Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, Africa

Highlights of Kenya including Masai Mara and Coast

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£6,325pp(ex. flights)

This trip combines three of Kenya’s most popular destinations: the Laikipia Plateau, the Masai Mara and Diani beach. 

Making use of private concessions, domestic flights and secluded locations, it avoids the crowds and kerfuffle of many tourist hotspots. Abundant wildlife, spectacular surroundings, outstanding service and a commitment to making a positive impact come together to showcase the best of Kenya’s richly diverse landscapes and fauna.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Rhino silhouette, Laikipia, Kenya 1

Endangered Rhinos

Explore the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to both black and white rhinos.

Kenya Leopard, Talek River in Masai Mara, Kenya 2

Expert-led Safaris

Explore the Masai Mara and Lewa, by vehicle, E-bike and on foot with outstanding guides.

Walking, Offbeat Mara Camp, Masai Mara 3

Private Conservancies

Stay in private conservancies throughout, with fewer tourists but an abundance of wildlife.

Diani Beach, Kenyan Coast, Kenya 4

Post-safari Relaxation

Relax beside the balmy, azure waters of the Swahili coast.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Nairobi - Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)

  • Day 2 - 3

    Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)

  • Day 4

    Laikipia - Masai Mara (Kicheche Mara Camp)

  • Day 5 - 6

    Masai Mara (Kicheche Mara Camp)

  • Day 7

    Masai Mara - Nairobi - Kenyan Coast (Kinondo Kwetu)

  • Day 8 - 10

    Kenyan Coast (Kinondo Kwetu)

  • Day 11

    Kenyan Coast - Nairobi

Day 1

Nairobi - Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)

Arrive in Nairobi and fly by light aircraft to Laikipia, staying at Lewa Safari Camp in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Day 2 - 3

Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)

Spend several days exploring this private conservancy, which is home to rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and more. Joined by expert guides, take game drives, bush walks and night drives.

Day 4

Laikipia - Masai Mara (Kicheche Mara Camp)

Fly south to the game-rich plains of the iconic Masai Mara, home to a wealth of animal life. Here, avoid the crowds of the reserve and head to the exclusive Mara North Conservancy, staying at Kicheche Mara Camp.

Day 5 - 6

Masai Mara (Kicheche Mara Camp)

Explore the wild conservancy landscape, in search of leopards, cheetahs and lions. During migration season, watch as the terrain is flooded with waves of zebras and wildebeests.

Day 7

Masai Mara - Nairobi - Kenyan Coast (Kinondo Kwetu)

Leave the safari landscape behind and fly to Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast, staying by Diani Beach at Kinondo Kwetu.

Day 8 - 10

Kenyan Coast (Kinondo Kwetu)

Relax beside the balmy, azure waters of the Swahili Coast.

Day 11

Kenyan Coast - Nairobi

Fly back to Nairobi and connect with your international flight.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Lewa Safari Camp, Bush Walk, Rhino, Kenya
Kenya

Lewa Conservancy

Explore the rhino-rich landscape of Lewa. The rolling grasslands of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy are home to a wonderful array of wildlife, including endangered rhinos and Grevy’s zebras.

Stay at the beautifully situated Lewa Safari Camp, which embraces its wild surroundings. Immersed in the safari feel of this tented camp, explore the protected areas that surround it. Talented guides make the most of every encounter and their knowledge of this rugged environment is second to none.

Kenya Mother elephant with a baby, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya

Masai Mara Safari

Continue to the Masai Mara, where safaris were born. Here, avoid the crowds of the reserve and head to the exclusive Mara North Conservancy. Stay in this classic tented camp laid out alongside a seasonal stream in a prime wildlife area. Ideally located, Kicheche Mara Camp is the perfect base for your safari in the Masai Mara.

The Mara Elephant Project (MEP) is dedicated to protecting the wildlife, communities and habitat in the Mara. By using a monitoring and evaluation approach, they have disrupted poaching in the region and combatted habitat loss. Join Mark Goss, the CEO of the MEP, on an aerial reconnaissance mission to track the collared elephants, enjoy the view of the Mara from above and support the work of the MEP.

Electric vehicle game drive, Kicheche Mara Camp, Kenya

Kicheche Mara Camp

Kicheche Mara Camp has been a member of The Long Run since 2014. Committed to a balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce, this camp is a model for low-density tourism. Located in the Mara North Conservancy, this once-overgrazed land has been restored and now offers a sustainable safari experience from which local community landowners benefit. Journey across the Mara in Kicheche’s solar-powered electric vehicle and experience its plethora of wildlife like never before.

Diani beach, Kenyan Coast
Diani beach

Diani Beach

Leave the safari circuit behind for the sandy beaches, weather-beaten dhows and ungainly palms of the Swahili Coast. Embrace the charm and tranquillity of the Kinondo Kwetu – perfect for relaxation or exploration, this quiet retreat has a secluded, private beach and a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Venture out on the waves, exploring above and below the surface. Amongst the available options are diving, kite surfing and snorkelling.

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Travel to the areas included in this holiday idea provides direct financial support to conservation areas in Kenya. These include the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Mara North Conservancy, both of which are home to a number of endangered African species. In particular, Lewa is renowned as one of the last sanctuaries for the critically endangered eastern black rhino and its continued existence is pivotal to the species’ survival.

This holiday idea includes a stay in the Mara North Conservancy, which is a hugely successful community conservancy located on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Created in partnership with the local community, the conservancy leases land for the purpose of tourism and conservation. This in turn provides income for the local land owners, ensuring that there is a shared desire for success at the heart of this innovative partnership.

Historically, much of Kenya has been given over to grazing and agriculture. But the wildlife areas included in this holiday ideas have largely been rewilded, converting former farmland into wildlife areas. This is not just an investment in biodiversity but also an investment in the land itself. Low-value grazing land has become high-value wildlife habitat, generating significant economic benefit for the surrounding communities.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Lewa Safari Camp £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari Lodge

Sprawling over the rolling plains north of Mount Kenya, Lewa Safari Camp is charming and homely with an excellent reputation.

View Property

Kicheche Mara Camp £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Tried, tested and loved, Kicheche Mara Camp is a classic bush camp in the Acacia Valley of the Mara North Conservancy, one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the Mara.

View Property

Kinondo Kwetu £££££

  • Kenya
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Ideal for doing nothing at all or making the most of exciting excursions, Kinondo Kwetu is a stylish, Swahili-inspired boutique beach retreat – the perfect end to your Kenyan adventure.

View Property

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights or the Mara Elephant Project excursion. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £6,325 Per person

When to travel

Kenya in January

The hottest month across much of the country, and an excellent time to spot wildlife with lower visitor numbers. The seas are at their clearest, the landscape is still lush, but it is dry and sunny in general.

Kenya in February

The high temperatures continue, and it remains virtually dry, but the landscape should still be fairly green. Conditions are still excellent for wildlife viewing, with lower visitor numbers.

Kenya in March

The start of the main rainy season, but still good for wildlife viewing with the chance to see newborns.

Kenya in April

This is not the ideal time to travel. Some lodges close as the rainy season gets into full swing. Roads can be treacherous, and the coast becomes very hot and wet.

Kenya in May

May is the height of the rainy season and so many places will be closed with driving conditions becoming poor due to the heavy rainfall.

Kenya in June

The rains start to abate, and the landscape is as green and lush as it gets. This does make spotting wildlife a little trickier, but it is a beautiful time across the country.

Kenya in July

The start of the mass migration into the Masai Mara. Dry weather dominates across the country, with the occasional shower. This is the coolest month, with visitor numbers increasing.

Kenya in August

This is peak season in Kenya, especially in the Masai Mara, where it is the peak of the Great Migration. Exceptional game viewing is possible as animals congregate around watering holes and rivers.

Kenya in September

The weather remains dry, and there are still fantastic opportunities for game viewing in the Masai Mara as wildlife gathers around watering holes.

Kenya in October

As the temperatures rise, so does the chance of a shower or two. The herds of wildlife begin to leave the Masai Mara, but plenty of residents can still be seen. Visitor numbers are lower and it is a great time to visit across the country.

Kenya in November

The start of the short rainy season, as temperatures continue to increase. Many destinations are open, but around Laikipia, places close at this time.

Kenya in December

The end of the year brings the peak of the short rainy season. Hot and wet conditions dominate, but the scenery is beautiful and green, and there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen.

Need inspiration?
Browse our Kenya holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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