7-Day Kenya Bush & Beach: Self-Launched Masai Mara Safari & Mombasa Coast
7 days · Kenya
Smile view Kenya tours and travel charges £1,040
No-markup version: ~£425 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the best of Kenya independently — iconic wildlife in the Masai Mara and sun-soaked beaches in Mombasa — for a fraction of the commercial tour price. This self-launched itinerary replaces guided group transport with shared shuttles and the famous SGR train, swaps pricey tour-included accommodation for well-rated budget guesthouses and mid-range beach hotels, and uses self-bookable safari operators for your game drives. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Nairobi to Masai Mara via Great Rift Valley
Masai Mara, Kenya
Take an early-morning shared shuttle from Nairobi to the Masai Mara (departs ~7:00am from various Nairobi pick-up points). Break the journey with a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and escarpment — one of Africa's most dramatic landscapes, and free to admire. Grab a hot lunch in Narok town at a local restaurant for around £3-5. Arrive at your budget campsite or guesthouse in the Mara by mid-afternoon and join an introductory 2-3 hour afternoon game drive booked directly with a local safari operator at the gate.
🚌Shared shuttle from Nairobi (~£15-20). Departs early morning from central Nairobi — book a day in advance via local operators or hostels.
🛏Masai Mara budget campsite or guesthouse (e.g. Mara Crossings Camp or similar budget options near Sekenani Gate, ~£15-20/night for a dorm or basic tent pitch)
- →Shared shuttle Nairobi to Masai Mara (~£15-20 per person via operators like Mombasa Raha or Nairobi-Mara shuttle services)
- →Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint and escarpment (free)
- →Lunch in Narok town at a local café (~£3-5)
- →Afternoon introductory game drive in Masai Mara (2-3 hours, book directly at gate or via GetYourGuide, ~£30-40 including park fees)
Full Day Game Viewing in the Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
This is the highlight of the trip. Book a full-day shared 4WD game drive directly with a local safari driver or through your campsite — this is far cheaper than what a commercial operator charges. Set out early at sunrise for the best Big Five sightings: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. A packed picnic lunch (arranged via your campsite) keeps you in the park all day. Evenings back at camp are a great chance to meet fellow travellers around the fire.
🚌Shared 4WD safari vehicle included in game drive booking.
🛏Masai Mara budget campsite or guesthouse (e.g. Mara Crossings Camp, ~£15-20/night)
- →Full-day shared game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve (book via campsite or local driver, ~£50-70 including park fees and shared vehicle)
- →Picnic lunch in the park (arrange via campsite, ~£5-8)
- →Big Five wildlife spotting: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino
- →Optional: sundowner drinks at camp
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Rise early for one last sunrise over the Mara before catching the shared shuttle back to Nairobi, arriving by early afternoon. Check into a centrally located Nairobi hostel — Nairobi has a fantastic hostel scene around Westlands and Kilimani. Use the afternoon to rest, explore a local market, or grab dinner at one of Nairobi's excellent local restaurants. Prepare for your onward journey to Mombasa the next morning.
🚌Shared shuttle Masai Mara to Nairobi (~£15-20). Book the same shuttle service used on Day 1.
🛏Nairobi budget hostel (e.g. Nairobi Backpackers or Upper Hill Campsite, dorm from ~£10-15/night)
- →Shared shuttle Masai Mara back to Nairobi (~£15-20)
- →Explore Nairobi: visit a local market (e.g. Maasai Market if it's a Friday/Saturday) or relax at the hostel
- →Dinner at a local Nairobi restaurant (nyama choma or Swahili cuisine, ~£5-8)
Nairobi to Mombasa by SGR Train
Mombasa, Kenya
Head to Nairobi Terminus (near JKIA) and board the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Madaraka Express to Mombasa — one of Africa's most scenic modern rail journeys, passing through Tsavo National Park where you may spot elephants and giraffe from the window. The journey takes around 4.5 hours. Book your SGR ticket in advance online at the Kenya Railways website. Arrive at Mombasa Terminus (Miritini) and take a tuk-tuk or matatu to your beach accommodation on the north or south coast.
🚌SGR Madaraka Express, Nairobi Terminus to Mombasa Terminus (~£10-14). Tuk-tuk or matatu from Mombasa Terminus to your accommodation (~£2-5).
🛏Budget beach guesthouse or mid-range hotel on the Mombasa coast (e.g. Bamburi Beach area guesthouses or Diani Beach budget options, ~£20-30/night for a private room with breakfast)
- →SGR Madaraka Express train Nairobi to Mombasa (~£10-14 for economy class, book at krc.co.ke)
- →Wildlife spotting through Tsavo National Park from the train window (free)
- →Settle into beach accommodation and explore the coastline at sunset
Mombasa Beach Day & Old Town Exploration
Mombasa, Kenya
Spend the morning on the Indian Ocean beach — the turquoise water and white sand are stunning and largely free to enjoy. In the afternoon, take a matatu or tuk-tuk into Mombasa Old Town for a self-guided walking tour: Fort Jesus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ~£8 entry), the Old Port, Swahili architecture, and local street food stalls. This replaces the expensive optional city tour offered by the commercial operator at $100 — you can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost.
🚌Matatu or tuk-tuk to Mombasa Old Town (~£2-3 each way).
🛏Budget beach guesthouse or mid-range hotel, Mombasa coast (~£20-30/night)
- →Morning beach swimming and sunbathing (free at public beaches)
- →Self-guided Mombasa Old Town walking tour (tuk-tuk there ~£2)
- →Fort Jesus UNESCO site entry (~£8, book via GetYourGuide or pay at the gate)
- →Street food lunch in Old Town: samosas, mandazi, and fresh coconut (~£3-5)
- →Optional: book a snorkelling trip to Mombasa Marine Park via GetYourGuide (~£25-35)
Diani Beach or Watamu Coast Day
Mombasa Coast, Kenya
Use your final full beach day to explore further afield. Take a ferry across to the south coast and head to Diani Beach (one of Africa's best beaches), or head north to Watamu for snorkelling in the marine national park. Both are accessible by matatu and local ferry for well under £10. Alternatively, stay local and arrange a dhow sailing trip or kitesurfing lesson. Spend the evening enjoying a fresh seafood dinner at a beachside restaurant — Mombasa's Swahili seafood is world-class and very affordable.
🚌Likoni Ferry (free or nominal fee) + matatu to Diani or north coast matatu (~£3-6 total).
🛏Budget beach guesthouse or mid-range hotel, Mombasa coast (~£20-30/night)
- →Ferry to south coast + matatu to Diani Beach (~£3-5 total) OR matatu north to Watamu (~£4-6)
- →Snorkelling at Diani or Watamu Marine Reserve (self-arranged with local operator, ~£15-25 including equipment)
- →Optional: dhow sailing sunset trip (~£20-30, book via GetYourGuide or local beach operators)
- →Fresh seafood dinner at a local beachside restaurant (~£8-12)
Mombasa to Nairobi by SGR Train
Nairobi, Kenya
Catch the morning SGR Madaraka Express back to Nairobi, again passing through the spectacular Tsavo National Park. The train departs Mombasa Terminus at set times (typically 8:00am and 3:00pm — book in advance). Arrive back in Nairobi by early afternoon, in time for onward flights or to extend your adventure. The SGR journey itself is a fantastic experience and a highlight of any Kenya trip.
🚌SGR Madaraka Express, Mombasa Terminus to Nairobi Terminus (~£10-14). Book in advance at krc.co.ke.
🛏N/A (end of itinerary — overnight at airport or Nairobi hostel if needed)
- →SGR Madaraka Express train Mombasa to Nairobi (~£10-14 economy class)
- →Wildlife spotting through Tsavo National Park from the train (free)
- →Arrive Nairobi: transfer to airport or city accommodation as needed
Self-launched vs. Smile view Kenya tours and travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Smile view Kenya tours and travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£425 | £1,040 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £615 per person (59%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Smile view Kenya tours and travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£425
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 7-Day Kenya Bush & Beach: Self-Launched Masai Mara Safari & Mombasa Coast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £425 per person for 7 days in Kenya. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Smile view Kenya tours and travel?+
Yes — Smile view Kenya tours and travel charges around £1,040 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £425 — a saving of roughly £615 (59%) per person.
How long is the Kenya trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Kenya.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, beaches trip through Kenya, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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