10 Day Backpacking Kenya Tour on a Budget

Backpacking Kenya for 10 days with Nairobi, Naivasha, a Mara camping safari and the train to Diani on a budget. From USD 1,290 per person sharing.

Google reviews4.9★★★★★(47)Reviews of Authentic Adventures, the ground operator for this trip

Mmi wanjiLocal Guide · 44 reviews★★★★★3 months agoTrip to Maasai mara. Thank you for your proposal and organisation. I had travelled with my daughter. Accommodation: The giraffe hills Mara camp was amazing. The host are really very kind(Mzee, Diana and the whole equipe)☺️... Bless their soul. The room was spacious, comfortable and clean... The breakfast and dinner was on time and delicious... We even had a bonfire. Our tour guide: Cephas is the best tour guide and driver I've ever meet. He made our safari most memorable. He really has a heart of gold,he is very kind and will go beyond to make sure we see all the animals... He's just a 10/10... Also we had a great group all together. Thank you very much Authentic fitness and adventure for making our holiday rich in memories.🎉🎉🎉🎉Read full review

EElvin Mutinda1 review★★★★★2 months agoMy partner and I had such an amazing experience travelling to Maasai Mara with Authentic Fitness and Adventures. From the planning to the actual trip, everything was well organized, smooth, and stress-free. The luxury camp accommodation was absolutely amazing! It was beautiful, comfortable, peaceful, and gave us such a wonderful experience being close to nature while still enjoying a touch of luxury. ✨🌿 The safari experience was unforgettable, the scenery was breathtaking, and the whole trip was made even more special because I got to share it with my partner. ❤️🦁 A big thank you to Authentic Fitness and Adventures for making our Maasai Mara getaway so memorable. The service, organization, and attention to detail were excellent. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a beautiful and memorable Maasai Mara adventure! 🌿🐘✨Read full review

RRobert Ouma2 reviews★★★★★3 months agoI've traveled with this tour company across four different countries, and every trip has been exceptional. The service is professional, well organized, and reliable, with friendly guides and seamless planning from start to finish. Every journey has been memorable, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. I look forward to traveling with them again!Read full review

LLuke Alex1 review★★★★★2 months agoHad the best time on this Amboseli safari! We did actual walking safaris and game drives, saw tons of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background and felt so connected to the wild. Thank you so much Authentic Fitness and AdventuresRead full review

MMillie KLocal Guide · 155 reviews★★★★★a year agoHad the most breathtaking adventure..from bring picked up, park experience, giraffe center experience and drop off.. all I can say it, these peoples know their craft. Give them all your monies.. hahahah we spotted so many animals, we managed to witness 3 lions hunting a gazelle and its kid.. wow 👏.. amazing 👏 …Read full review

RRita Jepchumba3 reviews★★★★★a year agoAuthentic fitness and adventure hosted us for a 8- day adventures and safari in Kenya, from the UK. Their reception was amazing, timely and very friendly. They ensured our pick-ups and drop offs, accommodation and itinerary was smooth, efficient and meeting our requirements. I would 100% recommend them. Thank you Mr. Tyson Odero and your amazing team.Read full review

TTim GilesLocal Guide · 12 reviews★★★★★a year agoTim Giles (USA) I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure with, “AUTHENTIC FITNESS AND ADVENTURE”! I was visiting Nairobi for vacation this summer (August 2025 ) and my friends insisted that I take the safari tour, especially with this company, which came highly recommended! The efficiency of “Authentic Fitness and Adventure “ was an incredible; (from the morning pick, until my return home), was a memorable, and quite pleasant experience ! What really made the trip exciting was my tour guide “George”. This gentleman was; polite, very knowledgeable, and he made the tour fun too! This was one of those experiences that I will remembered for a lifetime!Read full review

TTracy Grace2 reviews★★★★★a year agoVery professional, punctual and helpful. Made my vacation seamless and fun. I recommend them 100%Read full review

Mmi wanjiLocal Guide · 44 reviews★★★★★3 months agoTrip to Maasai mara. Thank you for your proposal and organisation. I had travelled with my daughter. Accommodation: The giraffe hills Mara camp was amazing. The host are really very kind(Mzee, Diana and the whole equipe)☺️... Bless their soul. The room was spacious, comfortable and clean... The breakfast and dinner was on time and delicious... We even had a bonfire. Our tour guide: Cephas is the best tour guide and driver I've ever meet. He made our safari most memorable. He really has a heart of gold,he is very kind and will go beyond to make sure we see all the animals... He's just a 10/10... Also we had a great group all together. Thank you very much Authentic fitness and adventure for making our holiday rich in memories.🎉🎉🎉🎉Read full review

EElvin Mutinda1 review★★★★★2 months agoMy partner and I had such an amazing experience travelling to Maasai Mara with Authentic Fitness and Adventures. From the planning to the actual trip, everything was well organized, smooth, and stress-free. The luxury camp accommodation was absolutely amazing! It was beautiful, comfortable, peaceful, and gave us such a wonderful experience being close to nature while still enjoying a touch of luxury. ✨🌿 The safari experience was unforgettable, the scenery was breathtaking, and the whole trip was made even more special because I got to share it with my partner. ❤️🦁 A big thank you to Authentic Fitness and Adventures for making our Maasai Mara getaway so memorable. The service, organization, and attention to detail were excellent. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a beautiful and memorable Maasai Mara adventure! 🌿🐘✨Read full review

RRobert Ouma2 reviews★★★★★3 months agoI've traveled with this tour company across four different countries, and every trip has been exceptional. The service is professional, well organized, and reliable, with friendly guides and seamless planning from start to finish. Every journey has been memorable, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. I look forward to traveling with them again!Read full review

LLuke Alex1 review★★★★★2 months agoHad the best time on this Amboseli safari! We did actual walking safaris and game drives, saw tons of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background and felt so connected to the wild. Thank you so much Authentic Fitness and AdventuresRead full review

MMillie KLocal Guide · 155 reviews★★★★★a year agoHad the most breathtaking adventure..from bring picked up, park experience, giraffe center experience and drop off.. all I can say it, these peoples know their craft. Give them all your monies.. hahahah we spotted so many animals, we managed to witness 3 lions hunting a gazelle and its kid.. wow 👏.. amazing 👏 …Read full review

RRita Jepchumba3 reviews★★★★★a year agoAuthentic fitness and adventure hosted us for a 8- day adventures and safari in Kenya, from the UK. Their reception was amazing, timely and very friendly. They ensured our pick-ups and drop offs, accommodation and itinerary was smooth, efficient and meeting our requirements. I would 100% recommend them. Thank you Mr. Tyson Odero and your amazing team.Read full review

TTim GilesLocal Guide · 12 reviews★★★★★a year agoTim Giles (USA) I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure with, “AUTHENTIC FITNESS AND ADVENTURE”! I was visiting Nairobi for vacation this summer (August 2025 ) and my friends insisted that I take the safari tour, especially with this company, which came highly recommended! The efficiency of “Authentic Fitness and Adventure “ was an incredible; (from the morning pick, until my return home), was a memorable, and quite pleasant experience ! What really made the trip exciting was my tour guide “George”. This gentleman was; polite, very knowledgeable, and he made the tour fun too! This was one of those experiences that I will remembered for a lifetime!Read full review

TTracy Grace2 reviews★★★★★a year agoVery professional, punctual and helpful. Made my vacation seamless and fun. I recommend them 100%Read full review

Swipe or use the arrows to browse. Tap a review to read it in full. Reviews shown as written on Google.

See where you are going

Kenya, filmed by Magical Kenya. Watch it, then send your dates to Lujui Kenya Travels on WhatsApp or by email.

Meet Taii Odero, founder of Authentic Adventures

NTV The Money

Taii Odero on NTV The Money, on how he built Authentic Adventures.

Ebru TV

Tyson Odero on Ebru TV, on why fitness and adventure belong together.

Y254, part one

Taii Odero on Y254, on the adventures his team runs.

Y254, part two

Taii Odero on Y254, part two of the interview.

How far can a backpack and a fair budget take you in Kenya?

This backpacking Kenya route covers the city, the Rift Valley, the Mara and the coast without the luxury price. Lujui Kenya Travels books the safari parts and gives you clear tips for the bits you do yourself.

Best for

Gap year travellers and students

Solo travellers keen on Kenya on a budget

Friends who like camping

Travellers who want a backpacking itinerary Kenya locals would recognise

Day by day

Day 1. Arrive in Nairobi. Night in a city hostel.

Day 2. Giraffe Centre and the Nairobi National Museum by matatu or ride hailing.

Day 3. Matatu or shuttle to Naivasha. Camp by the lake.

Day 4. Cycle Hell's Gate and walk the gorge.

Days 5 to 7. Group joining camping safari in the Masai Mara with game drives each day.

Day 8. Back in Nairobi. Afternoon free.

Day 9. Morning SGR train to Mombasa, about 5 hours. Matatu to Diani and a beach cottage.

Day 10. Free beach morning, then your onward plans.

Included

Three day Mara group camping safari with reserve fees

Hell's Gate park fee

Nine nights in hostels, camps and cottages

Economy SGR ticket to Mombasa

Tips sheet for local transport

Not included

International flights and visa

Most meals outside the safari

Local matatu fares

Bike hire and gorge guides

Why book through Lujui Kenya Travels

Real costs shared up front, with no hidden extras

Safari seats booked on fixed departure days

Safari days run by a TRA licensed ground operator, named in your written quote

A person on WhatsApp if a plan changes

Questions people ask

Is budget travel Kenya safe for backpackers?

Yes with normal care. Use registered taxis at night, keep phones out of sight in crowds and ask hosts about local areas.

How much should I add for food?

Simple local meals cost little. Budget a few dollars per meal outside the safari.

Is the SGR train easy to use?

Yes. Book ahead online and bring your passport to the station.

When is the best time?

June to October for the Mara herds. January and February are hot and dry at the coast.

Can I do this solo?

Yes. The safari part is a shared group, so you will meet other travellers.

Do I need a visa?

Most visitors apply online for an electronic travel authorisation before arrival.

How to book

WhatsApp or call +254 748 265 886, email info@lujui.com or book online on this page.

Share your dates, number of guests and your travel dates and how flexible they are.

Lujui Kenya Travels checks space with the ground operator and sends your written quote.

Pay securely online once you are happy with the plan.