9-Day Samburu, Masai Mara & Diani Safari and Beach Experience

Samburu, Masai Mara & Diani

Rates From $2,317

About This Tour

A classic Kenyan journey unfolds across distinct ecosystems, pairing remote northern wilderness with legendary savannahs and a quiet ocean retreat. The expedition balances dramatic wildlife observation with deep physical relaxation, creating an ideal escape for couples and families who appreciate a steady, calm travel pace.

Travelers journey from the arid red crust of Samburu into the private conservation lands of Laikipia, before flying south to the wide plains of the Masai Mara and concluding along the white sands of Diani. Each transition introduces a new rhythm, moving seamlessly from active bush exploration to peaceful coastal rest.

The journey prioritizes comfort and steady pacing, utilizing exceptional mid-range accommodations that emphasize local hospitality and scenic locations. Guests experience the genuine warmth of traditional guiding, ensuring a reassuring sense of security and immersion throughout the entire loop.

Our Community Impact

This itinerary actively supports local livelihoods by sourcing accommodation from properties that prioritize indigenous employment. Bed fees and conservation levies directly fund community-led infrastructure, supporting local schools and healthcare initiatives outside the main reserve borders.

Our Sustainability Promise

JohnBow Tours and Travel selects eco-certified partners dedicated to low-impact operations. The featured lodges use solar power systems, enforce strict plastic-free policies, and actively support indigenous reforestation projects to protect fragile habitats.

Why This Safari Works

The architecture of this route minimizes travel fatigue through an intentional combination of overland drives and strategic domestic flights. Beginning in the dry northern territories allows guests to acclimatize gently while observing rare localized wildlife species. Moving onward into a private Laikipia conservation area offers exclusive, crowd-free walking excursions that break the traditional vehicle-bound routine. The journey reaches its wildlife peak in the rich Masai Mara ecosystem before a direct flight transports travellers to the coast, replacing a grueling full-day drive with a swift, comfortable transition straight to the ocean breeze. This thoughtful layout ensures energy levels remain high, perfectly balancing intense game viewing with restorative beach relaxation. It serves as a seamless entry point for first-time safari goers and multi-generational families.

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.

  • All-Inclusive
  • All-Inclusive Meals
  • Beach Activities
  • Big Five Experience
  • Boat Safaris
  • Children Allowed
  • City Tours
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family Safari
  • Flight Transfer (Fly-in)
  • Fly-In Safari
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
  • Luxury Safari
  • Photography Safaris
  • Rhino Tracking
  • Spa & Wellness

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
  • Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
  • Day 3: Samburu to Laikipia
  • Day 4: Full Day in Laikipia
  • Day 5: Laikipia to Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara
  • Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi JKIA for flight connection to Diani
  • Day 8: Full Day in Diani
  • Day 9: Diani to Nairobi by flight

Destinations

  • Samburu National Reserve
  • Laikipia Plateau
  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Diani Beach

Where You Stay

  • Night 1 & 2: Samburu Simba Lodge
  • Night 3 & 4: Ol Gaboli Community Lodge
  • Night 5 & 6: Enkorok Mara Camp
  • Night 7 & 8: Diani Sea Resort

Safari Highlights

  • Watching the morning sun highlight the red earth of the Samburu wilderness.
  • Tracking the specialized northern endemic species along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
  • Walking quietly through the private community-owned conservation lands of Laikipia.
  • Enjoying an open-air bush dinner under a vast starlit northern sky.
  • Witnessing the grand expanse of the gold-hued Masai Mara savannah.
  • Spotting predators resting under solitary acacia trees during afternoon drives.
  • Feeling the smooth white sand and warm turquoise water of Diani Beach.
  • Flying low over the Great Rift Valley during scenic domestic flight transfers.

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Smooth morning drive past the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya.

  • Arrival at the lodge in time for a refreshing lunch.

  • First afternoon game drive as the wilderness temperature begins to drop.

Itinerary information

The journey begins with a scenic drive northward from the capital, watching the green central highlands transform into semi-arid northern plains. Arriving at the lodge, the dry, warm air carries the distinct scent of the wild bush. An afternoon drive introduces the rugged beauty of the reserve, where doum palms line the life-giving river. Golden light bathes the unique terrain as animals emerge to feed.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Early morning search for rare northern wildlife specialities.

  • Midday relaxation overlooking the scenic riverbanks.

  • Sunset game drive across the distinctive red-dirt plains.

Itinerary information

A full day reveals the unique character of this northern ecosystem. Game drives focus on tracking the localized species unique to this region, including the reticular giraffe and grevy’s zebra. The morning hours offer the best opportunity to observe predators on the move. Returning to the lodge, guests enjoy a quiet afternoon watching elephants bathe in the brown river waters.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Short transition drive into the spectacular Laikipia plateau.

  • Warm welcome by community hosts at a unique eco-lodge.

  • Guided evening walk to learn about local plant medicine.

Itinerary information

The route climbs gently onto the high-altitude plateau of Laikipia, a region famed for its innovative community conservation success. The landscape shifts toward open bushland and rocky kopjes. Guests settle into an authentic community-owned lodge built beside a flowing river. The evening brings a slower pace, exploring the immediate surroundings on foot accompanied by local guardians.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Ol Gaboli Community Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Morning guided bush trek along the river corridors.

  • Interactive visit to a community-led livestock and wildlife project.

  • Peaceful sundowner atop a rocky viewpoint overlooking the plains.

Itinerary information

This day emphasizes a deeper connection with the land and its people. A guided morning walk offers a sensory experience, focusing on animal tracks, birdsong, and traditional bushcraft. The afternoon provides insights into how local communities harmoniously manage livestock alongside wild predators. The day concludes with a quiet drink on a high ridge as twilight settles over the plateau.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Ol Gaboli Community Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Scenic drive across the dramatic Great Rift Valley floor.

  • Afternoon entry into the world-renowned Masai Mara ecosystem.

  • Evening campfire stories under the vast African night sky.

Itinerary information

The safari moves south across the iconic rift valley landscape before rising onto the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara. The immense scale of the savannah becomes immediately apparent as thousands of herbivores dot the horizon. Guests reach the tented camp tucked into the riverine forest. The night begins with the ambient sounds of the bush echoing through the canvas walls.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Enkorok Mara

Itinerary Highlights

  • Sunrise game drive across the endless savannah pathways.

  • Picnic lunch served under a solitary wild balanites tree.

  • Late afternoon search for resident big cats and large elephant herds.

Itinerary information

An immersive full day exploring one of the most productive wildlife zones on earth. The morning drive searches for lions, leopards, and cheetahs returning from night hunts. The vast plains provide exceptional visibility, allowing guests to watch natural animal behaviors unfold without rush. A picnic lunch out on the plains ensures maximum time is spent deep within the reserve.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Enkorok Mara

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final short morning drive out of the plains.

  • Domestic flight connection via Nairobi to the Kenyan coast.

  • First evening stroll along the soft sands of the Indian Ocean.

Itinerary information

A morning flight carries guests away from the wild plains back toward Nairobi for a swift connection down to the coast. The crisp bush air is replaced by the warm, humid breeze of the Indian Ocean. Arriving at Diani, the contrast is striking as turquoise waters replace golden grasslands. The evening is spent unwinding on the beach as the waves roll in.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Diani Sea Resort

Itinerary Highlights

  • Breakfast overlooking the sparkling ocean waters.

  • Optional snorkeling or dhow sailing across the coral reef.

  • Peaceful relaxation under the shade of coastal palm trees.

Itinerary information

A completely open day dedicated to coastal rest and personal rejuvenation. Guests can swim in the warm ocean, lounge by the pool, or walk along the expansive shoreline. The resort provides an array of amenities and unlimited selected drinks, allowing for total peace of mind. The pace is entirely dictated by personal preference, celebrating a beautiful end to the journey.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (including selected drinks)

  • Accommodation: Diani Sea Resort

Itinerary Highlights

  • Relaxed morning enjoying the resort facilities.

  • Afternoon transfer to the local airstrip for the flight to Nairobi.

  • Arrival at JKIA in time for onward international flight connections.

Itinerary information

The final morning allows for a last swim or souvenir shopping along the beach. An afternoon transfer leads to the airstrip for a comfortable domestic flight back to Nairobi. Arriving at the international airport, guests connect seamlessly to their homeward flights, carrying vivid memories of northern deserts, wild plains, and tropical shores.

  • Meals: Breakfast

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We designed this itinerary specifically to solve the common issue of safari burnout; combining road travel in the north with internal flights down south preserves your comfort perfectly. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

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Important Rate Notes

  • Room configurations vary across mid-range properties and triple rooms are often limited.
  • Single room supplements apply to bookings with an odd number of adult travellers.
  • Child policies differ significantly between properties and specific age limits will be verified during booking.
  • Internal airline baggage allowances are strictly limited to fifteen kilograms per passenger in soft bags.

What's Included

  • All accommodation nights and full board meals as listed.
  • Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser for all mainland road transport.
  • All airport and airstrip transfers throughout the itinerary.
  • Unlimited selected beverages during the stay at Diani Sea Resort.
  • Daily scheduled game drives and guided community bush walks.
  • National park, reserve, and community conservation entry fees.
  • Scheduled domestic flights from Masai Mara to Nairobi and Diani.
  • Services of a certified professional English-speaking driver-guide.

Optional Addons

  • Hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains on Day 6.
  • Guided day trip to a traditional Maasai cultural village.
  • Half-day scuba diving or deep-sea fishing excursion in Diani.
  • Professional private photography vehicle upgrade in Samburu.

What's Not Included

  • International flight tickets and corresponding airport departure taxes.
  • Entry visa fees for the Republic of Kenya.
  • Comprehensive personal travel and medical insurance policies.
  • Premium alcoholic beverages, spirits, and specialized bottled wines.
  • Voluntary tips and gratuities for safari guides and lodge staff.
  • Laundry services at the mid-range community properties.

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

Laikipia operates under private and community conservation models, which means vehicles can drive off-road for closer tracking and guests can legally walk through the bush. National reserves have strict rules prohibiting walking, so Laikipia offers a rare physical freedom that balances the traditional vehicle-bound safari experience.
Samburu is home to the “Special Five”—animals adapted to arid environments that do not inhabit the Masai Mara. These include the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and the long-necked gerenuk, which stands on its hind legs to browse.
The small domestic aircraft servicing the bush airstrips have small cargo holds and enforce a strict fifteen-kilogram limit per person. Soft-sided duffel bags are required because rigid suitcases cannot physically fit into the planes, meaning heavy items should be left at the Nairobi base or packed lightly.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

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