When is the best time to do the Maasai Mara to Diani: Wild Plains, Barefoot Finish?

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. Park and conservation fees work out to about USD 1,250 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.

← All safarisPopular

Maasai Mara to Diani: Wild Plains, Barefoot Finish

Mara + Coast 8 Days From $3,250 per person

Overview

The journey

Eight days combining the drama of the Maasai Mara with the serenity of Kenya's Indian Ocean coast.

Compare tiers side by side

Why this safari

What makes it different

8 days, 3 ecosystems, one private vehicle and guide — and the option to fly the long legs.

3 distinct ecosystems in 8 days
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Diani Beach — 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 Maasai Mara, Diani Beach save roughly 24 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 24 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

18–24 hours of guided game viewing across 3 active days

Destinations routed

Nairobi National Park → Maasai Mara National Reserve → Diani Beach

Ideal for

Safari-and-beach combinations · 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
Days 2–3–4–5–6–7 · 6 nights
3
Diani Beach
Day 8 · journey ends

1
Day 1 · Arrival in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Arrival
Welcome and overnight at boutique hotel.
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 Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Game driveCultural visitScenic flight
Transit
Afternoon game drive.
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
Mara Plains Camp
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
Photo credit
Day 3 · Mara game drives
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Game drive
Safari
Full day game drives.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided bush walks (conservancies only)
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then maasai village visit
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
Mara Plains Camp
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
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
4
Photo credit
Day 4 · Mara cultural day
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Cultural visit
Safari
Maasai village visit and bush dinner.
Morning
Dawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — maasai village visit
Afternoon
Siesta through the heat, then photographic hides & sundowners
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
Mara Plains Camp
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
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
5
Day 5 · Fly to Diani
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flight
Beach
Travel day Mara → Nairobi → Ukunda. Evening at leisure.
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
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Almanara Luxury Villas
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
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
6
Day 6 · Beach & dhow cruise
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Boat experienceSundowners
Beach
Beach morning, sunset dhow with seafood dinner.
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
Almanara Luxury Villas
Breakfast, Dinner
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
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
Day 7 · Marine park
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Ocean experience
Beach
Snorkeling at Kisite Marine Park.
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
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Almanara Luxury Villas
Breakfast, Lunch
Private road transfer; boat and dhow for excursions
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
8
Photo credit
Day 8 · Departure
Diani Beach
Departure
Transfer to Mombasa airport.
Morning
Final sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
Afternoon
Transfer to the airport with time for the last of your shopping
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
Private transfer to the airport
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

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	6	$1,200
Total statutory fees per adult				$1,250

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

$10,563

per adult · 8 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$21,126

Auto discount (10%)− $2,113

Total$19,013

≈ $9,507 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

✦ Bush and beach in one journey
✦ All internal flights included
✦ Premium accommodation throughout
✦ Maasai cultural visit + dhow cruise

Special events

Celebrate on safari

Route

Start to finish

Start · Nairobi Finish · Diani Beach

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)
Colonial-style elegance in Karen. 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.
Maasai Mara
Mara Plains Camp
Luxury Tented Camp·$1,664/pp/night
4.8(70 traveller reviews)
Intimate eco-camp on Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Mara Plains Camp is positioned for game viewing in Maasai Mara, 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.
Diani Beach
Almanara Luxury Villas
Private Villas · 5★·$1,040/pp/night
4.9(269 traveller reviews)
Beachfront villas with butler service. Almanara Luxury Villas sits directly on the Diani Beach shoreline, a barefoot walk from the reef, with sea breezes through every room and long lazy lunches under the palms. 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 to Diani: Wild Plains, Barefoot Finish

“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

Or explore

Similar safaris you might love

Not quite what you had in mind? Browse related journeys or let us craft a custom itinerary just for you.

Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale — 10 Days luxury safari in Maasai Mara & Lamu Archipelago, Mara + Coast

Romance

Maasai Mara & Lamu Archipelago 10 Days

Maasai Mara, Lamu & an Island Finale

✦ 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

Ready to book

From

$11,600

View itinerary →Tailor this trip

Laikipia to Diani: Rhino Country & an Ocean Finish — 8 Days luxury safari in Laikipia & Diani Beach, Mara + Coast

Bush & Beach

Laikipia & Diani Beach 8 Days

Laikipia to Diani: Rhino Country & an Ocean Finish

✦ Rhino tracking on foot in a private Laikipia conservancy
✦ Riding, biking and night drives — impossible inside a park
✦ Direct charter from the bush to the Indian Ocean

Ready to book

From

$5,980

View itinerary →Tailor this trip

Festive Kenya: Christmas in the Bush, New Year by the Sea — 10 Days / 9 Nights luxury safari in Amboseli, Tsavo & Diani, Mara + Coast

Christmas & New Year

Amboseli, Tsavo & Diani 10 Days / 9 Nights

Festive Kenya: Christmas in the Bush, New Year by the Sea

✦ Christmas under Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
✦ New Year's Eve dinner and fireworks on Diani Beach
✦ Big tuskers, then reef snorkelling in one journey

Ready to book

From

$6,950

View itinerary →Tailor this trip

Bespoke

Want something completely your own?

Every Perch Africa Safaris journey can be customised — combine destinations, swap accommodations, add private guides, extend with a beach. Tell us your dream.

Customise My Safari

Maasai Mara to Diani: Wild Plains, Barefoot Finish

8 Days · from $3,250 pp

Maasai Mara to Diani: Wild Plains, Barefoot Finish

The journey

What makes it different

Fly between parks, conservancies and countries

Trip essentials

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 · Arrival in Nairobi

Day 2 · Fly to Maasai Mara

Day 3 · Mara game drives

Day 4 · Mara cultural day

Day 5 · Fly to Diani

Day 6 · Beach & dhow cruise

Day 7 · Marine park

Day 8 · Departure