Affordable Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Beach

Duration
12 Days
Price from
£3,757 pp.
Location
Kenya, Africa
Masai mara wildebeest

Trip Highlights

  • Relax on Zanzibar's unspoiled beaches
  • Stay in a private Masai Mara conservancy
  • Spot wildlife from Eagle View camp

What's Included

  • All accommodation
  • Full-board meals during the safari
  • Daily game drives in the Masai Mara

Masai Mara adventure meets Zanzibar bliss

Our best-value-ever safari and beach holiday, this two-week trip pairs the iconic wildlife of Kenya’s Masai Mara with the white sands and turquoise waters of Zanzibar – a combination that’s hard to beat.

The thrill of seeing elephants at sunrise, the hush of a candlelit dinner under the stars, the gentle sway of a palm as you doze off to the sound of the sea - this is one of those trips that stirs the soul. It’s East Africa at its best: a journey from the wildlife-rich plains of the Masai Mara to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. And it just so happens to be one of our best-value safaris.

Our Kenya specialist, Ottilie, says:

“This is one of those trips that really delivers – not just on value, but on experience. You get world-class wildlife in the Masai Mara, staying at a stunning eco-lodge where the views alone are incredible. Then you swap the savannah for the paradise beaches of Zanzibar, and it's the most perfect contrast – wild adventure followed by total relaxation."

Your adventure begins in the Mara, in the heart of a private conservancy where wildlife roams free and the pace is wonderfully unhurried. At Eagle View – a small, award-winning eco-lodge perched high above the plains – your days revolve around nature. Think open-sided game drives with expert Maasai guides, the call of lions in the distance, and quiet moments watching animals gather at the waterhole below. The experience feels personal and unfiltered.

There’s time for exhilaration, too – night drives in search of elusive predators, walking safaris that teach you to see through the eyes of a tracker, and even the option to drift silently over the plains in a hot air balloon as the sun rises over the savannah.

Then, when the safari winds down, you’ll head for the coast, and the soft, slow magic of Zanzibar. After a night soaking up the culture of Stone Town, with its carved doors and spice-laced air, you’ll retreat to Zanzibar Queen Hotel in Matemwe. Here, you can snorkel straight from the beach, sip something cold by the pool, and fall asleep to the sound of waves on the reef.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Head to the Masai Mara

Staying at Saruni Eagle View

Arrive in Nairobi early this morning, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to Nairobi Wilson Airport to board a scenic light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. Enjoy breath-taking views as you fly above the ever-changing landscapes of the Kenyan plains.

Upon landing, your safari adventure begins with a game drive through the wildlife-rich Naboisho Conservancy, en route to Eagle View, your home for the next four nights - a lodge known for its stunning views and prime location overlooking a busy waterhole.

Day 2-4 Safari Time

Saruni Eagle View room

You will have day and night game drives led by expert guides. Enjoy bush picnics, sundowners, and bush meals. Take part in a guided walking safari - a thrilling way to experience the bush up close.

A balloon flight over the Maasai Mara is widely considered a bucket list activity that offers a serene and spectacular experience floating over the vast, lush, and game-filled plains as the sun slowly rises above the horizon lighting up the plains below. An experience you'll never forget.

Back at Eagle View, unwind between game drives while watching the game at the waterhole - perfect for spotting predator-prey interactions.

Day 5 Goodbye Mara, Hello Zanzibar

Day 6 Explore Stone Town, then head to the coast

Enjoy a guided walking tour of historic Old Town, where you'll learn of Zanzibar's dark past at the centre of the world's slave trade, visit many historical buildings and explore the buzzing narrow streets.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Zanzibar Queen Hotel located on one of the most beautiful coral beaches in the world. This stunning beachfront retreat will be your home for the next six nights.

Day 7 - 11 Indian Ocean Bliss

Zanzibar Beaches 1

These days are yours to enjoy at your own pace. Sink into total relaxation on soft white sands, take part in yoga sessions, indulge in soothing spa treatments, or head out snorkelling or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Whether you are an active person or just want to relax, this will be the perfect way to end your adventure in paradise.

Day 12 Departure Day

Speak to a Masai Mara expert today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315
or
Our Masai Mara Experts
Otti profile pic

Ottilie

Tamara profile

Tamara

When to go to Kenya

Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.

February

February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.

March

Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.

April

April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.

May

The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.

June

June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.

July

July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.

August

The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.

September

Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.

October

October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.

November

November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.

December

The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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