When is the best time to do the Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale?

Jul – Oct (migration) · Jan – Feb (calving & big cats). We run this itinerary year-round and simply re-route game drives and camps to follow the wildlife and the weather. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm exactly what the Nairobi National Park will be like that week.

What's included in the price?

All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day; Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed; Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout; Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary; All game drives and activities named in the itinerary; All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations; Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary; Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered. Prices are per person sharing and quoted in USD; your proforma invoice itemises everything before you pay.

What is not included?

International flights and airport departure taxes; Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory); Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits; Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving; Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure); Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included. International flights, visas, travel insurance, premium drinks and gratuities are always quoted separately so there are no surprises.

How do we travel between parks?

Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, window seat guaranteed for every guest, and a professional driver-guide for the whole route. Longer legs on this trip are flown on scheduled light aircraft to save you a full day on the road. Airport pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, cooler box and Wi-Fi in the vehicle are included.

How much are park and conservation fees?

Nairobi National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara North Conservancy. Park and conservation fees work out to about USD 1,170 per adult for this routing (children under 12 pay roughly half, infants under 3 are free). Kenyan and Tanzanian statutory taxes — 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge — are shown as separate lines on your proforma invoice.

Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black); Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives; Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen; Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot; Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor; Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs; Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed; Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required. Soft-sided bags are essential if your trip includes a light-aircraft leg (15kg limit including hand luggage).

Is it safe, and what about health requirements?

Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor; Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country; Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark; Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting; Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory; Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days. Every Kenya departure is escorted by a licensed guide, vehicles carry a first-aid kit and satellite communications, and all guests are covered by AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation while on safari.

How do we book and what deposit is required?

Request availability or book directly from this page. We hold your camps for 48 hours, issue a proforma invoice with the full breakdown, then confirm on a 50% deposit with the balance due 45 days before travel. Card and M-Pesa payments are both accepted.

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Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale

Maasai Mara & Lamu Archipelago 10 Days From $11,600 per person

Overview

The journey

The safari-and-sea itinerary at its most refined. Four nights in the Mara's private conservancies, then a charter straight to the Lamu archipelago for dhow sailing, Swahili food and two nights on a staffed private island house. Designed for honeymoons and significant anniversaries.

Compare tiers side by side

Why this safari

What makes it different

10 days, 4 ecosystems, one private vehicle and guide — and the option to fly the long legs.

4 distinct ecosystems in 10 days
Nairobi · Mara North · Lamu · Manda Bay — each chosen for a different animal, landscape and light, and ordered so you never double back.
A tight, purposeful route with no wasted days
Every move is planned around game movements and light, so short days still deliver full game-viewing mornings.
Your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and private guide
No shared vehicles and no fixed departure times — you decide when to leave camp, how long to sit with a sighting, and where to have breakfast.
Flown, not driven — included at Ultra-Luxury
Private charters between Mara North, Lamu save roughly 23 hours of road time and are included in the Ultra-Luxury price.
Ultra-Luxury is genuinely all-inclusive
All meals, premium drinks, laundry, park and conservancy fees, private guiding and the charter flights are in the price. You should not need your wallet until you tip.
Priced honestly, with fees shown up front
Park and conservation fees, taxes and levies are itemised on your proforma invoice — 50% confirms the booking and the balance is due before travel.

Flying package

Fly between parks, conservancies and countries

Private Cessna Caravan or Grand Caravan charter, meet-and-greet planeside. 15kg per person in soft bags on charter sectors — extra seats can be blocked for luggage. Cross-border sectors include international handling and immigration clearance planeside.

Pick the legs you'd like to fly — the rest stay on the road in your 4x4.

Saves about 23 hours on the road — time you spend in camp instead.

No flights added yet — every transfer is by road.

At a glance

Trip essentials

Best season

Jul – Oct (migration) · Jan – Feb (calving & big cats)

Pace & difficulty

Relaxed — long stays, few moves · Easy — suitable for all ages

Group size

Private departure — 2 to 6 guests per vehicle

Game viewing

24–32 hours of guided game viewing across 4 active days

Destinations routed

Nairobi National Park → Maasai Mara National Reserve → Mara North Conservancy → Lamu Island

Ideal for

Honeymooners and anniversaries · Private departures for 2–6 guests

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

Every day is planned to the hour, with the flexibility to change anything before you confirm.

Route overview

1
Nairobi National Park
Day 1 · 1 night
2
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 2 · 1 night
3
Mara North Conservancy
Days 3–4 · 2 nights
4
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Days 5–6 · 2 nights
5
Lamu Island
Day 7 · 1 night
6
Mara North Conservancy
Days 8–9 · 2 nights
7
Nairobi National Park
Day 10 · journey ends

1
Day 1 · Arrive Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Arrival
Fast-track arrival, transfer to Hemingways for the night.
Morning
Arrival, immigration assistance and meet-and-greet by your Perch Africa representative
Afternoon
Transfer, luggage re-pack for light aircraft, and a full trip briefing with your guide
Evening
Welcome dinner and route walkthrough with your safari specialist
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Hemingways Nairobi
Dinner
Private airport transfer
Visa/e-TA must be approved before departure — we send the checklist on booking
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
2
Day 2 · Fly to Mara North
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Game driveScenic flightSundowners
Transit
Charter to the conservancy. Afternoon game drive and sundowners on a ridge.
Morning
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive on arrival — hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast
Evening
Camp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Saruni Mara
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
3
Day 3 · Big cats & walking
Mara North Conservancy
Guided walkCultural visit
Safari
Dawn drive followed by a guided walk with Maasai guides; night drive after dinner.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching & photography
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then walking safaris (where permitted)
Evening
Night drive (permitted in the conservancies), then dinner around the fire
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Saruni Mara
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
4
Day 4 · Balloon & bush breakfast
Mara North Conservancy
Balloon safariScenic flight
Safari
Optional dawn balloon flight over the reserve, champagne bush breakfast on landing.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — walking safaris (where permitted)
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then guided game drives
Evening
Night drive (permitted in the conservancies), then dinner around the fire
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Saruni Mara
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
5
Day 5 · Mara at leisure
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Wildlife viewing
Safari
A slow day — spa, a private bush lunch, and a final long afternoon drive.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — photographic hides & sundowners
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then game drives (morning, full-day, night in conservancies)
Evening
Sundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Saruni Mara
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
6
Photo credit
Day 6 · Fly to Lamu
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Boat experienceCultural visitScenic flight
Beach
Charter Mara–Manda with a Nairobi touchdown. Boat transfer to Shela village.
Morning
Morning dhow sail with fresh fruit and coffee on board
Afternoon
Village and spice-market visit with your local guide
Evening
Beach bonfire, Swahili tasting menu and live taarab music
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Peponi Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Spare camera batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
7
Photo credit
Day 7 · Lamu old town & dhow
Lamu Island
Guided walkBoat experienceSundowners
Beach
Morning walk through the UNESCO old town, afternoon dhow sail with sundowners in the channel.
Morning
Slow breakfast on the terrace, then the reef at high tide — snorkelling over the coral gardens
Afternoon
Free afternoon: paddleboards, kayaks or a book in the shade of the palms
Evening
Sunset cocktails on the sand, then a seafood dinner grilled to order
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Peponi Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
8
Photo credit
Day 8 · Private island
Mara North Conservancy
Boat experience
Beach
Boat to your private island house — staff, chef and a beach with nobody else on it.
Morning
Sunrise swim followed by a guided walk along the tide line
Afternoon
Optional deep-sea fishing, kite-surfing lesson or a spa treatment
Evening
Dhow sundowner cruise followed by dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Private island house, Manda Bay
All inclusive
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
9
Day 9 · Island day
Mara North Conservancy
Ocean experience
Beach
Snorkelling, kayaking, deep-sea fishing or a Swahili cooking lesson with the house chef.
Morning
Morning dhow sail with fresh fruit and coffee on board
Afternoon
Village and spice-market visit with your local guide
Evening
Beach bonfire, Swahili tasting menu and live taarab music
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Private island house, Manda Bay
All inclusive
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
10
Photo credit
Day 10 · Departure
Nairobi National Park
Boat experienceScenic flight
Departure
Boat to Manda airstrip and fly to Nairobi for your international departure.
Morning
Final sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
Afternoon
Scheduled light-aircraft flight to Nairobi for your internationa
Evening
Assisted check-in for your international flight home
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Accommodation confirmed on booking
Breakfast
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight to Nairobi for your internationa
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise

You leave Nairobi National Park with the sound of the plains still in your ears — and a standing invitation to come back for the season you missed.

Transparent pricing

Park & conservation fees included

Destination	Type	Per adult / day	Days	Per adult
Nairobi National Park	Park entry fee	$50	1	$50
Maasai Mara National Reserve	Park entry fee	$200	3	$600
Mara North Conservancy	Conservation fee	$130	4	$520
Total statutory fees per adult				$1,170

Children under 12 pay 50% and infants under 3 are free. Your proforma invoice itemises 16% VAT, the 2% catering levy and the 2% service charge separately.

What's included

All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed
Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary
All game drives and activities named in the itinerary
All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations
Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary
Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered
Flying-doctor evacuation cover (AMREF) for the safari days
24/7 in-country support line and a proforma invoice with every quote
Beach transfers and one guided marine excursion at the coast

Not included

International flights and airport departure taxes
Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory)
Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits
Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving
Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure)
Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included

What to pack

✦Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black)
✦Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives
✦Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
✦Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot
✦Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor
✦Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs
✦Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed
✦Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required

Health & safety

✦Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor
✦Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country
✦Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark
✦Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting
✦Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory
✦Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days

Good to know

✦Kenya e-TA is applied for online and usually approved within 72 hours
✦Park fees are payable in USD and are included in your quoted price
✦Conservancy camps allow night drives and walking; the reserve itself does not
✦M-Pesa is universal for small payments — ask us how to load it
✦16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge are itemised on your proforma invoice
✦Book 6–9 months ahead for July–October and the festive season
✦Drones are prohibited in national parks without a written permit
✦A deposit of 50% confirms your dates; the balance is due 45 days before travel

Your safari investment

$37,700

per adult · 10 Days · Luxury

Includes 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser & guide

Choose your tier

Iconic camps with character — e.g. Mara Plains Camp

Travel start date

Add your date and every stay below is dated automatically.

Adults

Children

2–11 yrs

Infants

under 2

Subtotal$75,400

Auto discount (10%)− $7,540

Total$67,860

≈ $33,930 per person, all-inclusive

Included value

Selected accommodation and meal plan
Private transport and professional guide
Park and conservation fees
Government taxes and service charges

Highlights

What to expect

✦ Four nights of private-conservancy game viewing with night drives and walking
✦ A dhow sail through the Lamu archipelago at sunset
✦ Two nights on a private island house with a full staff and no other guests
✦ Swahili cooking with the house chef and a Lamu old-town walk
✦ Every transfer by charter — Mara to the coast in under three hours

Special events

Celebrate on safari

Route

Start to finish

Start · Nairobi Finish · Lamu

Start & stops
Finish
Direction of travel
Drive
Flight

Calendar timezone

Add to Google Calendar

Where you'll stay

Accommodation

Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi
Boutique Hotel · 5★·$1,664/pp/night
4.8(38 traveller reviews)
Butler service and a garden suite on arrival night. Hemingways Nairobi is positioned for game viewing in Nairobi, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Ultra-Luxury category, expect a fully private, staffed experience shaped entirely around you.
Private chef & butlerHeated poolIn-villa spaCellar selectionHelicopter pad
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.
Mara North
Saruni Mara
Luxury Lodge·$1,040/pp/night
4.9(200 traveller reviews)
Six cottages in a forested valley in Mara North Conservancy. Saruni Mara is positioned for game viewing in Mara North, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Luxury category, expect hand-crafted suites, a private guide and all-inclusive dining.
Heated plunge bathPrivate guide & vehicleMini libraryCurated barBush spa
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.
Lamu
Peponi Hotel
Boutique Beach Hotel·$666/pp/night
4.5(129 traveller reviews)
The Shela institution — 24 rooms on the waterfront. Peponi Hotel is positioned for game viewing in Lamu, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Premium category, expect polished service, a pool and à la carte dining.
Pool & spa accessPrivate verandaÀ la carte diningWi-Fi in tentLaundry service
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.
Manda Bay
Private island house
Exclusive-use Villa·$1,040/pp/night
4.9(59 traveller reviews)
Staffed four-bedroom house taken on an exclusive-use basis. Private island house is positioned for game viewing in Manda Bay, with wildlife moving through the surrounding plains and guides who know every corner of the area. Rated in our Luxury category, expect hand-crafted suites, a private guide and all-inclusive dining.
Check in
—
Check out
—
Add your dates to see live availability and seasonal rates.

Limited 2026 dates

Best availability: Jul–Oct & Jan–Feb

Guest reviews & credentials

Why travellers trust us with the Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale

“Our guide read the plains like a book — we were the only vehicle at a leopard sighting twice. Every transfer, camp and park fee was exactly as quoted.”

Amelia & Tom R. · London, UK

Maasai Mara · 6 nights

“Travelling with a 6-year-old and grandparents could have been chaos. Perch planned the driving days around nap times and picked family tents with connecting rooms.”

The Okoth Family · Nairobi, Kenya

Amboseli & Tsavo · 5 nights

“The migration timing advice was spot on. When one camp went full they moved us to a better one in the same conservancy at no extra cost, same day.”

Dr. Karin H. · Munich, Germany

Serengeti & Ngorongoro · 8 nights

KPSGA silver & gold guides

Every driver-guide is Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified, with 8+ years in the parks on your route.

Licensed tour operator

Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (Kenya) and TALA-licensed operations in Tanzania.

AMREF Flying Doctors cover

Air-evacuation cover for every guest for the full duration of the safari, included in your rate.

Vehicle & safety standards

Serviced 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, first-aid kits, satellite comms and daily driver check-ins.

Transparent proforma pricing

Park fees, conservancy levies, 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge itemised before you pay.

4.9 / 5 guest rating

Across 380+ reviewed departures, with a 62% repeat-and-referral rate from past travellers.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

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Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale

10 Days · from $11,600 pp

Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale

The journey

What makes it different

Fly between parks, conservancies and countries

Trip essentials

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 · Arrive Nairobi

Day 2 · Fly to Mara North

Day 3 · Big cats & walking

Day 4 · Balloon & bush breakfast

Day 5 · Mara at leisure

Day 6 · Fly to Lamu

Day 7 · Lamu old town & dhow

Day 8 · Private island

Day 9 · Island day

Day 10 · Departure