Mara + Indian Ocean coast · 8 days · 7 nights · Year-round
Mara → Diani
The classic Kenyan combination. Four nights of dust and big cats in the Mara conservancy, then a one-hour flight to Diani — chalk-white sand, palm trees, a villa with a pool and a cook. It's the trip we book honeymooners and families on more than any other.
From $4,200 per person
Specimen itinerary for planning purposes only — not a confirmed booking document.
Logistics & transport
- Pickup
- Confirmed 24 hours before departure on WhatsApp
- Guide language
- As selected at booking
- Group
- Private / small group · max 6 guests
Where you'll stay
Lodging varies by trip — tented camp, safari lodge, beach hotel, or city hotel as your package requires. The property for this package is confirmed in writing after you book — ask us on WhatsApp if you want options before paying.
Included in your package price — exact camp, lodge, or hotel confirmed after booking.
Indicative schedule — day by day
Planned rhythm for your trip — your guide may adjust on the day for conditions, light and wildlife.
Day 1: Nairobi → Mara
JKIA pickup, transfer to Wilson, light-aircraft flight to the Mara. Afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Mara — full game day
Dawn and afternoon drives. Lion territory.
Day 3: Mara — balloon (optional) + walking
Optional 5am balloon. Afternoon walking safari with a Maasai guide. Sundowner.
Day 4: Mara → Diani
Final dawn drive, brunch. Late-morning flight Mara → Wilson → Ukunda (the small coast strip serving Diani). Driver meets you, twenty minutes to the villa, in the water by 4pm.
Day 5: Diani — slow day
Pool, beach, lunch the cook prepares at the villa. Optional afternoon dhow sail out of Galu beach.
Day 6: Diani — coral reef
Snorkel trip out to Kisite-Mpunguti marine park (45 min boat ride, brilliant coral, sometimes dolphins). Back for lunch.
Day 7: Diani — total rest
Massage in the villa, read a book, do nothing. Sunset cocktail at the bar across the road if you feel social.
Day 8: Coast → Nairobi
Late-morning flight Ukunda → Nairobi. Day room at a Wilson airport hotel if your international connection is in the evening (often the case).
Trip inclusions
- All accommodation (full-board in Mara, breakfast in Diani)
- All internal flights (Wilson ↔ Mara ↔ Ukunda)
- Park & conservancy fees
- Private vehicles + driver-guide in Mara
- Airport transfers throughout
- Cook at the Diani villa (you pay groceries, ~$30/day for 2)
- 24/7 WhatsApp line
Trip exclusions
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa
- Travel insurance
- Hot-air balloon ($475 pp, optional)
- Snorkel trip ($90 pp, optional)
- Lunches & dinners at the villa (groceries are cheap)
- Tips
Preparation & packing
Before you go
- This section is general Kenya travel guidance — not a substitute for official advice or your doctor.
- We confirm trip-specific details (property, pickup times, park rules) with you on WhatsApp before departure.
- Questions about Mara → Diani? Message us anytime — we'd rather you ask than guess.
Visa & entry
- Most visitors need a Kenya eVisa before travel — apply at evisa.go.ke and check current fees and rules.
- Passport usually needs 6+ months' validity and blank pages — verify with your airline and immigration.
- Keep a printed copy of this itinerary and your eVisa for border control.
Health
- Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you are travelling from — check Kenya's latest entry rules.
- Malaria prevention is commonly recommended for safari areas — ask your doctor well before you fly.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
- Bring personal medication in original packaging.
Weather & clothing
- Safari mornings and evenings are often cooler than midday — layers work better than one heavy coat.
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) are standard for game drives.
- Rain can appear in any season — a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
- We send a short weather note for your dates once your trip is confirmed.
Packing list
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking + sandals for camp or lodge
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Binoculars if you have a pair (optional — ask us if you'd like a recommendation)
- Power bank + travel adaptor (Kenya commonly uses Type G plugs, 240V)
- Soft bag often works better than a hard suitcase if your trip includes light-aircraft legs — we'll confirm luggage limits for your routing
- Some cash in USD (clean, newer bills) or KES for tips and small purchases
- Insect repellent
Money & connectivity
- Cards work in Nairobi and at many properties; cash is still useful for tips and markets.
- M-Pesa is widely used in Kenya — we can walk you through it on arrival if helpful.
- Wi‑Fi varies by property (lodge, camp, or hotel) — signal on game drives is usually limited.
- Tipping customs vary by property and guide — we share current guidelines for your trip before you travel.