Your Perfect Kenya Holiday: Coast → Safari → Coast → City
This 10-day loop is our most popular self-drive or private tour route. It combines Indian Ocean beach relaxation (Mombasa/Watamu), an epic safari in Tsavo East (famous for its red elephants), unique marine wildlife encounters (dolphins, turtles), a geological wonder at sunset (Marafa Depression), and Nairobi's world-class attractions (Giraffe Centre, elephant orphanage).
Best time: June–October & December–March (dry season).
Budget: Mid-range €1,800–€2,500 per person (excluding international flights).
Transport: Private safari vehicle + one domestic flight (Watamu→Nairobi) or SGR train.
✨ Trip Highlights
- 🏖️ 4 nights on Mombasa & Watamu beaches
- 🐘 2 nights Tsavo East National Park – red elephants!
- 🐬 Dolphin watching & snorkeling in Watamu Marine Park
- 🌅 Picnic sunset at Marafa – "Hell's Kitchen"
- 🦒 Giraffe Centre & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi
Day-by-Day Kenya Itinerary
Morning Arrive at Mombasa's Moi International Airport. Clear immigration, collect luggage, and meet your driver.
Afternoon Transfer to your beachfront hotel on Nyali or Diani Beach (30–45 min). Check in, then simply relax by the pool or on the white sand.
Evening Sunset walk on the beach followed by a seafood dinner at a local restaurant.
Morning After breakfast, visit Fort Jesus (€12 entry). This 16th-century Portuguese fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afternoon Stroll through Mombasa's Old Town – narrow streets, carved doors, and spice-scented air.
Evening Take a tuk-tuk to Mama Ngina Drive for sunset views over the harbour.
Morning Early departure (6:30 AM). Drive 2.5 hours to Tsavo East National Park.
Game Drive Look for the famous red elephants – their dust-bathing gives them a reddish hue. Also lions, giraffes, and gerenuks.
Evening Check into your safari lodge. Dinner and overnight with the sounds of the bush.
Sunrise Game Drive Depart at 6:00 AM to catch predators returning from night hunts.
Mid-morning Visit Mudanda Rock – a 1.6 km long inselberg where elephants gather.
Afternoon Explore Lugard Falls – rapids on the Galana River.
Evening Sundowner game drive with snacks as the sun sets.
Morning Final game drive, then drive 2.5 hours to Watamu.
Afternoon Check into your beach hotel. Unwind by the pool or walk along Turtle Bay.
Late Afternoon Join a sunset dolphin cruise (€30–50) – dolphins frequently spotted here.
Morning Full day in Watamu Marine National Park. Take a traditional dhow boat (€25–40).
Snorkeling Visit Coral Garden and Lion's Cave – parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles.
Lunch Grilled fish lunch on a remote sandbank.
Late Afternoon Drive 45 minutes inland to Marafa Depression ("Hell's Kitchen").
Sunset Experience Walk through pink, orange, and white sandstone gorges.
Picnic Dinner Enjoy your picnic while watching the sun disappear behind the sandstone spires.
Morning Fly to Nairobi (1 hour, €120–180).
Afternoon Visit Giraffe Centre (€12) – feed endangered Rothschild giraffes.
Evening Dinner at Carnivore or About Thyme restaurant.
Morning Visit Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (€12) – 11 AM–12 PM only. Book in advance.
Afternoon Explore Karen Blixen Museum (€10) – "Out of Africa" author's home.
Evening Souvenir shopping at Maasai Market or Utamaduni Craft Centre.
Morning Optional: Nairobi National Park (€45) – see lions with city skyscrapers.
Transfer Drive to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
✏️ Customize This Itinerary
This 10-day plan is flexible. You can:
- Add 2 more days for Masai Mara
- Swap Mombasa for Diani Beach
- Add a hot air balloon safari in Tsavo (€400+)
Quick Reference – What You Need to Know
Daily Budget
Mid‑range: €120–220/day
Luxury: €279+/day
Best Time
Jun–Oct (dry)
Dec–Mar (warm)
Getting Around
Flights: €120–180
SGR train: €8–23
Packing List
Neutral safari clothes
Reef-safe sunscreen