10 Day Masai Mara Safari and Diani Beach Holiday
Spend 5 nights exploring the Mara, then fly to the coast for 4 nights of Indian Ocean scenery and unhurried beach time.
Plan This Safari10 Days / 9 Nights / Private Game Drives / Safari and Beach
Wildlife first. Ocean time afterwards.
Begin in Nairobi, travel to the Mara by road and fly to Diani for the final part of your Kenya holiday.
Nairobi to Mara
Early pickup and a road journey through the Rift Valley towards your safari base.
Masai Mara
5 nights, with 4 full days for wildlife viewing after your arrival day.
Diani Beach
Fly to Ukunda, settle into your resort and enjoy 4 coastal nights.
Coastal Departure
Transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa, matched to your confirmed onward travel plans.
Big cat country, followed by the coast.
Early game drives give way to mornings beside the Indian Ocean on a holiday with 2 clear chapters. Begin with wildlife in the Mara, then leave the safari vehicle behind for beach walks, pool time and quiet days at Diani.
Your 5-night stay around the Masai Mara National Reserve allows time to explore several habitats and revisit productive wildlife areas. Your private guide can adjust each day's route around animal activity, light and your interests.
If you travel during the Great Wildebeest Migration period, accessible herd locations may influence the driving plan. River crossings remain unpredictable. Outside that period, resident wildlife continues to shape the safari experience.
On Day 6, take the scheduled flight connection to Ukunda and transfer to your Diani resort. Your Kenya beach holiday includes 3 full days without compulsory excursions. Keep them free or add selected activities at an additional cost.
Both stays can be tailored before booking. Tell us if you prefer longer game drives, more resort time or a different accommodation standard. Our Kenya safari packages offer more wildlife and beach combinations.
Safari and Beach Highlights
Spend 5 nights at the same Mara safari base.
Explore with a private vehicle and safari guide.
Keep time for predators, plains wildlife and river habitats.
Fly from the Mara towards Kenya's south coast.
Enjoy 4 nights at a Diani Beach resort.
Leave 3 full coastal days free for your interests.
From the Mara to Diani, day by day.
5 nights at Mara Hilltop, subject to availability, followed by 4 nights at your confirmed Diani resort. Room categories and meal plans are listed in your quotation.
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Meet your BLS Safaris driver guide at the agreed Nairobi pickup point early in the morning. Travel towards the Rift Valley and continue through Narok to the Mara area.
Allow around 5 to 6 hours in favourable conditions, with variation for traffic, stops and the accommodation approach. Pause for lunch as arranged and settle into Mara Hilltop.
Head out for your first game drive if arrival time allows. Watch the plains and wooded areas with your guide before returning for your first safari evening.
Full Day Masai Mara Wildlife Safari
Set out early for wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara . Spend time looking across grazing areas and checking shade, trees and riverine cover for animals.
Your guide will explain the tracks, calls and behaviour encountered along the way. When a sighting is rewarding, pause and watch rather than moving immediately to the next.
Carry a picnic lunch for a longer circuit, or return to your accommodation for a break before an afternoon drive. Agree on the plan with your guide before leaving in the morning.
Mara River and Surrounding Wildlife Areas
Plan a longer drive towards the Mara River when conditions and the day's route suit the journey. Take packed meals so there is no need to return at midday.
Look for hippos and crocodiles from permitted viewing places, then explore nearby wildlife habitats. Your guide will balance river time with the surrounding game viewing.
If migration herds are present, watch their movements without expecting a crossing. Animals may wait near the water or move elsewhere. Return to your accommodation within reserve hours.
Predator and Photography Day
Use another full day to explore at your preferred pace. Let your guide know which animals and behaviours interest you, while keeping expectations open.
Photographers can allow more time for light, positioning and patient observation. Watch how a scene changes as animals feed, rest and interact.
You can take a full-day drive or split the programme around lunch and a midday rest. The day's route follows conditions and the areas covered by your booking.
Final Full Mara Day and Optional Balloon Safari
Keep your final full safari day for areas you would like to revisit or wildlife you have not yet encountered. Your guide can adjust the plan around recent activity.
A sunrise balloon safari can be arranged at an additional cost. Book ahead so the launch transfer, breakfast and return to your game drive fit the schedule.
If you remain on the ground, begin with an early wildlife drive. Return for your final Mara evening and prepare your luggage for tomorrow's flight.
Fly from the Mara to Diani Beach
Have breakfast and transfer to the airstrip serving your booked flight. A final short game drive is possible only when the departure time allows.
Take the scheduled service towards Ukunda, with a connection through Nairobi Wilson where required by the confirmed routing. Flight times and any intermediate stops are listed in your travel arrangements.
Meet your coastal driver at Ukunda and transfer to your confirmed Diani resort. Settle into your room and leave the rest of the day free.
Diani Beach at Leisure
Enjoy a morning without a game-drive departure. Have breakfast at your resort and spend the day between the beach, pool and shaded relaxation areas.
Take a beach walk or swim when local guidance, tides and sea conditions are suitable. Ask your resort team about the best areas and times for swimming.
Water sports and other activities can be arranged separately if you want a more active day. Otherwise, keep the programme entirely free.
Beach Time or Optional Kisite-Mpunguti Excursion
Spend another day at the resort or book an optional marine excursion towards Shimoni and Kisite-Mpunguti. The outing normally combines road and boat travel, so allow much of the day for it.
Snorkelling arrangements depend on sea conditions, visibility and the operator's programme. Wasini or Shimoni stops, meals and equipment are confirmed in the excursion quote.
Marine wildlife sightings vary. There is no promise of seeing dolphins or turtles. Return to Diani after the outing, or enjoy an unplanned resort day if you prefer to stay by the beach.
Diani at Leisure or Optional Shimba Hills Visit
Keep your final full day for the coast. Enjoy another beach walk, a quiet lunch and time by the pool.
If you would like another wildlife outing, an optional Shimba Hills excursion can be quoted. Confirm its departure time, transport, entry fees and activities before booking.
Return to your resort for the final evening. Check tomorrow's pickup time and prepare your luggage around the agreed airport transfer.
Diani Departure
Have breakfast and check out at the agreed time. Your driver will transfer you to Ukunda or Mombasa Airport according to the confirmed booking.
If you depart through Nairobi, arrange the onward domestic flight separately or ask us to include it in your quotation. Confirm which Nairobi airport it uses before booking your international connection.
A Wilson arrival requires a road transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for most international departures. Allow for traffic and check-in, or add a Nairobi overnight if needed.
Safari and Beach Inclusions
What's Included
- 5 nights of accommodation in the Mara area.
- 4 nights at the Diani resort named in your final quotation.
- Meals according to the confirmed safari and resort meal plans.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle for the scheduled Mara programme.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver guide.
- Scheduled reserve game drives and applicable entry fees.
- Agreed Nairobi pickup and road transfer to the Mara.
- Transfer to the booked Mara departure airstrip.
- Scheduled flight connection from the Mara to Ukunda.
- Ukunda arrival transfer to your Diani resort.
- Bottled drinking water during safari drives and road transfers.
- Final coastal transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa as confirmed.
- In-country holiday coordination.
What's Not Included
- International flights.
- Kenya entry authorisation or visa charges where applicable.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Optional Nairobi to Mara flight upgrade.
- Onward flights from Ukunda or Mombasa unless specifically quoted.
- Nairobi airport transfers after an onward domestic flight unless quoted.
- Optional balloon safari.
- Optional marine trips, water sports and Shimba Hills excursions.
- Meals and drinks outside the confirmed meal plans.
- Tips for guides, resort staff and activity teams.
- Laundry, shopping and personal expenses.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Accommodation before or after the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan your safari days, resort stay and flight connections together.
How are the 9 nights divided?
Spend 5 nights in the Mara area and 4 at Diani Beach. Day 1 includes the journey from Nairobi, Day 6 is the coastal transfer, and Days 7 to 9 are full beach days.
Do we drive or fly from Nairobi to the Mara?
The standard package begins with a road journey, usually around 5 to 6 hours in favourable conditions. A scheduled flight from Wilson Airport can be quoted as an upgrade. The arrival-day programme is adjusted to the booked transport.
Is the flight from the Mara to Diani included?
Yes. The package includes the scheduled connection to Ukunda on Day 6. Routing may include Nairobi Wilson or other stops. A nonstop service is not assumed. The final flight plan is confirmed before booking.
Which accommodation and meal plans are included?
The safari base is Mara Hilltop, subject to availability. Your Diani resort, room category and meal plan are named in the quotation before confirmation. Drinks, additional meals and resort extras depend on those booked arrangements.
Will we see the Great Migration?
It depends on your dates and the herds' location. Migration viewing is seasonal, and river crossings cannot be guaranteed. Read our Great Wildebeest Migration guide and tell us if the migration is your main travel priority.
Are the balloon safari and coastal excursions included?
No. The balloon safari, Kisite-Mpunguti outing, Shimba Hills excursion and water sports are optional extras. Your beach days remain free unless you book an activity. Our Kenya beach holiday guide introduces the coastal options.
What should we pack for the safari flight?
Follow the luggage allowance on your confirmed ticket and use the bag type required by the airline. Keep valuables and medication accessible, and check extra camera equipment or excess luggage before departure.
Does the holiday include a return flight to Nairobi?
The standard inclusions cover the final coastal airport transfer, not an onward flight to Nairobi. We can quote that flight and any Nairobi airport transfer separately. Confirm the arrival airport and allow enough time for your international connection.
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Send your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred accommodation standard. BLS Safaris will coordinate your wildlife stay, coastal flight and beach resort.