12 Day Game Safari & Beach Holiday
12 days · Kenya · Nairobi to Nairobi (via Diani)
Tour overview
This twelve-day journey combines a full safari with time on the coast. Explore the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, spotting elephants, lions, rhinos and giraffes, before finishing on Diani Beach's white sand and turquoise water.
The safari portion runs south from the Mara through the Rift lakes to Amboseli and Tsavo, which puts you within a few hours of the coast for the final leg rather than doubling back to Nairobi. The return is by air from Ukunda or by the SGR train from Mombasa, your choice.
- Two nights in the Masai Mara
- Rhinos at Nakuru and hippos at Naivasha
- Amboseli and both Tsavos
- Three nights on Diani Beach
- Dhow trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park
Day by day
You will be picked up from your Nairobi hotel or the airport and depart for the Masai Mara National Reserve, roughly five to six hours away. Stop at Narok town for a short break, then continue through the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at Zebra Plains Mara Camp in the early afternoon, check in, have lunch and rest before an afternoon game drive. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Zebra Plains Mara Camp
- 2nZebra Plains Mara Camp
- 1nLake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
- 1nNaivasha Sopa Lodge
- 2nOl Tukai Lodge
- 1nAshnil Aruba Lodge
- 1nKilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
- 3nBaobab Beach Resort & Spa
Where the route goes
Pins mark each park in driving order. Distances are rough; your driver-guide sets the pace on the day.
Parks on this route
Masai Mara National Reserve
Renowned worldwide, the Mara is home to the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras and other plains game move across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. Big cats, elephants and giraffes are seen year round.
Destination guide
Lake Nakuru National Park
Famous for its flamingo population and rich birdlife, the park is also a sanctuary for black and white rhinos, as well as Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo and lions, with the Great Rift Valley escarpments as a backdrop.
Destination guide
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake fringed with acacia forest. Ideal for a relaxed boat ride to spot hippos and water birds, and for a gentle walking safari on Crescent Island.
Destination guide
Amboseli National Park
Famous for its large elephant herds and sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli offers close-up wildlife encounters and some of Kenya's most photographed scenery.
Destination guide
Tsavo East and Tsavo West
Tsavo East is known for its red-dust elephants and the Voi River, which attracts lions, giraffes and a variety of wildlife. Tsavo West offers Mzima Springs and the Shetani Lava Flow, with good sightings of hippos, leopards and elephants.
Destination guide
Diani Beach
A white-sand beach on Kenya's south coast, known for turquoise water, coral reefs and a relaxed tropical pace. Ideal for swimming, snorkelling, marine excursions and unwinding at a beachfront resort.
Destination guideWhat's included
What's included
- Complimentary airport transfers to and from the airport
- Accommodation as per the itinerary, or similar
- Meals on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- National park and game reserve entrance fees
- Unlimited drinking water on safari
- Unlimited game drives
- Transport in a safari vehicle as per the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal items and travel insurance
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and Maasai village visits
Good to know
Can the Safari & Beach be customised?
Yes. Add nights, swap a park, upgrade a lodge or combine it with another route. Tell us what you want and we quote for that.
What lodges are used?
The itinerary names the properties we normally use: Zebra Plains Mara Camp, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Baobab Beach Resort & Spa. Where a lodge is full we book a similar one and tell you before you confirm.
When is the best time for a Kenya safari?
June to October is the dry season and the migration is in the Masai Mara, which makes it the most popular window. January and February are also dry, clear and good for game viewing with fewer vehicles. The long rains in April and May are the quietest and cheapest months, and the parks are green.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before you fly. For the cross-border routes into Tanzania you will also need a Tanzanian visa, which most nationalities can get on arrival at the Isebania border or online in advance. We send a checklist with your booking confirmation.
Can you change the itinerary?
Yes. Every route on this site is a starting point. Swap a park, add nights, change lodges or combine two routes: tell us what you want and we quote for that.
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Ready for the Safari & Beach?
Send your dates and a rough idea of what you want to see. We come back with a day-by-day route and a quote, usually within one working day.