8-Day Masai Mara & Diani Bush & Beach Fly-In Safari

Masai Mara & Diani

Rates From $5,580

About This Tour

This classic journey balances the raw energy of Kenya’s premier wildlife reserve with the quiet relaxation of the Indian Ocean coastline. Designed primarily for couples and families seeking a classic, unhurried introduction to East Africa, the trip provides a seamless transition between two distinct ecosystems. Travelers experience world-class game viewing before flying directly to the coast to unwind.

The adventure begins with a flight from Nairobi into the heart of the Masai Mara for a three-night immersion among the resident wildlife. Days follow the natural rhythm of the wilderness with early morning and afternoon wildlife drives. From the open plains, a direct domestic flight carries travelers south to Diani Beach for four nights of coastal rest beside the warm ocean waters.

Travelers move between destinations with ease, utilizing scheduled flights to eliminate long road journeys. The pacing allows for deep exploration in the bush followed by completely open, unscheduled days by the sea. This balance ensures guests return home feeling thoroughly restored rather than fatigued by travel.

Our Community Impact

Every journey directly supports local communities by paying mandatory conservation fees that protect ancestral lands and sustain indigenous livelihoods. The safari prioritizes properties that hire staff from neighboring villages, ensuring that tourism revenue directly funds local families, health initiatives, and education.

Our Sustainability Promise

Johnbow partners exclusively with eco-conscious lodges that practice responsible waste management and actively reduce single-use plastics. By utilizing scheduled domestic flights and shared open-vehicle game drives, the itinerary minimizes the overall carbon footprint per traveler while protecting fragile wildlife habitats from overcrowding.

Why This Safari Works

The layout of this itinerary succeeds because it respects traveler energy levels and eliminates the exhaustion of long overland driving. Spending three full nights in the Masai Mara allows guests to settle into the wilderness without feeling rushed, maximizing their chances of witnessing diverse wildlife behaviors. Moving straight from the dusty savanna to a four-night coastal stay provides a profound physical and mental reset. It works exceptionally well for first-time safari guests and couples who want a mix of high-intensity wildlife viewing and total coastal relaxation. Gentle personalization, such as adding a hot air balloon flight, is easily accommodated.

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.

  • Beach Activities
  • Big Five Experience
  • Bush Breakfast / Bush Dinner
  • City Tours
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Flight Transfer (Fly-in)
  • Fly-In Safari
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Great Migration

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara
  • Day 2: Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Day 4: Masai Mara to Diani Beach
  • Day 5, 6 & 7: Diani Beach
  • Day 8: Diani Beach to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Diani Beach

Where You Stay

  • Masai Mara: Sand River Masai Mara (3 Nights)
  • Diani Beach: Nomad Beach Resort (4 Nights)

Safari Highlights

  • Flying over the Great Rift Valley on a scenic flight to the Mara.
  • Watching herds of elephants traverse the seasonal Sand River.
  • Experiencing morning light filtering across the open African savanna.
  • Toasting the sunset with a traditional drink in the middle of the bush.
  • Flying directly from the wild bush to the white sands of the coast.
  • Walking along the quiet, soft sands of Diani Beach.
  • Dining under the stars within sound of the breaking ocean waves.
  • Spotting resident pods of dolphins in the warm Indian Ocean waters.

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

8-Day Masai Mara & Diani Bush & Beach Fly-In Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Board a scheduled morning flight from Wilson Airport over the Rift Valley.

  • Touch down on the Mara plains and take a slow drive to camp.

  • Head out on an afternoon wildlife drive as the air cools.

Itinerary information

Travelers leave the bustle of Nairobi behind on a short, scenic flight that lands directly in the wilderness. After settling into the permanent tented camp, the first afternoon drive introduces the rich wildlife of the region. The day closes with a quiet dinner surrounded by the sounds of the bush.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Sand River Masai Mara

Itinerary Highlights

  • Set out into the dew-covered savanna during the crisp morning hours.

  • Watch apex predators tracking game across the golden grasslands.

  • Share stories over an outdoor lunch served beneath an acacia tree.

Itinerary information

The day follows the traditional safari rhythm, split between early morning and late afternoon excursions when wildlife is most active. Guides navigate the tracks to observe elephants, lions, and plains game going about their day. Midday hours are reserved for resting at the camp overlooking the river corridor.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Sand River Masai Mara

7 Day Amboseli & Masai Mara Fly In Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Enjoy a complete breakfast set up in a remote corner of the reserve.

  • Follow the river’s winding paths to spot resident hippo pods.

  • Watch the sky turn deep orange during a classic sundowner stop.

Itinerary information

A dedicated full day in the reserve provides the flexibility to venture deeper into outlying areas. Travelers spend hours observing complex wildlife interactions without a rigid schedule. The final evening in the Mara concludes with a peaceful drink out on the plains as dusk falls.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Sand River Masai Mara

Diani Beach

Itinerary Highlights

  • Take a final look at the savanna during the morning airstrip transfer.

  • Board the coastal flight and watch the landscape turn to blue ocean.

  • Step onto the white sands of Diani Beach by late afternoon.

Itinerary information

After a final breakfast in the bush, travelers board a scheduled flight out of the reserve. The plane leaves the grasslands behind and lands directly on the coast. Guests unpack for a multi-night stay, trading the sounds of cicadas for the rhythmic lap of the sea.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Nomad Beach Resort

7-Day Samburu, Laikipia and Masai Mara Fly-In Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Wake up to the gentle breeze blowing through the palms.

  • Walk along the soft shoreline before the midday heat arrives.

  • Dine on fresh, locally caught seafood right by the water.

Itinerary information

The coastal slowdown begins with a day entirely free of schedules. Travelers can swim in the warm Indian Ocean, lounge by the pool, or read a book under a shaded canopy. The atmosphere is completely relaxed, letting the impressions of the safari sink in.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Nomad Beach Resort

Itinerary Highlights

  • Enjoy a final tropical breakfast looking out at the sea.

  • Meet your driver for the short transfer to the local airstrip.

  • Fly back to Nairobi to connect with your onward travel.

Itinerary information

After checking out, a brief road transfer brings travelers to the airstrip for their flight back to Nairobi. The journey concludes upon arrival at the domestic hub, leaving guests ready for their international flights home.

  • Meals: Breakfast

  • Accommodation: End of Itinerary

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We intentionally choose scheduled flights for this bush and beach combination to save you twelve hours of bumpy road travel, preserving your energy for the wilderness and the waves. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

SeasonDate Range2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak Season1 July – 30 Sept, 2026$6,590$5,655$5,580

Important Rate Notes

  • Room rates and internal flight seats vary dynamically based on seasonal occupancy levels.
  • Single room supplements apply to solo travelers or bookings requiring separate rooms.
  • Child policies and age limits vary significantly across safari camps and require validation.
  • Internal flight schedules may shift slightly, but our ground team manages all adjustments seamlessly.

What's Included

  • Accommodation and Meals: 7 nights of accommodation on a full board meal plan as detailed.
  • Transport and Logistics: All airstrip, airport, and hotel transfers handled in private vehicles.
  • Internal Flights: Scheduled domestic flights connecting Nairobi, the Mara, and Diani Beach.
  • Park Fees and Activities: All reserve entry fees and twice-daily scheduled game drives.
  • Guiding and Support: Professional English-speaking local driver-guides and mineral water during drives.
  • Special Experiences: One bush breakfast or lunch experience and a sunset sundowner stop.

Optional Addons

  • Maasai Cultural Visit: Meet a local community to learn about traditional homestead life.
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari: Float over the Mara plains at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast.
  • Wasini Island Excursion: Board a dhow to snorkel and look for marine wildlife.
  • Bora Bora Wildlife Park: Take a guided walk through a preserved coastal forest sanctuary.

What's Not Included

  • International flights to and from Nairobi.
  • Entry visas for Kenya and personal travel or medical insurance.
  • Premium drinks, alcoholic beverages, and laundry services at the properties.
  • Tips, gratuities for guides and staff, and personal spending money.
  • Midday picnic lunch boxes on transfer days.
  • Costs for any optional excursions or activities chosen on-site.

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

Driving between these two points requires an exhausting two-day overland journey back through Nairobi. Flying takes less than two hours, which saves you an entire day of travel and allows you to go from a morning game drive straight to an afternoon walk on the beach.
Because the internal flights use smaller aircraft, there is a strict limit of 15kg (33lbs) per person, and bags must be soft-sided. Soft duffel bags pack easily into the tight cargo holds, whereas hard plastic suitcases cannot fit and will be rejected at the gate.
The migration herds typically visit the Mara between July and October. However, this itinerary works beautifully year-round because the Sand River area hosts exceptional resident lion prides, leopards, and elephants that stay in the territory permanently, even when the migratory herds are away.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

info@johnbowtoursandtravel.com
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 3rd Floor Room 3-8. Moi Avenue, Nairobi