Kenya • Safari & Beach
Kenya Safari and Beach Holiday: Masai Mara to Diani or Zanzibar
A Kenya safari and beach holiday gives you the best of East Africa in one trip: big cats and wide-open plains in the Masai Mara, then warm Indian Ocean water and white sand on the Kenyan coast or in Zanzibar. Short flights link the bush and the beach, so you can be on a game drive in the morning and beside the sea that evening.
At a glance
- Safari: the Masai Mara, with Amboseli or Samburu as options
- Beach options: Diani, Watamu, Lamu or Zanzibar
- Ideal length: 10 to 12 days
- Best time: June to October, or January to February
- Perfect for: honeymooners, families and first-time safari travellers
A 10-day Kenya safari and beach itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nairobi
Rest after your flight. If time allows, visit the Giraffe Centre or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage.
Days 2–5
Masai Mara safari
Fly to the Mara for four nights of game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants. From about July to October, you may witness the Great Migration. Consider a sunrise balloon flight. Read our Masai Mara migration guide.
Days 6–9
Beach time
Fly to the coast, usually connecting through Nairobi, and spend four nights relaxing by the Indian Ocean. Choose from the beach options below.
Day 10
Depart
Enjoy a final swim before flying home via Nairobi or directly from the coast where routes allow.
Choosing your beach
Diani Beach
South of Mombasa, Diani is Kenya's best-known beach, with long stretches of white sand and calm, warm water inside the reef. It is great for families and couples, with kitesurfing, snorkelling and dhow trips. Look out for colobus monkeys in the coastal forest, and consider a boat trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for snorkelling and dolphin spotting.
Watamu
North of Mombasa, Watamu has a protected marine park with excellent snorkelling, a quieter atmosphere and nearby coastal forest. It's ideal for nature lovers.
Lamu
Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Swahili settlements in East Africa. Donkeys and dhows outnumber cars, and the pace is wonderfully slow. It's perfect for culture lovers seeking something different.
Zanzibar
A short flight from Nairobi, Zanzibar combines beaches with the history of Stone Town, spice tours and sunset dhow cruises. See our guides to where to stay in Zanzibar and things to do in Zanzibar.
Kenyan coast or Zanzibar?
| Kenyan coast | Zanzibar | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Domestic flight | Short international flight |
| Highlights | Diani's beaches, marine parks, Lamu's culture | Stone Town, spice tours, sandbanks |
| Best for | Simple logistics, families, kitesurfers | Culture and beach combined |
Dust on your boots in the morning, salt on your skin by sunset. A safari-and-beach holiday tells a whole love story in ten days.
When to go
The best time for a combined trip is June to October, when Kenya's safari season peaks and the migration is usually in the Mara, or January to February, which is dry and warm on both safari and coast. The long rains, from about March to May, are best avoided for a beach-focused trip. See the best time to visit Kenya.
Make it your own
- Add Amboseli for elephants beneath Kilimanjaro.
- Add Tanzania for the Serengeti. Compare in Kenya vs Tanzania Safari.
- Honeymooning? Ask about private dinners, sundowners and romantic beach villas.
For all of Kenya's parks, read our Kenya Safari Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from the Masai Mara to the beach?
Fly from a Mara airstrip to the coast, usually connecting through Nairobi. Zanzibar is also a short flight from Nairobi.
Which is better for a beach holiday after a Kenya safari: Diani or Zanzibar?
Diani offers simpler domestic logistics and long, calm beaches, while Zanzibar combines beaches with Stone Town's culture and history. Both are excellent.
How many days do you need for a Kenya safari and beach holiday?
Ten to twelve days is ideal: about four nights on safari and four or five at the beach, with a night in Nairobi.
When is the best time for a Kenya safari and beach trip?
June to October and January to February are best, with dry weather for safari and pleasant beach conditions.
Plan your Kenya safari and beach holiday
Tell us your dates and dream beach, and we'll connect the bush and the beach seamlessly.
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