13 Days Kenya Bush to Beach Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to Magical Kenya

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, where your private guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore Nairobi’s highlights—the Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, or Karen Blixen Museum.

In the evening, relax at your hotel as you prepare for your exciting journey through Kenya’s wilderness.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Hemingways Nairobi / Giraffe Manor

• Mid-range: Tamarind Tree Hotel / Eka Hotel Nairobi

Day 2: Nairobi – Drive to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park, located near the Tanzanian border at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. This scenic drive takes about 4–5 hours, passing through traditional Maasai villages and open plains.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Amboseli is famed for its large herds of elephants, which often stroll majestically in front of the towering Kilimanjaro—a sight that defines the classic African safari.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Tortilis Camp / Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Ol Tukai Lodge / Kibo Safari Camp

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Amboseli

Spend a full day exploring the wonders of Amboseli. Early morning is perfect for photography, with the mountain glowing pink and gold under the rising sun.

Spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, and buffaloes against a backdrop of acacia woodlands and open marshes. After a picnic lunch, continue your game drive, enjoying the park’s stunning scenery and abundant birdlife.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Tawi Lodge / Tortilis Camp

Day 4: Amboseli – Drive to Lake Naivasha (Great Rift Valley)

After breakfast, travel north to the Great Rift Valley, descending through breathtaking escarpments and fertile farmlands to reach Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake rich in birdlife and hippos.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, spotting fish eagles, pelicans, and hippos. Continue to Crescent Island for a peaceful walking safari, where you can stroll among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes—an experience loved by both adults and children.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Chui Lodge / Loldia House

• Mid-range: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort / Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

Day 5: Explore Hell’s Gate National Park

After breakfast, explore Hell’s Gate National Park, one of Kenya’s most unique parks, where walking, hiking, and cycling safaris are allowed. The park’s dramatic cliffs, hot springs, and volcanic towers create a striking backdrop for adventure.

Enjoy cycling or hiking through the gorge while spotting zebras, giraffes, and gazelles. Optional visits to the Geothermal Spa or Elsamere Conservation Centre can also be arranged.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Chui Lodge

• Mid-range: Lake Naivasha Country Club

Day 6: Lake Naivasha – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, continue your journey to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of Kenya’s safari destinations. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive through the rolling plains.

The Mara is home to the Big Five—lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino—along with cheetahs, wildebeest, and countless antelopes. Between July and October, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles on earth.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Mara Bushtops / Angama Mara

• Mid-range: Mara Simba Lodge / Basecamp Explorer

Day 7: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

Spend an entire day exploring the Mara’s abundant wildlife and sweeping landscapes. Begin with a sunrise game drive, followed by a bush breakfast. Later, enjoy a picnic lunch by the Mara River, watching hippos and crocodiles bask in the sun.

Optional: Take a hot air balloon safari at dawn for an unforgettable aerial view of the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast—a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Mara Plains Camp / Mahali Mzuri

• Mid-range: Ashnil Mara Camp / Mara Intrepids

Day 8: Cultural Visit to a Maasai Village

After breakfast, visit a traditional Maasai village to experience the tribe’s rich culture, traditional dances, and colorful beadwork. The Maasai’s deep connection to nature and wildlife adds a meaningful cultural layer to your safari.

Return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon by the pool or another optional evening game drive.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Angama Mara

• Mid-range: Mara Leisure Camp / Fig Tree Camp

Day 9: Masai Mara – Flight to Diani Beach (Mombasa Coast)

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Diani Beach, via Nairobi. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your coastal guide and transferred to your luxury beach resort.

Diani Beach is one of Africa’s most beautiful coastlines—its white sands, palm trees, and warm turquoise waters make it the perfect place to unwind after your safari adventure.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Almanara Luxury Villas / The Sands at Nomad

• Mid-range: Baobab Beach Resort / Papillon Lagoon Reef

Day 10: Relaxation and Water Activities at Diani Beach

Spend the day at leisure, soaking up the sun or exploring the coastline. Optional activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, or dhow sailing on the Indian Ocean.

You can also take a guided excursion to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park for dolphin watching and coral reef snorkeling.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: AfroChic Diani / The Sands at Nomad

Day 11: Explore Shimba Hills National Reserve (Optional Day Trip)

Today, you can choose to relax at your resort or take an optional day trip to Shimba Hills National Reserve, located just an hour from Diani.

This small reserve is home to the rare sable antelope, elephants, giraffes, and scenic waterfalls. Enjoy a short nature walk before returning to your beach lodge for an evening of tranquility by the ocean.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Almanara Luxury Villas / AfroChic Diani

Day 12: Leisure Day – Coastal Bliss

Today is yours to unwind. Enjoy a spa treatment, a sunset beach walk, or simply relax under swaying palms with a cocktail in hand. Let the rhythm of the ocean and the breeze of the Swahili coast rejuvenate your soul.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: The Sands at Nomad / Swahili Beach Resort

Day 13: Diani Beach – Flight to Nairobi & Departure

After breakfast, take a domestic flight from Ukunda Airstrip to Nairobi. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at Carnivore Restaurant or do some last-minute shopping at the Kazuri Beads Centre before your transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.

Your 13 Days Kenya Bush to Beach Safari ends with memories of thrilling safaris, magical sunsets, and the soothing rhythm of the Indian Ocean—a perfect blend of adventure and serenity.