10 Days Kenya Bush and Beach: Safari & Diani Beach Holiday

The 10 days Kenya Bush and Beach safari is the perfect Kenya holiday for travellers who want the full African experience — dramatic wildlife in some of the world’s greatest game parks, followed by pure relaxation on the white-sand shores of the Indian Ocean. This expertly paced itinerary begins in Nairobi, carries you west into the Masai Mara’s lion-rich savannah, south through the freshwater paradise of Lake Naivasha, into the elephant kingdom of Amboseli beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, and finally east to the turquoise waters and coral reefs of Diani Beach. Ten days, two completely different worlds, one extraordinary Kenya journey. Blue Lilac Tours & Travel designs this safari for individuals, couples, and families.

Why Kenya’s Bush and Beach Is One of Africa’s Great Holidays

Kenya is one of the very few countries on earth where you can be tracking lions on a sunlit savannah in the morning and sipping a cocktail on a pristine Indian Ocean beach three days later. The contrast is visceral and deeply satisfying — the sensory intensity of the bush (dust, heat, the smell of acacia, the raw drama of predator and prey) gives way to the cool sea breeze, white sand, and the kaleidoscopic underwater world of Kenya’s fringing coral reef. The two halves make each other richer, and the transition feels earned.

Diani Beach, on Kenya’s South Coast, is consistently ranked among Africa’s finest beaches. Its 17 km of powdery coral sand, turquoise shallow lagoon protected by a fringing reef, and a thriving beach village atmosphere make it the ideal landing point after a week in the bush. Add world-class snorkelling, dolphin-watching dhow trips, and some of East Africa’s best seafood, and the beach section of this itinerary becomes an experience in its own right.

10 Days Kenya Bush & Beach — Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer to your Nairobi hotel. Afternoon orientation — optional Giraffe Centre visit or Nairobi National Park Day Trip. Safari briefing over dinner. Overnight Nairobi.

Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

Early breakfast and departure south-west via Narok and the Rift Valley escarpment. Arrive Masai Mara early afternoon. Check in to your Mara camp or lodge. Afternoon game drive across the Mara’s golden savannah. Dinner and overnight in the Mara.

Day 3: Full Day in the Masai Mara

Pre-dawn start for the 06:00 morning game drive — the prime time for lion, cheetah, and leopard sightings. Full day exploring the Mara ecosystem with your expert guide. Afternoon drive in golden light. The Mara is at its most spectacular in the late afternoon when the sun turns the grass amber and lion prides begin to stir. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

Morning game drive in the Mara (06:00–08:30). Check out after breakfast, drive north-east to Lake Naivasha (approx. 2.5 hours). Arrive mid-afternoon. Guided boat ride on the lake — hippos, fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons in spectacular abundance. Optional Crescent Island bush walk. Dinner and overnight at your Naivasha lodge.

Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park

Morning Crescent Island walk or second boat trip. Check out and drive south-east to Amboseli (approx. 4–5 hours via Nairobi). Arrive mid-afternoon. Late afternoon game drive — elephant families at the swamps, Kilimanjaro views, and the extraordinary open landscape of the Amboseli floodplain. Dinner and overnight Amboseli.

Day 6: Full Day in Amboseli National Park

Pre-dawn 06:00 game drive for the iconic Kilimanjaro sunrise with elephants in the foreground. Spend the morning hour at the swamps photographing elephant herds, hippos, and wading birds. Track lions and cheetahs across the open plains. Full breakfast, midday rest, afternoon drive (14:00–18:30). Dinner and overnight Amboseli.

Day 7: Amboseli to Diani Beach

Final morning game drive in Amboseli (06:00–08:30). Check out and drive east to Diani Beach on the South Coast (approx. 4.5–5 hours via Emali and Mombasa). Alternatively, take a charter flight to Ukunda airstrip (approx. 1.5 hours). Arrive at your Diani beach resort by mid-afternoon. Check in and enjoy your first sunset on the Indian Ocean. Welcome seafood dinner at the resort. Overnight Diani.

Days 8–9: Diani Beach at Leisure

Two full days to relax, explore, and enjoy everything Diani has to offer:

• Snorkelling and diving — Diani Reef supports a rich coral ecosystem with hawksbill turtles, moray eels, and hundreds of reef fish species.
• Dolphin dhow trip — Traditional sailing dhow excursion into the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for dolphin watching and snorkelling.
• Shimba Hills day trip — The nearby Shimba Hills National Reserve is home to the rare sable antelope and offers dramatic coastal-forest wildlife.
• Kite surfing and water sports — Diani’s consistent south-east trade wind makes it a world-class kite-surfing destination.
• Beach walks and restaurants — Diani’s 17 km of coral-sand beach is lined with excellent restaurants, beach bars, and craft markets.

Day 10: Return to Nairobi or International Departure

Morning at leisure on the beach. Transfer to Ukunda airstrip for a short flight to Nairobi (approx. 1 hour) or drive to Mombasa Moi International Airport for direct international flights. Blue Lilac Tours & Travel arranges all onward connections.

The Beach in Detail: Diani, Kenya’s South Coast

Diani Beach stretches for 17 km along the South Coast, flanked inland by the Jadini Forest — one of Kenya’s most important coastal forests and home to Angola colobus monkeys that can often be spotted in the resort gardens. The beach itself is wide, flat, and sheltered by a coral reef that creates a safe, calm lagoon ideal for swimming and water sports at all tides. Sunsets over the Indian Ocean are spectacular, and the seafood — fresh crab, lobster, octopus, and reef fish — is among the best in East Africa.

More Kenya Safari Options

Want more time in the bush before the beach? Our 9 Days Kenya Safari extends the inland circuit to include Samburu and Sweetwaters before you reach the coast. If you prefer a longer Kenya-only experience, the 10 Days Kenya Safari explores the Tsavo ecosystem instead of ending at the beach. For those wanting to add Tanzania to their itinerary, see our 13 Days Kenya & Tanzania Safari — the ultimate East Africa combined circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kenya Bush and Beach safari?

The Kenya Bush and Beach safari combines classic inland game-park safari with a relaxing beach finale on the Indian Ocean coast. The 10-day version covers the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, and ends with 3 nights on Diani Beach — Kenya’s finest stretch of white sand.

Where is Diani Beach and how do we get there?

Diani Beach is on Kenya’s South Coast, approximately 30 km south of Mombasa. From Amboseli, Blue Lilac Tours & Travel drives you to the coast (approx. 4–5 hours) or arranges a short charter flight from Amboseli airstrip to Ukunda airstrip near Diani.

What activities are available at Diani Beach?

Diani offers world-class snorkelling and scuba diving on Diani Reef, dhow sailing trips, dolphin watching, kite surfing, deep-sea fishing, and visits to the Shimba Hills National Reserve. After days in the bush, it is the perfect place to slow down.

Is the 10-day Kenya Bush and Beach safari suitable for families?

Excellent for families. The beach finale is a natural reward for children who have spent days in the bush. Many Diani resorts have children’s clubs, shallow pools, and dedicated family amenities. Blue Lilac curates family-friendly properties at both the safari camps and the beach resort.

Can I customise the bush section of the 10-day package?

Yes. Blue Lilac Tours & Travel can swap any park for another, adjust night counts, or include additional destinations like Lake Nakuru or Samburu before the beach. Contact us to build your perfect bush-and-beach itinerary.