Kenya Safari & Coast

The Safari and the Sea

Kenya does two things better than almost anywhere else on earth: wildlife and coastline. This itinerary combines both — the Maasai Mara at peak migration season, the newly opened Suyian Conservancy in Laikipia's quieter north, and the Indian Ocean at Kinondo Kwetu on Galu Beach, one of the most private and consistently celebrated small hotels on the Kenyan coast. The pace shifts deliberately from day to day: early mornings and open plains in the first week, then the slow rhythm of tidal beach days at the end.

Maasai Mara: Days 1–4

The Maasai Mara National Reserve in August is as close as wildlife gets to spectacle. Over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, have crossed from the Serengeti in Tanzania's north and are now on the Kenyan side of the border, grazing the short-grass plains and eventually building up at the Mara River for the crossings that define the season. The crossings — columns of wildebeest committing all at once to the crocodile-filled water — can happen at any point between July and October and cannot be predicted exactly. What can be predicted is that August is the most reliable month to be there when they do.

Game drives run before dawn and again in the late afternoon. The Mara holds the Big Five and one of the highest concentrations of big cats in Africa — lion prides, leopard using the riverine forest, cheetah on the open plains where the short August grass gives them away at range. A hot air balloon flight at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast served on folding tables in the middle of the plains, can be arranged for one morning. The accommodation is a luxury tented camp with river proximity and guides who have spent careers learning this specific reserve.

&Beyond Suyian Lodge, Laikipia: Days 5–8

A charter flight north from a Mara airstrip to Loisaba and a one-hour vehicle transfer along the escarpment delivers you to Suyian Conservancy — a different Kenya entirely. The Maasai Mara is spectacle; Laikipia is depth.

&Beyond Suyian Lodge opened in July 2025 as andBeyond's first property in Laikipia, named one of Time magazine's World's Greatest Places for 2026. It sits on 17,806 hectares (44,000 acres) of rewilded private land on the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, with Mount Kenya on the horizon and the Ewaso Narok River threading the valley below. There is no other lodge on the conservancy; the land is yours. The 14 suites were designed with an Afro-Wabi-Sabi aesthetic — raw stone, floor-to-ceiling glass, private plunge pools — by Michaelis Boyd, with interiors crafted by Kenyan makers inspired by the neighbouring Samburu culture. More than 70% of lodge staff come directly from the four surrounding communities.

The wildlife roster here is northern Kenyan: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra (the world's most endangered zebra, more finely striped than the common variety and rarely seen south of Laikipia), African wild dog, gerenuk, and Laikipia hartebeest. The conservancy is also one of the most documented habitats for the black (melanistic) leopard — a melanistic variant of the spotted leopard rarely recorded anywhere else in Africa. Game drives, guided walks, and night drives cover the land. Horseback safari across the plateau moves at a pace that lets wildlife come closer than a vehicle allows. Camel walks follow routes the Samburu have used for generations. Community visits are facilitated by staff members who are themselves from those communities.

Kinondo Kwetu, Galu Beach: Days 9–11

A short flight from Laikipia to Ukunda Airstrip near Diani, followed by a 20-minute transfer south, delivers you to Kinondo Kwetu on Galu Beach — 12 kilometres south of Diani's main strip, past the end of the tarmac, on a near-private beach where the neighbouring land is a Kaya (a protected Digo sacred forest) that will never be built on.

The lodge is owned and run by Ida and Filip Andersson — a Swedish family related to the Baron Blixen of Out of Africa — who live on the property with their children. Staying here feels like being invited into a beautifully kept private home rather than a hotel. The 16 acres hold five cottages, two villas, and garden rooms, all furnished with Swahili craftsmanship and antiques, each a little different from the next. Meals are served at different locations across the property each day — lunch in the boathouse looking over the ocean, dinner on the beach under the stars, breakfast in the garden — which means no two days feel the same.

The beach is wide, white, and largely undisturbed. The Indian Ocean is warm — water temperatures between 28°C and 32°C year-round. The reef is a short boat ride out, accessible for both snorkelling and diving (the lodge has its own divemaster and equipment). Horse riding along Galu Beach at low tide is arranged by the stables on site. Kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, deep-sea fishing, and a wood-fired sauna complete the activity list, but the majority of guests at Kinondo Kwetu do significantly less than the list suggests. That is exactly the point after two weeks of game drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is August the best time to see the Great Migration?

August is statistically the most reliable month for dense wildebeest herds and Mara River crossings in Kenya. The dry season keeps the grass short, visibility is excellent, and predator activity follows the herds closely. The trade-off is volume — August draws the most safari vehicles to crossing points. Your camp's guides will position you to witness crossings while minimising the convoy effect.

What makes Laikipia different from the Maasai Mara?

The Mara offers density and spectacle on an iconic scale. Laikipia offers exclusivity and northern Kenya's distinct wildlife — species like Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe are not found in the Mara. The private conservancy model means no other vehicles on 44,000 acres, and the activity range at Suyian (horseback, camel, community visits) gives the days a different quality beyond game drives.

How far is Kinondo Kwetu from Mombasa?

About 40 kilometres south of Mombasa Island, and 12 kilometres south of central Diani Beach. The transfer from Ukunda Airstrip takes approximately 20 minutes. The remoteness is part of the appeal — the beach in front of the lodge is largely private, with no beach vendors.

What is the sea like at Diani in August?

August falls in the short dry season on the Kenyan coast — generally sunny with some southeast winds. The ocean is warm and swimmable year-round. The reef breaks the worst of the swell, keeping the lagoon calm for swimming and watersports. Diving conditions in August are typically good with solid visibility.

What is the fitness level required for this itinerary?

Game drives are seated. Walking safaris at Suyian are optional and led by armed guides at a pace calibrated to the group. The beach section requires no physical effort beyond walking to the water. The itinerary is accessible to most fitness levels.