A 7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for a Memorable Trip to Kenya in September 2023

1. Day 1: Nairobi
   30 minutes (11.8 km) from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

   Visit the Nairobi National Museum to learn about Kenya's culture and history; explore the Karura Forest Reserve for a nature walk.

2. Day 2: Naivasha
   1.5 hours (97 km) from Nairobi

   Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and spot hippos and birds; visit Hell's Gate National Park for hiking and rock climbing.

3. Day 3: Maasai Mara Reserve
   3.5 hours (200 km) from Naivasha

   Experience wildlife at its finest with a safari at Maasai Mara Reserve; witness the breathtaking Mara River and its wildlife, including the Great Migration.

4. Day 4: Kisumu
   6 hours (300 km) from Maasai Mara Reserve

   Visit the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary to see endangered animals; take a walk at Hippo Point to see hippos and birds; enjoy a sunset boat ride on Lake Victoria.

5. Day 5: Kakamega
   2.5 hours (110 km) from Kisumu

   Explore the Kakamega Forest Reserve to see primates and endemic bird species; visit the Crying Stone of Ilesi, a rock formation with mythological significance.

6. Day 6: Mombasa
   6 hours (360 km) from Kakamega

   Relax at the Diani Beach and indulge in water sports; visit the historical Fort Jesus Museum and Ruins and learn about Mombasa's history.

7. Day 7: Malindi
   2 hours (120 km) from Mombasa

   Marvel at the Gedi Ruins, a 13th-century Swahili village; snorkel at Watamu Beach; visit Hell's Kitchen, a sandstone canyon formed by erosion.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Nairobi National Museum (2 hours, 1,200 KES)
• Karura Forest Reserve (3 hours, 500 KES)
• Boat ride on Lake Naivasha (2 hours, 1,500 KES)
• Hell's Gate National Park (4 hours, 1,000 KES)
• Maasai Mara Reserve (8 hours, 2,500 KES)
• Kisumu Impala Sanctuary (3 hours, 1,000 KES)
• Hippo Point (2 hours, 500 KES)
• Boat ride on Lake Victoria (2 hours, 1,500 KES)
• Kakamega Forest Reserve (4 hours, 1,000 KES)
• Crying Stone of Ilesi (1 hour, 500 KES)
• Diani Beach (4 hours, free)
• Fort Jesus Museum and Ruins (2 hours, 1,000 KES)
• Gedi Ruins (2 hours, 1,500 KES)
• Snorkeling at Watamu Beach (3 hours, 3,000 KES)
• Hell's Kitchen (2 hours, 500 KES)
Total Estimated Costs: 17,700 KES

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy to see wildlife including giraffes and chimpanzees; if you have less time, skip Kisumu and head directly to Kakamega. Be sure to pack sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable shoes for hiking.