12-Day Classic Kenya Safari & Beach Escape

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you are greeted by your safari representative with a warm welcome, emblematic of Kenyan hospitality. Journey through Nairobi’s lively and energetic streets, where modern African vibes meet deep-rooted traditions. Settle into your hotel, unwind in lush gardens, or enjoy the rooftop lounge’s panoramic views.

For dinner, consider an optional evening visit to the renowned Carnivore Restaurant, where a world-class barbecue feast awaits to mark your arrival.

Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Immerse yourself fully in Kenya’s rich tapestry of culture, conservation, and everyday urban life. Begin your day at the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, watching rescued orphaned baby elephants play and feed as keepers share the heartwarming details of their rehabilitation.

Step back in time at the Karen Blixen Museum. Walk through the peaceful farmhouse of the famed "Out of Africa" author, surrounded by the scenic Ngong Hills and stories of colonial-era Kenya.

Stroll through the Nairobi City Market to explore vibrant Maasai beadwork, hand-carved sculptures, baskets, and colorful African fabrics.

At the Giraffe Centre, come face-to-face with the elegant Rothschild giraffes, feeding these rare creatures as you capture iconic photos of their striking coats and impressive stature.

Accommodation: Giraffe Centre Manor Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Nairobi and traverse the dramatic Great Rift Valley, a geological marvel characterized by vast escarpments and volcanic landscapes. Upon arrival, embark on an afternoon game drive around Lake Nakuru, a shimmering soda lake encircled by rocky ridges and acacia woodlands.

Look out for white and black rhinos grazing along the lake’s edge, tree-climbing lions lounging in acacia branches, and, when present, flocks of flamingos that paint the lake pink. Additional wildlife includes waterbuck, impala, buffalo, leopard, and colobus monkeys, all amidst a landscape of fever trees, euphorbia thickets, and shrubby grasslands.

Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel across expansive wheat fields, gently rolling plains, and Maasai homelands as you make your way to Kenya’s most iconic wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy an evening game drive in the Masai Mara as the golden sunset bathes the savannah, dotted with flat-topped acacia trees and herds grazing peacefully.

Expect to see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests carpeting the plains. Watch for cheetahs perched on termite mounds and be on the lookout for the elusive African leopard.

Accommodation: AA Lodge Masai Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dedicate the entire day to exploring Africa’s most wildlife-rich terrain. Track the legendary Big Five—lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino—across sprawling plains. Witness dramatic predator-prey interactions that define the Mara’s wild essence.

Visit the Mara River, home to powerful Nile crocodiles and large pods of hippos. Enjoy a picnic lunch beneath a solitary acacia tree with sweeping views of roaming herds. The Mara’s diverse vegetation, ranging from short-grass plains to riverine forests, offers extraordinary opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

Accommodation: AA Lodge Masai Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with a sunrise safari, as the soft morning light reveals prides of lions still active after a night of hunting. Later, visit a Maasai village to meet the famed Maasai warriors, recognized for their vibrant red shukas and courageous traditions.

Learn about the symbolic beadwork, explore traditional manyatta homesteads, enjoy high-jumping cultural dances, and listen to captivating stories of lion encounters and age-old customs.

Accommodation: AA Lodge Masai Mara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel by flight or road to Amboseli, also known as the Land of the Giants. As you approach, be awestruck by the majestic sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, rising above the plains.

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli Lodge (mid-range lodge with Kilimanjaro views)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day in Amboseli, famous for its massive elephant herds often seen marching in single file with Mount Kilimanjaro as a breathtaking backdrop. Spot elephants with impressive ivory tusks, lions resting on the open plains, cheetahs on the lookout for prey, and other wildlife such as hyenas, jackals, giraffes, zebras, and Grant’s gazelles.

Amboseli is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with over 400 species including flamingos and crowned cranes. The landscape features swamp oases, dusty pans, and golden savannahs, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped mountain.

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly to Ukunda or Mombasa and transfer to the award-winning Diani Beach, renowned as one of Africa’s most pristine and palm-lined coastlines. Check into your resort, set amidst tropical gardens overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean and powder-soft white sands.

Accommodation: Baobab Beach Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a day of leisure and adventure on Diani Beach. Swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with butterfly fish, parrotfish, and sea turtles, or indulge in spa treatments accompanied by soothing ocean breezes.

In the evening, explore the local craft markets brimming with Swahili artifacts and handmade treasures.

Accommodation: Baobab Beach Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Choose from a range of unforgettable coastal experiences. Sail to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park on a traditional dhow, gliding through sparkling blue waters. Snorkel among living coral gardens, spot dolphins playfully leaping, and savor fresh seafood and coconut dishes in a Swahili village.

Alternatively, simply relax on Diani’s pristine sands, shaded by whispering palms.

Accommodation: Baobab Beach Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to the airport, carrying with you memories of roaring lions, majestic elephants, flocks of pink flamingos, gentle ocean breezes, and Kenya’s unparalleled natural beauty.

The End