A 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday is the full version of the Kenya dream. You spend nine days on safari in three famous parks and three days on the sand at Diani, with no backtracking.
- FromUSD 3,750per person sharing, budget tier, 6 people, low season
- Duration12 days, 11 nights
- StartsNairobi
- Best forCouples and families who want a full safari and a proper beach week
- StylePrivate 4×4 on safari, beach days are free
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
The route runs from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo, then south by road to the coast. A private pop up roof 4×4 and driver guide stay with you until you reach the beach. One short flight carries you home.
This page lists the plan day by day, price tiers for two, four and six people and the details that make this 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday smooth.
Highlights
- Three nights in the Mara for two full game drive days
- Amboseli’s elephants and Kilimanjaro views
- Tsavo West and Tsavo East, with red elephants and lava fields
- A road transfer to the coast, so no backtracking to Nairobi
- Three beach nights at Diani
- One driver guide for the whole safari section
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Nairobi to the Masai Mara
You leave Nairobi at 6:30 am and drive to the Mara, stopping at the Rift Valley viewpoint. You arrive for lunch and head out on a first game drive in the afternoon. Lions, elephants and giraffe are often close to camp.
- Day 2
First full day in the Mara
A full day of game drives from first light, with a picnic lunch on the plains. Your guide looks for lion prides, cheetah and elephants and stops at the Mara River for hippos and crocodiles.
- Day 3
Second full day in the Mara
You return to the best sightings or explore the western plains. A dawn balloon ride is an optional extra at about USD 450 to 550. You can also visit a Maasai village in the afternoon.
- Day 4
Mara to Nairobi
After a short dawn game drive and breakfast you drive to Nairobi, about 5 to 6 hours. You sleep in a city hotel, with time to shower, repack and enjoy dinner.
- Day 5
Nairobi to Amboseli
You drive 4 to 5 hours to Amboseli. After lunch at camp you head out on a game drive, with elephants in the swamps and Kilimanjaro on the horizon.
- Day 6
Full day in Amboseli
You start before sunrise for the clearest views of Kilimanjaro. You spend the day among elephants, buffalo and hippos, with a visit to Observation Hill in the afternoon.
- Day 7
Amboseli to Tsavo West
After a morning game drive you drive about 3 hours to Tsavo West. In the afternoon you explore the park’s volcanic hills and lava flows. You sleep in a lodge or camp with a view over the bush.
- Day 8
Tsavo West to Tsavo East
You visit Mzima Springs for hippos and clear water, then drive about 3 hours to Tsavo East. In the afternoon you look for red elephants, lion and buffalo near the Galana River.
- Day 9
Tsavo East to Diani
After a dawn game drive you drive about 5 hours to Diani via Mombasa, with a stop for lunch. You reach your beach hotel by late afternoon, in time for a swim and a sunset walk.
- Day 10
Beach day at Diani
This is a free day. Swim, snorkel, read or sleep. The hotel has a pool, a spa and a restaurant. You can visit the Colobus Trust for a short walk among monkeys.
- Day 11
Wasini and Kisite, 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 a second quiet day on the sand.
- Day 12
Diani to Nairobi and home
After 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 hotel.
12 Day Kenya Safari And Beach Holiday, guide price per person sharing, USD, low season
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 4,760 | USD 4,070 | USD 3,750 |
| Mid range | USD 5,880 | USD 5,080 | USD 4,700 |
| Luxury | USD 6,980 | USD 6,160 | USD 5,600 |
- 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 add about USD 400 to 700 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 for the safari and the coast transfer
- 11 nights accommodation: 3 Mara, 1 Nairobi, 1 Amboseli, 2 Tsavo, 3 Diani
- Park fees for the Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West and Tsavo East
- Flight from Diani to Nairobi
- Bottled water in the vehicle and all airport transfers
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 12 Day Kenya Safari And Beach Holiday
Twelve days gives each part of the trip time. You do not squeeze the safari to save a day for the beach. You get the Mara for three nights, two other parks and a real rest at the end.
It is the right length for honeymooners, anniversaries and families. For a shorter version, our 10 day Kenya safari trims the route and the Kenya safari and beach holiday page lists more lengths.
A 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday also suits travellers who find shorter trips tiring. With rest nights spread through the plan, you do not arrive at the beach exhausted and the long drives are spaced out.
How Much Does a 12 Day Kenya Safari And Beach Holiday Cost?
Prices start at USD 3,750 per person for six people sharing a budget tier in low season. Two people in mid range pay about USD 5,880 each and two people in luxury pay about USD 6,980.
The price includes the vehicle, guide, 11 nights, park fees and the flight home from Diani. For other costs see our safari cost and prices page.
Mid range is the tier most guests choose on a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday, because the extra cost buys a private bathroom, a pool and better food at both safari camps and the beach hotel.
The Park Fees on This Route
Fees are paid per adult per day for non residents and are already inside the price. Rates are approximate and confirmed at booking.
- Masai Mara: USD 100 a day Jan to Jun, USD 200 a day Jul to Dec
- Amboseli: about USD 90 a day
- Tsavo East and Tsavo West: about USD 80 a day each
- Children 9 to 17 pay about half and under 9s are free in most parks
Why Tsavo Helps This Route
Tsavo is the largest park complex in Kenya and it sits between Amboseli and the coast. That makes it a natural bridge. You break the long drive to Diani and you add two very different parks to your list.
Tsavo West has volcanic hills, lava flows and Mzima Springs. Tsavo East has open plains and red elephants that bathe in the dust. See our 4 day Amboseli and Tsavo West safari for a Tsavo focused option.
The Diani Beach Stay
Diani is a long strip of white sand about 30 km south of Mombasa, with a coral reef offshore. Budget tiers use a clean beach hotel with half board. Mid range uses a resort with a spa and a sea view.
Luxury uses a boutique villa or five star resort. We match the hotel to the tier so the trip feels balanced. See the Diani Beach holiday packages for typical stays.
Most guests find that three beach nights is the right amount. It is long enough to rest, but not so long that the safari fades from memory.
Best Time and the Road to the Coast
The best months for both safari and beach are Jan to Mar and Jul to Oct. Dec is hot, busy and expensive. Apr and May bring heavy rain on the coast and in the Mara.
Nov brings short rains and green landscapes, with lower prices. The coast is hot all year. See the Kenya safari month by month guide for weather and prices.
We use the road from Tsavo East to Diani because it saves a flight and a day. The drive takes about 5 hours and crosses the Dongo Kundu bypass or the Likoni ferry, depending on traffic.
If you prefer the SGR from Voi to Mombasa, we can arrange that. Read our SGR Madaraka Express guide for fares and timing.
Wildlife and Highlights Park by Park
Each park on a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday gives you something new, which is what keeps nine safari days fresh.
- Masai Mara: lion prides, cheetah, hippo pools and wildebeest from Jul to Oct
- Amboseli: giant elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them
- Tsavo West: Mzima Springs hippos, lava fields and rhino sanctuary
- Tsavo East: red elephants, lion and buffalo along the Galana River
- Diani: white sand, reef snorkelling, Colobus monkeys and dolphin trips
Who This Trip Suits
A 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday suits couples, families and friends who have 12 days to spare. It suits first timers who want to see the best of Kenya and repeat visitors who want new parks.
It is not ideal for those who want only the Mara. For a Mara focus, our 4 day Maasai Mara safari plus a separate beach stay works better.
Health, Packing and Insurance
Take malaria tablets for the safari and the coast. Pack neutral safari clothes, warm layers for the Mara, light cotton for Tsavo and swimwear for Diani. Insurance should include evacuation and trip cancellation.
Read our Kenya vaccinations and malaria guide, our Kenya safari packing checklist and the Kenya travel insurance guide before you fly for your 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday.
Booking a 12 Day Kenya Safari And Beach Holiday
Send your dates, group size and tier on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957. We reply with a written quote and hotel options.
Book Jul to Oct and Dec to Jan trips six months ahead. Low season trips often work with a month of notice.
Tell us about children, dietary needs and special occasions. A birthday cake, a private beach dinner or a room upgrade can often be arranged for your 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday.
How to book your 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday
Booking your 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday 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 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday 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 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday 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 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday?
Our guide prices start at USD 3,750 per person for six people in the budget tier in low season. Mid range runs about USD 4,700 to 5,880 and luxury about USD 5,600 to 6,980. Park fees are included.
Is 12 days right for a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday?
Yes. It gives you nine safari days and three beach days, with no rush. Shorter plans squeeze one half. A 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday of 12 days is often the sweet spot for honeymooners.
How do I get to Diani from Tsavo on a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday?
By road, about 5 hours, with a stop for lunch. This avoids backtracking to Nairobi. If you prefer the train, we can arrange the SGR from Voi to Mombasa.
Which parks does the 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday include?
The Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, followed by Diani Beach. We can swap Tsavo West for Lake Nakuru or Samburu if you prefer.
When should I book a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday?
Six months ahead for Jul to Oct and the festive season. Low season trips can be booked a few weeks ahead. Message us on WhatsApp for availability.
Can I add Zanzibar after a 12 day Kenya safari and beach holiday?
Yes. You can fly from Mombasa to Zanzibar in about an hour. We can extend the beach part to the island. See our Kenya safari and Zanzibar options.
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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