9 Days Kenya Zanzibar Luxury Safari

8 NIGHTSKenya & TanzaniaBeach + Bush

Duration

8 NIGHTS

Best For

Travelers combining classic game drives with restorative coast downtime.

Group Size

2-6 guests

Accommodation

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Rekero Camp, and Matemwe Lodge

Safari Overview

Rhinos, big cats, and Indian Ocean downtime

The first half of this route focuses on high-yield game viewing in Ol Pejeta and the Masai Mara, including endangered-species conservation experiences.

The final nights in Zanzibar offer a complete rhythm shift with reef, beach, and optional Stone Town exploration.

Transfers: Scheduled flights between Nairobi, Ol Pejeta, Masai Mara, and Zanzibar

Safari Snapshot

Track rhinos in Ol Pejeta, search for big cats in the Masai Mara, then slow down on Zanzibar's Indian Ocean shoreline.

Safari Style

Beach + Bush

Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.

Trip Rhythm

7-9 Nights

Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.

Destinations

Kenya & Tanzania

Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.

Nairobi Arrival and Flight to Ol Pejeta on Day 1

Day 1 · Nairobi to Laikipia

Nairobi Arrival and Flight to Ol Pejeta

Arrive in Nairobi, connect to Ol Pejeta by light aircraft, and begin with an afternoon game drive.

  • 40-minute flight to conservancy
  • First rhino-focused drive
Ol Pejeta Conservation Experiences on Day 2-3

Day 2-3 · Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservation Experiences

Morning and afternoon activities include game drives and a visit to the northern white rhino enclosure.

  • Three rhino species habitat
  • Bush Camp guiding team
Fly to the Masai Mara on Day 4

Day 4 · Ol Pejeta to Masai Mara

Fly to the Masai Mara

Transfer to airstrip and fly to Mara, then game-drive transfer to Rekero Camp on the Talek River.

  • Low-altitude scenic flight
  • Riverfront camp arrival
Masai Mara Game Drives on Day 5-6

Day 5-6 · Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara Game Drives

Twice-daily game drives target big cats, migration corridors, and high-density wildlife areas.

  • Hot-air balloon option
  • Prime predator habitat
Fly to Zanzibar on Day 7

Day 7 · Masai Mara to Zanzibar

Fly to Zanzibar

Morning flight to Nairobi followed by onward flight to Zanzibar and private transfer to Matemwe Lodge.

  • Bush-to-beach transition
  • Private island transfer
Zanzibar Ocean Days on Day 8-9

Day 8-9 · Matemwe

Zanzibar Ocean Days

Unwind with snorkeling, dhow sailing, reef excursions, or relaxed beach time at your own pace.

  • Marine activities
  • Optional Stone Town visit
Departure from Zanzibar on Day 10

Day 10 · Zanzibar

Departure from Zanzibar

Private transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward international journey.

  • 1.5-hour airport transfer
  • Departure support

Route Map & Safari Points

Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.

Map route for 9 Days Kenya Zanzibar Luxury Safari
  1. 1

    Day 1

    Nairobi

    Arrival and transfer to Wilson Airport for the first flight sector.

  2. 2

    Day 1-3

    Ol Pejeta Conservancy

    Rhino-focused conservancy activities including endangered-species enclosure visits.

  3. 3

    Day 4-6

    Masai Mara

    Predator-rich plains and classic Mara game-drive windows from Rekero Camp.

  4. 4

    Day 7-9

    Matemwe, Zanzibar

    Beach and marine activities on Zanzibar's north-east coast.

What's Included

  • Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
  • Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the final day
  • Park entry fees and conservancy charges
  • All activities unless listed as optional
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Drinking water during safari days
  • Services of a professional guide/driver
  • Taxes and VAT

Exclusions

  • Hot-air balloon rides
  • Maasai village and similar optional visits
  • Boat rides unless specified
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Best Travel Window

Seasonality

Jul - OctDec - Mar

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more clarity before you book? Start here.

Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?

No. Zanzibar follows Tanzania immigration rules, so one valid Tanzania visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar stays.

Can I get the Tanzania visa on arrival?

In most cases yes, though we recommend applying online in advance and carrying all required documents, including accommodation details and return flight proof.

Is travel insurance required for Zanzibar?

Yes. Zanzibar currently requires proof of approved inbound travel insurance on arrival, so we include this in your pre-departure checklist.

Planning Guides for This Route

Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.

The Great Wildebeest Migration: Month-by-Month Planning Guide

Planning · 14 min

The Great Wildebeest Migration: Month-by-Month Planning Guide

The migration is a circular, year-round ecosystem event, not a fixed calendar show. This guide maps where the herds usually are each month — Ndutu calving, Grumeti crossings, the dramatic July-October Mara River chaos, and the southward turn — and explains how to design a trip that maximises the right kind of action for your travel window.

Read Guide
Masai Mara vs Serengeti: Which Route Fits Your Travel Style?

Planning · 9 min

Masai Mara vs Serengeti: Which Route Fits Your Travel Style?

Both parks share a single ecosystem, but they reward very different traveller priorities. This side-by-side guide draws on field experience to help you choose between Mara concentration and Serengeti scale, or design an East Africa circuit that includes both with Zanzibar or Mombasa added on.

Read Guide

Plan Your Kenya & Tanzania Safari

Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.

Email Us

Hear what our clients have to say

Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.

TripAdvisor View profile

Our Affiliations

Simba Paka Affiliations: Magical KenyaSimba Paka Affiliations: KATO BondedSimba Paka Affiliations: TOSKSimba Paka Affiliations: TRA