★★★ 99% Customer Satisfaction ★★★
Talk to our experts+254 723 923 518info@oldtimesafaris.com
Plan My Safari
10 Days Lions By Morning, Toes In The Sand By Evening | Africa safari
Luxury Safaris · 10 Days · Kenya

10 Days Lions By Morning,Toes In The Sand By Evening

Five nights chasing big cats in the Mara, then four on a private stretch of the Indian Ocean. Wild first, slow after.

Duration10 Days9 Nights
WhereMaasai Mara+ Diani Beach
From$8,400per person sharing
Best TimeJul – OctBeach: Dec – Mar
PaceEasyBeach days to unwind
The Journey

Why You Will Love This One

Because why choose between a lion and a coconut? Chase the big cats in the Mara, then trade your boots for flip-flops. Wild first, slow after, smug on the plane home.

The Mara gives you five nights in a plunge-pool suite and a conservancy with night drives. Diani gives you four in a private beach villa with a chef, a pool and the warm Indian Ocean at the end of the garden.

A direct flight links the two, so you spend your time on the sand and not in a vehicle.

  • Five nights of Mara game drives in a plunge-pool suite
  • A flight to the coast, no road drama
  • Four nights in a private beach villa
  • A sunset dhow cruise with something cold in hand
Your Route

Three Stays, Nine Nights

Two Mara camps for the big cats, then a villa on Diani's white sand. Wild first, slow after.

ADay 1NairobiWilson Airport
45 min flight
1Days 1 – 3Maasai MaraRiverside tented camp3 nights
Short drive
2Days 4 – 5Mara NorthConservancy camp2 nights
Flight via Nairobi
3Days 6 – 9Diani BeachPrivate beach villa4 nights
Flight, 1 hr
BDay 10NairobiFly home
Highlights

What You Will Remember

Big Cat Country
Big Cat CountryLions, leopard and cheetah on the Mara plains.
Bush Breakfast
Bush BreakfastA table on a dry riverbed, miles from anyone.
Private Villa
Private VillaA pool, a chef and the ocean at the end of the garden.
Dhow Sunset
Dhow SunsetSail at dusk with a cold drink and a warm breeze.
Coral Reef
Coral ReefSnorkel with turtles and tropical fish.
Slow Days
Slow DaysSand, a hammock and absolutely nowhere to be.
Day By Day

Your 10 Days, In Detail

A typical flow for this safari. Timings shift with the herds, the weather and your wishes, and your guide has the final say on where the action is.

Wheels Up, Lions AheadDay1
Nairobi to Maasai Mara

Wheels Up, Lions Ahead

MorningMeet your guide at Wilson Airport for the 45-minute flight to the Mara. The Rift Valley rolls beneath your window.

AfternoonLand, lunch at camp, then a first game drive. Elephants, topi and, if you are lucky, lions at sunset.

Overnight
Riverside tented camp, Maasai Mara
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Flight, about 45 min
Activities
Afternoon game drive
Big Cats At BreakfastDay2
Maasai Mara

Big Cats At Breakfast

MorningOut with the sun to find the Mara's famous big cats, when they are most active. Back at camp for brunch and a swim.

AfternoonAn afternoon drive across the plains, with sundowners on a rise as the light turns copper.

Overnight
Riverside tented camp, Maasai Mara
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4
Activities
Morning and afternoon drives
A Table On The RiverbedDay3
Maasai Mara

A Table On The Riverbed

MorningA pre-dawn start, then a full bush breakfast served on a dry riverbed, tablecloth and all.

AfternoonA relaxed afternoon, then a visit to a Maasai community for tea and beadwork.

Overnight
Riverside tented camp, Maasai Mara
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4
Activities
Game drive and Maasai visit
Over To The ConservancyDay4
Mara North

Over To The Conservancy

MorningMove to a private conservancy where off-road driving is allowed. Your guide picks the best game on the way.

AfternoonSettle in, then head out in the afternoon light. Fewer vehicles, more wildlife, no crowds.

Overnight
Private conservancy camp, Mara North
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Drive, about 1.5 hrs
Activities
Afternoon game drive
After Dark In The MaraDay5
Mara North

After Dark In The Mara

MorningA guided bush walk with a Maasai guide, learning the language of tracks and tiny bugs.

AfternoonDinner early, then a night drive. Spotlights pick out leopard, hyena and serval cats you would never see by day.

Overnight
Private conservancy camp, Mara North
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot and private 4x4
Activities
Bush walk and night drive
Boots Off, Beach OnDay6
Mara to Diani Beach

Boots Off, Beach On

MorningA morning flight via Nairobi to the coast. A driver meets you at Ukunda and takes you to your private villa.

AfternoonYour chef serves lunch by the pool. Spend the rest of the day on the beach or in the water.

Overnight
Private beach villa, Diani
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Flights, about 3 hrs total
Activities
Free time on the beach
Slow Day, Fresh SeafoodDay7
Diani Beach

Slow Day, Fresh Seafood

MorningNothing is planned. Swim, nap, read or paddle. Breakfast is whenever you wake up.

AfternoonSeafood on the sand at sunset, with lanterns and a table at the water's edge.

Overnight
Private beach villa, Diani
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot
Activities
Beach day
Reef And DolphinsDay8
Diani Beach

Reef And Dolphins

MorningA boat trip to the coral reef for snorkelling, with a chance of dolphins. Lunch is fresh fish on a sandbank.

AfternoonBack at the villa for a massage, a swim and a long, lazy dinner.

Overnight
Private beach villa, Diani
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Boat
Activities
Snorkelling trip
Sail Into The SunsetDay9
Diani Beach

Sail Into The Sunset

MorningA last easy morning, with a swim and a late breakfast on the terrace.

AfternoonA traditional dhow cruise at sunset, with cold drinks, a warm breeze and a farewell dinner under lanterns.

Overnight
Private beach villa, Diani
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Dhow
Activities
Sunset dhow cruise
Kwaheri, PwaniDay10
Diani to Nairobi

Kwaheri, Pwani

MorningA final swim, a slow breakfast and a transfer to Ukunda airstrip.

AfternoonFly to Nairobi in time for your onward flight home. We recommend leaving after 2 pm.

Meals
Breakfast
Getting Around
Transfer and flight
Activities
Flight home
When To Go

The Best Time To Go

The Mara shines from July to October, while the coast is best from December to March and June to October. Brighter blocks mean better conditions.

Mara game viewing

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Beach weather

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Best rates

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
FairGoodBest

An honest word. The two halves of this trip have different best seasons, so we pick the compromise that suits you. July to October gives you migration plus warm, dry beach days. January to March gives you calm seas and green plains. April to May is the wet season, with lower rates.

Where You Stay

Wake Up On Safari And Sand

Two characterful Mara camps and a private villa on the coast. We confirm the exact stays when we shape your proposal.

Check Out All Stays / Camps
Canopy tent bedroom in the Mara01

Plunge-Pool Mara Camp

Canvas outside, a proper bed, a private plunge pool and a deck over the plains inside. The classic safari stay.

  • Maasai Mara
  • 3 Nights
  • Plunge Pool
More Mara Camps →
Conservancy tent glowing at dusk02

Conservancy Camp

Eight tents, a hosted dinner table and off-road drives. Few vehicles, and night drives are allowed.

  • Mara North
  • 2 Nights
  • Night Drives
More Conservancy Camps →
Beach villa with a pool at sunset03

Private Beach Villa

Your own villa with a pool, a chef, a butler and the Indian Ocean at the end of the garden.

  • Diani Beach
  • 4 Nights
  • Private Chef
More Beach Villas →
Rates

What It Costs

Indicative prices per person sharing, with flights from Nairobi to the Mara and from the Mara to Diani included. We confirm the exact figure in your written proposal.

Apr – May, Nov

Green Season

$8,400per person sharing

Green and quiet, with the lowest rates.

Jan – Mar, Jun

Shoulder

$9,850per person sharing

Calm seas, good wildlife and fewer vehicles.

Jul – Oct, Dec

Peak Season

$11,250per person sharing

The migration in the Mara and warm beach days.

Single-room supplements apply. Children travel at reduced rates, ask us. Rates may change with camp rates and fuel.

Good To Know

What Is Included, What Is Not

Included

  • Meet and greet and all airport and airstrip transfers
  • Accommodation as listed, on full board
  • House drinks, soft drinks and bottled water in camp
  • Daily game drives with a private guide in a 4x4 with a window seat for each guest
  • Flights Nairobi to the Mara, Mara to Diani and Diani to Nairobi
  • Boat trip to the reef and a sunset dhow cruise
  • All park, conservancy and activity fees
  • Private bush breakfast or dinner at least once
  • Emergency medical evacuation cover (AMREF)

Not Included

  • International flights to and from East Africa
  • Visas and electronic travel authorisations
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guides and camp staff (about $15 per person per day)
  • Premium spirits, champagne and personal purchases
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Single-room supplement
Know Before You Go

Pack Light, Travel Smart

The small stuff that makes a big difference. Tap a topic for the details, and ask us anything we have missed.

Slow Days
Questions?We reply within a day, usually sooner.
Ask Us Anything
Getting There

Fly into Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta) and we meet you at arrivals. Please arrive the day before your safari if you can, so a late flight never costs you a game drive.

Baggage

Light aircraft take soft bags only, with a limit of 15 kg per person including camera gear and hand luggage. We store spare bags safely.

What To Pack

Neutral layers, a warm fleece for early drives, a sun hat, sunglasses and good binoculars. Evenings are cool and days are warm.

Health And Safety

A yellow fever certificate may be needed if you come from a risk country. Ask your doctor about malaria cover. Our guides carry first-aid kits and radios.

Visas And Entry

Most visitors need a Kenya eTA, applied for online before travel. We guide you through it. Your passport needs six months of validity and spare pages.

Tipping

Tips are a kind way to say thanks. A guide is about $15 per person per day, with a shared tip for camp staff at each camp.

Good Questions

This Safari, Answered

Plan My Safari

Make This Safari Yours

Add a night, swap a camp, bolt on a beach. Tell us what you love and we will tailor it, sawa sawa.

Plan My Safari
From$8,400 pp
Enquire Now
Chat With Our Safari Experts
Plan My Safari