How to Combine Kenya Safari With Beach Holidays
A Kenya safari with beach holiday offers a premier combination of Big Five game viewing in world-renowned parks like the Maasai Mara or Amboseli, followed by relaxation on the white-sand shores of the Indian Ocean, typically in Diani or Mombasa. Popular itineraries range from 7 to 14+ days, featuring private or group tours, luxury lodges, and, in some cases, flights between the savanna and the coast.
A herd of wildebeests will likely grace the cover of any Kenya tourist brochure you may happen to come across. While the Great Wildebeest Migration and safaris both originated in Kenya, the country is known for much more than just its animals.
A fascinating and historically significant coastline, second to none in Africa, may be found in Kenya. Kenya is a really beautiful country, and its beaches are a refuge for animals. The area is home to marine parks, coral reefs, coastal forests teeming with birds, and game reserves close by, so visitors can have an incredibly varied vacation.
Combine Kenya Safari With Beach Holidays
If you are looking for a place to go in East Africa that offers the best of both worlds, this is it. Before you reward your adventure in the bush with a barefoot luxury experience on the golden coast, begin your safari with a classic safari through Kenya’s premier wildlife locations, like the Masai Mara.
Look no farther for vacation packages to Kenya that include beach time and safari adventures. Our Kenya beach and safari excursions are the perfect mix of beach and safari, allowing you to see the country’s top attractions in a single vacation.
Because of the abundance of wildlife and stunning landscapes, this region is perfect for ecotourism. However, newcomers may find it challenging to narrow down their coastal vacation options among marine parks, coral reefs, bird-filled coastal forests, and adjacent game reserves.
Nairobi, Ol Pejeta, Masai Mara & Diani
Kenya presents an ideal combination of remarkable wildlife experiences and tranquil coastline getaways. This iconic Kenyan itinerary combines urban wildlife, top-tier conservation, savannah game drives, and coastal relaxation. Starting in Nairobi, it includes Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s rhino sanctuary, the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara, and ends on the white sands of Diani Beach.
Masai Mara And Diani Beach
A combined safari and beach holiday in Kenya allows travelers to experience the dramatic wildlife of the Masai Mara National Reserve and the pristine white sands of Diani Beach. This popular itinerary typically involves game drives to see the “Big Five” and the Great Migration, followed by relaxation with activities like snorkeling, diving, and kitesurfing, often combined via short, direct flights to minimize travel time.
Kenya Safari And Diani Beach
A 7-day Kenya safari and Diani Beach trip typically combines 3-4 days of wildlife game drives in parks like Amboseli, Tsavo, or Masai Mara with 3 days of relaxation on the white sands of Diani Beach. This itinerary often includes a flight or SGR train from Nairobi to the parks, followed by travel to the coast, offering a blend of big game viewing and Indian Ocean snorkeling.
Kenya Beach Destinations
Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu are names that should be familiar, but there are so many more that aren’t that it’s important to have good recommendations. There are a number of themed beach resorts in Kenya, each catering to a different type of tourist (honeymooners, families, partygoers, etc.).
So, someone who has worked and lived there is the best person to put everyone’s fears to rest. The southern coast, the center Mombasa and Malindi districts, and the far northern Lamu Archipelago are the four sections of the coast that Sharon, a Kabira Safari Expert and a former Kenyan resident, divides into.
1. Southern Comfort: Diani, Galu & Funzi
The coast of southern Kenya is known for its stunning white beaches. Beach bums looking for a laid-back, “don’t make me think” vacation often go to Galu and Diani. Lauren recommends the Alfajiri luxury villas in Diani to groups of friends or families that prefer to be on their own.
Conversely, honeymooners and romantics will find the ideal undisturbed retreat at top-end Funzi. Lauren claims that the service is so accommodating that even if you decide to have breakfast at three in the morning, you will be served cheerfully and with a personal touch. “Down south, there are some of the best dive spots and it’s also quieter,” Lauren adds. Wasini Island has a marine reserve and ideal reefs, therefore you should go there.
3. Centre Stage: Mombasa
Lauren, we want to know your honest opinion about Mombasa. “Wow, that place is really rocking!” She grins and says, “The Mombasa area is perfect for families because there are plenty of large hotels and resorts as well as smaller, more intimate spots. Plus, there are so many fun things to do.”
Mombasa has long been the go-to beach spot for Kenya’s younger, more sociable set, thanks to its excellent diving and deep sea fishing as well as its fantastic restaurants, nightclubs, and excursions. Lauren suggests shopping for Gucci from street vendors and taking use of Mombasa’s airport for convenient safari and beach combos. She suggests starting the day with a game drive in the Masai Mara and ending it with a cocktail by the seaside.
3. Heart of the Coast: Malindi
Lauren exclaims, “Stunning!” when asked to describe the Malindi region. “The town is spotless, the beaches are fantastic, and the hotel placement is perfect.”
Visitors who have been to Malindi and the neighbouring town of Watamu often return, making it a popular destination for expats and European vacationers. According to Lauren, “it’s got a good vibe” and that the diving is fantastic because the Malindi Marine National Park is right offshore.
For a more sedate beach experience in Kenya, Lauren suggests Malindi for couples and kids. If you’re hoping to see some big game, it’s worth spending a couple of nights at Tsavo National Park, Kenya’s largest reserve, which is about 100 km inland.
4. Northern Delights: Lamu Archipelago
Lauren feels all teary-eyed just thinking about Lamu. “It’s definitely somewhere I would return to,” she confesses. “Despite its current upscale vibe, Lamu maintains its beautiful, laid-back vibe, which belies its history as a hippy hangout. “You’ll be getting around on foot once you’re on Lamu Island,” Lauren explains, “but you’ll take boat transfers between the islands and there are fantastic lodges and private villas.”
Manda Island is ideal for couples on their honeymoon or for a romantic getaway because of how peaceful it is, but families and large groups can also enjoy the archipelago’s beach cottages. This traditional all-inclusive vacation spot has everything: beautiful beaches with powdery white sand, excellent snorkelling and diving, breathtaking sunsets, and hints of Islamic and Swahili culture.