The Kenya Wildlife Safari

This Safari offers both Wildlife and Beach Experience. Its covers the five wildlife game destinations and later a visit to Diani Beach that includes a boat cruise and snorkeling. Kenya Wildlife Safari traverses scenic wildlife spots, have a chance to visit the shores of Indian Ocean, and cover beautiful sites for you to remember in your life time. The somewhat laid back attitude to life at the coast makes a welcome change of pack from the thrills of your safaris adventure and is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

Family Safari Itinerary

The Great Migration – Millions crossing Mara river

day 2-5: maasai mara National reserve

Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya where the great migration happens, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

Maasai Mara, also sometimes spelled Masai Mara and locally known simply as The Mara, is a large national game reserve in Narok, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin. Their description of the area when looked at from afar: “Mara” means “spotted” in the local Maasai language, due to the many short bushy trees which dot the landscape.

Maasai Mara is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lion, leopard, cheetah and African bush elephant. It also hosts the Great Migration, which secured it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as one of the ten Wonders of the World.

The Greater Mara ecosystem encompasses areas known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Triangle, and several Maasai Conservancies, including Koiyaki, Lemek, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Mara North, Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Naikara, Ol Derkesi, Kerinkani, Oloirien, and Kimintet.

the great migration

With 1,5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 12,000 eland and 300,000 Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles trekking from southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara, the ‘great’ in ‘Great Migration’ may be a bit of an understatement. The constant year-long migration is an iconic natural phenomenon, the timing of which depends on environmental factors, the weather and of course, the animals themselves. In short, the biggest mammal trek in the world follows the rains. The herds travel 800 kilometers clockwise in a circle through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of greener, mineral rich pastures and water. The animals spend most of the cycle in the Serengeti in Tanzania, but also spend several months trekking the bountiful plains of the Masai Mara.

As the herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles enter the Masai Mara they are met by more than their fair share of lethal predators. Aside from the threat of the big cats, the lemming-like herds are also faced with over 3000 crocodiles lurking in the murky waters of the Mara River during their river crossing. Watching the herds blindly jump from riverbank ledges and into the river waters is spectacular to say the least. Eventually the massive herds are rewarded with spoils of the wide open Masai Mara plains. For a short while, life is good. When the food supply dwindles and the rains move on, so do the herds.

day 6-7 lake naivasha

Deep blue lakes, rich acacia forests, extinct volcanoes, waterfalls, imposing towers and bottomless gorges – you’ll be amazed at the variety and drama of the parks, lakes and preserves surrounding Lake Naivasha. Here the birdlife is full, varied and constant as is the parade of wildlife with over 100 species of hunters and grazers. As befitting such a variety of landforms, you’ll find more types of safaris here than anywhere else on earth…each one allowing you to enjoy a different aspect of the wildlife! Take a water safari to get close to the birdlife, then hike, bike or even horseback ride past zebra, giraffe and antelope. The possibilities, like the wildlife, are endless.

The Lake Naivasha Area is a constant gift of surprise, color and nature’s bounty. You’ll find plenty for everyone here. The parks, preserves, lakes and attractions described below are all a short drive from each other. True to its name, Crater Lake is a small but stunning jade-colored volcanic lake. From this center the sanctuary extends with many hiking trails including one along the crater rim. There are easily over 20 scenic vistas along this impressive crater walk. From this vantage point you can take in the 150 species of birds of the sanctuary and larger species like giraffe, zebra and elusive leopard and aardvark. The park is adorned with small groves of acacia trees adding to the magical feeling here. The lake conjures up an almost mystical respect amongst the local Maasai people who believe its waters help heal their ailing cattle. From Sanctuary Farm you can walk across a nearby causeway to this privately-owned game sanctuary. Crescent Island is a small gem of a park and not overly visited as some others are. You can take an easy stroll and picnic alongside the rich birdlife and gently grazing wildlife. Or, enjoy a guided walking safari observing pelicans and cormorants along the shore. You’ll also find buffalo, zebra, giraffe, impala, gazelle and many others. In fact, there are more animals per acre here than any other Kenyan Park. The area is not fenced, so the animals are free to move between the sanctuary and the mainland as groups of buffalo are inclined to do. For a perfect finish to your day, go to the top of the hill here with its 360^o views including Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate Park. As the gold of sunset approaches washing over the grazing animals, you’ll treasure a perfect Africa moment.

Everyone loves Lake Naivasha

day 10-13: Diani Beach

Diani Beach is one of the greatest water sports destinations in East Africa. Kayaking, jet-skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle-boarding and scuba-diving are all possible – whatever your pace or skill level, you’ll find something to experience at Diani.

day : travel back home

It was a journey of a lifetime, buy souvenirs, visit Maasai Market and have dinner in a Diani hotel.

unforgetable diani beach