A Kenya safari and beach holiday usually means four to six nights on safari, then three to five nights on the Indian Ocean coast at Diani or Watamu. From Ireland it is a good way to make a long journey worth it: you get the game drives first, then a proper rest before the flight home.
Here is how the two halves fit together, which beach suits which kind of trip, and what it costs.
Safari first, beach second
We almost always put the safari first. Game drives start early, roads can be dusty, and you will be glad of the beach afterwards. It also means the safari runs on fixed dates, with the flexible part at the end.
A typical 10-day plan: Amboseli and Tsavo, or the Masai Mara and a Rift Valley lake, for five or six nights, then four nights at the coast. Our 10-day safari and beach trip follows that pattern.
Diani or Watamu
| Diani | Watamu | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | South of Mombasa | North of Mombasa, near Malindi |
| Nearest airport | Ukunda airstrip, or Mombasa (Moi International) | Malindi |
| Feel | Long white beach, wide choice of hotels | Smaller and quieter, marine park on the doorstep |
| Good for | First beach stay, families, more restaurants | Snorkelling, couples, a slower pace |
We compare them properly in our Diani or Watamu guide, and the Diani Beach guide covers that coast in more depth.
Getting from the safari to the coast
- Fly. Domestic flights connect Nairobi with Mombasa, Ukunda (for Diani) and Malindi (for Watamu). From the Mara you would usually fly back via Nairobi. This is the quickest option and the one we use most.
- Drive from Tsavo or Amboseli. If your safari is in the south, the coast is a road transfer away, so a southern circuit flows straight to the beach.
- Train. The Madaraka Express runs between Nairobi and Mombasa. It suits people who want to see the country, but it adds a day.
Light aircraft usually allow 15 kg per person in a soft bag, so pack beach clothes with that in mind. The flights guide has more on baggage and on getting from Dublin to Nairobi.
How many nights at the beach
Three nights is the minimum we suggest. It gives you two full days after the travel day. Four or five nights is better if you have the time, especially with children, or if you are using the beach to get over the long safari days before flying home.
When to go
The coast is hot and humid all year. The best beach weather broadly matches the safari dry seasons: roughly December to March and July to October. April to June brings the heaviest coastal rain. Our guide to the best time to travel from Ireland sets these against the Irish school holidays.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs currently advises a high degree of caution for Kenya and gives specific advice for some coastal areas, including flying rather than driving to Lamu. Read the DFA travel advice for Kenya before you book.
What it costs
Our safari and beach trips start at US$1,750 per person for seven days, and from US$2,800 for ten days, which is about €2,490 at mid-October 2026 rates. Beach hotels vary more than safari lodges, so the coast is where the price moves most. See what a Kenya safari costs from Ireland for the full picture, browse all our safari and beach holidays, or start from our Ireland safari page.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
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