This 10-day luxury tour package combines a festive Christmas safari in the Masai Mara with a relaxing New Year celebration on Diani Beach. Designed for Australian travellers, the itinerary aligns with summer school holidays, offering a seamless end-of-year travel experience. Enjoy premium accommodation, private transport, and special holiday dinners. This package is ideal for families and honeymooners seeking adventure and relaxation.
Arrive in Nairobi just before Christmas. Transfer to a comfortable city hotel to rest before your grand adventure begins.
Dinner
This is mid-range accommodation. You will sleep in Sarova Panafric Hotel.
Drive or take an optional flight to the Masai Mara. Check into the luxurious Mara Serena Safari Lodge and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Mara Serena Safari Lodge, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Alama Camp Mara, Amani Mara Camp, and Andbeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp .
Spend the day tracking the Big Five. In the evening, the lodge will host a special Christmas Eve dinner with festive touches in the heart of the bush.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Mara Serena Safari Lodge, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Alama Camp Mara, Amani Mara Camp, and Andbeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp .
Wake up to a Christmas morning game drive. Enjoy a spectacular bush breakfast or a relaxed holiday lunch overlooking the savannah.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is luxury accommodation. You will sleep in Mara Serena Safari Lodge, or similar luxury accommodations in the same budget range .
Alama Camp Mara, Amani Mara Camp, and Andbeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp .
After a final morning safari, fly directly to the coast. Check into Baobab Beach Resort on Diani Beach to begin the second half of your holiday.
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 .
Decompress on the beach. Enjoy the resort's pools, walk along the white sands, and swim in the warm Indian Ocean.
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 the tropical climate. Participate in resort activities, book a spa treatment, or take an optional dhow cruise.
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 .
Spend the day relaxing. In the evening, join the resort's spectacular New Year's Eve gala dinner and party to ring in the new year by the beach.
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 .
A slow, relaxing start to the New Year. Recover from the festivities by the pool or enjoy a final walk along the ocean.
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 .
Transfer to the local airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi, connecting with your international journey home. This marks the end of your memorable Christmas and New Year holiday in Kenya.
Breakfast
10-Day December Kenya Christmas Safari & New Year in Diani 10 Days / 9 Nights
Quick Info
The 10-Day December Kenya Christmas Safari & New Year in Diani is an active luxury tour package designed for Australian travellers. This itinerary combines a Christmas wildlife safari in the Masai Mara with a New Year celebration at a Diani Beach resort. The package is timed to align with Australian summer school holidays, simplifying end-of-year travel plans.
This safari package includes premium accommodation, private transport, specified meals, and all national park fees to assist with holiday budgeting from Australia. The structure is designed to cover the major logistical costs of a combined bush-and-beach holiday.
| Category | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Premium Lodges & Beach Resort | 9 nights in selected properties like Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, chosen for service and location. |
| Transport | Private 4x4 & Domestic Flight | Exclusive use of a 4x4 Land Cruiser in the Masai Mara and a scheduled domestic flight from the Mara to Diani Beach. |
| Activities | Game Drives & Park Fees | All Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees are covered, along with multiple private game drives for wildlife viewing. |
| Dining | Specified Meals & Festive Dinners | Meals are included as per the itinerary, with special gala dinners for Christmas and New Year's Eve. |
The selected accommodations provide superior wildlife access in the Masai Mara and direct beach frontage in Diani. This selection focuses on location and quality of service.
Key exclusions to budget for separately include international flights from Australia and mandatory travel insurance. Other exclusions are premium alcoholic drinks and optional activities, such as hot-air ballooning or water sports.
The Masai Mara in December offers excellent sightings of resident wildlife after the Great Migration herds have moved south. Visitors can expect to see large populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. The terrain becomes green and supports a high density of animals following the November 'short rains'.
December is a rewarding month for birdwatching, with the arrival of migratory species from Europe and northern Africa. Many resident animals also give birth during this period, increasing the chance of seeing newborns. The green scenery and dramatic skies create high-contrast conditions favoured by photographers.
New Year's Eve on Diani Beach involves special events organised by premium coastal resorts. The celebration offers a relaxed beachfront atmosphere as an alternative to crowded city events.
Events typically include a gala dinner with international and Kenyan coastal food. Entertainment often features live music, traditional dancers, and acrobatic performances, followed by a fireworks display over the Indian Ocean at midnight.
Travellers from Australia fly into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to begin this safari. Major airlines connect Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), and Brisbane (BNE) to Nairobi with one stop, usually in the Middle East.
Booking international flights six to nine months in advance is recommended for this peak travel period, which aligns with Australian school holidays. Your flight should be scheduled to arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary, where a team member will meet you for your airport transfer.
December is an excellent time for a combined Kenya safari and beach holiday because the timing aligns with the Australian holiday period. Lodges and resorts have a festive atmosphere for Christmas and New Year, which is specific to this time of year.
December weather in Kenya typically features sunny days with occasional brief afternoon showers that settle the dust and cool the air. The itinerary uses private game drives and well-located properties to manage the high season demand. Early booking is the primary requirement for travelling in December due to the popularity of the season.
All Australian citizens, including children, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya, as the visa-on-arrival service is no longer available. The application is an online process completed through the official Government of Kenya eTA portal.
Applicants need the following to complete the eTA form:
We recommend applying for the eTA at least one month before departure, as processing times vary. Each traveller must complete their own application, and our team can provide procedural guidance.
December in the Masai Mara is known as the 'green season' and offers distinct advantages for photographers. Recent rains reduce dust, create high-contrast light with dramatic skies, and intensify the colours of the savannah.
Wildlife is healthy and active due to plentiful water and food, though animals are more dispersed than in the dry season. The green season is a birthing period for many species, presenting opportunities to see young animals. Visitor numbers in early December can be lower than the July to September peak, which may result in a more private game drive experience.
The structure of this 10-day safari and beach holiday works well for specific types of Australian travellers, particularly families with children and couples on their honeymoon.
The itinerary provides a balanced holiday for families by combining wildlife drives with beach relaxation. A private vehicle ensures safety and flexibility, while the timing aligns with Australian summer school holidays. The included festive dinners offer a structured way to celebrate Christmas overseas.
The package offers a mix of adventure and relaxation suitable for a honeymoon. Premium lodges ensure privacy and high service standards. The relaxed Diani Beach segment provides downtime after early morning game drives, and the internal flight minimises transit time.
Availability for this December package is limited due to high seasonal demand. Australian travellers should plan and book this itinerary 9 to 12 months in advance to secure preferred lodges and flights.
This 10-day itinerary is active and available for booking. To begin the process, submit a booking request via our secure portal. A safari specialist will contact you to confirm the details. Book Your Festive Safari.
Our specialists can tailor this itinerary to meet specific preferences. Customisations can include altering the trip duration, changing accommodation style, or adding new destinations and activities.
Popular customisations include extending the Diani Beach stay or adding a visit to Amboseli National Park. Other options involve upgrading to luxury tented camps in the Masai Mara. To discuss a custom version of this tour, contact our team via the dedicated safari planning page.
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
