Kenya offers something no other destination on Earth can quite match — the extraordinary combination of world-class wildlife and pristine Indian Ocean beaches, separated by just a few hours of travel. This 10-day beach and bush safari brings both worlds together in one seamless journey, beginning with five days of game drives through Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, and the legendary Masai Mara, before the scenery transforms entirely as you trade the vast savannah for turquoise waters, white sand, and warm ocean breezes at Diani Beach or Watamu. You arrive at the coast with memories of elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, lions on the Mara plains, and hippos on Lake Naivasha — and leave four days later having added snorkelling, dhow cruises, and sunset ocean walks to the story. This is Kenya in full.
| Destinations | Bush: Amboseli National Park · Lake
Naivasha · Masai Mara National Reserve Beach: Diani Beach or Watamu (Indian Ocean Coast) |
|---|---|
| Ideal For | Couples, honeymooners, families, solo travellers, and anyone wanting the complete Kenya experience |
| Departure | Nairobi (custom departure dates available year-round) |
| Beach Transfer | Flight from Wilson Airport to the coast (recommended) or road transfer — arranged on request |
| Return | Nairobi on Day 10 — flight or road transfer from the coast |
| Included |
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| Excluded |
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Private 4×4 Safari Vehicle + Coastal Transfers
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This itinerary is structured in two distinct and complementary phases — five days of immersive wildlife safari across three of Kenya's finest parks, followed by four blissful days at the Indian Ocean coast. The transition between the two on Day 6 is one of the great travel moments Kenya can offer: the dramatic shift in scenery, sound, and pace from the open savannah to the sea.
Your beach and bush safari begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi, heading south toward Amboseli National Park, where the wide open plains and the distant outline of Mount Kilimanjaro welcome you to your first taste of the wild. You arrive in time for lunch and a short rest before heading out on your first afternoon game drive, easing into safari life as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest appear across the landscape. The soft evening light sets the mood for beautiful wildlife viewing and photography before you return to camp for dinner and your first night under African skies.
Highlight: First elephant sightings, Kilimanjaro backdrop, golden-hour game drive
Overnight: Lodge or luxury tented camp in Amboseli National Park
You spend a full day in Amboseli, starting with a morning game drive in the cool air when animals are most active and the light is gentle and clear. The day is unhurried, allowing time to follow elephant families, watch them interact in the swamps, and enjoy the dramatic scenery that makes Amboseli so special. After lunch and a rest at the lodge, you head out again in the late afternoon to catch the golden light and long shadows across the plains, returning to camp in the evening for a relaxed dinner and another peaceful night in the bush.
Highlight: Elephant families at the swamps, Kilimanjaro photography, open plains exploration
Overnight: Lodge or luxury tented camp in Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, you leave Amboseli and travel north toward the Great Rift Valley, watching the landscape change from dry plains to greener lakeside scenery. You arrive at Lake Naivasha around midday and after lunch enjoy a gentle boat ride on the lake, getting close views of hippos and birdlife, followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island among giraffes and zebras. The slower pace of the day offers a nice contrast to game drives, and you end the evening at your lakeside lodge, enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Highlight: Hippo boat ride at eye level, walking among giraffes on Crescent Island
Overnight: Lakeside lodge at Lake Naivasha
You depart after breakfast for the drive to the Masai Mara, passing through beautiful countryside before reaching the endless rolling savannah. You arrive in time for lunch and a short rest, then head out for your first Mara game drive in the late afternoon, when the light is warm and the wildlife is active. Lions, elephants, and large herds of plains game often appear quickly, giving you a thrilling introduction to one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves before you return to camp for dinner and your night in the bush.
Highlight: First lion sightings, golden-hour Mara game drive, vast herds of plains game
Overnight: Tented camp in Masai Mara National Reserve
You spend the entire day exploring the Masai Mara, starting early in the morning when predators are most active and the light is at its best. The adventure continues through the day with a picnic lunch in the bush and more game drives in different areas of the reserve, giving you time to really appreciate the scale, diversity, and drama of Mara wildlife. As the sun sets over the plains, you return to camp, tired but happy after a full day of classic safari experiences.
Highlight: Predator tracking, Big Five encounters, picnic lunch in the bush, sunset game drive
Overnight: Tented camp in Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you leave the bush behind and transfer back toward Nairobi for your onward journey to the Kenyan coast, flying or travelling onward to the Indian Ocean shores near Diani Beach or Watamu. By afternoon, you arrive at your beach resort, where the sound of waves and the sight of turquoise water mark a complete change of scenery and pace. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on the beach, swimming, or simply unwinding after the safari, enjoying a sunset over the ocean and a laid-back dinner by the sea.
Highlight: The dramatic shift from savannah to Indian Ocean — one of Kenya's great contrasts
Overnight: Beach resort at Diani Beach or Watamu, Indian Ocean Coast
This day is dedicated entirely to relaxation and enjoying the coast, whether you choose to spend it on the beach, by the pool, or exploring the nearby shoreline. You may opt for optional activities such as snorkelling, a glass-bottom boat trip, or a short dhow cruise, or simply enjoy the warm sand and gentle sea breeze with no schedule to follow. The slower rhythm of the day allows you to truly switch off and enjoy the contrast between the wild savannah and the calm of the ocean.
Optional Activities: Snorkelling in coral reefs, glass-bottom boat trip, traditional dhow cruise, beach walk
Overnight: Beach resort at Diani Beach or Watamu
Another full day at the coast gives you the freedom to do as much or as little as you like, perhaps taking a guided marine excursion, visiting a nearby marine park, or enjoying a spa treatment at the resort. The day can be as active or as quiet as you prefer, with plenty of time to swim, read, or stroll along the beach as the tide comes and goes. In the evening, you enjoy another relaxed dinner by the sea, listening to the waves and watching the stars appear over the ocean.
Optional Activities: Marine park visit, snorkelling, kite surfing, resort spa treatment, sunset beach walk
Overnight: Beach resort at Diani Beach or Watamu
Your final full day at the coast is about making the most of this beautiful setting, whether that means one last swim in the ocean, a sunset walk along the shore, or simply enjoying the view from your balcony or terrace. The pace remains easy and unstructured, giving you time to reflect on the journey from the heart of the savannah to the edge of the Indian Ocean. You enjoy a farewell evening at the resort, marking the perfect end to your beach and bush adventure.
Highlight: Last ocean swim, sunset shoreline walk, farewell dinner by the sea
Overnight: Beach resort at Diani Beach or Watamu (final night)
After breakfast, you begin your journey back to Nairobi, either by flight or road transfer, bringing your 10-day beach and bush safari to a close. You arrive later in the day, carrying with you memories of elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, vast Mara plains, and peaceful days by the ocean — a combination that captures the very best of Kenya in one unforgettable journey.
End of safari. Onward transfers to Nairobi JKIA available on request.
This 10-day safari follows two distinct arcs across Kenya. The bush phase (Days 1–5) begins in Nairobi and moves through southern Kenya's Amboseli National Park, into the Great Rift Valley at Lake Naivasha, and westward to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The beach phase (Days 6–10) transfers you to the Kenyan Indian Ocean coast, either at Diani Beach (south coast) or Watamu (north coast), where coral reefs, white sand, and warm tropical waters provide the perfect ending to the safari. The two phases together cover the full length and breadth of Kenya's most extraordinary landscapes.
Natalie & Ben
10 October, 2025 18:30PMWe had been dreaming of doing a safari and beach trip in one holiday for years, and Abner Safaris made it a reality beyond what we imagined. The Masai Mara blew our minds — we saw all Big Five in two days. Then arriving at Diani Beach, listening to the ocean after a week in the bush, felt like the most perfect contrast imaginable. Honestly the best 10 days of our lives.
Claire M.
4 July, 2025 09:45AMWhat I loved most was how seamless the transition was. One morning I was watching a pride of lions in the Mara, and three days later I was snorkelling in a coral reef off Watamu. Abner Safaris handled every transfer, every booking, and every detail without me having to think. The safari guide was phenomenal and the beach resort was gorgeous. Kenya truly has it all.
The Patel Family
18 January, 2026 14:00PMWe travelled with two teenagers and this itinerary was absolutely perfect. The safari parks kept the kids engaged and excited every single day, and the beach section gave everyone a chance to properly switch off. The Crescent Island walk was a surprise highlight for the whole family — strolling next to giraffes with no fence between us was surreal. And Diani Beach is paradise. Cannot recommend this package enough.