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8-Day Kenya Safari and Beach Itinerary

Duration

8 days, 7 nights

Parks

Tsavo West, Amboseli, Watamu

Travel style

Private, luxury

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

Experience an extraordinary blend of Kenya’s most dramatic scenery and marine wonders in this 8-day adventure. Begin in the volcanic country of Tsavo West, continue to Amboseli’s elephant country beneath Mt. Kilimanjaro, and conclude along the pristine shores of Watamu.

This journey combines special wildlife encounters, stunning scenery, and coastal relaxation into one unforgettable experience.

Major Highlights:

Tsavo West’s dramatic volcanic scenery and Mzima Springs
Amboseli’s famous elephant herds against Mt. Kilimanjaro backdrop
Chyulu Hills’ pristine wilderness and special lava formations
Watamu Marine National Park’s coral gardens and marine life
Diverse accommodation from bush camps to luxury beach resorts

Your route

Tsavo West 2 nights · Amboseli 2 nights · Watamu 3 nights. Starts and ends in Nairobi.

Long drive days? Ask about flying between parks instead. It can save most of a day.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo West

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

Your adventure begins with a 7:00 am pickup from your Nairobi hotel in a custom-designed 4×4 safari vehicle. Journey through the scenic Ukambani countryside, with your guide sharing insights about local culture and wildlife.

Enter Tsavo West National Park through Mtito Andei Gate around noon, enjoying your first game drive en route to the lodge. Watch for the park’s famous red elephants, dust-bathed by the volcanic earth, alongside buffalo, zebras, and diverse antelope species against the backdrop of ancient volcanic hills.

After lunch and brief relaxation, visit the crystal-clear Mzima Springs where underground viewing chambers offer special glimpses of hippos and fish in their natural habitat. Conclude your day with an evening game drive exploring the dramatic scenery before returning for dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge or similar, where you can watch wildlife at the lodge’s waterhole.

Day 2: Full Day in Tsavo West

Full Day Game Drives · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your day with a 6:30 am game drive through the mystical Chyulu Hills, where early morning mists create perfect conditions for spotting leopards and other predators. Your expert guide will track fresh wildlife signs while explaining the special habitat. Visit the otherworldly Shetani Lava Flows, where your guide shares fascinating stories about the area’s volcanic history and local legends. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and time to relax by the pool during the midday heat.

Afternoon game drive at 3:30 pm explores different sectors of the park, including hidden springs and acacia woodlands. Climb to the Roaring Rocks viewpoint for spectacular sunset views over the vast wilderness. Return to the lodge for dinner, falling asleep to the distant calls of nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge or similar.

Day 3: Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park

Distance: 200 km | Drive Time: 4-5 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast at 7:00 am, begin your journey to Amboseli National Park. The drive offers stunning views of the Chyulu Hills and, weather permitting, your first glimpses of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Stop at strategic viewpoints for photos and stretching breaks while your guide explains the fascinating geography of the region. Pass local villages and traditional Maasai homesteads before entering Amboseli around midday.

Check into your lodge for lunch and brief relaxation before a 4:00 pm game drive focusing on the park’s famous elephant herds. Search for lions lounging in the golden grass and abundant birdlife around the marshlands. Return to the lodge for dinner while watching wildlife at the floodlit waterhole.

Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge or similar.

Day 4: Full Day in Amboseli

Full Day Game Drives · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Maximize your chances of seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro at its best with a 6:30 am departure for a morning game drive. Venture out across the dry lake bed, keeping a lookout for large elephant herds and other wildlife. Visit a traditional Maasai village (extra cost) to learn about the local culture and way of life. Ascend Observation Hill for panoramic views over the plains below before returning to your lodge for a hearty breakfast and midday rest.

Afternoon game drive at 3:30 pm explores Amboseli’s marshlands, where hippos wallow in the cooling water and birds flock to the lush vegetation. Your guide will point out signs of the region’s abundant big cats and other predators. Return to the lodge for dinner and your final night in Amboseli.

Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge or similar.

Day 5: Amboseli to Watamu

Flight Time: 2 hours · Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy an early breakfast at 6:30 am before transferring to the local airstrip for your flight to Malindi via Nairobi. Touch down in the coastal town of Malindi, where a resort representative will greet you for the 1-hour drive to your luxury beach accommodation in Watamu. Settle into your room, then spend the afternoon exploring the resort’s facilities or strolling along the pristine white sand beach. As the sun sets, gather for a welcome dinner at one of the resort’s excellent restaurants.

Overnight at Hemingways Watamu or similar.

Days 6-7: Watamu

Free Days at Leisure · Meals: Breakfast

Spend two full days immersed in the coastal paradise of Watamu. Each morning begins with a delicious breakfast spread at your resort, offering a variety of local and international dishes to fuel you for the day ahead. Then, choose from an array of optional activities:

Morning dolphin watching tours (2-3 hours): Cruise along the coast in search of playful pods of dolphins, sometimes joined by turtles and migrant seabirds.
Snorkeling trips to the coral gardens (1-2 hours): Explore the vibrant underwater world of the Watamu Marine National Park, home to a kaleidoscope of tropical fish and colorful coral formations.
Glass-bottom boat excursions (1 hour): Witness the marine life without getting wet, as you glide over the reef in a specially designed boat with clear viewing panels.
Scuba diving (half or full day): For certified divers, experience the thrill of exploring the park’s submerged caves, tunnels, and walls teeming with sea life.
Traditional dhow sunset cruises (2-3 hours): Sail along the coast on a classic wooden dhow boat, enjoying cocktails and canapés as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Deep-sea fishing trips (half or full day): Try your hand at catching marlins, sailfish, and other big game fish in the rich waters off the Kenyan coast.

For relaxation, take advantage of your resort’s beachfront, infinity pool, spa facilities, and diverse dining venues. In the evenings, savor fresh seafood specialties and enjoy live local entertainment. Spend your free time as you wish, whether swimming, kayaking, or simply unwinding on the white sand beaches.

Overnight at Hemingways Watamu or similar.

Day 8: Watamu to Nairobi

Morning Transfer · Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy one final breakfast at your beach resort before transferring to Malindi Airport for your flight back to Nairobi. This concludes your 8-day trip through Kenya’s wild country and coast.

Where you'll stay

Views of wildlife at the watering hole from Kilaguni Serena Safari lodge — Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Tsavo West

Accommodation unit at Ol Tukai lodge — Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli

View of the beach from Hemingways Watamu — Hemingways Watamu, Watamu

View of the Indian Ocean from Hemingways Watamu — Ocean view, Hemingways Watamu

“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	$3,030	$2,800	$2,690	$2,620	$2,570
Jul to Dec	$3,030	$2,800	$2,690	$2,620	$2,570

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

What's included

Included

Park entry fees
All accommodation as listed
All meals as indicated
Game drives with a professional guide
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport
Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser
All government levies and taxes

Not included

International flights
Spirits and premium wines (house wine and beer are included at most lodges)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement
Tips and personal expenses
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation) and Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance

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!