A 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari is the easy answer to a common problem: you want lions and elephants and then you want to do nothing at all on a beach.
- FromUSD 2,300per person sharing, budget tier, 6 people, flights to Diani included, low season
- Duration9 days, 8 nights
- StartsNairobi
- Best forCouples, honeymooners and families who want game drives first and a beach to finish
- StylePrivate 4×4 on safari, beach days are free
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
This plan gives you two nights in the Masai Mara, two nights in Amboseli and three nights at Diani Beach on the south coast. A private pop up roof 4×4 and one driver guide handle the safari. A short flight carries you from Nairobi to the sand.
Below you find the full itinerary, what each price tier includes and the practical choices that make this 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari work well, such as when to go and how to get to the coast.
Highlights
- Two nights in the Mara, Kenya’s best big cat country
- Two nights in Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro
- Three nights on Diani Beach with white sand and a coral reef
- Flights from Nairobi to Diani included in the price
- One driver guide for the whole safari section
- Free beach days, with optional Wasini dolphin trip
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Nairobi to the Masai Mara
You leave Nairobi at about 6:30 am and drive to the Mara, stopping at the Rift Valley viewpoint. You reach camp for lunch and go out on your first game drive at about 4 pm. The late light is soft and the animals come out as the heat fades. Dinner is at camp.
- Day 2
Full day in the Masai Mara
A full day of game drives from sunrise to sunset. Your guide looks for lion prides, cheetah, elephants and hippos at the Mara River. You take a packed lunch on the plains or return to camp. A hot air balloon ride is a popular optional extra at dawn.
- Day 3
Mara to Nairobi
A short early game drive, then breakfast and the road to Nairobi. The drive takes 5 to 6 hours with a lunch stop. You sleep in a Nairobi hotel, shower, repack and enjoy a proper dinner in the city.
- Day 4
Nairobi to Amboseli
You drive 4 to 5 hours to Amboseli. After a late lunch at camp you head out on an afternoon game drive. Elephants move through the swamps with Kilimanjaro in the distance on clear evenings. Sundowners are by the fire.
- Day 5
Full day in Amboseli
You rise early for the best mountain views, then spend the morning among elephants, buffalo and hippos in the swamps. After lunch you visit Observation Hill for a view across the park. A late drive follows before dinner.
- Day 6
Amboseli to Nairobi and fly to Diani
After a final morning game drive you drive about 4 hours to Nairobi. In the late afternoon you fly to Ukunda, which takes about an hour and ten minutes. A driver meets you and takes you to your Diani hotel. If flights are full, we add a Nairobi night.
- Day 7
Beach day at Diani
This is your first day to do nothing. Sleep late, swim, snorkel on the reef or walk along the sand. The hotel has loungers, a pool and a restaurant. You can visit the Colobus Trust for a short walk among monkeys in the trees.
- Day 8
Wasini and Kisite day, or a free day
Take the optional dhow trip to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park for dolphins and snorkelling, at about USD 120 per person. Or spend the day on the sand, with spa treatments and long lunches. Dinner is by the sea.
- Day 9
Diani to Nairobi and home
You enjoy a last swim and breakfast. A driver takes you to Ukunda airport for your flight to Nairobi, about an hour and ten minutes. You connect to your onward flight or we drop you at a Nairobi hotel. The 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari ends here.
9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari, guide price per person sharing, USD, low season
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 2,920 | USD 2,500 | USD 2,300 |
| Mid range | USD 3,620 | USD 3,130 | USD 2,900 |
| Luxury | USD 4,750 | USD 4,180 | USD 3,800 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Low season (Apr to Jun, Nov) shown, with Mara fees of USD 100 per day
- Jul to Oct and Dec to Jan add about USD 300 to 500 per person for higher Mara fees and beach rates
- Christmas and New Year dates carry a surcharge, confirm at booking
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Private pop up roof 4×4 Land Cruiser with a driver guide on the safari days
- 8 nights accommodation: 2 Mara, 1 Nairobi, 2 Amboseli, 3 Diani
- Return flights Nairobi and Diani, or equivalent coast transfer
- Mara and Amboseli park fees and all game drives
- Bottled water in the vehicle and airport transfers at Diani
Not included
- International flights and your Kenya ETA
- Tips for your driver guide and camp staff
- Alcohol and drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Optional balloon ride, Wasini dolphin trip and water sports
Why Pick a 9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari
Safari days are intense. You wake before dawn, bounce across plains and watch the light fade. Then you want to switch off. A 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari gives you that balance without a second holiday.
The order matters too. Safari first, beach last, means you finish rested and the sand is your reward. Our Kenya safari and beach holiday page shows other lengths from 7 to 14 days.
How Much Does a 9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari Cost?
Prices start at USD 2,300 per person for six people sharing a budget tier in low season. Two people in mid range pay about USD 3,620 each and two people in luxury about USD 4,750.
The price includes the vehicle, guide, 8 nights, park fees and the flights from Nairobi to Diani and back. See our beach holiday packages and prices for coast stays on their own.
Park fees are paid per adult per day for non residents. They are already inside our price, but it helps to know what they are.
- Masai Mara: USD 100 a day Jan to Jun, USD 200 a day Jul to Dec
- Amboseli: about USD 90 a day
- Children 9 to 17 pay about half and under 9s are free in most parks
- Beach hotel taxes and resort fees are included in your tier
The Best Time for a 9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari
The Mara is best Jul to Oct, but those months also bring the highest fees. The coast is hot all year. It is wettest in Apr and May and driest from Jan to Mar and Jul to Oct.
The sweet spot for both is Jan to Mar or Jul to Oct. Jul and Aug are a good fit for families on school holidays, while Jan to Mar suits couples. See the Kenya safari month by month guide to compare weather and prices.
Where You Stay on Diani Beach
Diani sits 30 km south of Mombasa, with one long strip of white sand and a coral reef offshore. Budget stays are simple beach hotels with a pool and half board. Mid range hotels have larger rooms and a sea view.
Luxury places offer villas, spa treatments and private beach service. We match the coast hotel to the safari tier so the whole trip feels balanced. For hotel ideas see the Diani Beach holiday packages.
Flight, Train or Road to the Coast
We include flights in this 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari because they save a full travel day. The flight from Nairobi to Ukunda takes about an hour and ten minutes.
If you prefer the train, the SGR runs Nairobi to Mombasa in about 5 hours, followed by a transfer to Diani. Read our SGR Madaraka Express guide for fares and booking. A road transfer takes 8 to 10 hours and we do not recommend it.
What You Will See in the Mara and Amboseli
In the Mara, expect lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and hippo. Leopard and rhino are rarer and a good guide helps. In Amboseli, expect big elephant herds, hippo pools and many bird species.
Both parks give you large open views. That makes them the easiest places in Kenya to watch animals from the vehicle. Our Big Five in Kenya guide shows where each animal lives.
Beach Activities and What to Pack
Diani has more to offer than a lounger. Pick one or two activities and let the rest of the time be empty.
Pack two kits. For the safari, take neutral shirts, warm layers and a hat. For the coast, take swimwear, light cotton and reef safe sunscreen. Leave heavy bags in Nairobi if your hotel offers storage.
Our Kenya safari packing list covers the bush part and we send beach tips with your booking.
- Wasini and Kisite dolphin and snorkel day, about USD 120
- Colobus Trust walk, a short and easy stop
- Kite surfing lessons or a paddle on calm days
- Sunset dhow cruise from the beach
- Kaya Kinondo sacred forest and cultural visit
Who a 9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari Suits
This 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari suits couples, families with children over 6 and friends who want variety. It is also good for travellers with a limited number of days, because the flight removes a long coast drive.
It is less ideal if you want the Great Migration river crossings as the focus, since two Mara nights is a short window for that. In that case, choose our Maasai Mara Great Migration safari and add a beach stay afterwards.
Health, Sun and Safety on the Coast
The coast is malaria prone, so keep taking tablets and use repellent in the evening. The sun is strong, so wear a hat and reef safe sunscreen. Drink bottled water throughout.
Diani is safe and well run for visitors. Read our Is Kenya safe for tourists guide and sort travel insurance before you fly, since a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari covers a long trip with flights.
Booking a 9 Day Kenya Bush And Beach Safari
Message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957 with your dates, group size and tier. We reply with a written quote and flight options the same day.
Book Jul to Oct and Dec to Jan trips four to six months ahead because both camps and beach hotels fill early. Low season trips often work with a few weeks of notice.
How to book your 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari
Booking your 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
How much is a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari?
Prices start at USD 2,300 per person for six people in the budget tier in low season. Mid range runs about USD 2,900 to 3,620 and luxury about USD 3,800 to 4,750. Flights to the coast are included.
Is a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari good for honeymoons?
Yes. It gives you romance on both sides, with sundowners in the bush and a quiet beach at the end. Ask us about private dinners and room upgrades. See our Kenya honeymoon safaris page.
How do you get from Amboseli to Diani on a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari?
You drive back to Nairobi, about 4 hours, then fly to Ukunda, about an hour and ten minutes. Flights run daily. If the schedule does not suit, we add a Nairobi night.
When is the best time for a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari?
Jan to Mar and Jul to Oct. Both give a dry Mara or a dry coast and often both. Apr and May are wettest, with lower prices and fewer visitors.
Can I do the 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari with children?
Yes, from about age 6 on safari. The beach is easy for any age. Long safari drive days can tire younger children, so we plan breaks. Park fees for ages 9 to 17 are about half price.
Can I extend the beach part of a 9 day Kenya bush and beach safari?
Yes. Many guests add two or three beach nights. We can also add Watamu or Lamu instead. See our Watamu and Malindi holiday packages for another coast option.
Official information: Magical Kenya, the official Kenya tourism site.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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