Nairobi + Diani Beach — Safari and the Swahili Coast

Overview

Kenya is not only savannah. This eight-day journey pairs the wildlife of Nairobi with the turquoise water, coral reefs and thousand-year-old Swahili culture of the south coast. You start with a sunrise game drive in Nairobi National Park, the orphaned elephants of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Rothschild’s giraffes of the Giraffe Centre. Then you board the Madaraka Express in first class for a 472-kilometre, four-and-a-half-hour crossing of Tsavo National Park, where elephants and giraffes appear from the carriage window. Three nights follow on Diani Beach: a traditional dhow to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for dolphins and snorkelling, a seafood lunch on Wasini Island, a game drive in Shimba Hills for the rare sable antelope, and the walk to Sheldrick Falls. Mombasa closes the coastal chapter with UNESCO-listed Fort Jesus and the carved doors of the old town, before a short flight returns you to Nairobi for the Karen Blixen Museum and the dancers of Bomas of Kenya.

What Makes This Tour Special?

The Madaraka Express in first class — a journey in its own right, straight through Tsavo National Park.
A full day in a traditional dhow at the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park: spinner dolphins, coral gardens and a seafood lunch on Wasini Island.
Shimba Hills National Reserve, home to Kenya’s only breeding population of Roosevelt’s sable antelope, and the guided walk to Sheldrick Falls.
Fort Jesus, built in 1593 and listed by UNESCO, and a walking tour of Mombasa’s Swahili old town.
Sunrise in Nairobi National Park and hand-feeding the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre.
Visa-free entry for almost every African passport, and reduced “African citizen” rates at every park and museum.
Three nights in a beachfront resort on Diani Beach, regularly voted Africa’s leading beach destination.
Two dedicated French-speaking guides and a professional photographer travelling with you throughout, plus a complete photo album.

Included/Excluded

Round-trip international flights, Madaraka Express first class and the Mombasa–Nairobi flight
7 nights accommodation, all listed excursions, park and marine-park fees
Private transfers, guided sightseeing and the full-day dhow excursion to Wasini
Local SIM with data, dedicated guides and a professional photographer (photo album)
Meals as indicated

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrival in Nairobi and Welcome Briefing

Your Africa Tour Travel representative greets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, assists with immigration formalities and accompanies you on a private, air-conditioned transfer to your hotel (about 20 km). After check-in we hold a friendly welcome meeting: a full day-by-day walkthrough of your programme, how each excursion works (pick-up times, dress, what to bring), plus practical advice and local etiquette (tipping, greetings, photography). We set up your Safaricom SIM card with data and add you to our WhatsApp group for real-time support.

WELCOME DINNER

Terminal d arrivee de l aeroport Jomo Kenyatta a Nairobi Ligne d horizon et gratte-ciels de Nairobi Vue generale de Nairobi depuis Uhuru Park

Day 02 Nairobi — National Park, Sheldrick Trust and Giraffe Centre

An early start for a sunrise game drive in Nairobi National Park (departure 6:00 from the Langata gate) — the only national park in the world bordering a capital city. At 11:00 we visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery for the orphaned elephants' feeding hour, then the Giraffe Centre in Langata, where you hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH

Parc national de Nairobi avec les gratte-ciels en arriere-plan Elephanteaux nourris a l orphelinat Sheldrick de Nairobi Girafe au Giraffe Centre de Nairobi

Day 03 The Madaraka Express to the Indian Ocean

Departure from Syokimau station at 8:00 aboard the Madaraka Express in first class: 472 kilometres and four and a half hours straight through Tsavo National Park, with elephants and giraffes visible from the carriage window. Transfer to Diani Beach, check-in at your beachfront resort and a swimming briefing (reef, tides, currents).

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Train SGR Madaraka Express a Nairobi Elephants d Afrique dans le parc national de Tsavo Est Plage de sable blanc de Diani Beach au Kenya

Day 04 Dhow to Kisite Marine Park and Wasini Island

A full day aboard a traditional dhow at the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park: departure from Shimoni, spinner dolphin watching, snorkelling over the coral gardens, then a seafood barbecue lunch on Wasini Island with its Swahili village and fossil coral garden.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Boutres traditionnels swahilis sur la cote kenyane Groupe de dauphins longirostres dans l ocean Indien Jardin de corail de l ile de Wasini au Kenya

Day 05 Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Falls

Morning game drive in Shimba Hills National Reserve, home to Kenya's only breeding population of Roosevelt's sable antelope, plus more than 500 elephants and 200 bird species. Then a ranger-guided walk down to Sheldrick Falls (2.5 km, swimming possible). Afternoon at the Colobus Conservation centre in Diani, dedicated to the Angolan colobus monkey.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Antilope sable ou hippotrague noir d Afrique Cascade de Sheldrick Falls dans les Shimba Hills Singe colobe d Angola perche dans un arbre

Day 06 Mombasa, Swahili City

Early departure for Mombasa and Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in 1593 and listed by UNESCO. A walking tour of the Swahili old town follows: carved doors, the Mandhry Mosque, Omani balconies and the spice market. Then Haller Park at Bamburi, a cement quarry rehabilitated into a full ecosystem, in time for the giraffe feeding around 15:00. Late-afternoon flight back to Nairobi.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH

Fort Jesus, forteresse portugaise de Mombasa Facades et balcons sculptes de la vieille ville de Mombasa Girafe masai au Haller Park de Bamburi, Mombasa

Day 07 Nairobi — Karen Blixen and Bomas of Kenya

Morning at the Karen Blixen Museum, the farmhouse of the author of Out of Africa, then Bomas of Kenya for the 15:30 traditional dance performance. The day ends at the Maasai Market for crafts, with your guides on hand to help you negotiate. In the evening, a farewell dinner and a screening of your photo report.

BREAKFAST | DINNER

Le musee Karen Blixen a Nairobi Spectacle traditionnel aux Bomas of Kenya Femmes maasai vendant leur artisanat sur un marche

Day 08 Departure

A final Kenyan breakfast, then a private transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home, with photos and a personal album to treasure.

BREAKFAST

Hall des departs d un grand aeroport africain Avion de Kenya Airways au decollage Avion a l aeroport Jomo Kenyatta de Nairobi