A dirt track running through tall golden grass across the open plains of the Maasai Mara, Kenya, in warm low light

11 nights · Nairobi to Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara to Matemwe, Zanzibar

Mara and Zanzibar: eleven nights of plains and coral

About this journey

Five nights in a private conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara, then a short hop to the Indian Ocean for five nights on Zanzibar's quieter north-east coast. A night in Nairobi on arrival breaks the long flight.

Length
11 nights
Best months
January, February and July to October
Route
Nairobi, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara and Matemwe, Zanzibar

What is included

  • Return economy flights from London Heathrow, with one connection on the homeward leg
  • Light-aircraft flights between Nairobi Wilson and the Mara
  • Scheduled flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar
  • Full board and twice-daily game drives at Mara Plains Camp
  • Conservancy fees
  • Half board at a beach hotel on the north-east coast of Zanzibar
  • Private transfers throughout

Not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Visa and entry authorisation fees for Kenya and Tanzania, which covers Zanzibar
  • Gratuities for guides and camp staff
  • Drinks, diving and spa treatments on Zanzibar

Day by day

Open any day for the detail. Everything here can move: add a night, swap a hotel, change the order.

  1. Day 1 · Karen, NairobiArrive in Nairobi

    You are met off the overnight flight and driven to a garden hotel in the leafy suburb of Karen. The afternoon is for sleep, or a gentle visit to the giraffe sanctuary nearby.

    Overnight: A garden hotel in Karen

  2. Days 2 to 6 · Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai MaraFive nights in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy

    A light aircraft from Wilson airport lands on a grass strip in the conservancy, where camps lease the land from Maasai landowners and vehicle numbers at sightings are kept low. Days follow the light: an early drive, a long lunch, a late drive back to camp.

    Overnight: Mara Plains Camp

  3. Day 7 · Matemwe, ZanzibarFly to Zanzibar

    A morning flight back to Nairobi connects with a scheduled flight to Zanzibar. A private driver takes you across the island to the north-east coast, where the lagoon empties and fills with the tide.

    Overnight: A small beach hotel on the Matemwe coast

  4. Days 8 to 11 · Mnemba Atoll, ZanzibarReef, lagoon and Stone Town

    Snorkel the reef around Mnemba Atoll on a morning boat trip, walk the lagoon at low tide, and spend one afternoon in the alleys and carved doorways of Stone Town with a local guide.

    Overnight: A small beach hotel on the Matemwe coast

  5. Day 12 · Zanzibar airportFly home

    A private transfer to Zanzibar airport for your flight home, connecting once on the way back to London Heathrow.

1Karen, Nairobi2Olare Motorogi Conservancy, M…3Matemwe, Zanzibar4Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar5Zanzibar airport

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, shown when you open the interactive map.

Where you stay

The properties this route is planned around. We can suggest alternatives at a different price point.

  • Tall dry grass stretching to a line of bush under a pale sky in the Masai Mara, Kenya

    Camp · Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya

    Mara Plains Camp

    Seven canvas suites on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River, with game viewing in both a private conservancy and the Maasai Mara reserve.

    • Private conservancy
    • Big cats
    • Photography

Ways to make it yours

  • A private vehicle in the Mara

    Your own vehicle and guide for the five nights, so you set the hours and can wait at a sighting for as long as you like.

  • Two nights on the Oloololo Escarpment

    Add two nights at Angama Mara, looking down over the Mara Triangle, before you leave for the coast.

  • Business class flights

    Upgrade the long-haul flights to business class in both directions. We quote the fare at the time of booking.

Dates and seasons

Planned for January, February and July to October, when Kenya is at its best. Outside those months it still works, with different trade-offs; ask us.

When to go to Kenya

Ask about this journey

Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and your specialist will send a tailored version of this route.

Opening hours, UK time

We reply within 2 hours during opening hours.

Or call 07460 326032

Enquiry form

Your trip

You are asking about the Mara and Zanzibar: eleven nights of plains and coral journey.

A place, several places, or leave it open.

How flexible are your dates?
Budget per person, including flights

An estimate is fine. It helps us suggest the right places and rooms.

Travellers and preferences
Where would you like to stay?

Choose any that appeal.

Flights

For example step-free rooms, walking distances, dietary needs or a wheelchair. We use this only to plan your trip.

Your details

Needed if you would like a call or a WhatsApp message.

How should we get in touch?
When is best?

What would make this trip right for you, or anything you would rather avoid.

Send your enquiry

We will use these details only to plan and quote for your trip, and keep them for 24 months unless you book. See our privacy notice. Sending an enquiry does not commit you to anything: our booking conditions apply only if you book. We reply within 2 hours during opening hours.

Similar journeys