Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Endangered Rhinos
Explore the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to both black and white rhinos.
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Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
the people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education
Highlights of Kenya including Masai Mara and Coast
Set out on a classic exploration of Kenya’s varied landscapes, beginning amidst the grasslands of Lewa, before exploring the Masai Mara’s Big-Five plains. Combine this luxury Kenya safari experience with a beach break beside the Indian Ocean, staying beside the beautiful white-sand beaches of Diani.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Masai Mara Safari
Explore the game-rich plains of the iconic Masai Mara, home to a wealth of animal life.
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Private Conservancies
Stay in private conservancies throughout, with the freedom to drive off-road and at night.
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Diani Beach
Relax beside the balmy, azure waters of the Swahili Coast.
Why we like it
This trip combines three of Kenya’s most popular destinations. But making use of private concessions, domestic flights and secluded locations, it avoids the crowds and kerfuffle of many tourist hotspots. Abundant wildlife, stunning surroundings and wonderful service all feature, showcasing the best of Kenya’s richly diverse landscapes and fauna.
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Day 1
Nairobi - Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)
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Day 2 - 3
Laikipia (Lewa Safari Camp)
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Day 4
Laikipia - Masai Mara (Elephant Pepper Camp)
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Day 5 - 6
Masai Mara (Elephant Pepper Camp)
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Day 7
Masai Mara - Nairobi - Kenyan Coast (AfroChic Diani)
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Day 8 - 10
Kenyan Coast (AfroChic Diani)
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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 (Elephant Pepper 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 Elephant Pepper Camp.
Day 5 - 6
Masai Mara (Elephant Pepper 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 (AfroChic Diani)
Leave the safari landscape behind and fly to Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast, staying by Diani Beach at AfroChic Diani.
Day 8 - 10
Kenyan Coast (AfroChic Diani)
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.
More details
Big-Five Conservancy
Explore 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.
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 beneath a grove of fig and elephant pepper trees, at the aptly named Elephant Pepper Camp. Classically themed, this intimate camp is a firm favourite.
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. And take guided bush walks across the plains, learning about the quirks and intricacies of this fascinating ecosystem.
Diani Beach
Leave the safari circuit behind for the sandy beaches, weather-beaten dhows and ungainly palms of the Swahili Coast. Embrace the comfort and tranquillity of the AfroChic Diani – set slightly back from the waters of the Indian Ocean. Perfect for relaxation or exploration, this quiet retreat features direct access to the beach and a network of verdant gardens.
Alternatively, the ocean offers a myriad of more adventurous activities. 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?
- Relevant SDGs
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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.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. 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.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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