6-Day Masai Mara and Malindi Photographer’s Bush & Beach Safari

Masai Mara National Reserve, Malindi

Rates From $3,000

About This Tour

This photography-led journey balances the raw energy of the Masai Mara with the quiet coastal light of Malindi. It is designed for travellers who value steady pacing and the time needed to capture the changing moods of the Kenyan landscape. The rhythm is intentional, allowing for deep immersion in the bush before transitioning to a restorative seaside finish.

The journey begins with a road transfer into the heart of the Mara plains for focused wildlife observation. After the intensity of the savanna, a flight connects the safari to the white sands and blue waters of the coast. This sequence ensures a gradual slowdown, moving from the active early mornings of the bush to the relaxed afternoons by the ocean.

Every transition is managed to maintain a sense of calm and comfort. The blend of road and air travel reduces fatigue while providing different perspectives of the country. It offers a grounded experience that prioritises natural beauty and unhurried movement.

Our Community Impact

Johnbow prioritises lodges that actively employ from local communities, ensuring the benefits of tourism stay within the region. Your stay contributes to community levy fees that support local infrastructure and education projects near the Masai Mara. We believe in quiet, tangible contributions that respect the people living alongside these wild spaces.

Our Sustainability Promise

We partner with properties that demonstrate a commitment to low-impact operations and sustainable energy use. By including conservancy fees in your package, we help fund the protection of vital wildlife corridors. Our goal is to provide a premium experience that leaves a minimal footprint on the natural environment.

Why This Safari Works

The itinerary is built on a logic of contrast and recovery. By starting in the Masai Mara, guests engage with the highest energy wildlife experiences while their focus is fresh. The mid-trip flight to Malindi removes the strain of long-distance driving, acting as a soft bridge between two very different environments. This structure respects the traveller’s energy levels and ensures the safari ends on a note of complete rest. It works best for photography enthusiasts, couples, and those seeking a balanced, midrange pace.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Beach Activities
  • Big Five Experience
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Flight Transfer (Fly-in)
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Great Migration
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara by road
  • Day 2: Masai Mara Experience
  • Day 3: Masai Mara to Nairobi for flight connection in JKIA
  • Day 4: Malindi
  • Day 5: Malindi
  • Day 6: Malindi to Nairobi by flight

Destinations

  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Malindi Coast

Where You Stay

  • Soroi Luxury Migration Camp (2 Nights)
  • Diamonds Dream of Africa Malindi (3 Nights)

Safari Highlights

  • Soft morning light across the open Mara plains
  • Deep immersion in the world of the Big Five
  • Quiet evenings by the campfire at Soroi
  • A scenic flight from the bush to the coast
  • The transition from golden savanna to white sands
  • The transition from golden savanna to white sands
  • The steady rhythm of guided game drives
  • Lakeside calm and coastal breeze

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Drive through the Great Rift Valley

  • First afternoon game drive in the Mara

  • Sunsets over the savanna

Itinerary information

The journey begins with a road transfer from Nairobi, descending the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley. The landscape opens into the wide plains of the Masai Mara, where the first afternoon is spent observing wildlife in their natural habitat. The pace is steady, allowing for a calm introduction to the bush.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Soroi Luxury Migration Camp

Itinerary Highlights

  • Full day of photography and wildlife viewing

  • Observations of predators and plains game

  • Afternoon tea and campfire nibbles

Itinerary information

A full day is dedicated to the rhythms of the Masai Mara. Game drives follow the movement of the herds, focusing on the soft light of the early morning and late afternoon, which is ideal for photography. The day feels full but unhurried, with time to appreciate the small details of the ecosystem.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Soroi Luxury Migration Camp

Departure to Nairobi

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final morning game drive
  • Flight connection through Nairobi
  • Arrival at the Indian Ocean coast

Itinerary information

After a final morning in the bush, the safari moves toward the coast via a flight through Nairobi. The air transition offers a quick shift from the golden tones of the Mara to the vibrant blues of Malindi. The evening is spent settling into the coastal atmosphere.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Diamonds Dream of Africa

Itinerary Highlights

  • Restorative days by the sea
  • Optional water activities or town visits
  • Unlimited selected drinks and relaxation

Itinerary information

These days are designed for complete rest. The pace slows significantly, allowing guests to enjoy the beachfront ease and the resort’s amenities. It is a time to reflect on the safari experiences while enjoying the warmth of the coast.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Diamonds Dream of Africa
5 -Day Tsavo, Elephant & Beach Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Quiet morning on the beach
  • Flight back to Nairobi
  • Final transfers for onward travel

Itinerary information

The journey concludes with a final morning by the ocean before a flight back to Nairobi. All transfers are assisted to ensure a smooth transition for your departure.

  • Meals: Breakfast

  • Accommodation: End of Safari

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We designed this route to balance the high-energy photography of the Mara with a soft coastal landing, ensuring you return home feeling rested rather than fatigued. ❞

~Johnbow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

SeasonDate Range2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak SeasobnJuly – Oct, 2026$3,335$3,095$3,000

Important Rate Notes

  • Rates vary based on seasonal availability and rooming configurations.
  • Single room supplements may apply for solo travellers.
  • Child policies differ across lodges and require confirmation at the time of booking
  • Internal flight times may vary, but all connections are fully assisted

What's Included

  • Accommodation and meals as listed
  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser for all ground transport
  • All ground and airstrip transfers
  • Internal flight tickets from Mara to Malindi and back to Nairobi
  • Game drives in Masai Mara
  • All national park and community levy fees
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Bottled water in the safari vehicle

Optional Addons

  • Hot Air Balloon Safari in the Masai Mara
  • Guided Malindi town and heritage tour
  • Snorkelling or diving excursions in Malindi
  • Lodge room upgrades

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa fees
  • Premium spirits, whiskies, and select wines
  • Gratuities and tips for guides and staff
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

This itinerary is well-suited for families with older children who appreciate a mix of active wildlife viewing and beach relaxation.
Yes, all domestic flights between the Masai Mara, Nairobi, and Malindi are included in the package price.
You will have a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, specifically designed for unobstructed photography in the bush.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

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Dorcas Munga profile picture
Dorcas Munga
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Great planning and communication. My trips have been smooth. All expectations met 💯
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Mike Bourassa profile picture
Mike Bourassa
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Our driver, Patrick, made the experience even more special with his outgoing personality and his knowledge of each park. He always made certain that he positioned his vehicle just right so we could get a perfect photo. He shared a lot about African culture an answered our questions. His keen eye spotted a cheetah from a long distance and we experienced the animal stalk and catch his prey (only to have a hyena steal it from him at the end). The accommodations were excellent at Massai Mara but were a bit too primitive at Amboseli. The large openings between the sleeping area and the bathroom brought way too many bugs into the tent. Wonderful memories of the entire experience!! We hope to come back next year and Patrick will be our choice of guide.
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Kate Mandere
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Wonderful team, very warm, helpful and well coordinated!
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Emmy Chepkoech
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I recently booked my 1st trip with Johnbow Tours and Travel and it was an outstanding experience from the start to finish. The team was professional, well-organised, helpful and incredibly friendly. Transfer to my hotel room and back was handled smoothly allowing us to relax and enjoy our journey. The fact that they allow lipa mdogo mdogo was not overwhelming paying for the package...I can't wait to book again with Johnbow 😊
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Gloria Kikete
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Jonbow has offers seamless travel service with a personal touch.
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Lolo Chgn profile picture
Lolo Chgn
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Safaris de 5 jours depart Nairobi et arrivée à Diani beach Visite des parcs d’amboseli, tsavo ouest et est , t.hills Découverte d une faune magnifique Notre chauffeur Chombo a tout fait pour rechercher les animaux et il était à notre écoute ! Dépaysement total garanti Les hôtels étaient tout confort avec des conditions d’alimentation en eau et électricité précaire ! Nous remercions vraiment Morris et Chombo pour ce magnifique Safari
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Irene Nduku
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Excellent services, the team was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond to meet my need.Their service was prompt and effective. I highly recommend
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Cheyenne van den B profile picture
Cheyenne van den B
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We had a two day tour with Johnbow Tours & Travel to Tsavo West. The park itself is not that good to be honest, but we stayed at Salt Lick lodge and that was amazing. The animals are coming so close to the lodge, it is really beautiful to see. The driver Pius was also really nice and he had a lot of knowledge about the animals. I have been in contact with Morris and that was also really pleasant because of the arrangement we had.
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virginia mumo
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As a team of 12pax..we had an exceptional good experience with the Johnbow team. Well informed and humble team who contributed a lot to an enjoyable trip and creating memories.
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Stay06810033473
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Customer Servive Customer service was great!Communication was timely and effective especially as there were some flight changes.Either way the bookings were perfect, customer service was exceptional and we even got a treat for our anniversary, at no extra costElijah and Sam were very helpful.
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Annette M profile picture
Annette M
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Exceptional Experience with Johnbow Tours and Travel! I had an unforgettable trip to Bali and Thailand, the guides were amazing, the places beautiful and the itinerary on point. Bali has very many temples and beautiful rice terraces, the swings and sunset views unforgettable. thank you Johnbow for the tour.
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KSP
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Memorable Safari with a Great Team and Guide We had a really good experience with Johnbow Tours during our Kenya safari. Morris, our main point of contact, was communicative and professional throughout. He stayed in touch via WhatsApp both before and during the trip, answering all our questions quickly and clearly, which gave us a lot of confidence going in.The pricing felt fair for what we received, and the Land Cruiser was comfortable, especially considering the long drives. They also provided snacks at the start of the trip upon request, which was thoughtful.Our guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals and shared interesting facts about everything we saw. We had plenty of game drives and were lucky to spot a wide variety of wildlife.The only small issue was around water. We had been told water would be included throughout, but at a couple of the lodges, we were charged for drinking water, tea, or coffee during meals. It wasn’t a big deal, but having clarity on that from the start would’ve been helpful.Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable safari. The team was dependable, the schedule was well planned, and we felt taken care of from start to finish. I’d absolutely recommend Johnbow to anyone planning a private safari in Kenya.
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Alain V profile picture
Alain V
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A great experience, a must for everyone who reads this Jonbow, our driver who has the same name as the agency, took very good care of us. He was on time for the appointment. Once on the road he was super attentive. In the park he was always the first to spot the game. He gave us very good explanations about all the animals we saw. No effort was too much to make us spot all the game. Super friendly and helpful guy. He operates from Mombasa/Diani Beach. He made sure that our safari will remain unforgettable.
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winnie a
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Dubai tour 2024 was a birthday gift to my son who turned lucky number seven. I writing to thank you for coordinating our trip to UAE, dubai. Everything was perfect; the flight, the hotel was clean and all staff were friendly and professional. Special thanks to Mary Gathua as she was the one who coordinated everything for us.The tour guides were excellent! They made things as easy for us as possible. I really appreciate these and that indicate the quality services that they provide.We had dubai town tour and our guide, Mr. Albert did exceptionally well. We learnt about the origin of UAE and the important features in dubai. We had dhow cruise with dinner, and the dessert safari with dinner.Desert safari was the best of the trip (the driver , Mr . Zaheer was very professional, and the overall experience was thrilling and amazing). The desert safari remains in my priority to do list when I visit dubai next.I would certainly recommend Johnbow Tours and travel to anyone wanting to visit Dubai. Thank you again and look forward to plan our next vacation with you.
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maryanne o
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Awesome Best tour company ..travelled to Dubai in Emirates .Booked the best hotel in Dubai..Johnbow staff are friendly and accommodatve I rate them10/10 they're affordable too .
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M A
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Superb service Happy New Year! Eunice managed our travel plans superbly, and I’m grateful. Our stay at Pride Inn was delightful; the staff’s service, food, attention, and entertainment made our holiday special and memorable. Thanks again for your excellent services.
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gladys n
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Efficient Eunice of John Bow ,was pretty helpful from getting us a hotel to SGR tickets, and transfers to the hotel.She also called to ensure we arrived safely.I loved the seamless process and especially because we chat on whatsapp mostly. Johnbow tours keep their word! I would choose them again.
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Christine N profile picture
Christine N
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Awesome experience This travel company was very efficient. I engaged them on whatsapp in the morning and by afternoon they had finalised everything including the sgr tickets. Their staff Eunice was readily available even at night because we did night travel. And early morning at 4 am, she called to find out if the driver had picked us. I would recommend them anytime
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Sabina M
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It was a time of relaxation and fun. The trip was well planned from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. We had so much fun and took so many photos. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants and other animals. If we could do it again, we would still chose Johnbow tours and travel.
info@johnbowtoursandtravel.com
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 3rd Floor Room 3-8. Moi Avenue, Nairobi