Experience the best of Kenya in one spectacular 9-day bush to beach safari combining iconic wildlife parks, scenic Rift Valley lakes, dramatic savannah landscapes and the tropical beaches of the Indian Ocean.
This Kenya safari takes you from Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara through Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, before continuing to Amboseli National Park with its famous views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Your final safari stop is the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where you enjoy a game drive and overnight stay at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge before travelling to Diani Beach.
Highlights
- 9 day bush to beach safari
- Travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle
- Spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Opportunity to see lions, cheetah, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife,
- 8 nights in a safari lodge or tented camp
- Experience Amboseli's famous elephant herds
- Explore Amboseli's swamps and open savannah
- Explore Lake Nakuru National Park
- Experience two nights in the Maasai Mara
- Enjoy a scenic Lake Naivasha boat ride
- End your safari at the beautiful Kenyan Coast in Diani Beach
- Explore Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
- Overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Your 9-day Kenya bush to beach safari begins with an early morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport.
Depart Nairobi and travel towards the Great Rift Valley. Depending on your departure time, you may stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Rift Valley.
Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, a scenic wildlife destination famous for its rhino conservation efforts and diverse birdlife. KWS describes the park as a major sanctuary for both black and white rhinos and notes approximately 450 bird species.
Enter the park and begin your first game drive.
Look out for: Black rhinos, White rhinos, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Leopards, Waterbuck, Baboons, Various antelope species, Flamingos and other waterbirds
Enjoy a game drive before proceeding to your lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel towards the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The journey takes you through Kenya's Great Rift Valley landscapes and rural communities before reaching the Mara ecosystem.
Arrive in the afternoon and have lunch at your lodge or camp.
After lunch, head out for your first Maasai Mara game drive.
The Mara is renowned for its abundant wildlife and spectacular open grasslands. During your game drive, look for:
Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Cheetahs, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hippos, Hyenas, Gazelles and Many bird species
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. The open plains of the Mara provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and game viewing.
Your driver-guide will search for the Big Five and other wildlife while following the day's wildlife movements.
Possible wildlife encounters: Lions hunting or resting, Elephants moving across the plains, Buffalo herds, Leopards in suitable habitats,Cheetahs on the open grasslands, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Thomson's gazelles, Hippos and Crocodiles
During the annual Great Migration period, the Mara ecosystem can also provide spectacular opportunities to witness large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
Return to your lodge in the evening.
After breakfast, leave the Maasai Mara and travel towards Lake Naivasha. Enjoy the changing scenery as you leave the Mara's savannah behind and return towards the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at Lake Naivasha and check in at your accommodation.
Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the lodge or take an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha.
The lake is particularly known for: Hippos, African fish eagles, Pelicans, Herons, Kingfishers and Other waterbirds
A boat excursion is an excellent way to enjoy the lake and surrounding scenery.
After breakfast, head to Hell's Gate National Park, one of Kenya's most distinctive destinations. The park is famous for its dramatic cliffs, gorges, volcanic landscapes and wildlife, and is particularly suitable for active experiences. Depending on your interests, today's activities can include: Walking safari, Cycling safari, Game drive, Birdwatching, Scenic photography, Exploring the park's dramatic landscapes.
Wildlife commonly associated with the area includes zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and other plains species. You can also explore the spectacular gorge areas with a local guide where conditions and park regulations permit.
After your Hell's Gate experience, return to your accommodation around Lake Naivasha.
Enjoy the afternoon relaxing at the lodge.
After an early breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and travel towards Amboseli National Park. This is one of the longer driving days of the safari, so an early departure is recommended. You will travel across Kenya's changing landscapes before reaching the Amboseli ecosystem.
Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds, open plains and spectacular views towards Mount Kilimanjaro.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Possible sightings include: Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Hippos, Antelopes and Numerous bird species.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Today is dedicated to exploring Amboseli National Park.
After an early breakfast, head out for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch or return to the lodge for lunch depending on the selected safari style. Amboseli's open landscapes provide excellent opportunities to see elephants and other wildlife against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Visit scenic areas around the park and search for wildlife around the wetlands, marshes and open plains.
Optional Maasai Cultural Visit
A visit to a traditional Maasai community can be arranged as an optional activity. Learn about Maasai traditions, lifestyle, livestock keeping, beadwork and the community's relationship with the Amboseli ecosystem.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, depart Amboseli and continue towards the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The journey takes you towards Kenya's coastal hinterland and the Taita-Taveta ecosystem. Arrive at Salt Lick Safari Lodge, an iconic safari lodge built above the wildlife sanctuary's landscape.
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is located within the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and overlooks a waterhole and the surrounding Tsavo plains. The sanctuary supports more than 50 mammal species and over 300 bird species.
After check-in and lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Possible sightings include: Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Antelopes, Warthogs, Leopards and Various bird species
Return to Salt Lick Safari Lodge in the evening.
Enjoy dinner and the unique experience of watching wildlife around the lodge's waterhole.
Wake up early for an optional final game drive in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy one last opportunity to photograph Kenya's wildlife before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, check out and begin your journey towards the Kenyan Coast.
Continue through the coastal hinterland towards Mombasa and Diani Beach. Arrive in Diani in the afternoon and transfer to your beach hotel.
Your 9 day Kenya bush to beach safari ends in Diani Beach, where you can continue with a relaxing beach holiday.
End of safari.
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking safari driver/guide
- Hotel pickup Nairobi hotel, residence or airport, and drop-off in Diani beach where applicable
- All park entry fees
- 8 nights accommodation in a safari lodge/tented camp
- Full-board meals during the safari
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- All applicable government taxes and leviesrt
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and other premium drinks
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive generally takes around 3.5–4 hours, depending on the route, traffic and road conditions.
Yes. The safari can be operated as a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, allowing you to travel with your own group and enjoy greater flexibility during game drives.
Yes. Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Amboseli's signature attractions. However, visibility depends on weather and cloud conditions, so the mountain cannot be guaranteed to be visible throughout the safari
Amboseli supports elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, antelopes and numerous bird species. KWS describes the park as particularly notable for its large elephant herds and rich birdlife.
Yes. A 3 day Amboseli safari can be a convenient family safari, particularly for travelers staying at Nairobi. Children's ages should be provided when booking so appropriate accommodation arrangements can be made.
Yes. Pickup can be arranged from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), your Nairobi hotel or another agreed location.
Absolutely. This safari is an excellent bush-and-beach holiday, and additional nights at Diani Beach can be arranged after the safari.
Yes. Crescent Island can be included as an optional activity. It offers guided walking opportunities among plains game such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles.
Yes. Timken Tours Kenya can customize the safari with different accommodation categories, additional nights, cultural experiences, Lake Naivasha activities or a longer Diani Beach stay.
Yes. A Lake Naivasha boat excursion can be included in your safari package. Boat trips offer opportunities to see hippos and birdlife around the lake.
Yes. A Maasai cultural experience can be arranged as an optional activity, particularly during the Amboseli or Maasai Mara portion of the safari.