18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Tour is 17 night, 18 days safari in Kenya holiday package, offering you classic big-game wildlife viewing and authentic cultural experiences, balanced with relaxation on a beautiful beach in Mombasa.
The first part of your fantastic 18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour includes visits to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve as well as the other 5 best game parks that Kenya can offer in terms of stunning scenery, fantastic big game viewing, excellent birds, unique culture, and more. These are Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate, Amboseli, and Tsavo West National Parks.
After experiencing the thrill of a classic African safari in the bush, you head to the coast and its stunning tropical Mombasa Dian Beach for three days of relaxation.
If you’re feeling active, there are kite surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, deep sea fishing, and traditional dhow sailing boat trips to Kisite Marine National Park, where you may scuba dive or snorkel along the pristine coral reef to uncover an underwater world of interesting marine life. Your 18 days Kenya safari and Mombasa beach vacation conclude in Nairobi, where it began.
You can book or customize this 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour to your exact interests – at a great price!
18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES
- Daily game drives in Kenya’s finest game parks
- Search for the Big Five, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, & Buffalo
- Witness Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara (July to October)
- Cultural visits to traditional Maasai & Samburu Villages
- Spot the Samburu Special Five, Gerenuk, Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra, and Somali ostrich.
- See Africa’s Big Cats: the Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah.
- View majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro
- Watch Africa’s largest elephants in Amboseli
- Tour Lake Naivasha by boat
- Take a gentle nature walk on Crescent Island.
- Explore Hells Gate National Park on a bicycle or on foot.
- Relax on Dian Beach
- Optional water sports: snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, etc
- Optional hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara
18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS
Day 1: Nairobi
Day 2, 3, & 4: Samburu National Reserve & Samburu Village
Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 6, 7, & 8: Masai Mara National Reserve & Maasai Village
Day 9 & 10: Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate National Park
Day 11 & 12: Amboseli National Park
Day 13 & 14: Tsavo West National Park
Day 15, 16, & 17: Mombasa Dian Beach
Day 18: Depart.
18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Day 2: Tour Samburu National Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive
Day 3: Samburu National Reserve Full Game Drives.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Samburu Village Tour
Day 5: Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, Game Drive & Bird Watching.
Day 6: Travel to Masai Mara National Reserve, afternoon game drive.
Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve Full-Day Game Drives
Day 8: Game drive in Masai Mara & afternoon Maasai Village Visit.
Day 9: Game drive & transfer to Lake Naivasha for relaxation.
Day 10: Lake Naivasha Boat trip & Nature at Crescent Island. Explore Hells Gate National Park on a bicycle or on foot.
Day 11: Drive to Amboseli National Park, evening game drive.
Day 12: Whole day safari in Amboseli National Park.
Day 13: Tour Tsavo West National Park, afternoon game drive.
Day 14: Full-day game drives in Tsavo West National Park.
Day 15: Visit Mombasa Dian Beach for relaxation.
Day 16: Full day at leisure at Dian Beach
Day 17: Full day at leisure at Dian Beach
Day 18: Depart.
18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive In Nairobi, Kenya Via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Welcome to Kenya!
You’ll arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our company representative and transferred to your comfortable hotel in Nairobi (the largest and capital city of Kenya) where you’ll spend the night at the beginning of this fantastic 18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour.
Depending on the time of arrival you may choose to add an optional city tour to explore some of Nairobi’s fascinating highlights, like the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Park, and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back into the wild.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Hemingways Nairobi/Giraffe Manor/Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi
Midrange: – Movenpick Hotel/Crowne Plaza Nairobi/Tamarind Tree Hotel
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Airport pick up
- Drive to a Nairobi hotel
Day 2: Tour Samburu National Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive
After an early breakfast on day two of your 18 days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour, depart Nairobi for Samburu National Reserve.
Drive north, passing near Thika and continuing through some breathtaking scenery interspersed with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee.
Continue north, after Nanyuki town until you reach a dusty outpost known as Isiolo, the final major stop on the drive into the remote northern frontier district. From here it’s a short drive to Samburu Reserve. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Covering an area of 165km2 and watered by the muddy Uaso Ngiro River, this is classified as a lowland area, so generally hot, arid, and dusty. It is also gorgeous, with ravine areas dominated by beautiful acacia and doum palms.
Large numbers of long-necked gerenuk make Samburu exciting but plenty of other species are also common. These include reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Grant’s gazelles, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Hippo, Crocodiles, Kudus, Dik diks, striped hyena, Elephants, Vervet monkeys, Cheetahs, Leopards, and Lions. There are also some amazing birds to spot including the charismatic vulturine guinea fowl.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Ashnil Samburu Camp/Elephant Bedroom Camp
Midrange: – Sarova Shaba Lodge/Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Around 300km (5 hours)
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Samburu
- Game drive
Day 3: Samburu National Reserve Full Game Drives.
On day three of your 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour, you will enjoy an early morning game drive in the beautiful, quiet, and peaceful wilderness of Samburu, followed by a delicious breakfast, and time to relax at the lodge. After lunch, there will be another game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
You have an opportunity to see all the Samburu Special 5.
Catchy phrases referring to certain wildlife species, such as “the Big 5”, “the Secret 7”, and “the Ugly 5” are very effective marketing tactics that sell anything from t-shirts and curios to safaris.
In the case of Samburu, the “Samburu Special 5” is an appropriate term for a more specialized wildlife checklist in this arid region of Kenya. Included in the Special 5 are the reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Elephant Bedroom Camp/Ashnil Samburu Camp
Midrange: – Samburu Sopa Lodge/Sarova Shaba Lodge/Samburu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drives
Optional Activity: –
- Guided bush walk
Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Samburu Village Tour
Today is your last day in Samburu.
You’ll enjoy a morning game drive. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, there are over 900 African elephants in Samburu. The reserve is home to the headquarters of Save the Elephants, which is established by Iain Douglas-Hamilton, meaning that the elephants here are some of the most extensively researched in the world.
After the game drive, you return to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest. In the afternoon, take a cultural tour of a local Samburu Village outside the reserve.
The Samburu are a proud warrior tribe who look similar to the Masai but are less known. You’ll watch traditional Samburu dancing and discover Samburu tribal life and traditions. Don’t forget your camera to capture the beauty and color of the layers of bead bracelets and necklaces, the red clay braids of the warriors, and the contrast of their bright cloth wraps against the African savanna.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Elephant Bedroom Camp/Ashnil Samburu Camp
Midrange: – Samburu Simba Lodge/ Sarova Shaba Lodge/Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Samburu morning game drive
- Samburu village visit
Day 5: Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, Afternoon Game Drive.
On day five of your 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour, depart Samburu and travel south through Isiolo, driving past the northernmost foothills of the snow-capped Mount Kenya, until you get to the town of Nanyuki.
Travel northwest towards Nyahururu before heading south to your next destination, the magnificent Lake Nakuru on the bottom of the Great Rift Valley. View the game en route to your lodge after entering the park. After lunch and a siesta, there will be an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge at sunset.
Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its tremendous birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingoes. It also has Black and White rhinos, as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. The present rhino population is over 50 and growing. Nakuru also has its fair share of buffalo, hippo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck, and lion.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Sarova Woodlands/the Cliff
Midrange: – Lake Nakuru Lodge/Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – About. 250km/5 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Drive in Lake Nakuru
- Game drive
Day 6: Travel to Masai Mara Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive.
After an early breakfast on day six of your 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour, you will leave the flamingo-fringed Lake Nakuru behind and head for Njoro town, where you’ll begin your ascent up over the top of the Mau Escarpment; then traveling due south. You’ll arrive at Narok, the gateway to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand.
Drive through the “breadbasket” of Kenya, comprising acres of wheat and barley, before you arrive in Masai Mara in time for lunch. After good lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the camp/lodge at sunset.
Masai Mara wildlife is world-renowned, with the so-called “Big 5”- buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino present throughout the year. The “Big 9” – including cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and hippo – extends this experience.
The Mara also plays host to the ‘seasonal Great Migration”, but whatever the time of year the resident wildlife will surely captivate and entertain all who visit this wondrous national reserve.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Ashnil Mara Camp/Mara Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Basecamp Masai Mara/Mara Sopa Lodge/Mara Leisure Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 226km/4 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Drive to Masai Mara
- After game drive
Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve Full-Day Game Drives
Wake up early for breakfast before a whole day game drive. Enjoy a bush picnic lunch. Masai Mara Game Reserve is often called simply “The Mara” – a Masai word meaning “spotted” – a reference to its patchy landscape.
The reserve covers 1,510km2 and the landscape is primarily grassland and riverine forest with clumps of unique acacia trees.
The Mara is famous for its astonishing wildlife density. With both transient and resident populations of leopard, lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant, giraffe, zebras, and wildebeest, to name a few, as well as more than 450 species of birds, the massive fertile plains are teeming with game.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Ashnil Mara Camp/Mara Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Mara Sopa Lodge/Basecamp Masai Mara/Mara Leisure Camp/
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Full-day game drive
Optional Activity:-
- Hot-air balloon flight safari
Day 8: Game Drive in Masai Mara & Afternoon Maasai Village Visit.
Masai Mara National Reserve has been classified among the “Ten Wonders of the World” due to the extraordinary annual migration from around July to November when over 2 million wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the Maasai Mara in search of fresh grass to graze.
After an early breakfast today, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp or lodge in mid-morning. After lunch, and perhaps a siesta set off on another game drive and visit the local Masai Village to learn more about the culture of the colorful inhabitants of this exceptional area. The Masai people are proud semi-nomadic pastoralists with a captivating culture.
They are an ever-present reminder of the history and cultural heritage of this sublime and enigmatic landscape, and will surely leave a lasting impression on all. You’ll return to the lodge as the sunsets for your dinner and overnight
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Ashnil Mara Camp/Mara Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Mara Sopa Lodge/ Basecamp Masai Mara/ Mara Leisure Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drive
- Masai village visit
Day 9: Game Drive & Transfer to Lake Naivasha for Relaxation.
On your day nine of the 18 Days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour, wake up at sunrise, have a hearty breakfast, and embark on one last morning game drive.
You then check out of your lodge/camp and take a drive of about 4 hours to Lake Naivasha, a very picturesque freshwater lake on the Great Rift Valley floor.
There are boat trips and gentle nature walks on Crescent Island. Nearby is the dramatic Hell’s Gate National Park, overshadowed by the mysterious Mount Longonot. On arrival, you freshen up and enjoy lunch.
You will have a free afternoon at leisure at the lodge.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Chui Lodge/Enashipai Resort/Kiboko Luxury Camp
Midrange: – Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort/Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 232km/3-4 hour drive
Activities & Services: –
- Morning game drive in Masai Mara
- Transfer to Lake Naivasha
Day 10: Lake Naivasha Boat Trip & Nature at Crescent Island. Explore Hells Gate National Park On A Bicycle Or On Foot.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on day ten of your 18 days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour. Then take a leisurely boat trip to beautiful Lake Naivasha as you view hippos and waterbirds up close.
You then take a gentle nature walk on the lake’s Crescent Island, strolling among families of giraffes, zebra, and other peaceful, relaxed animals.
You can also opt to go biking, hiking, and rock climbing in Hell’s Gate and be enthralled by its gorgeous gorges, spectacular cliffs, scrub-clad volcanoes, and a range of geothermal phenomena.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Chui Lodge/Kiboko Luxury Camp/ Enashipai Resort
Midrange: – Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort/Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Lake Naivasha boat tour
- Guided nature walk on Crescent Island
Day 11: Drive to Amboseli National Park, Evening Game Drive.
After early morning breakfast on day 11 of your 18 days Kenya safari and Mombasa beach tour, have your packed lunch and depart Naivasha for Amboseli National Park. Once in the park, view the game en route to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening go on a game, drive returning to the lodge at sunset.
Amboseli is Kenya’s second most popular wildlife area, famous for its population of over 1500 resident African bush elephants and its scenic beauty with the backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain at 5895 meters above sea level and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.
It covers 392km2, which constitutes less than 5% of the entire 2 million acre ecosystem of the Amboseli basin crossing from Kenya into Tanzania.
The emerald green wetlands in this otherwise arid region make Amboseli one of the best wildlife-viewing areas on the planet, attracting over 600 species of birds, including pelicans, kingfishers, crakes, Hamerkops, 47 types of raptors, as well as Cape buffalo, Impala, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra, Gazelle, and Wildebeest, with lion, leopard, and the cheetah among the big cats that roam the area.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge/Tortilis Camp/Oltukai Lodge
Midrange: – Kibo Safari Camp/Satao Elerai Camp
Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – 311km (5-6 hours)
Activities & Services: –
- Drive to Amboseli
- Evening game drive
Day 12: Whole Day Safari in Amboseli National Park.
A full day of activities in Amboseli including early morning walking safari, bush breakfast, game drives, dinner, and overnight at the camp/lodge.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Oltukai Lodge/Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge/Tortilis Camp
Midrange: – Kibo Safari Camp/Satao Elerai Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drives
Day 13: Tour Tsavo West National Park, Afternoon Game Drive.
After a leisurely breakfast today, depart to Tsavo West.
The drive takes you east, across the spectacular Shetani lava flow, a reminder of the molten volcanic lava that spilled down the scenic slopes of the nearby Chyulu Hills about 200 years ago.
A zig-zagging road through scrub thorn and acacia leads you into Tsavo National Park, which together (East and West) form one of the vastest protected wilderness areas in the world, covering over 2 million hectares.
You’ll arrive at your lodge in Tsavo West National Park in time for lunch and later enjoy time for relaxation before setting off back into the park for your afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge at sunset.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge/Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Midrange: – Satao Camp/Voi Wildlife Lodge/Ngulia Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 267km (4½ hours)
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Tsavo West
- Afternoon game drive
Day 14: Full-Day Game Drives In Tsavo West National Park.
On day fourteen of your 18 days Kenya safari and Mombasa beach tour, enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives. Tsavo is quite arid with just two permanent rivers, yet its flat terrain makes it extremely scenic. The park is still renowned for the stories of the man-eating lion and its ‘red’ dust-coated elephants.
The majority of game congregates amid the acacia and raphia palms that line the riverine areas. Elephants, buffalo, ostriches, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, and the accompanying predatory cats are common spots.
The Gerenuk and the Fringe-eared oryx are seen less often. The Mzima Springs are a popular attraction in the park. Here, there is an underground viewing platform to observe crocodiles, hippos, and hundreds of primeval-looking fish underwater.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Salt Lick Safari Lodge/Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Midrange: – Ngulia Safari Lodge/Satao Camp/Voi Wildlife Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drives
Day 15: Visit Mombasa Dian Beach for Relaxation.
After experiencing the thrill of a classic African bush safari, you proceed to the coast and its stunning tropical beaches.
Your 18-day Kenya safari and Mombasa beach vacation will take you to Mombasa Diani Beach, a longtime visitor favorite with a long length of fine, powder-white sand and an outstanding and extensive selection of hotels and innumerable eateries.
This afternoon, you are free to unwind after your safari and watch fishing dhows sail across the Indian Ocean. You may enjoy a relaxing dip in a private pool, followed by a sundowner on your balcony overlooking the white sand beach and the Indian Ocean while the early evening tropical winds chill you.
Before drifting off to sleep to the relaxing sounds of the ocean, you may dine on delectable seafood combined with excellent wines.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Swahili Beach Resort/AfroChic Diani Beach/Baobab Beach Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Full Day at Leisure at Dian Beach
Spend the sixteenth day of your 18-day Kenya safari and Mombasa beach tour at leisure, sunbathing or strolling at the beach.
If you’re feeling active, there are kite surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, deep sea fishing, and traditional dhow sailing boat trips to Kisite Marine National Park, where you may scuba dive or snorkel along the pristine coral reef to uncover an underwater world of interesting marine life.
On land, you may seek forest elephants in the Shimba Hills National Park, take a stroll in the forest along the coast and observe colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops, or try quad-biking. A horse or camel ride down the beach at sunset is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Accommodation Options:-
Luxury: – Swahili Beach Resort/Baobab Beach Resort/AfroChic Diani Beach
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Full Day at Leisure at Dian Beach
On day 17 of your 18 days Kenya Safari and Mombasa Beach Tour, you enjoy another quiet day at Diani Beach. You may play volleyball on the white sand beach or just sit poolside with bar food and refreshments; you can be as active or as relaxed as you choose.
Day 18: Depart.
On the last day of your 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour, you’ll fly back to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where it all started.
End of the 18 Days Kenya Safari & Mombasa Beach Tour
18 Days Kenya Safari And Mombasa Beach Tour − SAFARI INCLUSIONS
- All Kenya park/reserve entry fees & government taxes
- Full Accommodation while on a Kenya safari
- Nairobi hotel half board Accommodation
- Ground transportation in a comfortable 4X4 Safari Vehicle with a pop-up roof
- An English-speaking professional driver/guide. Upon request, any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged.
- Driver’s allowance, fuel, & vehicle fees
- Fees for the safari activities indicated
- Domestic flight transfer to Nairobi from Mombasa
- Complimentary bottled water in the car
- Pick-up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- Drop-off at J.K.I.A
18 Days Kenya Safari And Mombasa Beach Tour − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
- Additional meals not specified in the program
- Tips, gratuities, optional activities & excursions
- Personal items such as beverages not mentioned, telephone, laundry, etc.
- Personal insurance & inoculations
- International and local air fares not indicated in the program
- Visa application fees
- Any further extras not included in the itinerary
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
