This journey takes you through Kenya’s iconic wildlife landscapes before connecting you to the coast — the legendary Maasai Mara, the tranquil beauty of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley, and finally aboard the SGR train to Mombasa. From game drives across endless plains to biking through volcanic gorges, from Maasai cultural encounters to a scenic train journey through changing landscapes — this itinerary balances classic safari with active exploration and seamless coastal connection.
Your driver meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfers you to your Nairobi accommodation. Rest, settle in, and prepare for the journey ahead.
Accommodation: Nairobi (hotel)
Meals: Breakfast (depending on arrival time)
Early morning pick-up from your hotel. Depart for the Maasai Mara — Kenya’s most famous wildlife reserve. The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley with stunning escarpment views. Arrive at your camp/lodge in time for lunch and check-in. After settling in, embark on your first afternoon game drive across the Mara’s legendary plains.
Accommodation: Maasai Mara (lodge or tented camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Maasai Mara, afternoon game drive
Two complete days exploring the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. The Mara’s rolling plains and acacia-dotted landscapes reveal new scenes with each drive. Your guide tracks animal movements, positions you for optimal sightings — lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and if you’re fortunate, leopards or cheetahs. On one of these days, visit a Maasai village for a cultural exchange. Meet community members, learn about traditional ways of life, and support the village directly through your visit.
Accommodation: Maasai Mara (lodge or tented camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (both days)
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives, Maasai village visit
After breakfast, depart the Mara and head to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. The landscape shifts as you descend from the highlands — volcanic formations, escarpment views, and eventually the glimmer of the lake itself. Arrive in time for lunch and check-in at your Lake Naivasha accommodation. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha — spotting hippos, water birds, and taking in the tranquil atmosphere. Follow this with a guided nature walk on Crescent Island, one of the few places in Kenya where you can walk among wildlife (zebras, giraffes, wildebeest) without barriers.
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha (lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Naivasha, afternoon boat ride, Crescent Island guided walk
After breakfast, depart for Hell’s Gate National Park for a guided cycling experience. Bike through dramatic rock formations, geothermal vents, and past grazing wildlife. Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks where cycling is permitted, putting you at eye level with the landscape — towering cliffs, natural hot springs, and zebras, giraffes, and buffalo moving freely. Return to your lodge by afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha (lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Hell’s Gate guided cycling experience
After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and drive to Nairobi. Drop-off at Nairobi SGR Station in time to catch the 15:00 express train to Mombasa. Settle into your seat and watch Kenya’s landscapes shift from highlands to coast — acacia plains, Tsavo wilderness, sisal plantations, and eventually the tropical vegetation announcing your arrival at the Indian Ocean. Arrive in Mombasa by evening. From here, you can connect to Diani Beach (2-hour drive south), your coastal accommodation, or onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Transfer to Nairobi, SGR train to Mombasa (1st class ticket)
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round destination. Great Migration in Maasai Mara: July-October. Green season offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds: November-May.
Fitness Level:
Moderate to active. Hell’s Gate cycling requires reasonable fitness and comfort on a bicycle. Game drives and boat ride accessible to all fitness levels.
SGR Train:
Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway is modern, comfortable, and offers scenic views. The Nairobi-Mombasa route takes approximately 4.5 hours. More sustainable than flying and a uniquely local way to experience Kenya’s landscapes.
Connecting to the Coast:
From Mombasa, most travelers continue to:
We can arrange your onward transfer and coastal accommodation.
What to Pack:
Neutral-colored clothing for game drives, comfortable clothes for cycling, layers for cool mornings, sun protection, sturdy shoes, binoculars, camera, reusable water bottle.
Health:
Malaria prophylaxis recommended. Yellow fever vaccination required if arriving from endemic countries.
Cultural Respect:
Maasai village visit approached with respect. Photography requires permission. Purchases support the community directly.
This itinerary offers Kenya’s highlights — the Maasai Mara’s wildlife drama, the Rift Valley’s adventure opportunities — but with the added dimension of connecting you to the coast via one of Africa’s most modern train systems. The SGR train journey isn’t just transport. It’s an experience — watching landscapes transform from savanna to coast, sharing space with Kenyan families and business travelers, arriving at the Indian Ocean after days in the wild. You’re not just seeing Kenya’s diversity. You’re traveling through it. And because it’s Nomari, you know every partner is vetted, every experience approached ethically, and every choice made with both adventure and respect in mind.
This itinerary naturally extends into beach time. Popular additions include:
3-4 nights Diani Beach:
White sand, turquoise water, water sports, diving, dhow cruises
3-4 nights North Coast:
Marine parks, cultural sites, quieter beaches
We can customize a coastal extension based on your preferences and budget.
Pricing is based on:
Please note:
Contact us for exact pricing tailored to your travel dates and group size.
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences, dates, and budget. Want more time in the Mara? Need specific coastal arrangements? Prefer different accommodation? Let us know, and we’ll shape it around you.
Looking forward to planning this with you.
Experience East Africa it in a way that feels true to you.