12-Day Magical Kenya Safari with Diani Beach Escape

Your safari kicks off with a pick up from your Nairobi Hotel or the Nairobi Airport, and commences with a 5–6 hour scenic drive from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most iconic wildlife regions in Africa. As you pass through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, the anticipation builds. After check-in and a satisfying lunch at your lodge, you'll venture out for an exciting afternoon game drive. You may spot lions, elephants, or even a leopard lounging in the trees.

You'll spend the next day immersed in the wild — with morning and afternoon game drives across the Mara’s golden plains. Between excursions, you'll enjoy downtime at your lodge or choose an optional hot air balloon safari or visit to a local Maasai village. Every hour in the Mara offers a new spectacle, from migrating wildebeest to soaring eagles.

After breakfast, you'll head northeast on a 4-hour drive to Lake Naivasha, where fresh water, open skies, and abundant wildlife await. After check-in and lunch, you'll embark on a walking safari on Crescent Island, a unique sanctuary where you’ll walk safely among giraffes, zebras, and other plains animals without predators.

Later in the day, you'll enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Lake Naivasha, gliding past hippos and catching glimpses of kingfishers and African fish eagles. This day offers a serene counterpoint to the wild drama of the Mara — a moment to connect with nature more intimately and reflectively.

The journey continues south with a 5-hour drive to Amboseli National Park, where elephant herds roam beneath the towering presence of Mount Kilimanjaro. After lunch and check-in at your lodge, you'll set out for an afternoon game drive across the open plains. Watch for elephants, buffalo, and cheetahs in the golden afternoon light.

The next day, you’ll explore Amboseli with morning and afternoon game drives. The park is especially rewarding in the early hours, when the air is cool and the animals are most active. Between safaris, you'll relax at your lodge or take in sweeping views from a lookout point. Amboseli’s wide landscapes and iconic mountain vistas create unforgettable safari moments

After breakfast in Amboseli, your journey continues southeast into the rugged landscapes of Tsavo West National Park. This park is known for its volcanic features, and you'll make a memorable stop at the striking Shetani Lava Flow, a sprawling black rock field created by a historic volcanic eruption. It’s a surreal and photogenic spot that tells the ancient story of Kenya’s geologic past. From there, continue to your lodge, nestled in Tsavo’s dramatic terrain, where you’ll check in and enjoy a well-earned lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll explore Mzima Springs, a lush oasis fed by underground streams from the Chyulu Hills. A short nature walk leads you to crystal-clear pools where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and colorful fish from an underwater viewing chamber. You'll continue on a game drive through Tsavo’s rolling hills, searching for elusive leopards, red-dust-coated elephants, and graceful antelope. You'll return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

You'll begin your day with a final morning game drive through Tsavo West, where the early light casts dramatic shadows across the rugged landscape. Then, you'll continue east into the vast, untamed expanse of Tsavo East National Park, a land famed for its red-dusted elephants, expansive plains, and wild, raw beauty. Along the journey, you'll watch the terrain open up and the wildlife shift — from thick bush to wide savannah, where animals roam more freely and human footprints fade into the background.

After check-in and lunch at your lodge, you'll set off for an afternoon game drive, scanning for the park’s signature wildlife: lions lounging under acacias, giraffes silhouetted against the horizon, and of course, the enormous red elephants coated in the distinctive rust-colored soil. Tsavo East feels like a frontier — wild, remote, and cinematic — offering a final, unforgettable chapter to your overland safari before heading to the coast.

After breakfast, you'll depart Tsavo East for your journey to Diani Beach on the Indian Ocean. As you transition from the wilderness to the coast, the red dust gives way to palm trees and sea breeze. You'll arrive in time for lunch at your beach resort, then spend your first afternoon by the ocean — relaxing, swimming, or simply soaking up the sun.

This shift from safari to seaside is one of the great pleasures of travel in Kenya. After days of exploration and dusty roads, the sound of the waves and softness of the sand offer the perfect reward.

After a final beachfront breakfast and a few last moments to breathe in the ocean air, it’s time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to Mombasa Airport for your departure — returning home refreshed, inspired, and carrying the unforgettable spirit of Kenya with you.