Home › Luxury Kenya Safaris › 7-Day Masai Mara Safari and Diani Beach

7-Day Masai Mara Safari and Diani Beach

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Parks

Masai Mara, Diani Beach

Travel style

Private, mid-range

Vehicle

4×4 Land Cruiser

Best time

Jun to Oct, Jan to Feb

Overview Route Itinerary Lodges Prices What’s included Reviews FAQ

Trip overview

This seven-day trip combines three nights in the Masai Mara with three nights on Diani Beach. It’s a straightforward bush-and-beach option that works well for first-time visitors on a budget.

The Mara part is the same as more expensive safaris: you’re in the same park seeing the same wildlife, just staying at simpler camps. Game viewing is solid year-round. If you’re there July to October you might catch migration river crossings, but plenty of animals stay in the Mara permanently so you’ll see lions, elephants, and the rest regardless of when you visit.

After three days of early starts and dusty roads, the beach section gives you time to do nothing. Diani has proper white sand and decent swimming most of the year. The budget hotels sit right on the beach and include most meals, so you can just show up and relax.

Getting from the Mara to the coast uses a mix of road and a short flight to avoid the 12-hour drive. Keeps costs reasonable while saving you a full day in a vehicle.

Accommodations:

Masai Mara: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (3 nights)
Diani Beach: Diani Sea Resort or Papillon Lagoon Reef (3 nights)

Your route

Masai Mara 3 nights · Diani 3 nights. Starts in Nairobi and ends in Mombasa.

Day 4 combines the drive back to Nairobi with a short flight to Mombasa and a transfer to Diani.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

Drive Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or the airport around 7:30 AM. The drive to the Mara takes most of the morning, you’ll stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint for photos, then continue through Narok town where the tarmac ends. Roads get rough for the last stretch but nothing terrible.

You’ll reach camp around lunchtime. Mara Sopa Lodge is a simple, comfortable lodge with en-suite rooms. Nothing fancy but perfectly adequate. After lunch you’ve got a few hours rest before heading out for your first game drive around 4:00 PM.

First impressions of the Mara are usually good. Lots of animals spread across the plains, lions sleeping in the shade, elephant families crossing the road, zebra and wildebeest everywhere. Your guide knows where to look and which areas are producing lately. Simpler lodges use exactly the same roads as the expensive ones, you’re just sleeping in a simpler bed at night.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 2: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Up early for a 6:30 AM start. Morning light is better for photos and predators are more active before it gets hot. You’ll spend three or four hours out, covering different parts of the reserve. Lions are pretty much guaranteed, the Mara has healthy populations and they’re not hard to find. Leopards are trickier but show up regularly enough, usually in trees near the rivers. Cheetahs prefer the open grassland away from cover.

Back to camp around 10:30 or 11:00 for breakfast and a break during the heat of the day. Some people sleep, others sit under the trees and watch whatever wanders past camp. Out again around 4:00 PM until dark.

If you’re visiting between July and October, the migration will be the main event. Huge herds of wildebeest moving through, river crossings when they decide to go. It’s unpredictable though, they might cross three times in a day or sit at the riverbank for a week doing nothing. Your guide stays in touch with other drivers by radio so you’ll get there if something’s happening, but there are no guarantees with wildlife.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 3: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Another full day, same pattern as yesterday. Some people do a packed lunch and stay out all day to cover more ground. Others prefer coming back to camp at midday. Your choice.

Spend some time at the Mara River even if nothing’s crossing. Hippos in the pools, big crocodiles on the banks, different birds along the water. It’s worth an hour just watching.

This is your last full day so your guide will try to find anything you’ve missed. Seen lions and elephants but no cheetahs yet? He’ll focus on the open plains where they hunt. Looking for rhinos? There are a few around but they take more effort to locate.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 4: Masai Mara to Diani Beach

Travel Time: Drive to Nairobi (5-6 hours), Flight to Mombasa (1 hour), Drive to Diani (1.5 hours) · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Quick early drive before breakfast if there’s time, otherwise just breakfast and pack up. Long drive back to Nairobi, arriving early afternoon. Transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight to Mombasa, usually leaves around 3:00 or 4:00 PM.

Land in Mombasa, pick up your bags, then it’s about 90 minutes south to Diani. You’ll reach the beach hotel early evening with enough time to check in, have dinner, maybe walk down to the water.

The shift from dusty safari camps to ocean breeze and palm trees is fairly abrupt.

Dinner and overnight at Diani Sea Resort or Papillon Lagoon Reef.

Day 5: Diani Beach

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Beach day. Wake up when you want, no 6:00 AM alarm. Diani stretches for kilometers in both directions, clean white sand, water that’s actually swimmable. The reef offshore keeps it calm most of the time, though you need to watch the tides.

If you want to do something there are snorkeling trips out to the reef, dhow sailing, kite surfing lessons, stand-up paddleboards to rent. Or drive to Shimba Hills if you want to see forest elephants. But most people who’ve just done three days of early mornings and game drives just want to lie on the beach and read a book.

Both hotels have beach bars serving cold beer and decent food. Pool if you don’t feel like sand. Not much more to it than that.

Dinner and overnight at Diani Sea Resort or Papillon Lagoon Reef.

Day 6: Diani Beach

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Another day doing whatever you feel like. The beach doesn’t get crowded even in peak season, so there’s always space. Water’s warm, sand’s clean, plenty of places to get lunch or a drink without going back to the hotel.

If you didn’t try any activities yesterday and you’re getting restless, now’s the time. Otherwise just more of the same, swim, read, sleep, repeat.

Sunset’s worth watching from the beach. Grab a Tusker from the bar and find a spot on the sand. Better way to end the day than sitting in your room.

Dinner and overnight at Diani Sea Resort or Papillon Lagoon Reef.

Day 7: Diani Beach to Mombasa, Departure

Drive Time: 1.5 hours to Mombasa Airport · Meals: Breakfast

Last morning depends on when your flight leaves. If it’s afternoon you’ve got time for a final swim and late breakfast. Earlier departures mean packing up and heading out.

Transfer back to Mombasa airport, then you’re either flying straight out international or connecting through Nairobi. Timing varies but afternoon flights from Mombasa to Nairobi generally work fine with evening international departures.

Where you'll stay

Swimming pool at Mara Sopa Lodge — Mara Sopa Lodge, Masai Mara

Mara Sopa Lodge accommodation — Mara Sopa Lodge, Masai Mara

Diani Sea Resort on the beach — Diani Sea Resort, Diani

“Or similar” means we may swap a lodge of the same standard if one is full on your dates. We always tell you before you book.

Prices for 2026 and 2027

Season	2 people	3	4	5	6
Jan to Jun	$2,400	$2,100	$1,900	$1,800	$1,750
Jul to Dec	$2,900	$2,550	$2,350	$2,200	$2,100

Prices are per person sharing, in US dollars. Single supplements and child rates on request.

What's included

Included

Masai Mara park fees
Accommodation (6 nights)
All meals as indicated
Game drives in Masai Mara
Driver-guide in the Mara
Road transport Nairobi to Mara and back
Flight Nairobi to Mombasa
Transfers between Mombasa Airport and Diani
Government taxes

Not included

International flights
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation)
Travel insurance
Tips (around USD $10-15 per person per day)
Drinks at camps and hotels
Personal expenses
Beach activities (snorkeling, water sports, excursions)
Single room supplement

Deposit: 30% to confirm your lodges
Balance: due 60 days before travel
Cancellation: full refund if you cancel more than 60 days before travel. Full cancellation policy

Reviews from our guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cameron M 
 
 
 
 Verified A Couple in December 2025 - 5 Stars
We booked with Stanley and Majestic Safari for the 6-day luxury tour through Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. The trip completely exceeded our expectations, even despite it not being ‘peak season’ we were able to tick off Africa’s Big 5 on the very first game drive. This was in no small part down to our guide, Bonnie, who was an essential part of tracking these animals - you have to request him if booking through Majestic. Each accommodation also exceeded our expectations in terms of location, comfort, quality and service of the staff. Being a first time safari for us, we weren’t sure what to expect - but selecting the luxury option was well worth it. All aspects of travel and organisation was seamless. Once booked, there was next to nothing for us to think about as we were in experienced hands - and we were glad to have partnered with Majestic as there was significantly more organisation required in the background than we originally realised. Stanley also went above and beyond the itinerary, picking us up from the airport late at night despite the tour not starting until a few days later and ensuring we had some food to take into the hotel. This was after providing us with in-depth packing lists and general guidance on exploring Nairobi. I couldn’t recommend Majestic enough and hope to arrange another trip with Stanley in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal66646927528 
 
 
 
 Verified A Beautiful Safari with an Excellent Guide – Just Check the Route First
Majestic Kenyan Safaris gave us a wonderful Kenya experience, and our guide was genuinely lovely. He was calm, kind, and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, parks, and local environment, which made the safari both engaging and meaningful. One thing worth noting for future travellers is the itinerary structure. Over the six-day safari, the route involved long drives in a zig-zag pattern rather than a simple circular loop. This meant more transit time on some days. This was not the fault of the company or the guide, as the itinerary was clearly outlined, but something we wish we had paid closer attention to when booking. Overall, Majestic Kenyan Safaris were professional, warm, and well organised. With careful attention to route planning beforehand, they offer a truly memorable safari experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Anouchka905 
 
 
 
 Verified The most Unforgettable Safari
Stanley Gichuki crafted the journey of dreams Thanks to our incredible guide, Bonie whose fearless spirit turned every mile into magic. He welcomed us in Samburu National Park and led us off the beaten path with a deep, soulful knowledge of the land, its stories, its rhythms, its wild heart. Samburu was our favorite in terms of landscape. We stood in awe in Samburu as reticulated giraffes swept across the horizon, watched Grevy’s zebras stride with quiet elegance, and felt the earth tremble beneath African elephants. We held our breath as a cheetah emerged from the tall grass, and we followed Kamau Boniethrough wet, treacherous tracks to where lions rule their hidden kingdom. Our journey continued into Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary of hope, where we encountered the gentle wisdom of chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall, Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and witnessed the immense beauty of both white and black rhinos, alongside more elephants, more lions… and countless unforgettable moments. Our journey ended in the Maasai Mara . Our last drive was unforgettabel as we watched a cheetah devouring a thompson gazelle, leaving the rest of the kill to a fight between two jackals and a flock of vultures. We had a brief encounter with a leopard walking down a river and watched more lions enjoying their buffalo lunch. Truly memorable experiences. Kenya, you are once in a lifetime. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   goort g 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari with Majestick Kenya
We just returned from a 9 days safari, and we enjoyed it very much. Everything was arranged very well, our driver/guide Bonnie was outstanding. The tour company did everything to be helpfull in picking up from the airport, taking us with their jeep to all the place we visited, and we had very nice game drives. We went to Samburu, Oj Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. The lodges were great, good value for money and we were upgraded in 2 places. Thank you Majestick, and al your staff. We highly recommend you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sam G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Safari Experience!
Just got back from an amazing 7-day safari with Majestic Kenya Safaris! Our guide Samuel was fantastic - incredible wildlife knowledge and spotted animals from miles away. We saw the Big Five, including a pride of lions with cubs in the Maasai Mara. Everything was perfectly organized from airport transfers to accommodations. The mix of lodges and tented camps was great, and falling asleep to African bush sounds was magical. Vehicle was comfortable for the longer drives between parks. One activity got cancelled due to weather, but they quickly arranged something even better. Would definitely recommend to anyone planning a Kenya safari - unforgettable experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tejl Kercova 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Safari experience!
Majestic Kenya Safaris in Nairobi exceeded all my expectations! From the moment we booked, their team was incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring every detail was taken care of. The safari itself was breathtaking—our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the best spots for wildlife viewing. We saw the Big Five up close, along with stunning landscapes that felt like something out of a dream. The accommodations were luxurious yet blended seamlessly with nature. What stood out most was their genuine passion for conservation and community support. I highly recommend Majestic Kenya Safaris for an unforgettable, world-class experience in Kenya!