Kenya safari and beach – Big Five & coconut palms in Diani Beach

The motherland of safaris, home to a fabulous wildlife and a paradise for beach dreams on the Indian Ocean. Kenya safari and beach, the Big Five and coconut palms in Diani Beach – those are the themes of today's blog, with plenty of information for you.

An unforgettable holiday destination – Kenya

Kenya – a country that simply has everything an adventure-loving holidaymaker's heart desires! Endless savannas for unique safaris into a breathtaking wildlife, majestic mountains with an established network of hiking trails, paradise beaches for dreamy moments on white sand under coconut palms, and a lively culture that casts its spell on you straight away.

Believe me – Kenya is as exciting as it sounds.

Who doesn't think of the Maasai when they think of the people of this country in East Africa? And yet there are officially 42 other ethnic groups. They welcome you warmly and with a smile.

They know their country is something special – a diverse destination with that extraordinary touch. Here, on a safari , you can encounter the Big Five – lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards – in their natural habitat. Close … very close … awe-inspiringly close!

It's just as well that after all the excitement you can let the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean caress you. The beaches along the coast, above all Diani Beach, invite you to relax, snorkel and dive. The water is warm, the coral reefs colourful and the atmosphere relaxed – just ideal for leaving everyday stress behind.

Safari and beach in Kenya offer a perfect combination that unites adventure, nature, culture and relaxation in a unique way and makes the country an unforgettable holiday destination.

The fascination of a Kenya safari

The magic of a Kenya safari unfolds in those unforgettable moments when you drive through breathtaking landscapes in a safari Land Cruiser with the panoramic roof open, getting very close to the fascinating wildlife.

Wildlife viewing and national parks

Kenya is famous for its diverse reserves such as the Masai Mara or the Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks. These areas are home to numerous wild animals and offer good chances of seeing the “Big Five” in the wild.

The wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara in particular is a spectacular natural phenomenon. Millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other antelope and zebras come to visit from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

From around July to October they move in huge herds across the plains. They pass herds of elephants, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles, until they march back across the border. Hundreds of bird species enjoy the fascinating wildlife panorama from above.

The landscapes vary from open savannas to dense woodland, making the safari a varied adventure. Amboseli National Park is famous for its elephants against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro.

In Tsavo West National Park the herds of elephants with “red skin” stand out, caused by their mud baths and dust showers in the red sand.

Authentic safari experiences with experienced guides

A well-organised itinerary is crucial for a successful safari adventure.

That is why guided tours in particular are highly recommended. All the more so as Kenya is still not recommended for self-drivers. The infrastructure on the road still needs to improve.

A guided safari is therefore the best choice for enjoying the full experience. It has the advantage that you can sit back and relax before and during the trip. Travel experts plan the route in advance, and guides make sure it is carried out during the trip.

Professional guides make the trip not only safer, but also more educational and more personal. They know the best places and the animals' behaviour and increase the chances of impressive sightings. They always have fascinating stories about flora and fauna up their sleeve – a real highlight for all nature lovers.

Is it possible to combine safari and beach holiday in Kenya?

Oh yes, it is absolutely possible to combine safari and beach holiday in Kenya. And this combination is even very popular with travellers. Kenya is perfectly suited to combining wild adventures in the wilderness with relaxing moments on beaches with Caribbean flair.

You can conveniently use domestic flights or transfers to link the different parts of your trip. The diverse wildlife of Amboseli or Tsavo West National Park is just a one-hour flight from the dreamy seaside resorts on the coast.

The logistical link between the sights inland and the highlights on the Indian Ocean is well developed. For example, our mini-group tour “Best of Kenya” safari takes you to the country's highlights and ends on the coast.

But you can also design your trip privately and completely individually, flying from highlight to highlight and adapting everything to your own wishes. We are happy to help.

Typically you land in the capital Nairobi, start your safari there and visit the best-known parks in the south of the country. After exciting wildlife viewing, you drive or fly to the coast, for example to Ukunda, the airport serving Diani Beach, where dreamy beaches await you. Freshly rested, you then fly home from Mombasa.

This route is ideal because it perfectly combines the highlights of both worlds – the fascinating wildlife and the relaxing seaside. That way you can shape your Kenya trip entirely to your taste, whether more safari, more beach or a mix of both.

Want to find out more about Kenya trips?

We are happy to advise you. Get in touch with us!

Where can you have a beach holiday in Kenya? Diani Beach – the paradise on the Indian Ocean

Kenya has around 500 km of mainland coastline with many romantically beautiful bays and stretches of beach. Then there are its islands, among which Lamu Island is one of the most sought-after.

One of the most easily accessible coastal jewels, however, is Diani Beach, south of Mombasa.

White sandy beaches & turquoise water

Treat yourself to a crowning finale in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean after an exciting safari. Diani Beach is an excellent choice for this. White sand, coconut palms and turquoise water in a tropical setting – a real dream beach.

Out at sea, beautiful underwater landscapes also await, where you can snorkel, dive or, depending on the season, even swim with whale sharks. Diani Beach is not called the jewel of the mainland coast for nothing.

If you like it active, kitesurfing might be an option. Stand-up paddling (SUP), on the other hand, is used by many as a fun workout.

If you are looking for relaxation, let the gentle sea swell wash around your body and enjoy massages in your hotel's spa area. Or follow the beach into the green forests, where you can take idyllic walks.

In the afternoon you can also enjoy a dhow cruise into the sunset here. Or you simply hang up a hammock and hide away in it for the rest of the day with a good book. Later it's off into the nightlife with its cosy restaurants and beach bars.

Can you go on safari from Diani Beach?

A Kenya safari and beach holiday in its simplest version is something you can also have from your beach resort. But the quality of the experience will not be the same as when you book a proper safari.

Day trips and multi-day trips are offered. Many travellers who want to book a safari spontaneously on the spot are reluctant to stay away from their already fully paid beach accommodation for several days and therefore choose a day trip.

The nearest national park – Tsavo East – is “only” around 188 km away. But because of the road conditions and the route past the city of Mombasa, you need about 3 to 3.5 hours to reach the gate.

There and back that is up to 7 hours of driving. That is already stressful, without having seen anything of the park itself. These excursions are also often offered in minibuses instead of off-road vehicles.

It is therefore more coherent and more rewarding to divide your trip into a beach holiday and a safari.

Great Kenya safaris that combine well with a beach holiday:

Where can you combine safari and beach holiday in Kenya? The “Best of Kenya” trip

I naturally do not want to withhold from you a very good example of a safari with our “Best of Kenya” tour. It should give you an idea of how a safari can run. You can conveniently book the beach holiday on top. In this example, best after your safari.

Itinerary at a glance – Kenya safari and beach

On this tour, 8 days full of exciting wildlife viewing await you on a guided safari through the crème de la crème of Kenya's national parks.

You travel with a guide in a mini-group in a 4×4 off-road vehicle with a panoramic roof. You sleep in lodges and tented camps.

The tour starts in Nairobi and ends on the coast. That means you fly from Europe to Nairobi and begin your journey home from the international airport in Mombasa. In between lies an impressive route:

Your trip first takes you from Nairobi to the Masai Mara. The place that is famous above all for the “Great Migration” of millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other antelope and zebras. The density of wildlife here is remarkable all year round, though.

Via a stopover with an overnight stay and boat-tour option at Lake Naivasha – flower capital and bird paradise – you continue to Amboseli National Park.

Amboseli is famous for its elephants with large tusks and a breathtaking view of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. What a backdrop with the wildlife in front of it.

Next comes Tsavo West National Park. Red-powdered elephants, gerenuks and some of the last Hunter's hartebeest (hirola) still to be found in Kenya are on the menu here.

At the end of the trip we drop you off – if you have booked a beach holiday – on the tropical beach of Diani Beach. At last your chance to turn the Indian Ocean red with the dust that has built up over the last few days.

Why this tour is ideal

The appeal of a safari like this begins with booking it before your trip. Pure anticipation, no further worries about whether you might have forgotten some detail in the planning. Instead, booked with a very experienced Africa specialist.

Once you are finally on the road, you soon notice how safe you feel and how relaxed you can sit back. You feel the good planning and the smooth running even under sometimes difficult conditions. That is holiday and experience at the same time.

8 days in Kenya's world-famous top safari destinations. I get goosebumps just writing it. With a competent guide at your side and his local expertise, you get more than just impressions, you get encounters. You see more, you understand more.

And if we even drive you to the coast at the end of the tour, why not add a few days of beach holiday? Let your soul dangle under the coconut palms.

If you want to know more about the fascination of a safari, I recommend the blog “What makes a Kenya safari so special?”.

Should I book my safari on the spot?

As the old saying goes: “Ask your doctor or pharmacist about risks and side effects.” I am neither doctor nor pharmacist, but a safari guide with a good dose of experience. And I work for a company with even more experience.

A Kenya safari and Diani Beach undoubtedly go superbly together. Spontaneity can be a good binding agent for that. After all, you are on holiday, do not want to plan all your time in advance, and want to leave room for short-notice decisions. You have my understanding.

I personally lean towards an extremely high degree of spontaneity. But while I would certainly leave my beach days open as far as the daily plan is concerned, I would definitely not want to leave a safari to chance.

When it comes to safaris, with spontaneous bookings I do not know whether I will get what I want, nor what the quality will be. Safaris are costly, and their quality depends heavily on the professionalism of the guide and the operator.

I have already told you about the 7 hours there and back just to reach the entrance gate of the nearest national park. If I were then also driven through the park in a full minibus instead of a safari Land Cruiser, I would certainly be even more disappointed.

Booking safari tours in advance with an established provider or Africa specialist such as Elefant-Tours, who also run the tours themselves through their subsidiary in Kenya, has particular advantages: they stand for reliability and quality!

And again I can sit back, look forward to the holiday and enjoy my time.

How do I plan a Kenya safari and beach holiday? Practical tips for your holiday

Everything from a single source

For Kenya I recommend “everything from a single source” planning, with a guided safari and relaxed beach days to finish. This applies especially to first-time visitors to Kenya.

With a Kenya travel specialist such as Elefant-Tours at your side, who plans from German-speaking countries and works with the subsidiary on the ground , you have all the support you need. Even German-speaking management and, on request, German-speaking guides for your safari.

They talk things over with you, put together an itinerary based on your wishes and organise your trip in Kenya from arrival to departure. That includes the transfers, accommodation and routes.

You will find more detailed tips on planning and preparing your Africa trip in the blog “Africa for beginners”.

Best time to travel to Kenya: safari & swimming

If you want to experience safari and beach in Kenya, the best time to travel is in the dry months between June and October. Admittedly, the most popular parks and beaches are often busier at this time. But who could blame you when it is the obvious way to round off a great safari with a beach holiday.

The advancing drought in the country thins the vegetation and dries out waterholes. It makes the animals more visible during your Kenya safari in the bush savannas. This applies especially at the remaining waterholes, where they increasingly concentrate.

Between July and October, visiting the Great Migration (the “Great Trek”) of the wildebeest is a very special highlight. Millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other antelope and zebras follow the call of fresh grass and bravely make their way through the crocodile-infested Mara River into Kenya.

The dry period from January to March is also recommended. In this rainfall pause of just under three months between the short and long rainy seasons, the vegetation does not disappear as markedly as in September and October.

In return, fewer tourists are about and the prices are lower thanks to the season. Good road conditions, mostly sunny days, the many young animals and fascinating birdlife come as a bonus on top.

On the coast at the same time, the water is clearest for snorkelling and diving, and from January the whale sharks become a main attraction off the coast.

In the blog “When is the best time to travel to Kenya?” you will find more detailed information on the topic.

Health

Kenya is a country with malaria areas. I therefore strongly recommend tropical medicine advice.

There you can clarify the need for preventive malaria tablets and sensible vaccinations for your trip.

The most important precaution against mosquitoes as carriers of diseases such as malaria is bite prevention, however. So: wear clothing that protects your whole body, use mosquito repellent spray, mosquito nets or similar, especially during the active times of the malaria mosquito between dusk in the evening and sunrise in the morning.

I have collected tips on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes on Africa safaris for you in my blog “Malaria protection on Africa trips” .

Entry & airports

We recommend starting your Kenya safari in Nairobi and ending it in Mombasa. Between the two cities you can visit many safari highlights along the southern route.

In Nairobi you head for Jomo Kenyatta International (JKIA) Airport, in Mombasa for Moi International Airport (MIA).

European travellers, by the way, need an electronic travel authorisation, which has replaced the classic tourist visa and is applied for online. We have put together exactly how this works for you in our blog “How can you apply for the Kenya e-visa online?”.

How do I get from A to B? Getting around the country

In Nairobi you will be picked up at the airport by our subsidiary and the safari begins.

For the safari part of your trip you travel together with an experienced guide. In the 4×4 safari Land Cruiser you go from park to park and on many extended game drives until you finally arrive at the coast.

Alternatively, you can fly from the national park directly to the coast by small aircraft. That saves you several hours of driving and gives you more time on the beach.

After the safari you will be dropped off at your beach hotel. In Diani Beach you get from one beach bar to the next by tuk-tuk or taxi.

For the connection from Diani Beach to the departure airport in Mombasa, we arrange a taxi transfer for you.

We do not recommend driving yourself in Kenya.

What belongs in your luggage?

Yes, yes, the dreaded luggage question. A Kenya safari and beach holiday requires a good mix of safari-suitable and beach-suitable luggage. So, very important:

• Choose light, breathable clothing in neutral colours that suit wildlife viewing – after all, you do not want to scare the animals.
  
• Do not forget swimming trunks, a swimsuit or a bikini – skinny-dipping is not an option.
  
• Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle – the sun really beats down here!
  
• Medication should not be missing either – the most important items belong in your hand luggage.
  
• All that's missing is your camera with chargers and adapter, binoculars and a good mood – and off you go!

You will find more on the topic of packing in our blog “Safari packing list”.

Conclusion – why Kenya safari and beach go together perfectly

Kenya offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of the African continent in all its diversity – from the impressive wilderness of the national parks to the dreamy beaches on the coast.

After the exciting days on safari, Diani Beach in particular invites you to let your soul dangle, bathe in the warm Indian Ocean and enjoy the tropical atmosphere.

In Kenya, safari and beach fit together as a perfect combination because they unite the best of the continent in a single trip – nature and adventure, culture and encounters, seaside mood and relaxation.

Ideal for everyone who wants to experience the authentic Africa in all its beauty.

The key to this very special experience is a well-planned trip. A professional provider such as Elefant-Tours helps you organise a tour that suits you, find the best safari and beach hotels, coordinate transfers and take individual wishes into account.

That way you can travel stress-free, enjoy endlessly and experience the unforgettable.

For further questions and support in planning your Kenya trip, we are happy to help. Thanks to our close contact with our subsidiary in Kenya, we are always well informed about the current situation. So get in touch with us! Your dream, our expertise – your very own Kenya experience.