Are you looking for the perfect safari and beach holidays in Kenya? Are you looking for a beach safari that will leave you in awe?
Then you have come to the right place.
This guide discusses Kenya’s best safari and beach holidays that will make your stay worthwhile. The guide breaks down your Kenya safari into two.
The safari will start with a tour in the wild and end with a coastal tour where you will relax and time fade away.
4 Safari and Beach Holidays in Kenya
We have taken the time to research and select the best safari and beach holidays in Kenya. This list is meant to inspire your safari. All our trips are customized to meet your needs. The first family safari and beach holidays in Kenya we recommend is
1. Masai Mara safari and Diani Beach
The first safari and beach holidays in Kenya we recommend are a Masai Mara and Diani beach safari. The Masai Mara is a good place for a luxury safari in Kenya because of its luxury lodges, numerous activities, flora, and fauna.
At the Masai Mara National Reserve, tourists on a safari can see the big five and experience the great wildebeest migration.
There are several luxury camps in Masai Mara, ideal for luxury tourists. The luxury camp you should stay in should be within your budget and offer a range of activities suitable for you and your family.
For example, if you prefer to stay in a family-friendly luxury lodge that offers activities such as cultural tours and night game drives, consider Mahali Mzuri Lodge.
Activities to do in Masai Mara
Though the Masai Mara National Park can be visited at any time of the year, the best time to visit Masai Mara is during the dry season in July. This is especially so if you want to see the great wildebeest migration. The problem with visiting during this time is that July is the beginning of the great wildebeest migration.
This means that the park is usually crowded. Some of the activities to do at the Masai Mara national park are:
- Balloon safaris
- Bush meals and sundowners
- Cultural visits to the Masai tribe
- Game viewing
- Night game drives
- Horse riding safaris
- Village school visits
- Bird watching
- Adventure safaris
Diani Beach safari
Diani Beach is one of the most prominent beaches in the world. It is a perfect tourist spot, full of culture and fun activities. The beach is 17 km long, starts from the Kongo River, and connects Galu Beach in the south.
After enjoying several days in the Mara, tourists in Kenya should relax at Diani beach as they learn from the Mijikenda {A local community}.
Diani Beach is also ideal for luxury travel because the area has numerous high-end Diani Beach hotels.
Things to do in Diani
We will drive or fly you to Diani Beach airport from the Maasai Mara. Most tourists prefer to fly to Diani Beach airport because it is faster. The Kenya Airport Authority controls the airport and serves the residents of Tiwi, Mswambweni, and Diani. One of the things to do in Diani is skydiving.
Skydiving in Diani is a popular leisure activity that exposes you to the virgin beauty of the Indian Coast. During the skydiving activity, you will be strapped to a trained instructor who will give you a brief training session on what is expected of you before and after the jump.
This adventure safari is suitable for adrenaline junkies.
Other things to do in Diani include:
- Scuba diving and snorkeling: Explore the rich marine life and engage in several beach activities offered by organizations such as Diving The Crab.
- Playing golf: The game is played at the Leisure Lodge Golf Club, which has 85 bunkers.
- Visit Shimba Hills: This is a good opportunity to see the famous big five, as the park is 45 minutes from Diani Beach.
- Visit Diani Beach art Gallery exhibitions: The gallery hosts unique and beautiful art pieces created by African artists.
- Tour the Kongo Mosque: Its the oldest mosque in East Africa, built in the 14th century.
- Visit Chale Island: The Island is 12 kilometers away from Diani Beach and home to numerous water sports such as beach snorkeling, Kayaking, game fishing, and swimming.
2. Amboseli National Park and Mombasa Beach Safari
The Amboseli National Park is known as the Home of the African Elephant. The word Amboseli is a Maasai word that means “salty dust.” Tourists who are fascinated by elephants should visit the Amboseli National Park.
The park has different habitats ranging from dried-up beds, Woodlands, Savannah, and Wetlands with Sulphur Springs.
There are two ways you can go to the Amboseli National Park, the first is by road {be advised the park is 240km from Nairobi}, and the second is via air. The park has an airstrip that can handle light aircraft.
Besides seeing large herds of elephants, tourists at the Amboseli National Park can also see spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa. The park has several luxurious camps, such as the tortilis Camp, Elerai Camp, and Kilima Safari Lodge.
Things to do at Amboseli National Park
There are plenty of things to do at the Amboseli National Park. One of them is to see the monstrous Amboseli elephants. The elephants number around 1600, and you should expect to see elephants in herds of 50 -100. Other things to do at the park are:
- View Mt Kilimanjaro: It is the highest mountain in Africa
- Interact with the Big Five: The park is home to the big five animals, such as elephants, lions, buffalos, giraffes, cheetahs, and leopards.
- Visit Observation Hill: This is a hill that overlooks the entire park. Tourists on a safari are advised to bring binoculars for better viewing.
- Cultural safaris: Spend time with local communities and understand their indigenous lifestyles
Mombasa Beach Safari
We recommend visiting Mombasa Beach as part of your beach holidays in Kenya. Kenya has many beaches, most of them being in Mombasa and South and North Coast.
Mombasa County has several beaches. For example, there is Pirates Beach. However, Pirate’s Beach is too crowded because it is a public beach.
The best way for tourists in Mombasa to spend quality time on the beach is to stay in a hotel with a private beach. However, Mombasa is safe for tourists to visit, so it can be a fun experience to interact with the locals and learn about their culture. Some of the Kenya beaches found in Mombasa are:
- Nyali Beach – Best for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling
- Bamburi Beach – Best for relaxation and night parties
- Pirates Beach – Best for family entertainment and interacting with locals
- Copa Cabana Beach – Has the best beach bars in Mombasa
- Tiwi Beach – Best for spotting shells, exploring cliffs and caves
- Mombasa Beach – Has the best soft sand in Mombasa
Things to do at Mombasa Beach
There are alot of things to do when on a beach safari in Kenya. The activities will depend on your level of adrenaline and interests. These activities are:
- Explore Mombasa’s old town: Mombasa’s rich history is displayed in the buildings’ architecture. The buildings have Arabic, Swahili, and Asian architecture.
- Have a street food experience: Mombasa is full of Swahili cuisine, blending Indian, Arabic, Swahili, and European tastes.
- Visit Fort Jesus Museum: Fort Jesus is a UNESCO-heritage site that Giovanni Battista designed in the 15th century. The port is located in Old Town.
- Dive and Snorkel: There are plenty of beaches in Mombasa that are ideal for diving and snorkeling. You can also visit the Mombasa Marine National Park to see various marine attractions.
3. Samburu National Reserve and Lamu Island
Other safari and beach holidays in Kenya to book is a trip to the Samburu National Reserve and Lamu Island. If you want an exclusive family safari and beach holiday in Kenya, go to Samburu National Reserve.
Most tourists visit the Masai Mara national park, making it crowded and affecting its sustainability.
The Samburu national reserve is located in northern Kenya, at the banks of the Ewaso Ngir’o River. Tourists at the reserve see a diverse range of wildlife, including the reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, elephants, buffalo, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and the Grevy’s Zebra.
Accommodation includes luxury resorts, lodges, and tented camps. Samburu National Reserve is a good place to go if you are a bird lover because it has more than 450 recorded bird species.
Apart from bird watching, other activities to do at the Samburu national reserve are:
Things to do at the Samburu National Reserve
- Game drives: To see the big five in the wild
- Guided walks in reserve: Good for adrenaline junkies
- Cultural tours: Tourists spend time with the Samburu people to learn and understand their culture
- Horse safaris in the wild
Lamu Island Safari
After spending time in the wild, tourists in Kenya can relax at Lamu Island. Lamu Island is a small island located in the coastal part of Kenya.
The Island is known for its pristine beaches, stunning architecture, and Swahili culture. The culture and architecture have been influenced by various civilizations, such as Arab, Indian, and Portuguese.
The most popular activity a tourist can do on Lamu Island is a dhow ride around the Island. This is a fantastic way to visit nearby marine reserves, scuba dive in the clear coastal waters, and snorkel. Other activities to do at Lamu Island are:
- Explore Lamu’s Old Town: The town has narrow streets, unique architecture, and an interrupted Swahili culture. A fun way to explore the town is by using donkeys.
- Water sports: The Island offers various water sports, such as fishing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing.
- Participate in Lamu’s cultural festivals: The Island hosts its annual cultural festival that includes dhow races, traditional Kiswahili cuisine, music, and dance performances.
Other festivals include the Maulid festival {Held 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal, and the Lamu Yoga festival, held every March.
4. Cultural safari and Chale Island Safari
Tourists in Kenya can also consider a cultural safari and end their trip with a beach safari at Chale Island. Chale Island is the only private Island in the coastal part of Kenya. The cultural safari can be in Samburu, Turkana, or Kakamega forest.
If you prefer to learn about the Samburu culture, visiting the Samburu national reserve is the best way to do it. This way, the tourist will enjoy a wild safari and spend time with the Samburu people.
The Samburu national reserve covers an area of 165 km2 and is 354 km from Nairobi.
The Samburu national reserve has plenty of wildlife and abundant rare northern species such as the Grevy Zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Belsa Oryx.
It is also home to the big five, such as elephants, Lions, cheetahs, and Leopards. The reserve is ideal for birdwatching because it has more than 450 species of birds.
Samburu Culture 
The Samburu are close relatives of the Masai people and have been immortalized in several movies in Hollywood, such as Mogambo short in 1953.
The same community has also been featured in one of the most iconic Nike adverts ever produced in {the 1980s}. The Samburu believe in one God known as Nkai, who thrives in nature.
The Samburu are a pastoralist community believed to have migrated from modern-day Sudan. They rare cattle, sheep, and Goats. Tourists can learn more about the Samburu people by attending the Lake Turkana Festival and visiting the Nairobi National Museum or the Desert Museum.
It is worth noting that the Samburu are sometimes referred to as the Butterfly people because of their beautiful ornaments, hairstyles, and attire.
Men dye their hair with red ochre, while the warriors {Morans} keep long hair and dress more colorfully than their peers. The women -wear multi-colored necklaces or necklaces made from an elephant tail.
Turkana Culture
If you are looking for an exciting cultural safari, let your Kenya safari tours include visiting the Turkana people. The Turkana are a pastoralist community that rears camels while other members fish in Lake Turkana. The community values its animals because they get skin, meat, and milk from them.
Camels are a source of wealth, and no man can get a wife without them. Turkana men regularly engage in stick fights to get a woman or for recreational purposes.
The community uses a wrist knife smelted from scrap iron by a Turkana blacksmith. The men also carry a finger knife, made from a 3-inch nail, used for either threading or cutting meat.
The best time to experience this culture is during the annual Lake Turkana Cultural Festival. This is a three-day festival held in June. During the festival, nomadic communities in Northern Kenyan showcase their culture and heritage.
Tourists who attend the event experience magical dances, and mesmerizing tunes, eat mouth-watery food, and wear traditional clothes and decorations.
Chale Island
Tourists in Kenya can end their safari by relaxing at Chale Island. Chale Island is a good eco tourism spot and the only private Island in the Coastal part of Kenya. On the Island, tourists can stay at the overwater suite, which is one of a kind in Kenya. The suit offers a spectacular view of the Island, Gazi Bay, and Shimba Hills.
The island is also perfect for a romantic safari. There are alot of things to do at Chale Island. For starters, tourists can spend time in a magical Spa or take a boat excursion to Diani. Chale island is also home to unique marine life, such as coral reefs that make snorkeling a magical experience.
Things to do at Chale Island
- Snorkeling in the magical reefs
- Scuba diving to explore the rich marine life around the island
- Kayaking around the island
- Touring the mangrove eco system to discover some of Kenya’s best-kept secret
- Visiting the marine center to help protect local wildlife such as the colobus monkeys
- Deep sea fishing
- Whale sightseeing during their active season
To plan a cultural safari or a safari and beach holidays in Kenya, get in touch with one of our expert guides for a customized Kenya safari. All our trips are unique and meant to create a memorable experience for you and your family. Each Kenya safari is customized based on your needs and interests.