Savannah & Ocean Balance: 6-Day Mara and Diani Escape
Featured Tour
Customizable
Safari and beach combination
Tour Overview
This six-day journey is crafted for travelers who want to experience the full contrast of Kenya in a single, coherent itinerary: the drama of the Maasai Mara’s wildlife-rich plains and the unhurried rhythm of the Indian Ocean at Diani Beach. Rather than rushing between multiple hotels, you settle into just two carefully chosen properties, one in the Mara and one on the coast, allowing you to relax fully while still enjoying varied experiences. From dawn game drives in search of big cats to beachfront dinners under swaying palms, each day is structured to balance discovery and rest.
The adventure begins in Nairobi, where you connect with a light aircraft flight to the Maasai Mara. Three days here are devoted to exploring one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems. Your base is a premium tented camp in a conservancy or quiet corner of the reserve, where wildlife is abundant but vehicle numbers are managed. Morning and afternoon game drives give you access to lions, elephants, giraffes, and—during migration season—great herds of wildebeest and zebra. Your guides interpret not only the big sightings but also the smaller details of the landscape, from medicinal plants to bird behavior, so that you leave with a deeper understanding of how this ecosystem functions.
At camp, the atmosphere is relaxed yet refined. You sleep in proper beds with crisp linens, enjoy hot showers and good water pressure, and dine on fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with care. Evenings are often spent around the campfire, trading stories and listening for distant lion calls. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on conservation: your fees help fund anti-poaching initiatives and support local Maasai landowners, and many staff members come from surrounding communities. Learning about these partnerships adds a meaningful dimension to your time in the Mara.
From the savannah you fly back to Nairobi and continue on a scheduled flight to Kenya’s south coast, where Diani’s curved beach of pale sand and warm, turquoise water awaits. Your oceanfront boutique hotel has direct beach access, shaded gardens, and a calm, grown-up feel. The idea is to slow down: wake to the sound of waves, stroll along the shoreline at low tide, or simply read under the palms as dhows sail past on the horizon. For those who want more activity, optional excursions include snorkeling on the coral reef, stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoon, or visiting a nearby marine conservancy to learn about coral restoration and turtle protection.
Mealtimes on the coast celebrate the bounty of the ocean, with fresh seafood and tropical fruit featuring prominently alongside vegetarian and lighter options. There is ample space and privacy for couples to reconnect, yet the informal atmosphere and shallow sea make it equally suitable for families with children who can swim. As at the Mara camp, we favor properties that take their environmental impact seriously, through measures such as minimizing single-use plastics, supporting local suppliers, and managing water consumption sensitively.
The itinerary ends with a final morning by the ocean before your transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa airport for your return flight to Nairobi and onward journey. Those with more time can easily add extra nights at either end of the trip or slot this six-day module into a longer East African itinerary. What remains constant is Expera Adventures’ focus on practical luxury: comfortable but unpretentious properties, thoughtful logistics that minimize lost time in transit, and a clear commitment to conservation and community benefits wherever you travel.
The adventure begins in Nairobi, where you connect with a light aircraft flight to the Maasai Mara. Three days here are devoted to exploring one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems. Your base is a premium tented camp in a conservancy or quiet corner of the reserve, where wildlife is abundant but vehicle numbers are managed. Morning and afternoon game drives give you access to lions, elephants, giraffes, and—during migration season—great herds of wildebeest and zebra. Your guides interpret not only the big sightings but also the smaller details of the landscape, from medicinal plants to bird behavior, so that you leave with a deeper understanding of how this ecosystem functions.
At camp, the atmosphere is relaxed yet refined. You sleep in proper beds with crisp linens, enjoy hot showers and good water pressure, and dine on fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with care. Evenings are often spent around the campfire, trading stories and listening for distant lion calls. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on conservation: your fees help fund anti-poaching initiatives and support local Maasai landowners, and many staff members come from surrounding communities. Learning about these partnerships adds a meaningful dimension to your time in the Mara.
From the savannah you fly back to Nairobi and continue on a scheduled flight to Kenya’s south coast, where Diani’s curved beach of pale sand and warm, turquoise water awaits. Your oceanfront boutique hotel has direct beach access, shaded gardens, and a calm, grown-up feel. The idea is to slow down: wake to the sound of waves, stroll along the shoreline at low tide, or simply read under the palms as dhows sail past on the horizon. For those who want more activity, optional excursions include snorkeling on the coral reef, stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoon, or visiting a nearby marine conservancy to learn about coral restoration and turtle protection.
Mealtimes on the coast celebrate the bounty of the ocean, with fresh seafood and tropical fruit featuring prominently alongside vegetarian and lighter options. There is ample space and privacy for couples to reconnect, yet the informal atmosphere and shallow sea make it equally suitable for families with children who can swim. As at the Mara camp, we favor properties that take their environmental impact seriously, through measures such as minimizing single-use plastics, supporting local suppliers, and managing water consumption sensitively.
The itinerary ends with a final morning by the ocean before your transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa airport for your return flight to Nairobi and onward journey. Those with more time can easily add extra nights at either end of the trip or slot this six-day module into a longer East African itinerary. What remains constant is Expera Adventures’ focus on practical luxury: comfortable but unpretentious properties, thoughtful logistics that minimize lost time in transit, and a clear commitment to conservation and community benefits wherever you travel.
Tour Highlights
Three days of guided game drives in the Maasai Mara
Stay in a premium conservancy-based or low-density Mara camp
Conservation-focused guiding and community insight
Three nights on Diani’s palm-fringed Indian Ocean shoreline
Flexible coast days for swimming, snorkeling, or pure relaxation
All internal flights and key transfers pre-arranged
Only two primary accommodations to reduce unpacking and stress
Family-friendly yet ideal for couples seeking contrast
Fresh, locally sourced cuisine in both bush and beach settings
Options to extend at either Mara or Diani
Duration
6 Days
Group Size
1-10 People
Difficulty
Easy
Age Requirement
All ages
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many families enjoy this combination because the Mara game drives provide excitement and learning while Diani offers safe, shallow waters and relaxed downtime, though we recommend discussing specific ages so we can choose the most suitable camps and room setups.
Kenya’s main dry season from July to October offers excellent Mara game viewing and pleasant coastal conditions, while December to March also works well with warmer beach weather and good wildlife, though sea conditions and rainfall can vary slightly by month.
The itinerary typically includes three domestic flights—Nairobi–Mara, Mara–Nairobi, and Nairobi–Diani or Mombasa—operated by licensed Kenyan carriers that specialize in safari and coastal routes and adhere to national safety and maintenance standards.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy Diani, as there are pools and shallow, calm lagoon areas, but those who wish to snorkel or take boat trips should be comfortable in the water and can always wear life jackets and follow guide instructions.
Absolutely, the six-day format is a suggested framework and we can easily add or remove nights in either destination, or adjust the order of visits, to suit your interests, flight schedule, and budget.
By staying in conservancy-linked Mara camps and coastal hotels that support marine and community projects, your park and bed-night fees contribute directly to habitat protection, anti-poaching work, and local employment rather than bypassing nearby communities.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Follow your journey through 6 incredible days of adventure.
1
Arrive Nairobi and Fly to the Maasai Mara
On arrival in Nairobi you are met by an Expera Adventures representative and transferred to Wilson Airport, the domestic hub for Kenya’s safari flights. After a short briefing you board a light aircraft bound for the Maasai Mara, flying low enough on clear days to see the patchwork of farms give way to rolling savannah. At the Mara airstrip, your guide greets you in a custom safari vehicle and you enjoy a game drive transfer to camp, already scanning for giraffe, zebra, and elephant. After check-in and a fresh lunch, there is time to settle into your tent or suite and absorb your new surroundings.
In the late afternoon you head out on your first dedicated game drive. With the sun dropping and temperatures easing, wildlife becomes more active, and your guide will work to introduce you to the Mara’s signature species. You may encounter a lion pride stretching awake, hippos emerging towards the riverbanks, or herds of antelope feeding across the plains. The vehicle is uncrowded, and everyone has a window seat and roof hatch access for views and photography. As the sky turns gold and then deepens into twilight, you pause for sundowners at a scenic spot before returning to camp for a warm welcome, a three-course dinner, and your first night listening to the sounds of the bush.
In the late afternoon you head out on your first dedicated game drive. With the sun dropping and temperatures easing, wildlife becomes more active, and your guide will work to introduce you to the Mara’s signature species. You may encounter a lion pride stretching awake, hippos emerging towards the riverbanks, or herds of antelope feeding across the plains. The vehicle is uncrowded, and everyone has a window seat and roof hatch access for views and photography. As the sky turns gold and then deepens into twilight, you pause for sundowners at a scenic spot before returning to camp for a warm welcome, a three-course dinner, and your first night listening to the sounds of the bush.
Activities: Meet and greet in Nairobi and transfer to Wilson Airport
Scheduled flight Nairobi–Maasai Mara
Game drive transfer from airstrip to camp
Afternoon game drive with sundowners
Dinner and overnight at Mara camp
Scheduled flight Nairobi–Maasai Mara
Game drive transfer from airstrip to camp
Afternoon game drive with sundowners
Dinner and overnight at Mara camp
2
Exploring the Mara: Dawn and Afternoon Game Drives
Your first full day in the Mara begins before sunrise with coffee or tea at your tent and a light breakfast. You then set out while a soft glow is just touching the horizon, the prime time for predator activity. Your guide uses recent tracks and reports to plan the route, perhaps seeking out lions returning from a night’s hunt or cheetahs scanning for prey from termite mounds. The air is cool and clear, ideal for photography, and regular stops allow you to take in both the big scenes and smaller details. Depending on conditions, you might enjoy a picnic breakfast out on the plains or return to camp for a heartier mid-morning meal.
The middle hours of the day are free for rest. Read on your veranda, watch passing wildlife from a shaded deck, or chat with staff about their lives and work in the conservancy. After afternoon tea, you depart for another extended game drive, this time perhaps exploring a different area in search of elephants, buffalo, and varied birdlife. If traveling during the migration months, your guide may time a visit near the river to look for crossings; at quieter times, you can linger longer at each sighting without pressure. You return to camp after sunset for dinner, and if skies are clear, you can enjoy stargazing far from city lights.
The middle hours of the day are free for rest. Read on your veranda, watch passing wildlife from a shaded deck, or chat with staff about their lives and work in the conservancy. After afternoon tea, you depart for another extended game drive, this time perhaps exploring a different area in search of elephants, buffalo, and varied birdlife. If traveling during the migration months, your guide may time a visit near the river to look for crossings; at quieter times, you can linger longer at each sighting without pressure. You return to camp after sunset for dinner, and if skies are clear, you can enjoy stargazing far from city lights.
Activities: Pre-dawn wake-up and early game drive
Bush or camp breakfast and mid-morning rest
Afternoon tea at camp
Extended afternoon game drive
Dinner and campfire under the stars
Bush or camp breakfast and mid-morning rest
Afternoon tea at camp
Extended afternoon game drive
Dinner and campfire under the stars
3
Final Mara Game Drive and Flight to Nairobi
On your last morning in the Mara, you have another chance to head out at first light. This shorter game drive is designed to complement what you have already seen, perhaps focusing on a species you have yet to encounter or revisiting a favorite area in different light. After a few hours on the plains you return to camp for breakfast and time to pack. There is an opportunity to settle any bar or shop accounts and say goodbye to the team who have hosted you.
You then enjoy a final game drive en route to the airstrip, often encountering wildlife right up to the last moments. At the airstrip your guide assists with check-in before you board the flight back to Nairobi, where you typically land around midday or early afternoon. A representative meets you on arrival to help you connect to your onward coastal flight or, if schedules require, to transfer you to a nearby lounge or hotel for a short break before continuing to the coast on day four.
You then enjoy a final game drive en route to the airstrip, often encountering wildlife right up to the last moments. At the airstrip your guide assists with check-in before you board the flight back to Nairobi, where you typically land around midday or early afternoon. A representative meets you on arrival to help you connect to your onward coastal flight or, if schedules require, to transfer you to a nearby lounge or hotel for a short break before continuing to the coast on day four.
Activities: Sunrise game drive in the Mara
Breakfast and check-out at camp
Game drive transfer to the airstrip
Scheduled flight back to Nairobi
Assistance with onward coastal connection
Breakfast and check-out at camp
Game drive transfer to the airstrip
Scheduled flight back to Nairobi
Assistance with onward coastal connection
4
Fly Nairobi to Diani and Settle into the Coast
Today you swap plains for palm trees. After breakfast in Nairobi, a transfer takes you to the domestic terminal for your flight to Diani on Kenya’s south coast. The flight typically takes less than an hour, and on clear days offers views of the Rift Valley dropping towards the ocean. On arrival at Ukunda airstrip, you are met and transferred the short distance to your beachfront boutique hotel, where check-in is followed by a cool drink and orientation to the property and its surroundings.
The remainder of the day is deliberately unstructured, allowing you to slow your pace after the early starts in the Mara. Take a first walk along the beach, swim in the warm, shallow waters, or relax by the pool with a book. The hotel’s gardens, shaded by palms and tropical trees, offer plenty of quiet corners. In the evening you enjoy dinner featuring fresh seafood and coastal flavors, with the sound of the Indian Ocean as your backdrop, before sleeping to the rhythm of the waves.
The remainder of the day is deliberately unstructured, allowing you to slow your pace after the early starts in the Mara. Take a first walk along the beach, swim in the warm, shallow waters, or relax by the pool with a book. The hotel’s gardens, shaded by palms and tropical trees, offer plenty of quiet corners. In the evening you enjoy dinner featuring fresh seafood and coastal flavors, with the sound of the Indian Ocean as your backdrop, before sleeping to the rhythm of the waves.
Activities: Transfer to Nairobi domestic terminal
Scheduled flight Nairobi–Diani (Ukunda airstrip)
Road transfer to beachfront hotel
Leisure time for swimming and beach walks
Dinner and overnight at Diani
Scheduled flight Nairobi–Diani (Ukunda airstrip)
Road transfer to beachfront hotel
Leisure time for swimming and beach walks
Dinner and overnight at Diani
5
Unhurried Diani Beach Day with Optional Marine Activities
Your full day at the coast is yours to shape. Early risers may enjoy a sunrise walk along the low-tide sand flats before breakfast. Afterwards you can choose to do very little—reading in a hammock, alternating between shade and sea—or opt into one of several suggested activities. Popular options include snorkeling or diving on the offshore coral reef, stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoon, or taking a traditional dhow trip with a local crew. For those interested in conservation, we can arrange a visit to a nearby marine project to learn about coral restoration and turtle protection.
Back at the hotel, lunch is usually a relaxed affair, with plenty of fresh fruit and lighter dishes suited to the coastal heat. The afternoon might bring a spa treatment, a swim in the pool, or time to shop for local crafts. As the day cools, the beach often takes on a softer light perfect for photography. Dinner this evening can be enjoyed under the stars if weather allows, and you can reflect on the contrast between the open savannah and the tranquil sea you have experienced in just a few days.
Back at the hotel, lunch is usually a relaxed affair, with plenty of fresh fruit and lighter dishes suited to the coastal heat. The afternoon might bring a spa treatment, a swim in the pool, or time to shop for local crafts. As the day cools, the beach often takes on a softer light perfect for photography. Dinner this evening can be enjoyed under the stars if weather allows, and you can reflect on the contrast between the open savannah and the tranquil sea you have experienced in just a few days.
Activities: Sunrise beach walk or leisurely morning
Optional snorkeling, diving, or dhow excursion
Potential visit to a local marine conservation initiative
Relaxed afternoon by the pool or at the spa
Dinner at the hotel with ocean backdrop
Optional snorkeling, diving, or dhow excursion
Potential visit to a local marine conservation initiative
Relaxed afternoon by the pool or at the spa
Dinner at the hotel with ocean backdrop
6
Final Morning by the Ocean and Departure
On your final morning in Diani, you may choose a slow breakfast on the terrace or one last swim before packing. Check-out times are flexible where possible, and we coordinate your transfer with your flight schedule. When it is time to leave, a driver collects you for the short drive back to Ukunda or, in some cases, to Mombasa for your flight to Nairobi. The coastal road offers glimpses of village life and tropical vegetation, rounding out your sense of Kenya beyond the tourism headlines.
Back in Nairobi, an Expera Adventures representative meets you on arrival to assist with your onward connection or overnight stay. If your international flight departs later in the day, we can arrange day-room access or a short city excursion on request. As your journey continues, you carry with you the memories of lion calls under starry skies, the scent of the ocean on an evening breeze, and the knowledge that your visit supported conservation and communities in both the Mara and along the coast.
Back in Nairobi, an Expera Adventures representative meets you on arrival to assist with your onward connection or overnight stay. If your international flight departs later in the day, we can arrange day-room access or a short city excursion on request. As your journey continues, you carry with you the memories of lion calls under starry skies, the scent of the ocean on an evening breeze, and the knowledge that your visit supported conservation and communities in both the Mara and along the coast.
Activities: Breakfast and final beach time
Check-out from Diani hotel
Transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa airport
Flight to Nairobi
Assistance with onward international departure
Check-out from Diani hotel
Transfer to Ukunda or Mombasa airport
Flight to Nairobi
Assistance with onward international departure
What's Included
- Domestic flights between Nairobi, Maasai Mara, and Diani (or Mombasa)
- All airport and airstrip transfers in Nairobi, Mara, and Diani
- 2 nights accommodation in a premium Mara tented camp
- 3 nights accommodation in a quality beachfront hotel at Diani
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Shared game drives in the Mara with professional guides
- All relevant park and conservancy fees in the Maasai Mara
- Filtered drinking water during game drives and transfers
- Basic laundry service at Mara camp where available
- AMREF Flying Doctors or similar emergency evacuation cover
What's Not Included
- International flights to and from Nairobi
- Kenya visa fees and any departure taxes where applicable
- Comprehensive travel and health insurance
- Optional coastal activities such as diving, dhow trips, and spa treatments
- Premium wines, champagne, and imported spirits
- Gratuities for guides, hotel staff, and drivers
- Personal purchases such as souvenirs, phone calls, and minibar
- Any meals and drinks not detailed as included
- Single room supplements where applicable
What to Bring
Soft-sided luggage suitable for light aircraft limits
Light, breathable clothing for warm days
A warm layer and long trousers for cool Mara evenings
Comfortable walking sandals and closed shoes
Swimwear and a light cover-up for the beach
Sun hat and good-quality sunglasses
High-factor reef-safe sunscreen
Insect repellent for bush and coast
Camera and binoculars if available
Personal medications and copies of prescriptions
Reusable water bottle for day trips
Travel adaptor for Kenyan sockets (Type G)
Waterproof phone or camera pouch for the beach
Lightweight daypack for excursions
Copy of travel insurance and important documents
Tour Pricing
Prices are in USD per person sharing. Single supplement and child discounts available.
Detailed pricing is available on request. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Starting from $3,690 per person
Children's Rates
Infants (0-2 years)
Free (sharing with parents)
Children (3-12 years, sharing)
50% of adult rate
Children (3-12 years, own room)
75% of adult rate
Teenagers (12+ years)
Full adult rate
Flexible Payment Options
Pay in installments with our "Lipa Polepole" plan. Secure your safari with just 30% deposit, and pay the balance before your travel date.
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