KENYA // BUSH AND BEACH
9 Days Amboseli, Tsavo and Diani Beach Safari
Five days with the elephants of Amboseli and the two Tsavos, then three nights on the white sand of Diani on Kenya’s south coast.
9 Days / 8 Nights
DURATION
$1,400
FROM, PER PERSON
Amboseli, Tsavo West, Tsavo East, Diani
DESTINATIONS
2 to 6
GROUP SIZE
ABOUT THIS SAFARI
About This 9 Day Kenya Safari and Beach Holiday
This Kenya safari and beach holiday brings together the best of southern Kenya in nine days. You spend five nights on safari in Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, then three nights relaxing at Diani Beach, one of the finest beaches in East Africa.
The safari half follows the elephants. Amboseli’s herds walk beneath Kilimanjaro, Tsavo West has Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava flow, and Tsavo East’s red elephants roam open plains along the Galana River to Lugard Falls. Two nights in Amboseli and Tsavo East give you full days in each park, not just drives through.
You travel in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with your own driver guide, with full board on safari and at the beach. The coast stay is free time for swimming, snorkelling or simply resting. With less time, the 6 Days Tsavo and Diani trip is a shorter bush and beach option.
AT A GLANCE
Trip Summary
| Detail | This safari |
|---|---|
| Price from | USD 1,400 per person |
| Duration | 9 days / 8 nights |
| Safari style | Beach and Safari |
| Countries | Kenya |
| Parks visited | Amboseli, Tsavo West, Tsavo East and Diani |
| Starts | Nairobi |
| Ends | Nairobi, by flight or SGR train from the coast |
| Group size | Private departure. Typically 2 to 6 guests per vehicle |
| Best time to go | Jun to Oct and Dec to Mar |
| Difficulty | Easy |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Your Route, Day By Day
| Day | Route | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Amboseli | Lodge, Amboseli | L, D |
| 2 | Full Day in Amboseli | Lodge, Amboseli | B, L, D |
| 3 | Amboseli to Tsavo West | Lodge, Tsavo West | B, L, D |
| 4 | Tsavo West to Tsavo East | Lodge, Tsavo East | B, L, D |
| 5 | Full Day in Tsavo East | Lodge, Tsavo East | B, L, D |
| 6 | Tsavo East to Diani | Beach resort, Diani | B, L, D |
| 7 | Diani at Leisure | Beach resort, Diani | B, L, D |
| 8 | Diani at Leisure | Beach resort, Diani | B, L, D |
| 9 | Diani to Nairobi | Departure | B |
B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner. Accommodation is shown by type and area. We confirm the exact camp or lodge in writing with your quote.
DAY BY DAY
The Full Itinerary
Your driver guide collects you from your Nairobi hotel or the airport after breakfast. You leave on the Mombasa road, stopping at Emali before turning south to Amboseli, about four to five hours in total, and arrive at your lodge for lunch.
Your evening game drive heads to the swamps, where elephant families drink and bathe in the cool of the day. Kilimanjaro often appears above the cloud at sunset.
Activities: Drive to Amboseli, evening game drive to the swamps
Meals: Lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Amboseli
A full day in Amboseli with a picnic lunch. An early drive gives you the best chance of a clear Kilimanjaro, then your guide follows the herds between the swamps and the open pans, looking for lion, cheetah and hyena.
In the afternoon you climb Observation Hill for a wide view over the marshes and the elephants moving between them, then finish with a sundowner drive.
Activities: Full day game drive with picnic lunch, Observation Hill walk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Amboseli
After breakfast you drive east past the Chyulu Hills into Tsavo West, about three hours, arriving for lunch at your lodge.
In the afternoon you visit Mzima Springs, where clear spring water and an underwater viewing chamber let you watch hippo and fish, and the black rock of the Shetani lava flow. Look for klipspringer on the rocky hills and elephant in the bush.
Activities: Drive to Tsavo West, Mzima Springs, Shetani lava flow
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Tsavo West
A morning drive in Tsavo West, then you cross to Tsavo East via the Tsavo River and Voi, arriving for lunch.
Your afternoon game drive explores the open plains around Aruba Dam, where red dusted elephants, buffalo and zebra come to drink, and lion and cheetah hunt.
Activities: Morning game drive in Tsavo West, drive to Tsavo East, afternoon game drive
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Tsavo East
A full day in Tsavo East with a picnic lunch. You follow the Galana River to Lugard Falls, a series of rapids through a rocky gorge where crocodiles gather, and drive past Mudanda Rock, a long granite outcrop with a natural pool that draws elephants.
The wide open plains of Tsavo East are home to some of Kenya’s largest elephant herds, along with lesser kudu, gerenuk and Coke’s hartebeest. You return to your lodge in the evening.
Activities: Full day game drive with picnic lunch, Galana River, Lugard Falls, Mudanda Rock
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Tsavo East
After breakfast you travel to the coast, either by road, about three to four hours, or on the Madaraka Express train from Voi to Mombasa, with a transfer to Diani on the Dongo Kundu southern bypass.
You check in at your beach resort on Diani Beach in the afternoon, with time to swim in the warm Indian Ocean and watch the sunset from the sand.
Activities: Transfer to the coast by road or train, afternoon at Diani Beach
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Beach resort, Diani
A free day at Diani. You can rest on the beach, or join a dhow trip to Wasini Island and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park for snorkelling on the reef, often with dolphins, and a seafood lunch.
In the evening the resort’s restaurants and beach bars are a short walk away.
Activities: Free day at Diani Beach, optional dhow trip to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Beach resort, Diani
A second free day for the beach, a camel ride along the sand, or a visit to Colobus Conservation, which protects the rare Angolan colobus monkeys of the Diani forest.
Kitesurfing, diving and spa treatments can also be arranged at the resort.
Activities: Free day at Diani Beach, optional camel ride or Colobus Conservation visit
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Beach resort, Diani
A relaxed breakfast before check out.
You are transferred to Ukunda airstrip or Moi International Airport in Mombasa for your flight, or to the Madaraka Express terminus in Mombasa for the train back to Nairobi.
Activities: Transfer for your flight or train to Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Departure
THE ROUTE
Where This Safari Takes You
Nairobi → Amboseli → Tsavo West → Tsavo East → Diani Beach → Nairobi by flight or SGR train. Roughly 800 km of driving to the coast.
How To Get There
This safari starts in Nairobi. Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and we collect you from the airport or your hotel on day 1. It ends on the coast, where you fly home from Moi International Airport in Mombasa (MBA) or return to Nairobi by domestic flight from Ukunda or Mombasa, or by the Madaraka Express train.
The safari is by road in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser. Nairobi to Amboseli takes four to five hours, Amboseli to Tsavo West about three hours, Tsavo West to Tsavo East about two hours, and Tsavo East to Diani three to four hours by road or by train from Voi. In total you drive roughly 800 km to the coast.
The flight or train back to Nairobi is not included, so we can match it to your international flight. Ask about it in your free quote.
WHAT IS COVERED
Included and Not Included
Included
- All park entrance fees
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Full board on safari and at the beach
- Mzima Springs visit
- Transfer to the coast by road or SGR train
- Bottled drinking water throughout
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Diani to Nairobi flight
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Coast excursions
- Tips and gratuities
GOOD TO KNOW
Kenya Safari and Beach Holiday FAQs
Most guests fly from Ukunda airstrip or Mombasa to Nairobi in about an hour. The Madaraka Express train from Mombasa to Nairobi takes around five hours and is a comfortable, scenic option.
Your beach resort at Diani Beach is on full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Activities such as snorkelling trips and dhow cruises are paid locally.
Two nights give you a full day in each park with a picnic lunch, so you can explore further, such as Observation Hill in Amboseli and Lugard Falls in Tsavo East, instead of only passing through.
June to October and December to March are the best months, with dry weather for game viewing and calm seas at the coast. April and May bring the long rains.
This trip starts from $1,400 per person. The price depends on the season, the beach resort and your group size. See our Kenya safari cost calculator or request a free quote.
Yes. Watamu, Malindi or Zanzibar work well too. See our Zanzibar guide, and we will adjust the route and flights.
NO OBLIGATION
Enquire About This Safari
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability and a firm price within 24 hours.
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TAILOR MADE SAFARI
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