Overland trucks are the backbone of budget East Africa travel — larger vehicles with bench seating, shared between a bigger group of travellers than a standard safari jeep, keeping per-person costs to the lowest realistic level for a four-park circuit.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Nairobi, meeting your overland group and truck crew for a trip briefing.
Arrive Nairobi, Overland Briefing
Accommodation
BudgetNairobi campsite, dome tents
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
An overland drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, with an afternoon game drive among flamingos and rhino.
Transfer to Lake Nakuru
Accommodation
BudgetPublic campsite, dome tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
An overland drive to the Maasai Mara, with an afternoon game drive on arrival.
Transfer to Maasai Mara
Accommodation
BudgetPublic campsite, dome tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A full day across the Mara’s plains for lion, leopard and elephant.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
An overland border crossing into Tanzania, continuing toward the Serengeti.
Cross Border to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation
BudgetPublic campsite, dome tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day across the Serengeti’s plains for lion, leopard and, seasonally, the migration.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A further day exploring different sectors of the park.
Second Serengeti Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
An overland drive to the crater rim, camping at a site on the rim itself.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation
BudgetSimba Public Campsite, crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A transfer to Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Lake Nakuru & Serengeti park entry | ~$60–$82 per person per day |
| Maasai Mara conservancy/reserve fees | ~$100 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers, often younger or backpacking, who prioritise cost above all and are comfortable with a larger shared truck and camping throughout.Tour Includes
- Shared overland truck transport throughout
- Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, cooking gear)
- Professional driver and cook crew
- Public campsite fees
- Meals as specified, prepared communally
- Park entry & crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Sleeping bags (available for hire locally)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance