From the Masai Mara to the Indian Ocean
- How long
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Starting from
- Nairobi to Watamu
- Parks
- Masai Mara · Amboseli · Tsavo East
A safari that crosses the country rather than going out and back: 2 nights in the Masai Mara, one under Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, one in Tsavo East, and then the Indian Ocean.
You land in Nairobi and leave from the coast, so none of the driving is repeated and the trip finishes where you would want to finish it — on the beach at Watamu, with the rest of your holiday still ahead of you.
Day 1
Nairobi to the Masai Mara
6 hours west with a stop above the Rift Valley, into camp for lunch, and out again at 15:30.
- 06:00
Out of Nairobi
We collect you at around 06:00, from the airport or from your hotel, and start the drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. It takes roughly 6 hours.
There is cold drinking water in the vehicle for the whole journey.
- Mid-morning
A stop above the Rift Valley
We break the drive in the Rift Valley, where there are toilets and somewhere to stand and look at the view, then carry on to the Mara.
- 13:00
Sentrim Mara Camp
Arrival at about 13:00. Check in, drop your bags in the room, then the restaurant for a buffet lunch.
Drinks with meals are not included and are paid at the table.
2 hours or so to sit still afterwards.
- 15:30
First game drive
Out at about 15:30 for the first afternoon in the Mara, through until around 18:00.
- 20:00
Dinner
Time for a shower before dinner is served at 20:00. There is Wi-Fi afterwards if you want it.
Day 2
A full day in the Mara
A 05:00 start, the Mara River in the morning, lunch in the field, and a Maasai village if you want one.
- 05:00
A 05:00 start
Up at 05:00, so that we are out in the reserve while it is still cool.
- 06:00
Breakfast, then out for the day
Breakfast at 06:00 and straight out. Lunch is packed into a box so the day does not have to be broken by a drive back to camp.
- Morning
Towards the Mara River
The morning drive works towards the Mara River, one of the most spectacular parts of the reserve, looking for game and for the places worth sitting and watching from.
- Midday
Lunch somewhere quiet
We find a calm spot with something to look at and stop there to eat before the drive picks up again, and carry on until about 16:00.
- 16:00
A Maasai village, if you want it
There is the option of visiting a Maasai village, where you can see how the community lives at close quarters and hear about the traditions from the people who keep them.
The visit is optional and the entrance fee is not included in the safari price. We are usually finished by 18:00.
- 20:00
Dinner
Back to camp, shower, and dinner at 20:00.
Day 3
The Mara to Amboseli
6 hours across to Amboseli, and an afternoon drive with the mountain behind it when the cloud allows.
- 06:30
On the road
Up at 05:00, breakfast, and away at about 06:30 towards Amboseli National Park. The drive takes around 6 hours, with a stop along the way.
- Early afternoon
Sentrim Amboseli Camp
We reach camp in the early afternoon. Check in, drop the bags, then the restaurant for lunch, and a couple of hours to do nothing.
- 15:30
Game drive under Kilimanjaro
Out at about 15:30 to explore the park, through until around 18:00.
The thing everyone comes for is Kilimanjaro. Whether you get the summit depends on the weather and the visibility on the day — it is usually clearest first thing and last thing.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back to camp, shower, and dinner.
Day 4
Amboseli to Tsavo East
A drive inside Amboseli before you leave it, 5 hours across to Tsavo, and an afternoon drive to sunset.
- 06:00
A drive before you go
Up at 05:00, breakfast, then a morning game drive inside Amboseli that runs until about 09:00.
- 09:00
Across to Tsavo East
Out of the park and on the road to Tsavo East National Park. The drive takes roughly 5 hours.
- 13:00
Sentrim Tsavo Camp
Arrival at about 13:00. Check in, drop the bags, lunch, and a couple of hours to sit still.
- 16:00
Afternoon game drive
Out at 16:00 into Tsavo East, through to sunset, looking for the park’s own particular cast — the red elephants above all.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back to camp, shower, and dinner.
Day 5
Tsavo East to Watamu
A last morning in the park, then the road to the coast and the end of the safari.
- 06:00
The last game drive
Up at 05:00, breakfast, and out for the final morning drive inside Tsavo East. We keep looking until about 10:30.
- 10:30
The road to the coast
Out of the park and on towards Watamu and the Indian Ocean.
- 13:00
Watamu
Arrival at about one, straight to your hotel, villa or house.
From here the coast is yours — white sand, clear water, and no more early starts unless you want them.
The times in this itinerary are indicative. Roads, traffic, weather, what the animals are doing and the practicalities of running a safari all move them. The shape of the day holds; the clock bends around it.
Where you sleep
Subject to availability, and confirmed when you book.
Masai Mara
- Sentrim Mara Camp
- Fig Tree Camp
Amboseli
- Sentrim Amboseli Camp
Tsavo East
- Sentrim Tsavo Camp
- Manyatta Luxury Camp
- Voi Safari Lodge
- Voi Wildlife Lodge
What the price covers
- All transfers in a 4x4 safari vehicle fitted out for photography, with an opening roof
- Entrance to every park and reserve on the itinerary
- All-inclusive accommodation throughout, drinks with meals excluded
- Bottled mineral water throughout every game drive
- A licensed, registered local guide working in Italian — ask us for English
- A professional local driver qualified for game driving
- Comprehensive safari insurance, including a replacement vehicle and rescue assistance
What it does not
- Drinks with meals
- Breakfast on the morning you leave, where the property does not serve it
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Entrance to a Maasai village
- Anything not written down under what the price covers
Worth putting in the bag
- Light summer clothing
- A hat or cap
- Something warm for the evening and the early starts
- Tropical insect repellent
- High-protection sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimwear
- A power adapter
- Binoculars
- A camera or a phone you like taking photographs with
And an adventurous spirit, obviously.
Ask about this trip
Quoted per person and it moves with the season, the camps and the size of your group. Tell us your dates, how many of you there are and where you are staying at the coast.