8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway

Transfer in Nairobi and Fly to Masai Mara for Afternoon Game Drive

Your 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway begins at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you are greeted by your professional safari driver-guide. After a brief orientation, you transfer to Wilson Airport for your domestic flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve, reducing travel time while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the Kenyan landscape. The flight provides an unparalleled perspective of the Rift Valley, with patchwork farmland, rolling hills, and the winding Mara River visible below.

Upon arrival in the Mara, you are transferred to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, ideally located for game drives and wildlife encounters. After settling in, enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on your first afternoon game drive. The Mara is world-renowned for its wildlife density, including lions lounging under acacia trees, leopards stealthily stalking prey, elephants traversing open plains, and herds of wildebeests and zebras moving rhythmically across the savannah. Bird enthusiasts will delight in the variety of species, from vultures and eagles circling overhead to colorful rollers and starlings.

During the drive, your experienced 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway guide provides detailed commentary on animal behavior, ecology, and conservation efforts in the reserve. The late afternoon offers exceptional photographic opportunities as the golden African sun illuminates the savannah. Returning to the lodge, enjoy a well-deserved dinner while reflecting on the first glimpses of the Mara’s wildlife and landscapes. The evening’s ambient sounds distant lions roaring and the rustle of nocturnal creatures serve as a gentle introduction to the untamed beauty of Kenya’s wilderness.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve

After an early breakfast, you set out for a full-day safari in Masai Mara, ensuring the optimal chance to spot wildlife at its most active. The expansive plains of the Mara are home to the Big Five, with elephants and buffalo often appearing alongside elusive predators like lions and leopards. Game drives are carefully timed to catch wildlife during feeding or movement, offering unparalleled photographic opportunities.

Optional early risers may embark on a hot air balloon safari, floating silently above the plains at sunrise. This 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway experience provides a bird’s-eye view of herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles moving across the savannah, with the occasional lion or cheetah visible in the grasslands below. Following the balloon ride, a bush breakfast is served amidst the Mara wilderness, combining adventure with luxury.

Later, a guided nature walk gives guests the chance to observe smaller fauna, track wildlife footprints, and learn about the Mara’s diverse flora. The morning and afternoon game drives are interspersed with opportunities to rest, enjoy lodge amenities, or capture the stunning landscapes on camera. The Mara’s sunsets are legendary, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and reds, providing the perfect end to a day filled with exploration. Dinner at the lodge concludes a full day immersed in Kenya’s most iconic wildlife reserve.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Masai Mara Safari with Cultural Maasai Village Visit

Your third day combines wildlife adventure with cultural immersion, offering a deeper understanding of life in the Mara region. After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive, focusing on elusive predators, elephant herds, and antelope populations. Early mornings are ideal for photography, capturing the first light reflecting off the savannah and wildlife silhouettes against the horizon.

Later, visit a local Maasai village, where travelers are welcomed by community members dressed in traditional attire. Guests gain insight into Maasai traditions, rituals, and daily life, observing dances, beadwork, and livestock management practices. This interaction provides a meaningful understanding of how the Maasai coexist with wildlife, preserving conservation efforts while maintaining cultural heritage. Travelers may participate in guided walks within the village, learning about medicinal plants, architectural techniques, and local crafts.

The afternoon is dedicated to another game drive or a nature-focused exploration, allowing guests to witness rare or nocturnal animals preparing for the night. The Mara’s ecosystem is rich with biodiversity, offering encounters with cheetahs sprinting across the plains, hyenas on patrol, and flocks of colorful birds. Returning to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, dinner is served while guests reflect on the combination of wildlife adventure and cultural experiences, completing a truly immersive day in one of Africa’s most renowned reserves.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Fly from Masai Mara National Reserve to Diani Beach

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mara and board a charter flight to Diani Beach, offering a quick transition from the savannah to Kenya’s coastal paradise. The flight showcases scenic landscapes of southern Kenya, transitioning from rolling plains to lush coastal forests and sparkling turquoise waters. Upon arrival at Amkia Villas Diani, guests are transferred to their accommodation, where soft white sands and swaying palm trees greet them.

The afternoon is free to explore the beach, relax by the ocean, or enjoy resort amenities. Diani Beach is celebrated for its pristine coastline, warm Indian Ocean waters, and coral reefs, offering both relaxation and adventure. Guests may indulge in water activities such as snorkeling, diving, or swimming in the calm waters, or simply lounge on the soft sands while absorbing the tropical atmosphere.

Dinner at the villa is accompanied by the soothing sounds of the waves, completing a seamless transition from the adrenaline of safari to the serenity of the coast. This day marks the beginning of a three-day beach escape, providing a perfect balance to the action-packed 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway and creating a rejuvenating environment for travelers to unwind.

• Accommodation: Amkia Villas Diani
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Full Day Relaxation and Exploration at Diani Beach

Day five is dedicated entirely to enjoying the luxuries and natural beauty of Diani Beach. After breakfast, guests have the freedom to explore or relax at their own pace. Snorkeling excursions reveal vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, while diving trips offer opportunities to explore underwater caves, shipwrecks, and marine life.

For those seeking 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway adventure, kayaking, paddleboarding, and kite surfing provide excitement on the turquoise waters. Nature enthusiasts may opt for coastal walks, observing local birdlife and coastal flora. Alternatively, guests may visit nearby Colobus Conservation or local villages, learning about marine and terrestrial conservation efforts while engaging with local communities.

Lunch is served at the villas, featuring fresh seafood and local delicacies, followed by leisure time on the beach or by the pool. The afternoon can be spent enjoying a traditional Swahili cooking class, or simply unwinding with a book as the sun sets over the ocean horizon. Dinner concludes the day, with the evening offering the gentle sound of waves and a cool coastal breeze.

• Accommodation: Amkia Villas Diani
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Explore Marine Life and Optional Cultural Excursions

Day six focuses on deeper engagement with the coastal ecosystem and local culture. After breakfast, travelers may take a half-day dhow cruise, sailing along the Indian Ocean, spotting dolphins, sea turtles, and coral formations while learning about traditional fishing practices. Snorkeling stops along the reef allow for intimate encounters with marine biodiversity, offering unforgettable underwater photography opportunities.

Alternatively, guests may participate in a cultural tour of the local villages, observing Swahili architecture, learning about traditional customs, or engaging with artisans creating intricate handicrafts. Lunch at the villas provides a fresh, locally sourced meal, followed by an afternoon of beach leisure, water sports, or spa treatments for ultimate relaxation.

Evening activities may include a sunset walk along the coast, taking in the warm colors of the Indian Ocean as the sun dips below the horizon. Dinner at the villas combines international cuisine with Swahili flavors, highlighting the fusion of culture and coastal cuisine. This day balances exploration with relaxation, allowing travelers to fully absorb the serenity and beauty of Diani Beach.

• Accommodation: Amkia Villas Diani
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Leisure Day at Diani Beach

The seventh day offers a full day at leisure, allowing guests to customize their beach experience. Travelers may choose to relax under palm trees, take early morning walks along the sand, or enjoy a sunrise yoga session overlooking the ocean. Optional activities include deep-sea fishing trips, snorkeling with manta rays, or visiting Kisite Marine National Park for extraordinary marine encounters.

Lunch is served at the villas, while the afternoon is free for more personalized experiences. Guests may indulge in beachside reading, spa treatments, or explore nearby cafés and shops. As the day draws to a close, sunset provides a tranquil and picturesque backdrop, ideal for photography and reflection. Dinner at Amkia Villas completes a day of relaxation, marking the culmination of the beach portion of the getaway.

• Accommodation: Amkia Villas Diani
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Depart Diani Beach for International Flight Home

On your final day, enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Amkia Villas before transferring to Mombasa for your international departure flight. Depending on flight times, guests may have a short morning to stroll along the beach, take photographs, or enjoy a last swim. The drive to the airport passes through tropical coastal landscapes, offering a final glimpse of Kenya’s natural beauty.

This marks the conclusion of your 8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Getaway, combining the thrill of African wildlife with the serene relaxation of the Indian Ocean coast. Guests leave with memories of the Big Five in Masai Mara, flamingos at the Rift Valley lakes, and turquoise waters and soft sands of Diani Beach, offering a comprehensive, once-in-a-lifetime Kenyan experience.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Drinking Water