnificent Masai Mara. This budget safari proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to experience the magic of Kenya's wildlife and landscapes. Your 8-day adventure through four iconic destinations comes to an end, but the memories of Africa's beauty and wildlife will last a lifetime.