This 10-day safari and beach holiday is specifically designed for UK families traveling during the December Christmas school holidays. It provides a comprehensive bush-to-beach itinerary, combining exciting wildlife viewing in the Maasai Mara with relaxing coastal time on Diani Beach. The package includes all internal flights and ground transfers, ensuring a streamlined and family-friendly travel experience during the festive season.
Welcome to Kenya! Transfer to your family-friendly hotel in Nairobi to rest and acclimatize. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. An airport transfer is provided upon your arrival.
Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Sarova Panafric Hotel.
Drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake known for its birdlife and hippos. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on the lake to see hippos up close. Follow with a guided walking safari on Crescent Island among grazing wildlife.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, or similar mid-range accommodations in the same budget range .
Avian Court Hotel, Blooming Suites, and Elsamere Lodge .
Journey to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, renowned for its abundant wildlife. Check into your family lodge upon arrival. Later, enjoy an exciting evening game drive to spot animals as they become active.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, or similar mid-range accommodations in the same budget range .
Aa Lodge Mara, Basecamp Masai Mara, and Drunken Elephant Mara .
Spend a full day enjoying game drives across the vast plains of the Maasai Mara. Our experienced guides ensure engaging wildlife viewing for all ages. Spot iconic animals like lions, elephants, and giraffes in their natural habitat.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, or similar mid-range accommodations in the same budget range .
Aa Lodge Mara, Basecamp Masai Mara, and Drunken Elephant Mara .
Another full day dedicated to exploring the rich ecosystems of the Mara. Continue with thrilling game drives, seeking out predators and herbivores. There's also an optional cultural visit to a Maasai village, offering insights into local traditions.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, or similar mid-range accommodations in the same budget range .
Aa Lodge Mara, Basecamp Masai Mara, and Drunken Elephant Mara .
After breakfast, transfer to the local airstrip for a direct domestic flight to Diani Beach on Kenya's coast. Upon arrival at Ukunda airstrip, transfer to your luxurious coastal resort. Spend the afternoon relaxing and settling in.
Breakfast, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Almanara Luxury Boutique Hotel, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, and Kinondo Kwetu .
Enjoy a full day soaking up the sun and fun on the pristine white sands of Diani Beach. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are perfect for swimming and various water sports. It's an ideal day for family relaxation and play.
Breakfast, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Almanara Luxury Boutique Hotel, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, and Kinondo Kwetu .
This is a free day to enjoy Diani Beach at your leisure. Relax by the resort's swimming pool or engage in building sandcastles on the beach. You can also opt for a glass-bottom boat tour to explore marine life or visit the Colobus Conservation centre.
Breakfast, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Almanara Luxury Boutique Hotel, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, and Kinondo Kwetu .
Savour your last full day in this coastal paradise. Take advantage of the resort's extensive family-friendly amenities. Enjoy the warm weather, the serene beach, and create lasting memories before your departure.
Breakfast, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Almanara Luxury Boutique Hotel, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, and Kinondo Kwetu .
After a final breakfast at your resort, transfer to Ukunda airstrip for a domestic flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your connecting international flight home.
Breakfast
Bring the Family Together for a Magical 10-Day Kenya Safari & December Beach Escape 10 Days / 9 Nights
Quick Info
The 10-Day Kenya Family Safari & December Beach Holiday provides a complete bush-to-beach itinerary for UK families travelling during the Christmas school holidays. This package includes all internal flights and ground transfers, combining Maasai Mara wildlife viewing with time on Diani Beach. The use of pre-selected family-friendly lodges ensures a well-structured and straightforward holiday for the festive season.
This itinerary's duration fits within the standard UK Christmas school holiday period. The timing aligns with Kenya's favourable December weather, which follows the November 'short rains'. Families can expect clear skies and dust-free conditions, creating comfortable temperatures for game drives in the Maasai Mara and for swimming at Diani Beach.
The holiday structure balances active safari days with four nights of coastal relaxation to prevent travel fatigue in children. The itinerary minimises long road travel by using internal flights for major transfers. This logistical approach dedicates more time to destinations and less time to transit, which is a key component for family holidays in Kenya.
December in the Maasai Mara provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities focused on resident animal populations. The great wildebeest migration herds are typically in Tanzania, but the Mara supports a high concentration of year-round wildlife. The conditions are good for finding the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, as animals are active among the green vegetation.
The green scenery after the rains offers strong photographic backdrops. Visitors can expect to see large herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, and various antelope. The Maasai Mara's big cat populations are a primary attraction, including lion prides and cheetahs. Birdwatching is also productive due to the presence of many migratory species during this period.
This package provides a direct transfer from the safari circuit to the coast. Families take a domestic flight from a Maasai Mara airstrip to the Ukunda airstrip for Diani Beach. The flight replaces a full day of road travel, saving time and reducing travel fatigue.
The package includes all coordinated transfers. A representative meets you on arrival in Kenya for the hotel transfer. A private 4x4 vehicle and driver-guide are provided for the safari. Our team manages all airstrip transfers for the flights to and from Diani, connecting you to your international departure from Nairobi (NBO). This structure removes the need to self-book internal travel logistics.
Days in Diani offer a relaxed pace after the early safari starts. A typical morning includes breakfast at the resort and time on the beach for swimming or playing in the sand. The specified resort, Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, has large grounds and swimming pools suitable for families.
Families can have lunch at the resort or at local cafes. Afternoons can be spent at the pool or on optional excursions like a glass-bottom boat tour or a visit to the Colobus Conservation centre. Evening dinner at the resort is included, with menu options available for children. This half-board plan allows for lunchtime flexibility.
UK travellers must arrange international flights and a Kenya eTA before departure. The following points outline the main requirements for entry.
Direct flights to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) depart from London Heathrow (LHR) with operators like British Airways and Kenya Airways. Connecting flights are available from London Gatwick (LGW) and other UK airports via hubs in Europe or the Middle East.
The accommodation in this itinerary is selected for family suitability. Safari lodges such as Sopa Lodges provide family rooms or interconnected rooms, swimming pools, and secure grounds. These properties are experienced in catering to families with children.
The meal plan changes to suit the location. The safari portion of the trip (Days 1-5) is full board, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. The Diani Beach stay (Days 6-9) is half board, including breakfast and dinner. This arrangement gives families flexibility for lunch on beach days.
Travel in December is considered peak season in Kenya due to demand over the Christmas and New Year period. The package is structured to provide clear value by bundling key high-cost items. This approach offers financial clarity and covers major expenses before you travel.
| Component | What's Included in the Package | Why This Provides Value |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Flights | Mara to Diani & Diani to Nairobi | Saves a full day of driving, maximising holiday time. |
| Park Fees | All fees for Maasai Mara & Lake Naivasha | These significant daily costs are covered upfront. |
| Accommodation | Family-sized rooms at selected lodges/resorts | Ensures appropriate space and comfort for your family. |
| Safari Transport | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser & driver-guide | Guarantees exclusive use, flexibility, and expert guidance. |
| Meals | Full board on safari, half board at beach | Covers most food costs in a convenient plan. |
UK families should book international flights to Nairobi for December travel 10 to 12 months in advance. Demand for flights from Heathrow and Gatwick during the UK school holidays is extremely high. Booking this far ahead is the most effective method for securing acceptable fares and preferred flight times.
Booking flights only 3-6 months before departure will result in significantly higher prices and poor availability. Securing international flights early is the first logistical step required to plan the rest of the safari holiday.
This 10-day itinerary serves as a standard framework for a family holiday. You can request to book the trip as described or ask for adjustments. We can create a custom version to add extra days, visit different parks, or request specific room configurations.
To discuss a personalised itinerary, please use our main enquiry form. Our safari specialists will help you tailor the duration, accommodation, and activities to match your family's budget and interests.
After booking your tour, final preparations include consulting your GP for travel health advice for Kenya. Packing should include layered clothing for different temperatures and swimwear for the coast. Involving children in the planning process by showing them photos of the destinations can help manage their expectations for the trip.
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
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