8-Day Laikipia, Masai Mara & Watamu Safari & Beach Escape

Laikipia, Masai Mara & Watamu

Rates From $7,360

LuxuryMulti-DestinationPrivateSafari & Beach7–9 DaysKenya
Explore Kenya Safaris

About This Tour

This eight-day journey balances deep wilderness conservation with a relaxing coastal finish. It serves couples and small groups who appreciate both active wildlife encounters and slow-paced beach relaxation. The journey begins in the high plains of Laikipia, moves into the classic savannah of the Masai Mara, and finishes along the quiet shores of Watamu.

Travelers experience a smooth rhythm as they fly between distinct ecosystems. The trip blends guided wilderness exploration with unstructured coastal downtime. Comfort remains steady throughout the route, ensuring guests stay refreshed between activities.

Our Community Impact

This itinerary supports local livelihoods by sourcing guiding expertise and hospitality from communities bordering the conservancies. Your visit directly contributes to local employment and helps fund community-led education and healthcare initiatives near the parks.

Our Sustainability Promise

Johnbow partners exclusively with eco-certified properties that practice strict waste management and utilize renewable solar energy. A portion of every booking fee goes directly toward local anti-poaching units and wildlife habitat protection.

Why This Safari Works

The itinerary avoids travel fatigue by replacing long, dusty road drives with quick internal flights. It opens with an active focus on conservation in Laikipia, peaks with classic wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara, and naturally slows down on the coast. This deliberate pacing ensures travelers return home feeling rested rather than exhausted. It works best for first-time African travelers and couples wanting a diverse but unhurried holiday. Mild personalization is easily accommodated for daily activities.

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
  • Big Five Experience
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Great Migration
  • Group Travel
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
  • Luxury Safari
  • Photography Safaris
  • Private Safari
  • Private Vehicle
  • Road Transfer
  • Solo Traveller

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi National Park game drive and overnight stay
  • Day 2: Flight from Nairobi to Laikipia
  • Day 3: Full day of conservation activities in Laikipia
  • Day 4: Flight from Laikipia to the Masai Mara
  • Day 5: Full day of wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara
  • Day 6: Flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi, connection to Malindi, and transfer to Watamu
  • Day 7: Full day at leisure in Watamu
  • Day 8: Transfer to Malindi for your flight back to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Nairobi National Park
  • Laikipia Plateau
  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Watamu Marine National Park

Where You Stay

  • Radisson Blu, Nairobi (1 Night)
  • Loisaba Tented Camp, Laikipia (2 Nights)
  • Sala’s Camp, Masai Mara (2 Nights)
  • Hemingways Watamu, Watamu (2 Nights)

Safari Highlights

  • Spotting wild rhinos against a backdrop of city skyscrapers in Nairobi.
  • Flying over the dramatic ridges of the Great Rift Valley.
  • Tracking wildlife alongside specialized anti-poaching sniffer dogs.
  • Exploring the wild Laikipia plains on an eco-friendly electric bicycle.
  • Sharing a beautiful outdoor sundowner drink as the sun sets over the bush.
  • Watching predators patrol the open savannah of the Masai Mara.
  • Sipping a morning coffee while looking out at the Indian Ocean.
  • Walking along the soft, protected white sands of Watamu beach.

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Urban safari drive among rhinos and lions.

  • Stark contrast of wildlife against a city skyline.

  • Relaxed evening in a comfortable capital hotel.

Itinerary information

The journey opens in Nairobi with an afternoon drive through the world’s only park inside a capital city. Travelers often spot endangered black rhinos, giraffes, and lions roaming just miles from downtown skyscrapers. The evening is spent relaxing at your city hotel, adjusting to the African time zone.

  • Meals: Dinner

  • Accommodation: Radisson Blu

7-Day Samburu & Masai Mara Luxury Fly Inn Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Scenic flight north toward Mount Kenya.

  • Arriving at a vast, private wilderness sanctuary.

  • Night game drive searching for rare nocturnal species.

Itinerary information

Board a morning flight from Nairobi up to the rugged Laikipia plateau. The landscape changes from city lines to expansive, golden plains broken by rocky ridges. After settling into camp, head out for a night drive to see unique nocturnal creatures like leopards and bushbabies.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Loisaba Tented Camp

3-Day Samburu Kenya Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Meeting dedicated anti-poaching sniffer dog teams.

  • Guided bush walk with an expert local tracker.

  • Cycling across the plains on an electric mountain bike.

Itinerary information

Spend a full day interacting closely with local conservation efforts. You will visit the resident canine unit to see how sniffer dogs protect local wildlife. Later, choose between a quiet walking safari, a horse ride, or a cycle ride across the plateau.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Loisaba Tented Camp

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

Itinerary Highlights

  • Airstrip transfer and flight to the southern savannah.

  • First glimpse of the endless Mara plains.

  • Evening drive as predators begin their nightly hunt.

Itinerary information

Fly south across the equator into the legendary Masai Mara. The open grasslands here host some of the densest wildlife concentrations on earth. Arrive at your riverfront camp in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon drive to spot lions, elephants, and cheetahs.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Sala’s Camp

8-Day Masai Mara and Watamu Beach Escape

Itinerary Highlights

  • Sunrise drive across the sweeping grasslands.

  • Traditional outdoor breakfast served under an acacia tree.

  • Observing complex herd dynamics along the riverbanks.

Itinerary information

An early start brings you into the savannah just as the wildlife wakes up. Enjoy a classic bush breakfast out in the wild, surrounded by grazing herds. Spend the rest of the day tracking big cats and observing elephants along the river paths.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Sala’s Camp

Watamu Beach

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final morning drive through the Mara savannah.

  • Connecting flights via Nairobi to the Kenyan coast.

  • Warm evening welcome by the Indian Ocean.

Itinerary information

Leave the bush behind as you take a flight back to Nairobi, connecting directly to Malindi on the coast. A short road transfer brings you to Watamu, where the cool sea breeze and crashing waves offer a complete change of pace.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Hemingways Watamu

1-Day Malindi/Watamu Marine Park Snorkeling & Glass-Bottom Boat Getaway

Itinerary Highlights

  • Unstructured day to relax by the ocean.

  • Optional marine park snorkeling or dhow sailing.

  • Fresh seafood dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Itinerary information

Enjoy a full day to unwind exactly as you please. Relax on the white sand beach, swim in the warm pool, or take a walk along the marine reserve. The day feels wonderfully slow and peaceful.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Hemingways Watamu

5 Day Watamu New Year’s Beach Holiday

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final morning stroll along the white sand beach.

  • Transfer to Malindi for your regional flight.

  • Arrival in Nairobi for your international flight home.

Itinerary information

After breakfast, take a last look at the ocean before transferring to Malindi airport. Your flight delivers you back to Nairobi’s main international airport, perfectly timed for your onward journey home.

  • Meals: Breakfast

  • Accommodation: End of Itinerary (No overnight stay)

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We love how this route balances high-energy wildlife tracking with a deep coastal rest. Flying instead of driving saves your energy for the beautiful experiences. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

Guests2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak Season – 1 July – 31 Oct$7,445$ 7,380$ 7,360

Important Rate Notes

  • Internal flights have a strict luggage limit of 15 kilograms per person in soft bags.
  • Lodge substitutions of an equal standard may occur if the primary options are full.
  • Child policies vary by property and can impact the final family price.
  • Single room supplements apply to solo travelers during peak travel seasons.

What's Included

  • Accommodation and meals: All accommodation nights and daily meals as listed across the route.
  • Transport and logistics: All airport and airstrip transfers as costed in the itinerary.
  • Park fees and activities: All national park entrance fees, conservancy fees, and scheduled game drives.
  • Internal flights: All scheduled domestic flights between Nairobi, Laikipia, Masai Mara, and Malindi.
  • Specialty activities: Anti-poaching dog experience, guided walks, night drives, and electric bike use.
  • Guiding and support: Professional English-speaking driver-guides and bottled drinking water during safaris.
  • Bush volleyball (seasonal), nature walks,

Optional Addons

  • Early morning hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains.
  • Guided cultural visit to a traditional Maasai homestead.
  • Dhow sailing and snorkeling excursions inside Watamu Marine Park.

What's Not Included

  • International airline flights and entry visas for Kenya.
  • Personal travel insurance and medical trip coverage.
  • Premium drinks such as champagne, luxury spirits, and selected vintage wines.
  • Discretionary tips and gratuities for safari guides and camp staff.
  • Personal expenses like souvenir shopping, spa treatments, and laundry.

Plan your journey

Practical reading to help you compare routes, timing and costs.

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

The e-bikes are premium mountain bikes fitted with electric motors that assist your pedaling. An armed expert guide rides with you to ensure your safety as you navigate the open dirt trails and wildlife paths.
Yes, the handlers set up a realistic demonstration where the sniffer dogs track a hidden scent across the bush. You get to watch their incredible accuracy up close and chat with the rangers about their daily wildlife protection work.
The small bush planes have strict weight limits and small cargo holds. If your international bags exceed 15 kilograms or are rigid, we can securely store your extra luggage at our Nairobi office and hand it back when you return from the coast.

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 profile picture
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 profile picture
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.